Walk the Tracks

Today I want to present a really simple C1/C5 exercise.

A number of the exercises I'll be posting are based on the idea that a challenge to one of the lower circuits, C1-C4, when resolved can stimulate an activation of the corresponding higher circuit (C5-C8). In this exercise we'll challenge C1 in a fairly safe way, which if successful, will cause the bliss of C5 to arise in consciousness.

If you recall, C1 is basically associated with survival. And C5 is associated with ecstasy. I'm not a biochemist, but I would associate C1 challenges with adrenaline, and C5 bliss with endorphins. So all you have to do for this exercise is

1. Run a marathon

No, not really! You could do the above, running until your body tells you you're going to die, live that fear, then get the rush of a second wind. Here we're going to do something a little less strenuous :-)

This exercise is called 'Walk the Tracks'. We'll challenge the C1 survival instinct of fear of falling. About seven inches.

First, find a nice safe train track on which to walk. Don't choose an active line, and if you do, make sure you can get safely away if a train comes. We are not working on the C1 challenge of fear of collision with a locomotive :-) ...

Now, walk on one of the rails as far as you can before losing your balance and falling those seven inches. Go fast or slow, whatever puts you right on the threshold of challenge. If it's too easy, you won't get any adrenaline going! So if you have excellent balance, make it harder on yourself. Close your eyes, walk faster, whatever it takes.

That's it!

Now that you know all the details, and while you're still at your computer, consider proper preparation for this exercise. As always, you should be well rested, not hungry but not bursting at the seams from a huge breakfast, not hot or cold. In other words, you should not have any other C1 issue bothering you before you focus on the challenge of not falling. Also, you should have in mind a clear goal of what we're trying to accomplish here. Better balance is not the goal. Becoming more frightful of failing is not the goal, and being able to walk further along the rail than any of your friends isn't, either. The whole goal is using a challenge to C1 to stimulate C5.

We're also not trying to generate bliss for the sake of generating bliss. Keep in mind that later on in the journey, we want to be able to use this bliss as needed to foster further spiritual growth. What does that mean? We'll explore that later, but for now keep in mind that the bliss that may arise from doing this exercise is not the end goal. However, experiencing that bliss, recognizing it as part of ourselves, integrating it into ourselves, and being aware of it to the point that we could easily explain it to others, that is the goal.

So on the C1 side, work on recognizing the fear of falling. And recognize your own ability to overcome that fear, either through controlling your body to the point where the fall is not going to happen, or to recognize that fear for what it is -- a survival instinct intended to keep you from being careless when climbing Half-Dome. Once the fear gives way to a recognition of what the fear is, you can experience the fear, recognize it as part of your self, integrate it, and be aware of it to the point that you could easily explain it to others.

I look forward to anyone's report of their experiences with this simple exercise!