Predictive Paradigm: Inner Shaolin (pt. II)
Mastering the Psycho-Physical Bridge
Interlude: Here's a twist in the narrative. While the plan was to delve further into the world of beliefs and ideas in Part II, my recent encounter with releasing tension seems fitting for our discussion, so let's navigate these unexpected waters before returning to our initial course.
A Brief Note on Format: I will be experimenting with writing shorter pieces more frequently. Your thoughts on this change are welcome (just hit reply).
A Reminder: This piece is a continuation of Part I. Without that context, some nuances may be missed.
So, I was relaxing in a mountain bar by a fireplace, drinking a rare Old Fashioned. It was distinguished both by its composition — with honey water and bourbon-soaked cherries — and by my now-infrequent indulgence in alcohol. The cherries, by the way, were exceptional. And that’s when tension showed up in my legs.
A Quick Retrospective: As I wrote in Part I, I have been trying to reduce bodily tension for about 15 years now. I have tried every frigging thing possible, and it’s been a relatively successful practice. When I was writing Flock Without Birds, at around 30 years old, I began waking up with cramped feet, which nearly prevented me from walking for the first half-hour of every morning. I don’t remember at all how things were before that. But this was probably the first time I truly noticed the amount of tension my body was in. Since then, through gadgets, supplements, meditation, and inner moves #1-20, I managed to bring the tension and pain down to a fraction of what it used to be. It’s not gone, but it’s turned from a health problem to an infinite game. How relaxed can I be? I think that’s a question worth spending a lot of time on.
Back in the mountain bar, I played with the tension, and stumbled upon a new approach. I tried hundreds of psychological wiggles and inner ninja leaps over the years, and only some produced a lasting effect. So I’ll call this one Inner Move #21 in homage to the many forgotten manoeuvres. It’s only important as an example, as a door into the inner Shaolin temple, where one can discover their unique style.
Inner Move #21
Acknowledge and accept the tension. It's the kind of discomfort that often becomes noticeable when you relax — by a fireplace, in a restaurant, or in bed. It’s a pervasive underlying discomfort or pain, so omnipresent that you may be trained to ignore it.
Add subtlety: Separate the tension from the feelings it triggers and the subsequent reactions. Tension, feeling, reaction — each is distinct.
Consider tension as a basic, self-operating predictive system, trying to safeguard your future. It's a primitive but earnest effort to protect you. (Recall vasocomputation from Part I.) This ancient structure is trying hard, on its own, to predict the future. It’s disconnected from your able mind, your experience and skills, and the rest of your powerful, predictive, adult body. Feel its hard work.
Assure this primal system that other parts of your being are well-equipped to handle uncertainty. Whether it's physical strength, mental agility, or the expanse of your consciousness, show that other facets of yourself can help predict and face challenges. Keep focusing your awareness on the tension in a gentle, reassuring way. The goal is not to strip power away but to offer an alliance of systems. (This not only redistributes stress, but also builds up pathways across the psycho-physical bridge discussed in Part I).
If the tension starts responding and relaxing, you may start feeling gentle shivers. Lean into them! Amplify them. More than just a nice feeling, they are a deep communication between the separated parts of the nervous system. Feel the shiver connect and unite.
And that concludes our detour into the inner Shaolin, a place to practice and master the psycho-physical bridge. Next, I plan to revisit the predictive terrain of beliefs and ideas in Part III — unless the currents lead me elsewhere.
