Just Standing There
Doing, not Showing
Pilot's Checklist
Just Standing There!
"So you're just standing there! That's not a form! That's nothing!"
A lot of players view Preparation as something to be gotten through before starting the real action in "Beginning" form. This attitude might miss all the unseen aspects of "Preparation." If we considered that an airplane is "not doing anything" when it's not rushing the runway or in flight, we'd do a disservice to the plane, the pilot and crew. There's a lot going on in a plane on the apron, and in a player doing "Preparation."
You just can't see it..
Doing, not Showing
Consider that "Preparation" is like a Pilot's Pre-Flight Checklist -- a series of things that must be done (invisibly) before turning up the engines and taxiing to the runway in "Beginning." We do these things mentally, physically and spiritually; but not visibly.
"Pilot's" Preparation Checklist
Check that your weight is evenly balanced between left & right, front & back.
Check that your body feels "suspended from the crown point." Light not heavy.
Check that your tongue is connected to the roof of your mouth, allowing energy flow.
Check that your mind has begun to narrow the focus of attention to the form.
Check that posture is erect, head up, floating up and down with the breath.
Check for the absence of tension -- neck, shoulders, lungs, elbows, waist, hips, knees.
Check for the open-ness of the spirit to Tao. Be Empty. Let creation flow.
"Preparation: Not Nothing; but an invisible something!
Pilot, you're cleared to taxi onto runway "Beginning."
Excellent articulation of preparation method