Qigong Class Schedule: June 15 - 21, 2026
Chuang Chou, the Mystical Anarchist
Chuang Chou
Chuang Chou was a minor government servant who lived around the time of the writing of the Tao Te Ching. His famous text, the Chuang-tzu, draws from the major Chinese philosophies of his era including Taoism and Confucianism, but dismisses disagreements among them as futile and irrelevant. Instead, Master Chuang was what Stephen Mitchell calls “a mystical anarchist”. The Chuang-tzu is cosmic, earthy, humorous, and as deep and puzzling as the most obscure koan. The famous conundrum “Am I a man dreaming I am a butterfly? Or a butterfly dreaming I am a man?” comes from his writings.
Here is a line from the Chuang-tzu I thought you’d enjoy: “One is oblivious of the feet when the shoes fit just right; one is oblivious of the waist when the belt fits perfectly.” According to sinologist Livia Kohn, by “oblivion” Chuang is referring to feeling as comfortable and at home in one’s mind, spirit, and the universe as in a well-broken in pair of shoes: The usual constrictions of life, whether caused by physical or mental stress, are no longer a discomfort or distraction.
To me, this brings to mind the purpose of Zhan Zhuang standing meditations, where we learn to sustain a sense of peace and ease within increasingly effortful positions. (Perhaps “peace and comfort” are easier concepts for our Western minds to accept than “oblivion”!) When first practicing standing meditation, our body may feel stiff and uncomfortable from being in the same position for so long, and our mind wants to jump around and run away in distraction. Eventually, however, we learn to settle into relaxed alignment. The mind unclenches, the senses sharpen, and energy begins to move and circulate. Over time and with practice, we develop such comfortable, relaxed strength and energy both within ourselves and with the universe around us, that we transcend (“become oblivious”) the pinches and blisters of life, the restrictions that hinder and hold us back. We break through the trap of the mind, and enter into deeper communion with our peaceful inner nature and the energy of the earth and cosmos.
If any of this sounds too heady or confusing, just take what makes sense to you and let the rest go for now: The Chuang-tzu is famously befuddling! The point is, our aim in Qigong is to feel comfortable, relaxed, and connected to nature, including our own ever-changing nature. That’s the lesson told again and again in this fascinating classic text, and strengthened each time we do Qigong.
Save the Dates:
Millbrook Library, In-person/online Qigong class: June 26th, 10-11 AM. Please register for this free, beginner friendly class at Millbrooklibrary.org. Jen will send you a reminder of each class a few days before.
Sunday, June 21: Qigong for the Summer Solstice — Innisfree Garden Join me on the first day of summer to celebrate the loving, healing energy of summer and the Fire element within us. Learn relaxing flows, rejuvenating stretches, and self-massage acupressure points to support a healthy heart and compassionate connection to nature and others. Register at the link, above.
Harvesting the Energy of Trees with Qigong, at Kripalu. July 26-29. I encourage you to join me and my wonderful colleagues John and Mary Platt at this relaxing, rejuvenating, and friendly retreat where we work directly with the healing essence and aromas of the various trees on the beautiful Kripalu campus. It’s a true step away from stress and into arms of nature! I hope you can join us! Harvesting the Energy of Trees with Qigong | Kripalu