Zhong- inner, central, calm, stable… facing the vicissitudes of life.
Zhong- inner, central, calm, stable, balanced, correct, put in the center, mediate, between; the inner life, the heart; a stable point that lets you face the vicissitudes of life.
I am currently studying ancient Chinese written language with a group of scholars. This ancient writing is composed not of words or linear sentences but of multi-dimensional images or pictures referred to as "seal characters" by etymologists. Above is the image or "seal character" for Zhong which connotes a general meaning of inner, central, calm, stable, balanced, correct, put in the center, mediate, between; the inner life, the heart; a stable point that lets you face the vicissitudes of life.
Like mantras these images are alive and increase in their activity and impact when we establish a relationship with them. The images are like seeds that remain dormant until we water them and give them sunshine. We actually invoke the image as if it were a silent or sleeping person. It then awakens and we can engage with it and even ask it questions or seek advice like we would ask a teacher, parent or friend. The image, like a dream, comes from the depths and purity of Nature so I tend to trust what it has to say. Totally unbiased and to the point. It communicates with us very much like our psyches do. Without words. Look for feelings, felt senses and other visualizations that surface to consciousness. Here’s a simple method on how to do it:
It would be good to keep this image visible at your altar or even taped onto your refrigerator. From time to time return to it, look at it and listen to what it has to say. We don’t project meaning into it. Rather we wait with open heart and mind to see, hear, feel what emerges. Thus one must withdraw one’s projections. Not an easy task but you can do this and it is very good training for the human being because we spend about 90% of our lives projecting our minds and emotions onto and into things and other people (and pets!) We’re always hoping for the other to be something that perhaps they were never meant to be. Unhappiness and frustration are the result of this approach to life.
Once activated the image becomes the face, the persona, of a spirit or energy that has now entered our lives and it begins to work its magic. The image is a guide, a medicine, a talisman that holds the deepest wisdom and truth for us at this time. Allow the image to come into wherever you are in your life. There is more than one rational logical meaning for each character. It speaks to the moment and your current situation. The images are alive, informing the present moment, pointing us in a certain direction. In the case of zhong well this character may give you specific advice on how to bring your life back to order, to an inner calm, to something balanced, healthy and in harmony.
If you really want to take it over the top this is what the ancient Chinese shamans would do... Look at the oracle character. Sip the character as if it were water and swallow. You sip them as if sipping water out of a cupped hand. Do this once or a few times until you feel like the character is inside of you. Let the imagery, whatever crops up, sink into your heart. Then let it sink a little deeper into your dan tien (lower abdomen). No thoughts, just a felt sense. This is where poetry and medicine combine. Swallow, absorb, digest the symbols so they become yours. They will become your friends and heal you. Allow the image to arise to form a poem or drawing or any creative act of expression which you can record in your journal or share with the world.