The heart-mind concept in Taoism and Taiji

In Taoism and Taiji (T’ai Chi), the concept of “heart-mind” (xin 心) is a fundamental and multifaceted idea that integrates cognitive, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human experience. Here’s an explanation of what heart-mind means within these traditions:

Unified concept of heart and mind:
In Chinese philosophy, including Taoism, xin (心) refers to both the physical heart and the mind. Unlike Western philosophy, which often separates reason and emotion, the Chinese concept of heart-mind views them as interconnected and coextensive. This holistic approach considers thought and feeling as integrated aspects of human cognition and experience.
Center of cognition and emotion:
Traditionally, ancient Chinese believed the heart was the center of human cognition. The heart-mind is credited with various functions, including thinking, understanding, knowing, intention, emotions, and desires. This comprehensive view emphasizes the interplay between cognitive and affective processes in human experience and decision-making.
Cultivation and naturalness:
In Taoism, particularly as described by Zhuang Zhou (Zhuangzi), the heart-mind is seen as being influenced by social and environmental pressures. While Confucians advocated cultivating the heart-mind to develop moral virtue, Taoists like Zhuangzi considered this socialization potentially detrimental to one’s personal nature. Taoist philosophy often emphasizes allowing the heart-mind to align with the natural flow of the Tao rather than forcing it through artificial cultivation.
Emptiness and stillness:
In Taoist practice, including Taiji, there’s an emphasis on cultivating emptiness and stillness in the heart-mind. The Daodejing often describes the ideal state of the heart-mind as empty and still, which allows it to be attuned and responsive to the natural way (Tao). This concept is crucial in Taiji practice, where practitioners aim to quiet the mind and become more responsive to the subtle energies and movements within and around them.
Holistic involvement in practice:
In Taiji and qigong practices, the concept of heart-mind extends beyond just the cognitive aspects. It involves a full-body engagement, where the practitioner aims to achieve attunement and responsiveness to the world through the entire system of qi (vital energy) that pervades all organs, not just the heart-mind. This holistic approach is evident in the fluid, meditative movements of Taiji.
Path to happiness and self-cultivation:
Some Taoist and Confucian thinkers, like Mencius, describe xin (heart-mind) as a way of returning to happiness. In Taiji practice, cultivating the heart-mind is seen as a path to personal growth, health, and harmony with the Tao.
Fasting of the heart-mind:
An important Taoist concept related to the heart-mind is “xin zhai” (心斋), or “fasting of the heart-mind”. This practice involves purifying and calming the self by refraining from excessive thinking and desire. It emphasizes the importance of quieting the mind to connect with one’s true nature and the Tao.
Thinking through the heart and feeling through the mind:
In Taoist philosophy and Taiji practice, there’s an emphasis on “thinking through the heart and feeling through the mind”. This approach encourages using the mind as an observation tool without judgment, while allowing the heart to provide direction. Meditation and Taiji are seen as ways to quiet the mind and hear the heart’s wisdom.

In conclusion, the concept of heart-mind in Taoism and Taiji represents a holistic understanding of human cognition, emotion, and spirituality. It emphasizes the integration of thought and feeling, the importance of naturalness and emptiness, and the cultivation of a state of being that is in harmony with the Tao. This concept is central to the philosophy and practice of Taiji, informing its meditative movements and approach to self-cultivation.

Sources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xin_%28heart-mind%29
[2] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/chinese-mind/
[3] http://www.heartmind-taichi.com
[4] https://www.cafeausoul.com/iching/way-of-tao/tao-and-masters/xin-and-heart-mind
[5] https://heart-mind-tai-chi.com
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/taoism/comments/155j161/mind_xin_%E5%BF%83_heartmind_in_chinese_philosophy/
[7] http://www.heartmind-taichi.com
[8] https://purplecloudinstitute.com/%E5%BF%83%E6%96%8B-xin-zhai-the-fasting-of-the-heart-mind/
[9] https://patrickkellytaiji.com/taiji/taijiprinciples.html
[10] https://www.taiflow.com/blog/seeing-through-the-heart-and-feeling-through-the-mind
[11] https://heartmindtaichi.org/taichi/
[12] https://wijsheidsweb.nl/wijsheid/heart-mind-and-psychology-in-ancient-china/
[13] https://heartmindcentre.com.au/tai-chi/
[14] https://www.chinesethought.cn/EN/shuyu_show.aspx?shuyu_id=2137
[15] https://heart-mind-tai-chi.com/contemplations/thoughts/An_Introduction_to_the_heart-mind/
[16] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11712-019-09686-z