dao zhen

grok

I posted the document without the pictures......... It can help one lay a good foundation in practice if followed daily. Sending all my best. If it would be interesting, we should start a page where we can all discuss practice, and answer each others questions. It may help us all grow, and understand the proper course to take in practice. Sincerely, dao zhen

Dear Adam. Thank you for your letter. I think perhaps I am living my dream, but it has not been without much suffering and hardship. To truly train in Internal Alchemy, our Yin Nature shall rise up at times and battle with us; until we are able to transform it to some degree. I think my path came into it's real test 2 years ago when a speeding car hit me and broke my spine, leg, crushed my knee and many other injuries. I was strapped to a hospital bed unable to move, wearing diapers, and having to be fed with a spoon. I had to make a choice to give up my dream of more than 15 years of study and practice following the Tao and the study of Internal Arts and be bound in a wheel chair, or heal myself. I recovered, and set out to follow my internal calling and dream. I had contact with my Alchemy Teacher, during this time in the hospital, and asked for a technique or methods of practice to aid me in my healing; as I was very afraid, and in a terrible emotional state of depression. He replied with a letter that contained one word: "Recover......" We all have the ability to heal or to follow Dao. We are composed of De, which is the active agent of Dao in this realm. It is like our well spring. Yet we all fall prey to the trap thinking there is something "external" or "outside" of ourselves that will aid us, or be a magic pill, an all knowing master, or secret esoteric methods of practice. There are many who make large volumes of money playing on this mental weakness of sincere students. There are no secrets and there is no magic........ The only real secret is daily practice. So one must learn the proper method of practice. Gaining a proper method of practice is a key. Having a teacher who has experienced the higher levels of Alchemy is a great help and inspiration; but not needed. There have been many cases in Taoism history and lore of adepts gaining high levels from their own personal efforts in self cultivation. We all come into life with different Karma and different spiritual attributes. So perhaps everyone will reach different levels based on these conditions. We just keep a sincere and pure heart and try our best. Dao Fa Zu Ren........... The Great Dao Follows the Way of Nature............ The thing I have learned is this: Know what is your job, and know what is the job of nature. In the first stages of practice, it may seem there are many exercises or methods performed. This is just "our" work to create a "proper" environment. We work to create the proper "conditions". We then must know when to stop, and allow Nature to Do It's Work. Many people teach the imagination and visualization method in the West. Trying to move, circulate and guide the Qi with Mind-Will. Yet think upon this......... If the method of Gaining Union with Tao depends upon your Mind-Will remaining unmoving and motionless. Completely still and empty.......... Then if the Mind-Will is involved in movement or imagination then how can such a condition engender the stillness or empty state? I have attached three things in my various posts. 1. Taoist Theory and Practice of Internal Alchemy Document. 2. Heart Mind Fasting Meditation 3. Eight Steps of the Silk Brocades. With these three documents, one can have all the tools needed to reach a high enough level in the practice on their own. Often it is best to practice on your own, where you are, and not worry about finding a teacher. As you practice these methods and make some progress and internal growth, you will naturally find a teacher to guide you further. It is a Universal Rule. When the student has made an effort to create the proper conditions, the Teacher will naturally come. With all my best regards. Sincerely, dao zhen PS. I will post some photos from China in my gallery, and you may enjoy the pictures. I only have about 2 or so weeks to be able to post, then must do other works. If you wish to visit China this year, I am happy to help you here also.

Thank you for your letter. The text is fine, but the document also includes pictures for the practice that were scaned from an old text. Without the pictures, it is hard to understand the practice. I think there must be a limit to what we upload in document format. I will work hard to put many word documents for members to view... if there is a way I can upload more than one word document. I think such documents can be an aid for proper practice for those interested in the Pursuit of Tao. With my best regards. Sincerely, dao zhen

Thank you for your letter. I currently study with a Teacher who teaches Internal Alchemy practice; and I live in Wudangshan when I am not in travel in China for study. Here in Wudang most train in Internal Gong Fu and also various Taoist Yoga and Qigong arts. Not so many really train the Internal Alchemy in a serious way, but a few do. My Teacher states that the concept of lineage and grandteachers are very limiting, and we should remain focused on our own personal experience and personal practice; with the goal to gain Union with Tao. He even states that the concept of Master & Disciple is very limiting; he prefers to say he is like a college teacher who is teaching a specific subject. Though when pressed, he states that the practice he teaches is from the Northern Complete Perfection Branch of the Dragon Gate school - Quan Zhen Dao Jiao - Lung Men Pai. He learned from many teachers in China, and also studied with this generations current inheritor of the Western School; though his main master was a hermit from the Qian Shan mountains in Northern China. I also study with a teacher from Huashan mountain, and plan to go there and train in the caves there in April. This teacher is also an advanced pratitioner of Internal Alchemy. On Huashan they also have a special sleep and dream practice they train in. I wanted to post some notes, and photographs from China here, as I thought it was a wonderful idea to have people who study Tao share and talk to each other in this medium. I wanted to post another word document, but could not upload it. Do you know why? I do not consider myself advanced in this practice, but thought if I could post more notes, it may give others some good insights and ideas on their practice. I also was sad to see some fight and argue here, as such actions is in a great contridiction to the Way and it's Practice. We should all be one family, and support each other. What are your interests in practice? Do you train seated meditation? With my best. Sincerely, dao zhen

Thank you very kindly for your reply. I am happy you like the text. I composed this essay, based on my personal experience in practice; and most of the theory is from oral lectures with my teacher; "The Wayfarer - Will To Learn Emptiness" There may be mistakes, or errors, and such mistakes should reflect on me, not my teacher. I have many notebooks from oral lectures, and will try and transcribe them to here; with the hope we may all have good discussions on the Dao which will lead to a clear understanding of how to practice properly. I am just a student in this, so my understanding is not complete. theory is theory & practice is practice - real experience is the only thing that will lead to wisdom and understanding... Best regards, Dao Zhen