Outline

• 0 hrs - 15 min

  What is Intent? Yi in relation to the spirit. Review this concept from their roots in Chinese Medical and Classical texts. What Yi (intent) and Zhi (Will) are in relation to Shen (Spirit). What is their notion and how is it responsible in the working of the mind of a responsible human being.

• 15 min - 30 min

  The direction taken by the heart, mind, toward which the heart-mind is aiming, is called Yi. When intent is exhausted, the spirit is disturbed and the Qi is diminished and there is difficulty to maintain a long life. As in reference to Lingshu 8, it is the Yi - Intent that appears as the beginning of the functioning and manifestation of the heart-mind, and it is the heart-mind which is able to take charge of one's life. Qi cannot be restrained by physical strength, but it may be brought to rest by spiritual power such as virtue. It cannot be directed to one’s call, but it may be welcomed by one’s intent. Such is called “Power of awareness." It is intent which decides how is my Heart-Mind, and how it reflects the quality of my Qi!

• 30 min - 45 min

  Presentation of the 4 cardinal movements referenced to Lunshu 16 and 38. Illustration to the “Yang ascending” movement of the Yin starting from Earth and the “Yin movement” of the Yang descending from Heaven. Illustration of the Bia/Li (inner-Outer) movement. Reference to Nanjing 8 as 12 meridians are connected to the source of vital Qi.

• 45 min - 1 hrs

  In nourishing and shaping our discernment, Intent - Yi - is very basic and represents one of the five aspects of spirit (Wu Shen) and one of the essentials of the heart-mind. As referred in Lingshu 8, when the heart-mind applies oneself, we speak of an inning -Yi. What is it to apply oneself? To apply oneself is to have in the mind what we received, what we remember, and what we recorded in our heart. Yi - Intent is coming from what is already entered in myself and is recalled in my Heart-Mind all the time, to reflect upon.

• 1 hrs - 1.25 hrs

  Will -Zhi - Presentation of the Chinese character which reflects something that is able to rise upright from its root and able to sustain itself. It carries a sense of strength and firmness, determination, and purpose. In the classical text, Yi and Zhi are not a couple like Hun and Po. They are very close. They are a continuity from the inner disposition. When intent becomes permanent, we speak of Will - Zhi - (Lingshu 8). Intent-Yi - is more related to what we may call receptivity while Will - Zhi - is more related to what we may call rendering. Since we can render only what we have received, they are closely related. Will - Zhi - is when something is finally rooted in oneself, in alignment with its true nature. Will - Zhi - is close to water element - kidney - like true nature rooted in my life, Original nature. Intent - Yi - will become my Will - Zhi - and give direction to my Qi. As in reference by Mencius 380-289 BCE, the Will - Zhi - is the commander of my Qi.

• 1.25 hrs - 1.5 hrs

  When Intent - Yi - becomes permanent, we speak of Will - Zhi. When there is perseverance, Will, changes, and we speak of thought. Will is the root of all my desires, of all my inclination, to the full development of my life; it is the root of my life. As mentioned in Suwen Chapter 2, there is a will adapter for all seasons. As in seasons, there is no change in the mind, but a change in the expression of myself. Adjustments are fine as long as they remain in alignment with your true nature. There is not a river going straight to the sea, but it is always detoured due to circumstances, but faithful to its own nature. When Will - Zhi - is tuned, all expression may be upright and adjustable. The mind is firmer, but more adjustable because we are more rooted in oneself. There may be multiple expressions of one’s authenticity. Confucius references on Will and Zhi. Will - Zhi - leads to the full expression of oneself.