Qigong with Cris Caivano: June30 - July 6, 2025
Shapable as a Block of Wood
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Tao Te Ching verse 28
As I prepare for my presentation on the Tao Te Ching at Innisfree in a few weeks (Ideas, Movements, and Spaces: Experiencing the Tao de Ching, Qigong, and Innisfree — Innisfree Garden), I once again think “What have I gotten myself into?!” To paraphrase Getrude Stein, there’s so much “there” there! Each time I read this Taoist masterpiece, new insights appear. It’s like looking at a diamond in the sunlight, and seeing how as you move it, the colors keep sparkling and changing. That metaphor would never appear in the Tao Te Ching, however, which is much more interested in the concept of the humble, uncarved block of wood, an image that appears several times throughout the work.
The uncarved block represents simplicity, humility, and endless potential, since a piece of wood can be split or carved into a myriad of useful objects. None of these useful objects, however, compare to the original miracle of the living tree itself: rooted, resilient, and growing stronger by combining the energies of the earth, water, and sun. That is the source of wood’s utility: its unsplit, harmonious integration of yin and yang, its oneness with the world.
The uncarved block is a powerful reminder to keep things simple, to “Be a human be-ing, not a human do-ing.” “If you accept the world, the Tao will be luminous inside you and you will return to your primal self” instructs the Tao Te Ching. Its author(s) go further, and compare the uncarved block to the wise sage, who doesn’t get split by ambition or distraction, but remains humble by taking in the whole picture. (“The Master knows the utensils, yet keeps to the block.”) If only more politicians were Taoists!
When I reflect on the wisdom of the uncarved block, I like to imagine being a great tree, embracing the world, connecting both the dark (roots) and the light (sun); a tree with open, encircling branches. “If you receive the world the Tao will never leave you and you will be like a little child.” It’s a refreshing, rejuvenating exercise to stand in Qigong’s “tree pose” and breathe peacefully into your roots, branches, and leaves. Try it right now; it’s also a great way to cool down on a hot day.
If you’d like to explore other movements and reflections inspired by this magnificent poem, please join me on Saturday, July 12, 10:30 at Innisfree. Ideas, Movements, and Spaces: Experiencing the Tao de Ching, Qigong, and Innisfree — Innisfree Garden Later in July, you are also enthusiastically invited to come to Kripalu and explore even more of the wisdom and healing potential of trees with Harvesting the Energy of Trees with Qigong. I hope you to see you here or there!
Schedule Notes for July:
Live, in-person/ Zoom Qigong at Millbrook Library: Fridays July 11th and 25th, 10 -11AM Open to all, and beginner friendly. Please contact millbrooklibrary.org to register and receive the link if you are joining on Zoom. Once you register, you will receive biweekly email reminders for future classes.
Experiencing the Tao de Ching, Qigong, and Innisfree: Ideas, Movements, and Spaces. Saturday, July 12, 10:30-12:30. Join me and Innisfree landscape curator Kate Kerin for a fascinating walk through the garden. We’ll do Qigong movements inspired by the seminal Taoist poem, the Tao Te Ching, and learn how Chinese gardening philosophies influenced the design of the gardens themselves. Register at innisfreegarden.org
Save the date: Harvesting the Energy of Trees, Kripalu. July 20-23, Sunday-Wednesday. I would love you to join me and my colleagues John and Mary Platt for four rejuvenating, relaxing days in the beautiful Berkshires. Learning, meditating, practicing Qigong, sharing experiences, and hanging out together in such a gorgeous setting is a true Qi tonic! This year’s course includes some new, fun, and interesting elements, including a bit of “Bagua” or circle walking to build energy. To book online, visit kripalu.org/calendar.