External and Internal
- Elizabeth
- Nov 13, 2024
- 2 min read
I feel that my performance, in terms of my numbers, is evidence of my internal issues because when I have the internal working the external practically takes care of itself. This got me thinking about the six harmonies. In class we talk about the external ones quite frequently, but I find myself wanting to know more about the internal ones.
A brief search on the internet said that these were the six harmonies:
Hands and feet
Knees and elbows
Hips and shoulders
Spirit and intent (mind?)
Intent and chi (breath?)
Chi and strength (power?)
The following are more notes about what I found:
Will, intent, Qi, strength, and sound – “Will wakes and Intent mobilizes; Intent moves and Qi reaches, Qi reaches and strength is discharged.”
“Discharging power generates sound”
“The body’s actions and the mind’s actions must be perfectly united. This is the meaning of the 6 harmonies”
“If your body and your intent are fully merged, fully acquainted, that’s 6 harmonies”
“Your body, your breath, and your movement are fully coordinated and connected.”
“Your body rising and sinking, expanding and compressing, and breath, must all be coordinated.”
Kung fu – all about balance
Engagement is where things are LINKED together
We don’t judge, we understand
Heart
Xin: spirit – harmonizes with Yi (intention)
Martial spirit.
Desire to be alive and stay alive.
Sometimes translated as “heart” or “emotional mind”, “emotional content”
Yi: intention – harmonizes with Qi
“Wisdom mind”
One’s experience or knowledge base
Intention can be thought to temper or focus the spirit, so the fighter is controlled and intelligent, rather than wild and clumsy
Your intention informs your energy, ensuring that you do not over-exert yourself and burn out too quickly
Health plays a role in determining one’s ability to think clearly and make sound decisions, so the relationship is a mutual one.
Qi energy (spirit) – harmonizes with Li (strength)
Effective and powerful physical movement should be guided by all the the other factors mentioned above.
Li represents the final physical manifestation of Spirit, Intention, and Energy
I have no idea if all of this information is correct, I haven’t contemplated it much yet. These are just the notes I took in a very short amount of time.
Resources:
Understanding the 6 harmonies, from Plum Publications https://www.plumpub.com/kaimen/2006/understanding-the-six-harmonies/
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