林愛偉

Hi Cameron, You are really something! When you question, it isn't just everything you bring to it from your contemplation, there is such a yearning for that light ... basically.. I love your questions. You questioned: ""Where do you think all of this confusion began? I mean..we say things like karma..and each so called being has alot of karma they have to work through to become enlightened. But why all this confusion in the first place? Where did it all go wrong? I asked one of my teachers about this yesterday and he seems to always point back to the reality and that there is no problem. Everything is just the way it is and can be no different. From that perspective SELF goes into trance/confusion/ego/seperation almost for the purpouse of entertainment only to finally realize it's all a game and everything was ok all along."" The confusion began with the wanting of more of what we experienced. I will be honest with you, a discussion like this will go on for such a long time that a thread cannot hold its substance. I will speak from the point of distinguishing form, and I am sure at a later time we will go further. When one experienced their overall great bright nature in the manner of outter things, "material things", over and over again, caused the manner of fmailiarity with things. In light of the "absence" of these things in their mind was the karma they experienced from utilizing one manner for long long time, and creating views about it. Then, they wanted what they had when the outcome of it not being there manifested. This "wanting" was an outcome of the "I" they thought something was missing from. That is where it began. From the seeds of greed, led to outcomes of believing there is something to have; which is ignorance, and because of this thought, they forgot the mind non dual mind, and as a result became upset, angry with not getting. Kind of like spoiled kids who get all from the parents until one day the kid has to do it himself, and though taught to, forgets how to do things. In a way it can be like that. From those 3 things, I am sure you know where it profoundly comes from, the confusion began. To be ignorant is to be confused. The fact there is confusion points to one's ignorance. Next one: ""But why do you think this original impulse to go into confusion/ego and leave(seemingly) the awakened state? I mean let's face it most of the world LOVES the conditoning of ego and seperation. If you just look at what is we actively create on a daily basis new and interesting ways for us to think we are seperate from one another. Not to mention new forms of violence and sickness to prevent seeing clearly."" Now we are talking of our modern world. People become familiar with what they get, and develop views about it. Then they live those views(philosophy) and begin to see the world that way. Doing it for so long, it becomes deep rooted, and they teach children; in schools, t.v. computers, radio, etc. Children make their own ideas fromit and form society, which gets deeper rooted in this mass confusion of things. When one comes with truth, they can't recognize it, and bash the wise person because they view him/her with their conditions. This impulse to go into confusion is just the momentum added to the desires. This momentum comes from how personally attached we are to what we experience. It is habit that keeps them on this wheel. The outcomes we see of sickness and violence are outcomes of their conditions in their minds. The world has a culture of violence in every thing we do, and sickness in all fascets of life.. it is deep rooted and has become common pace events in life. Inevitable if you wish. Becaus eof this heaviness of attachment, it is difficult to see the bright pure mind. Lastly: ""But do you have any insight into the orignal conditioning for this? I mean, one of my non dual teachers basically says it's seeing that there is something wrong with so called ego that is the problem. Things are the way they are?"" Things are the way they are only to the mind who only sees nothing else but the WAY they see things. The WAY someone sees things may result in seeing violence.. there must be a manner of violence in their minds in order for the person to view somethihng as violent. View not as in looking, but view as in a mindset, perceiving of. Everything is fine. Everything happening is simply people's karma. It is empty, but people make it full..give it form. It is of no form, and yet people still attach themselves to it. This conversation can go on for a long time because of examples and utilizing conditions at the moment asked and such. But overall, it is from greed, anger and ignorance, or any of the 3 because they all move into eachother, where living beings have become confused. It is the developing of views within it all which causes our confusion. If there is greed .. there is a view, the same for the other two. Peace and Happiness, Aiwei

The methods of sexual cultivation were only taught to the west because the western people respond to sex and desire and feeling. If there was a technique of simply looking directly at the mind, they wouldn't be able to accept Daoism as its whole. So, introduce "fun" things like sex and dual cultivation. Then you can introduce the more meaningful cultivation. Not that sexual cultivation is not meaningful, its just only a small percentage of the whole thing, and is actually not a life long method to cultivate. It is only a means to cultivate wisdom, and put an end to full on desire. Does anyone think it is natural for a woman to menstruate? Sure you all do. Science says so, but Daoist cultivation, some methods, will result in a woman stopping her menstrual cycle, without harm to her body. Not many can accept that, thoguh it is true, people can only feel comfortable with what they have the capacity to understand. Sexual cultivation shouldn't be lasting too long, unless you are purposely going to be having sex, then don't ejaculate all the times, and by all means conserve it. If ther is no sex in your life, then work on putting out desires so you can get to the real work. Peace and Happiness, Aiwei Your analogy is nice. Yes, all methods I am talking about are pointing to the manner of no self. They are non-dual teachings. Though we can use the word self to distinguish the characteristics of mind, it is only a manner of pointing to, and must be dropped at some point in cultivation. But for conversation purposes, it is our language that has definitions as it does, so we try to be as creative/articulate as possible. Peace, Aiwei

If there is delight in it, therefore there is a view, and a distinction of something to delight in.. Whether you have successfully done anything or not does no good for my cultivation.. Your wisdom as an outcome is all we should be looking for. Peace, Aiwei

When there is substance, it can be directed. In the directing, there should be no disticntion of substance. Peace, Aiwei

Your ebb and flow is just your thoughts and emotions following them. You "being" a sexual being is all in your thoughts. Energy is energy, regardless of its pulse. It is you who likes it or dislikes it resulting in your view of pleasant and non pleasant. It is natural of your conditional response to things, but not of an over all human nature to just follow wht you feel. It is ignorance which causes one to follow what they feel, go on the up and down, and think it is fine and natural to do, but it only results in constant desiring and feeling, identifying. Feeling the fire, is only desire, and it is only that way because of one's thoughts and attachments to what they experience. It is only a pleasure because you decide it is. And just because the majority of the people of this world think the same, doesn't make it actually a very practical manner of living. To cultivate this big draw is just to detach from the thoughts and desires, utilize the energy without attachment and cultivate proper wisdom. The way it is does not rely on people believing in it or liking it. It just is that way regardless. This is the most direct post I have made here. I am not attacking you in anyway. I have seen your outlook on sexual energy from many many many people, and it only results in desiring and covering a "deeper" wisdom. I used to have those thoughts as you do as well...many many years ago, and I have tranfromed them. I do sincerely hope that this post only makes the thought process for anyone turn moreso, and somehow point towards your non dual nature. For this post has no underlying attack of opinion or discrimination of anyone's thoughts. What you feel makes sense for you is what will be for you. I am just simply laying out the process of things. This will make for a good discussion. Peace and Happiness, Aiwei That is golden! When one has reached the state which is only called a state to focus the discussion, of no self, there will be no distinction between a "Me" and an "Energy" to direct. The mind and body illuminates. Then any thought is already controlled...just for the sake of saying controlled. Peace and Happiness Aiwei

It is only called sexual energy because of it being experienced in the genitals. How to get energy from not concentrating in one place? Begin by understanding why you feel sexual attraction. If you think it is a natural thing, then you will have a harder time, a longer time working through it. The key is realizing the cause of sexual desire, not just thnking it, but literally seeing the root cause of your own sexual desire, all images and feelings you have associated to it, and all images and feelings, views you have associated to it by having society;friends, family, movies, advertisements, influence you over the years. Once it is taken apart.. seen for what it is, it is easier to "control". It will be easier to not ejaculate, to not feel the desire emphasized by our own thoughts about it. To begin, you should take a vow of practice. This means make a promise to your self you will not have sex, not masturbate, and be mindful of when you have lustful thoughts over women and anything else in general. Then you must start recognizing when the thought of sex desire arises, to what it arises by, towards, etc. THis manner makes it easier to control your own thoughts. Because sexual desire is nothing but a thought away. COntrol your thoughts about it, change your daily habits..things will get easier, and you will be able to open up a different wisdom. Give in to sexual desire, and you cloud your mind. Peace, Aiwei

Ahhh.. the pitfalls are in the cultivators, not the manner being cultivated.. he he he and why? because the manners being cultivated are only mannerisms to the one cultivating them. Once one has awakened, there are no more mannerisms.

Maybe there was something more to the text. Looking at the most common way of people's minds, then offering them a guideline to do good, be with a good mind, and leave hints that cause one to ponder, contemplate and attract to read within the context for a more"spiritual" manner of cultivation. Step one, step two, step three.. etc.. and then they have become sages to further their cultivation towards immortality, and then enlightenment. Maybe there was a reference in the text pointing to the mind. Resulting in the ending of karma, but since people were too attached to their things, desires, etc, they could only utilize certain methods. Work with the process, resulting in a more "benevolent" life experience, assisting humanity without planting seeds of ego...seems to result in a more "peaceful" society. But as brother Paul put it, "not every so called Taoist is enlightened". and as I will say, not everyone who has cultivated Dao De Jing was able to put down, be selfless, and be without views. But I am sure there are some. The fact that we cannot find them is a good sign of their cultivation. They usually find those who are sincere cultivators. It is easier to be lazy than be dilligent... atleast for the majority of the endless living beings in this world of my mind. Peace, Aiwei

Another great question. And I was about to go and meditate for awhile.. too selfish of me, I am glad I came to check.. haha First part: you said"But when people say that having 'good karma' means that my cultivation path will be easier, and having 'bad karma' means my cultivation will be harder - this just baffles me... what does it mean? " Now there are two manners of mind saying this to you, or have written it. The first is the master teacher, Buddha, sage, wise adviser seeing the conditions of the people and realizing that it may not be so easy for them to PUT DOWN their attachments so fast in order to cultivate without obstruction. So the Buddha, master teacher, sage, wise adviser utilizes the capacity of the people and says if you can't put down and thus are going to accumulate karma, then atleast accumulate good karma.. good karma is seen as the results manifested from the causes of patience, compassion, wisdom, which is helping others, controling desires-moderately giving into desires etc. The second person is the one who doesn't realize the true meaning of this expedient method taught by the masters, Buddhas, sages, wise advisers, and really likes it. He accumulates lots of money from "good" deeds done to others, and behavior changes, lives with enough materialism so as to have enough time to cultivate without worrying about bills, family pressures, etc. THat is why most say accumulate good karma. But the truth is that it is only an expedient means because some living being's afflictions are so "heavy", so much, that they do not have the causes in the mind to manifest enough situations, time, to cultivate, sit in meditation, read a sutra or text, listen to a Dharma talk, or other teachings that lead to enlightenment, and the ending of karma. So in the meantime, till they lessen the afflictions, do good things, be a good person, cultivate selfless behavior and mind, and what is considered to be good, will eventually come. It is inevitable when on the wheel od duality. People miss that and stay on the wheel of dualty, while cultivating for endless lifetimes. THough not wrong, it is just keeping them in a more "comfortable manner" of living to cultivate. Where the mind is, is what will be experienced...until the mind is not attached to the view it holds. Second question and statement: Whether my karma is good or bad, it's still karma - and it still seperates me - so it needs to be integrated, no? Karma is not separate from you or your original nature. Whether it is seen as good or bad, it is still covering your bright mind. If you hold the view of it separating you, then it will result in just that, separation. Karma isn't given by another to you, it is of you from you and experienced by you. It is that it mixes with others to form different outcomes when met by other minds. But it is still karma. As long as one has their personal attachments to their causes planted, there will be results from it. Fun Statement of yours: I have this sneeking suspicion that someone's little mind construed a usefull idea into a morality system to control the masses. I am sure that someone found out that there is a reason why people do the things they do, whether good or bad, and love it. They seen the process, and tried to utilize the language at hand to ifnorm the people in a manner inwhich the people can grasp. Over so much time, many do not cultivate, but just follow, and this misconscrues the teachings Peace and Happiness, Aiwei

HAHA So funny!!! Use the vocabulary people know best, and utilize context of the meaning to resonate with their minds. Rolled up sleeves, and a hard seated stool to keep the mind awake! haha Peace, Aiwei In that case, it is no time

Such a good question. People make the disticntion (judgement) and that distinction making is what adds more to the process. Now we know specifically the manners of the dual mind, Yin and Yang and its relativity. So I don't have to go into that. Stepping out of that process of mind, we will be in the middle ground, but it is only called the middle ground because there is no personal attachment to the process of transformation, karma. There really is no direction, I just say middle for a focus of thought, nothing more. This doesn't mean one can go and do anything they lease, just as long as they do not juge their actions and outcomes. haha It means that regardless of what is thought of, desired and sought after, emotionally experienced, and the personal attachment to them... will add to the process of karma regardless of how people view it. It is the manner of not taking full responsibility for everything we say, think, do, feel, desire. These things shape our world in the mind, and it is what forms what we experience, and adds momentm to the process of karma. If we slow down the manner inwhich we view what we think, desire, emotionally feel, then we will realize that the mind is not actually thinking fast, it is the view we place on it which is perceived as fast. THoughts have no speed, no time which to be as. Once this is relaized, we can actually lessen the momentum to our own process, and thus begin to see past the tohughts, desires, emotions, greed, ignorance and anger within the mind which has fueled karma. Once that "slows" down, we may find the mannerism inwhich to see our true nature. It is only called true nature, original nature, because it is not of the dual mind, and is not subject to duality, BUT it is where all duality rests upon. Peace, and Happiness, Aiwei Its all your time. I have taken it from you. haha Peace, Aiwei

The only thing natural about it, is our original nature. Everything else is a process of transformation. There is no enforcing of it, because there is no higher being saying what goes and comes. It is only the person with their thoughts, desires, emotions, which cause things to be. And what causes those thoughts...? it would be a very long story, but its equivalent to saying.... Karma is a process. Its a process of the changing of our mind and thoughts. It was "enforced" by our own thinking and misunderstanding. Good or bad, it doesn't matter for it is karmic process. Holding onto the good results in more dellusion, thinking life is about gaining good deeds...and that results in a greedy mind, even if good is being done. If there is a want, with greed (personally attached), then there is only greed present and attained. The object that is sought after may be attained as well, but it goes as fast as it came. Because satisfaction of attaining is never really permanent, a mind of greed will always look for more. The "enforcer" is only the person thinking, desiring, being emotional, greedy, ignorant, angry, etc. It is also the person doing good, being happy, etc. Everything experienced is a process of karma and a result of our 6 senses. It is their constant going with the flow of their experiences which get them caught in the process of it all. People think the flow is good for them, but it is only ordinary. Creating the flow is a bit more in the wisdom seat, while stepping to the side, and not regarding, but not Not regarding would be the enlightenment seat. We remain stuck in the 6 senses (touch, taste, smell, hear, see and mind), and form a view of the world, life, that keeps us in a small realm of experience. Not that we should experience, but just for the sake of saying so, I say experience. And from those things we constantly expereince, we base our world on. This view of the world is the catalyst, with our emotions, desires, thoughts, etc, for the karma we have in our lives... it is adding fuel to the fires of our transformation engine called karma..haha And where ever our mind is, is what will be experienced. Change the mind, and karma also changes. Peace, Aiwei

道德经 ( Dao De Jing )= Classic(Jing/Ching) of the Way(Dao/Tao) of Morality(De/Te). Power is just an outcome.

It doesn't matter what one is trying to attract. Unless they change their karma, they will always get, what they always received. Nothing will change unless they change their mind, behavior and begin doing good deeds with virtue, moral as the foundation behind them. It goes like this... If one plays the lotto, and wins, it isn't good luck. It is their karma. If one plays and looses, it isn't bad luck, it is their karma. The same goes for those with businesses of any sort in any manner. One who wants what is considered good things, must do good things in return. It doesn't matter who they are. If one wants what is considered bad things, they only have to do bad things. One cannot run around fiing th mind to visualizations and psychic impressions hoping for millions of dollars. .haha they will never get it unless it is of their karma. One can change their karma, but they must dilligently work to do good things.. atleast what is considered good things, and think those deeds over to make sure every aspect of their doing serves a greater good. Its not easy to belive, but that is the way it is. haha So much for the secret. Peace, Aiwei

brilliant!!!

And when there is nothing left to attract, there is no need to purposely think positively. The funny thing is there is nothing to attract, and there is nothing doing the attracting. When the idea of separatism is no longer in the minds of people, they will be in the mind of abundance. Peace, Aiwei

"""Laozi: "Dao De Jing": 13th Chapter Both praise and blame cause concern, For they bring people hope and fear. The object of hope and fear is the self - For, without self, to whom may fortune and disaster occur? Therefore, Who distinguishes himself from the world may be given the world, But who regards himself as the world may accept the world.""" This is talking of no self. "Both praise and blame cause concern." This means both good and bad occupy the mind resulting in the next sentence "For they bring people to hope and fear", which means people create thoughts which are false about their lives. "The object of hope and fear is the self" means, that which hope and fear are moving around in, being paid attention to, is the original nature...which is not a self, but only refered to as one for the mind needs a reference point when cultivating, until it doesn't. If that wasn't true, Dao De Jing wouldn't need to be written. "For without self, to whom may fortune and disaster occur?" This sentence isn't saying there is a self which must be a natural being and goes with the ups and downs, it is refering to detaching from the ups and downs. If one seeks fortune, its opposite is disaster, misfortune. If one seeks to balance, they are saying imbalance exists, and thus will experience it. The sentence is trying to bring the mind to the mind, not the conditions of fortune, disaster, duality. It is saying that if there is no idea of self to experience the ups and downs of one's emotions and conditions in mind, there would be no misfortune, and the manner of fortune which is of a dual nature. The last part points to this exactly: "Therefore, Who distinguishes himself from the world may be given the world, But who regards himself as the world may accept the world." This means if you discriminate, you create the dual mind, and regard things to be good and bad, thus are the worldly person of materialism and will result in receiving worldly things...desires and such. But if that is dropped, put down, and there is no distinguishing between you and the world, all things are accepted, but there is no one that does accepting. It is just as it is but without duality, a he or she, fortune disaster.. there is none of that but all things, and since the original mind is non dual, all things are not regarded as all or one. This is how it is accepted. It is a non dual acceptance of all things not produced and not extinguished. Peace and Happiness, Aiwei

Because Daoism is a cultivation means, philosophy, religion, qigong, spiritual cultivation are all intertwined. Religion is only called religion because people assume that if there are certain things being done, that the manner is a religious one. Philosophy of Daoism is not the end all be all... it is just a small percentage of what the whole picture entails. And it isn't even limited by the picture frame. The thing is, whatever the mind is capable of perceiving, is what will be perceived. It doesn't mean that if philosophy is all that is seen by the cultivator, then there is only Daoist philosophy...the same goes for other manners of Daoist cultivation. There is more to it which takes one deeper in cultivation. Philosophy can not take you to attain immprtality, enlightenment. By all means expand on what works for one's mind, but also realize that each mannerism is in itself everyother mannerism as well, and that not letting go of views will cause one to only accept on manner of cultivation. It may work for that person to have them understand, but it only works to reach one level. If that is all one can accept, then that is all they will be able to cultivate this time around.. Fun analogy though,,,, I also liked raisinettes as a child. now I like rice congee.. Peace, Aiwei

This is what is meant by: " Turning the light inward" "Turning mind back to mind...back to itself" Peace, Aiwei

haha great! I laugh my way through china as well. They don't know what to make of anything other than western mind or atleast liking modernized things to an extent.. haha Its always a hit when one knows abit more about their history than they do. Though I am not one for lots of small talk, its just fun to share what has been. I cover from the wind as well... its not a good friend when in the body. Riding the wind is fine, but being on the receiving end of the wind is not fun.. haha Peace, Aiwei

Oh?? You are a strange person of what liking.. hahhaha I thought I had no problems coming out here 3 yrs ago. I walked in the streets with my 200yr old sword on my back. I wear chinese clothing, because that is what i have worn since young teenage years when I didn't even know it was chinese ..haha And all I get is racial slurs, curious put downs, and people who do not recognize chinese style clothing and even old cultural behavior. THat was in the first year. After cultivating certain things to clear the anger that began to manifest, and understand their conditions and the last 56yrs of brainwashing, all is good. I still wear what I do, and act as i do, for a reason, i don't carry the sword now.. for certai nreasons.. haha and there is a difference in people, for there is a difference in mind. It will be an experience for you indeed.. unless you have been here already.. hehehe Peace and Happiness my friend, Aiwei

I am working my way out of China.. hahaha By next year, or even 2009 I will be returning to NY, Staten island, with my wife to put together a small cultivation school. Eventually it will get bigger, but that depends on donations for such a development. We will do things as we do now...work in every place we go to , streets, parks, in the house, classroom..etc. We have lots of plans, and are looking for ways to establish something before returning to the U.S. Maybe it will be in NY, or maybe some other place in the U.S. or world. Must see which place has the proper conditions for such a school...the people, environment, mind. Peace, Aiwei What, of your mind, has you on the path to come to China...? hahaha

Good analogy. I used to drive stick shift. hahaha now I left the whole car idea and haven't driven in a few years. Ofcourse because I moved to China, and driving out here is not the smartest thing to do, but the conditions let me shed the inbedded wantings for a "personal" transportation. Now I don't drive at all, with no desire for it. It has been put down. Peace, Aiwei