Why Practitioners Must Strengthen the Body 为什么修行人必须加强身体锻炼

In the journey of self-cultivation, it’s crucial to prioritize not just mental and spiritual exercises, but also physical fitness. But why is physical conditioning so important? To answer this, let’s dive into the concept of Jing, Qi, and Shen—representing body, mind, and spirit. These three elements are deeply interconnected, continuously influencing one another until they achieve a balanced state. In other words, a healthy body enhances our energy, which then elevates our spirit. Likewise, when our mind is calm, focused, and positive, it creates uplifting feelings that, in turn, benefit the body’s health. This cycle is foundational to well-being.

The Risks of Neglecting Physical Conditioning

Imagine a practitioner who focuses solely on mental practices, such as meditation, without integrating physical exercise. While their mind may grow exceptionally focused and peaceful, the body might begin to experience discomfort. This disconnect may lead them to ignore their body, treating pain as if it’s irrelevant to their well-being. Over time, they may distance themselves from their body’s sensations, observing it almost as if it’s another person. This approach can gradually weaken the bond between body and spirit, depriving them of vital energy.

Physical Preparation for Inner Growth

Many practitioners engage in meditation techniques like internal observation, where one becomes aware of bodily sensations and blockages. As these blockages gradually dissolve, energy is released, allowing it to flow more freely. However, if the body is unprepared, tense muscles and deep-seated blockages may resist this flow, leading to discomfort. Pain can sometimes result as the body adapts to new energy flows, especially if muscles are tight or resistant. This is a common side effect for those who practice intensive inner observation.

A personal experience taught me this firsthand. During a seven-day meditation retreat, I spent long hours in deep meditation, intensely focused on mental clarity. Upon returning, I began feeling aches across my entire body—even my fingers. It was clear that while my mind had taken great leaps forward, my muscles and bones were not yet prepared to handle the energy. To adjust, my body needed to “retrain” itself, gradually growing stronger amidst the discomfort. While this was a manageable side effect, there can be more serious repercussions, such as illnesses that force one to pause and start over. Self-cultivation must be approached gradually, without rushing into the highest levels of practice. Without adequate energy and physical readiness, we may face setbacks in both health and spiritual growth.

Integrating Body and Mind in Practice

To achieve balance in practice, strengthening the body is just as essential as refining the mind. Physical exercise complements meditation, ensuring that the body is resilient enough to support the spirit. For those on a journey of self-cultivation, this integration is vital. Embrace a balanced approach to growth—your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for it.

That’s today’s message. If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading!

在修行的过程中，除了注重精神和心灵的修炼，身体的锻炼同样至关重要。那么，为什么身体锻炼如此重要呢？要回答这个问题，我们可以先了解“精、气、神”——即身、心、灵。这三者密切相连，相互影响，最终达到一种平衡的状态。换句话说，健康的身体能提升我们的能量，而能量又会滋养我们的精神。同样地，当我们的头脑保持平静、专注，思想积极向上时，会带来正向的感受，从而进一步促进身体的健康。这种循环是我们身心健康的基础。

忽视身体锻炼的风险

设想一个修行人只专注于精神修炼，比如每日冥想，却忽略了身体的锻炼。他的头脑可能会变得非常平静和专注，但身体可能开始出现不适，甚至疼痛。这种不适可能会让他想与身体“断联”，觉得身体的痛苦与自己无关，渐渐地他可能会对身体的感觉疏远，仿佛身体只是一个旁观的陌生人。然而，这种疏离感最终会削弱他与身体之间的能量链接，导致身体难以提供支持精神成长的能量。

为内在成长做好身体准备

许多修行者在冥想时练习“内观”，即关注身体的感觉和阻塞。当这些阻塞逐渐融化时，能量得以释放并流动。然而，如果身体尚未准备好，肌肉依然紧绷，阻塞仍然存在，这股释放的能量会遇到阻力，引起身体不适甚至疼痛。这也是长期内观的一种副作用。

我个人曾有一次深刻的体验。在一个为期七天的禅修中，每天都要花很长时间静坐，心神高度集中。回家后，我发现自己全身酸痛，甚至连手指都疼痛不已。显然，我的心灵已经往前迈进了好几步，而我的肌肉和骨骼却还没有准备好去承载这些能量。为了适应这些变化，身体需要进行“更新”，在疼痛中逐渐强壮起来。这虽然是个小副作用，但更严重的情况可能引发疾病，甚至让人不得不暂停修行，重新开始。修行不能急于求成，不能一开始就追求最高深的修炼，因为缺乏足够的能量和身体承载力只会适得其反，影响身心健康和灵性成长。