The Way Is Virtue

Hi idquest. How do you determine that your blood pressure is going pretty high? Do you focus on anything with your mind when practicing ZZ, or do you just relax your mind and not focus on anything in particular?

According to some news reports back in 2010, 'Buddha Boy' (Palden Dorje, Now Dharma Sanga ,Tamang Tulku Rimpoche or Ram Bahadur Bomjon) and some of his associates roughed up some local villagers because they disturbed Buddha Boy's meditation. http://buddhism.about.com/b/2010/08/03/buddha-boy-bahadur-bomjan-batterer.htm http://www.hindustantimes.com/Nepal-s-Buddha-Boy-may-be-dragged-to-court/Article1-578069.aspx http://paldendorje.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=2 Anybody heard anything further about this incident?

Namaste brother, and best wishes to you...

Hi Christoff. Have you been trying the daily practice of the wuji zhan zhuang meditation? Very simple but in my experience goes to work right away at addressing imbalances and building up qi. May take some time to start seeing results with deeper issues or long standing chronic problems, so patience and keeping at the practice through ups and downs is a good idea in my experience. If one is patient and persistent in their practice, results will start coming. Maybe not a panacea, but for low energy and premature aging and imbalances and various chronic health problems it can definitely help a lot, in my experience. Daily practice is a good idea and preferably practice in the evening if free time is too limited for practicing twice a day. Build up standing time slowly over time, not standing longer than one can stand without starting to strain or tense up. In my experience, other practices like doing sitting meditation or just doing some moving qigong practices may not be as effective for resolving certain imbalances and building qi, and some of these practices may even increase certain problems. For example, for certain problems sitting meditation may be too 'yin' and thus may increase the problem, and various moving qigong practices may only focus on certain meridians or organs and not address the whole system. Wuji standing meditation seems to be very balanced and works on the whole body and energy body, going to work right away where we need it most. That is my experience anyway. I stopped wuji zhan zhuang for a couple of months and did sitting meditation instead for that time period and found that it wasn't as helpful as the wuji zhan zhuang practice, so I went back to doing daily wuji zhan zhuang as my main practice and things feel more balanced and are improving again. A person in good health may be able to do strictly sitting meditation right from the start without issues but in my experience anyway wuji zhan zhuang is a very good main practice for those who may have imbalances or health issues or low energy. A very simple practice, but a very effective practice, and I suspect one can go far if one persists with even just this one practice as their main practice. This is all just my view based on my own personal experience though. Best wishes to you...

From what I have seen: Taoists cultivate through cultivating virtue, practices, and through studying doctrine and theory. (many traditions include chanting and worship/prayer as well) Buddhists cultivate through cultivating virtue, practices, chanting, and studying sutras and the dharmma. (many traditions include prayer and worship as well) Hindus cultivate through cultivating virtue, practices, chanting, prayer, worship of the divine, and reading scriptures. Christians cultivate through cultivating virtue, practices, prayer, devotional singing, worship of the divine, and reading scripture. Etc, etc... IMO, we all have to start with where we are and work from there, even though 'where we are' may very much be a product of our current beliefs and understanding. As we progress we may find that certain practices or approaches that were helpful to us previously may no longer be needed, and we may then start adopting a different approach, but IMO we always have to work from where we are and with our own personal make up and current state of mind, and views, and beliefs, etc., at any given 'point in time'. As an example of what I am trying to get at, Gautama Buddha, apparently deeply understanding this, passed on the dharmma and passed on various ways to cultivate. Why did the Buddha pass on information about various practices and approaches and also universal and spiritual 'laws'? Depending on how one reads various scriptures such as the Bible or Hindu texts or Buddhist sutras and scriptures, etc., one can find guidance on practice and doctrine and theory. There are apparently many approaches, so if this is true, it would seem we would be well advised to not fall into the trap of looking down our noses at all other approaches and we should be careful to not automatically assume that our own personal approach is the only right approach or best approach, and all other approaches are faulty or useless. Sure there may very well be many useless or even harmful approaches and practices out there, but it would seem to me that we should at least be careful about being too quick to pass judgement on all other approaches that are different than our own. Who knows, we might just learn something or understand something that we weren't previously aware of. In the end, we ultimately each have to follow our own heart... [Edit - Add later:] I Re-read my reply above and realized it probably wasn't all that clear in regards to what I was trying to get at. A few comments were made previously along the lines of one should just mainly focus on 'practice', and it seemed to be implied that reading and thinking about and discussing theory and concepts and information about specific practices may not be so important or helpful. I personally would say that reading or discussing and thinking can be a type of cultivation as well, if kept in balance. In my view it can help us to get some degree of understanding or at least a concept of what we are working on and how it might bring us closer to our goals, and it can also help to get us in a better frame of mind or preparedness for our other practices. What we can can get from books may be much less than what we can get from discussions directly with an accomplished teacher, since a accomplished teacher can keep the discussion limited to what is most beneficial to us at any given time, and can present things in a way that we personally can best relate to. However, we can still derive at least some such benefits from reading on our own and discussing with others as well, I think. It depends what one is reading and discussing. I guess my point is that there are many aspects to cultivation (not just 'practice'), and different traditions may give different empahasis to these various different aspects, or approach them in different ways, as from what I can gather there definitely seems there can be different focuses in different traditions. The ulitmate end result may be similar or the same, or it may not be so similar at all. So, I think that we should not assume that 'everything really is the same' and thus everyone should take the same approach, or try to judge another approach based on what works for our approach. In general though, I think we can probably say that we should not neglect the importance of practice, but what is referred to as 'practice' can vary quite a bit in different traditions. Ok, maybe this is not really any clearer. I guess I would say that we should not neglect any of the various aspects of cultivation of our own particular system or tradition. Specific 'practices' are just one aspect only of overall cultivation, IMO. Best wishes to all...

" ... You should be careful. A little different is totally wrong. ..." Looks like very interesting material wudangquan. Best wishes to you...

Once Buddhism reached China there was a lot of interaction between Taoism and Buddhism in China. The term spiritual embryo or fetus is definitely associated with Taoist internal alchemy, but it is possible that certain Buddhist traditions may have borrowed this term from Taoism or maybe a similar concept exists in some Buddhist traditions. Many Taoist alchemy texts contain this concept.

My knowledge of Taoist theory is not sufficient enough to provide definitive answers to these questions. I have found that different sources do not seem to always describe things in exactly the same way, and the theory can sometimes seem fairly complicated as well. Some alchemy writings refer to developing yang spirit but can also refer to cultivating primordial nature. I am not clear on how these two concepts tie together. On the one hand it would seem that we all have primordial nature, so it would seem one does not need to develop it but more like we just need to cultivate ourself to return to it, but at the same time internal alchemy seems to place emphasis on developing yang spirit (primordial spirit) as being important in this process. So maybe yang spirit is what develops as we cultivate ourself and thus return closer to our primordial nature, but maybe that is not right at all. Regarding the hun and po. I also do not have a very clear idea of these concepts but here is a description based on my very limited and very possibly faulty understanding. Hun shen (sometimes translated as the yang soul) is associated with the liver (wood element) and is the shen of the qi. Po shen (yin soul) is associated with the lungs (metal element) and is the shen of the jing. This seems to be in line with what you said above. Cognition (consciousness) brings about the po shen which causes jing to arise. Jing causes the Hun Shen to arise which in turn causes qi to arise. Qi leads to shen to arise. Shen (consciousness) in turn causes jing to arise. So this is a five element constructive and supportive cycle. Shen -> Po -> Jing -> Hun -> Qi, and then back to shen again. Well, that is one way I have seen it described anyway. The cultivation of jing, qi, and shen seem to be central in internal alchemy cultivation, but how exactly Hun and Po fit into the internal alchemy process I am not certain. I'm even less knowledgeable on the spiritual realms according to Taoist doctrine, and there seems to be some variation on the description of these realms depending on the source as well, but I am not sure. I think though that as one cultivates to a higher level one is suppposed to naturally resonate with higher levels in the spritual realms that are on a par with one's level of attainment when one dies. One no longer has to reincarnate when one attains the higher heavenly realms. Well, something along those lines anyway. Maybe someone out there can clarify all or some these concepts and how they fit together further. My knowledge of Taoist doctrine and theory is still pretty elemental and sketchy as you can see.

The spiritual embryo (fetus) is a symbolic term used in at least some traditions of Taoist internal alchemy. The spirit of ordinary people is sometimes referred to as the yin or negative spirit. When we die this negative spirit is all that remains and we return to the yin spiritual realms. My understanding of taoist internal alchemy (at least in some traditions) is that the practitioner is working towards generating and fully developing the yang or positive spirit, which allows the practitioner to achieve spiritual immortality in the sense that the practitioner is no longer subject to the cycle of birth and death. Other abilities/accomplishements are achieved as well and there are different levels of attainment in internal alchemy practice. That is a rough idea of the concept. This might not apply to all traditions of internal alchemy however. Those who are more versed in the concepts of Taoist internal alchemy may be able to provide further info on this. You can read a description of the overall Taoist Imternal alchemy process from two different traditions here: http://www.taoiststudy.com/content/practical-process-taoist-internal-alchemy-practice and here: http://en.daoinfo.org/wiki/Inner_Alchemy Best wishes...

Hi tccii. Thanks for the info and link regarding your various teachers. Best wishes...

Hi Daode. Thanks for the details on your group.

Hi tccii. Can you provide any details about who your teachers of these traditions are and maybe a little about them? Is this info on your website?

Hi Daode. I would be interested to hear some details about your specific lineage and teacher's name as well. Can you provide some details regarding 'the teacher of single yang'? I believe there are references on your website to a book written by this teacher (the lineage holder?) of your school? What is the name of his/her book? Does your group offer any workshops or ongoing classes in North America as of yet? I could not find this info on your website.

Now you tell me... Interesting....

Well, these questions do not look easy, and some are probably trick questions, but I will take a crack at trying to answer them anyway for fun. 1) Taoist alchemy is said to be simple, or very simple. As Zhang BoTuan says: " Those who know the truth recognize how simple it is ; those who don't know , likely incline to make it as complicated as they can". But why so simply ? Because taoist cultivation makes use of natural processes, so one only needs to know how to align oneself with these natural processes and doesn't really need to do or know anything more to proceed? 2) It is said to be "just before our eyes" . Why? Because everything arises from tao and everything is therefore of tao? 3) Why say that Tao is laughable? Because it claims eternity possible , or because it emphasizes on using other sex's body? Because a person pursuiing tao seems to be acting against 'common worldly sense'? 4) Why say that it should be done at home, not on high mountains? Because everything that is needed for cultivation is already within us? 5) Why say that it must be succeeded through dual-cultivation, not solely by the effort of our mind or oneself? Because cultivation of tao requires the dual cultivation of nature and life (xing and ming)? 6) Why say that those hazards will definitely arise in our practice? Any exceptions? No idea... [Added later:] Because we are not perfect so we cannot avoid all hazards on our own? Exception might be if one follows exactly as an accomplished teacher directs us? 7) Why an " old yellow-faced female matchmaker" is needed ? No idea... Wait, on second thought it may refer to Earth element (yellow color) which facilitates the merging of true yang and true yin, thus doing a kind of match making? 8) Why make use of the time is crucial? Why say that the flexible Zi time(活子時) is more important than the fixed Zi time ( 11:00pm~1:00am)? Because we need to practice to make progress? Certain times of the day and night are more beneficial for practice; however, it is better to practice when one can manage it than to not practice at all? 9) It is said that real hermits live in public, hidden in mass , not deep in deep cave. Why ? Because to cultivate virtue to a high level one must learn to live harmoniously with others and help others where one can? One cannot achieve this in complete isolation? 10) Why say that if not having our te polished and upgraded, then there is no way of proceeding, or laying the foundation? Because cultivating te is the way of aligning with and cultivating tao within ourself, and no alignment with tao means no cultivation of tao is possible? [Added later:] In terms of xing and ming, we can't proceed in tao cultivation if we have an insufficient 'basis' and insufficient 'materials' to start working with? 11) Why talk about the sun and moon? Because it represents true yang and true yin, or at least yang and yin, which is an important concept in taoist cultivation? I hope I didn't flunk this test too badly. I would be interested to hear the correct answers... .

GM Huang Xingxian (Huang Sheng Shyan, 1910-1992) (Yang Tai Chi) versus Liao Kuangcheng (Shuai Jiao wrestler) GM Huang is in the white tee shirt and Liao Kuangcheng is in the white sleeveless undershirt. "This is a publicized match between Huang Xingxiang and Liao Kuangcheng in 1970 Singapore. Liao Kuangcheng was a wrestling teacher recognized as a south-east asia champion who defeated wrestlers from Japan, France, Australia, and the Netherlands. In 1970 Liao Kuangcheng challenged Huang Xingxian to a match, reportedly Liao was 10 years younger and 20kg heavier. Huang Xingxian studied under Chen Manching from 1947 until he went to Singapore in 1958. Based on the match rules, the score ended up Huang: 26 Liao: 0." GM Huang Match - Part 1: GM Huang Match - Part 2

Hi xuanying. Ok thanks. I have seen a recommendation for 'Da Cheng Jie Yao' as being a very helpful and useful alchemy text. Maybe one day I will be able to read it myself. It sounds like some of the books by Tian Chengyang might well be useful for those who are not too familiar with Taoist cultivation practices to get a better overview of all the practices and terms and such then. Thanks again for the feedback.

Hello Fabrizio, I posted this a little earlier but didn't see a reply from you. Are you aware of any of the books I posted earlier, namely the two Ching dynasty alchemy texts (性命圭旨 and 大成捷要), or the books on Taoist cultivation by contemporary Taoist master 田诚阳? If you are aware of any of them, just wondering what your view is on them?

Yes, Paramahansa Yogananda was no doubt a very exceptional and inspirational person. A person who truly seemed to embody what he taught.

Was going to edit my previous reply to add some things but the Edit option is not showing up on my reply for some reason. Some sort of glitch it would seem. You won't get any argument from me that there has been a tradition of secrecy in Taoist cultivation traditions. However, I also know that in recent years there have been at least some teachers that are now offering to teach serious students. I personally would be inclined to think that a teacher of any true spiritual tradition will be much less concerned with borders and geography and other external worldly factors and more concerned with the true state of any potential student's heart. If the student is not sincere or otherwise not ready there would be no point to teach anything beyond what they are ready and able to learn. That is just a matter of practicality. From the student's point of view, it makes no sense to lament that teachers won't teach us how to run when in reality we are still learning the basics of walking. That is how I see it anyway. There may be a lot of truth to the saying that when the student is ready the teacher appears...

No doubt at least improbable...

. Some teachers seem to exude spirituality: Some continue to do so well into old age: A lot can show in a person's face and demeanour, it seems...

Maybe it really is just as simple as Braco being able to open his heart to 'spiritual love' and allow that to pass through him. Maybe that is enough to trigger others to have spontaneous healings and such if they are really open to it. Those that don't believe in such things might think of any healings as the placebo effect. If it really does work for some people then I guess it doesn't matter how someone else prefers to think about it. Many interesting things in this world at any rate...

Still it is interesting that some people are saying that when they brought pictures of someone they know who has health problems and hold the pictures during the gazing session that some of those people have been healed. Of course there is no way to know whether these stories are true or exagerated without someone independently looking into such stories. Some or all of these people being interviewed could be members of the organization or such. It would also be interesting to know what exactly is done with all the money made by this organization, and whether any of it goes to Braco, and whether or not this is a non-profit organization. If what I have read is at all accurate, if they have been charging $8 per person, and Braco has been seeing a couple of hundred thousand people a year , plus sales of the jewelry and DVDs, that would add up to fair bit of money. Maybe someone here knows more about such details...