Sky Palms in Baguazhang

Sky Palms

Try this…

• See the Sky: notice its colors; see the sun or stars or moon.
• Hold your palms up. Notice the weight (even in your room) of Sky.
• Soften your focus and imagine: holding it. It—pressing down. Feel it.
• Resist the weight of the Sky. Hold it up…really.
• Lighten up. Relax, and let its weight sink through you.
• Enjoy your Sky.

Why Sky, Not Heaven?

Baguazhang Systems typically revolve around Eight Palms: Heaven, Earth, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Cloud (some prefer Lake or River instead of Cloud). Following my eyes, I see Sky not Heaven.

Why? I can watch Sky from here. Right now.

Heaven requires believing. Heaven conjures mental images. Heaven provokes, for some, imaginary ideals. In my practice and teachings of Baguazhang, I avoid integrating belief systems. I prefer tapping the shoulder of perception. See what I mean?

The world is rich and diverse and wonderful as it is…take a look. You do not need to strain it through beliefs, nor encumber your experience in abstractions. See it, hear it, feel it, smell it: the world is right here.

Start with Sky.

You can see it. And at some point in your training…

You can feel it. (Maybe that’s Heaven.)