dao zhen

Cleanse the Heart of All Desires and Passions Disciplining the Heart --- much akin to preaching devotion and devoutness as do many schools of religions --- is the process critical to the successful pursuit of Tao. The heart, we all know, is accustomed to yielding to the reckless actions of multifarious thoughts. So the process to rid oneself of stray thoughts, should proceed step by step, and the idea of rooting out all stray thoughts in an instant should be dropped. Seat yourself in the posture like the many Buddha statues. ---the legs crossed and the fingers of two hands interlocked, let the tongue touch the roof of the mouth, teeth lightly touching, breathing gently and softly in and out of the nose --- Compose your heart and purge it of all disorderly thoughts. Then gently settle your Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field. The Lower Elixir Field or the Lower Dantian (Tan Tien) is located in the empty space below the navel in the middle place between the kidney and navel -- a sphere of around 3.8 cm. Let the internal vision gaze upon that place; looking yet not looking. That is to say, persistently rest your mind in this vague space, with no time spent on pondering over other things. This is a gradual process. You should be patient with its dullness at the beginning. Only with both patience and persistence will you succeed. After an appropriate length of time when your Heart has assumed equanimity, it is the time for you to pay attention to inhaling and exhaling. Knowing where the Lower Elixir Field is but not putting your full attention there merits the great reward. Yet, settling the Mind-Will elsewhere is bound to bring about a great mistake. In brief, you should transform the heart from Existence to Nonexistence in your mind, and empty and expand the Mind Realm to be more spacious and quiescent till all seems to have passed away. To be free from any ideas and thoughts for a long time can bring about the state of No Dreams whatsoever emerging in your sleep; which indicates that the Congenital Mind-Will or Shen is in the process of coming on the scene. If the heart is not disciplined enough, the Congenital Mind-Will or Shen shall always be unsettled and the Psychical Rays shall flicker continuously. Similarly, if the stray thoughts have not been given up thoroughly, the passions will always be in the growth phase and the Life Force will still be subject to all temptations. Only with your Mind-Will settling gently in the Lower Elixir Field, yet touching nothing at all, can the Heart become purer and purer. To cleanse the heart of its addiction to stray thoughts, there exists another measure Sitting in Forgetfulness, which is advocated by Lao Tzi and Zhuang Tzi. At the beginning, settle the Mind-Will in the Lower Elixir Field --- which was always compared by ancient men to the process of pouring fire into water, as the heart occupies the position of the Brightness Hexagram with the nature of the fire element while the kidney the position of the Dangerous Pit Hexagram with the nature of the water element. For a long time in this state a whiff of Yang Vita-Vapor will appear after "interaction" between the water and the fire. Assume the Buddha-sitting posture, with the chest slightly drawn in and the back or the spine moderately upright, the head elevated so that the two eyes can see levelly forward, the shoulders relaxed, both eyes slightly closed and the tongue tip leisurely raised against the hard palate, you can regulate the acquired respiration by the way of slowing the rate of breathing to such an extent that you can feel nothing at all coming in or going out. Certainly, this stage can be reached only through the long-term training. The above-mentioned preparations, you know, should be carried out moderately lest some overdoing should bring about constraints and uneasiness. The proper attitude should be to deal with them naturally and moderately and there should be no exertion in excess and no efforts in deficiency. Generally speaking, the Heart operates in a constant style of permanently diffusing all sorts of ideas and thoughts and intentions --- speeding outwardly, in a word. However, in Disciplining Heart the operation fashion is utterly contrary to that of daily thinking, that is to say, reduce itself to Inward Stillness and Emptiness. Reposing the Mind-Will gently in the region of the Lower Elixir Field and setting your eyes down inwardly upon the same region. Little by little slowing the breathing, you can perceive some minute changes have taken place in the region of the Lower Elixir Field as the time passes away --- initially, it is a black and opaque space, afterwards a slight light begins to flicker, then the darkness fades away by degrees and brightness fills up the space. After a period you can obtain the feeling that there seems to be a wave of warm Qi, which is slowly diffusing and then, of its own accord, it begins to be circling round the Lower Elixir Field. This is the time of the initial sprouting of the Yang Qi, and also of the Existence Arising from Nonexistence. So in a persistent way you rest your Mind in the Lower Elixir Field, the breathing slowly begins to die out --- which in a way, resembles the quiet state of a tortoise or the winter sleep of a frog. Of course, the Mind-Will should perch upon nothing, nor should one free them utterly to their own freedom --- which means that the Mind-Will seems to exist yet meanwhile to pass away. So with the flight of time the Mind-Will and the breathing will be more familiar with each other and later afterwards they begin to attach to each other, becoming one in a State of Unification of Heart-Mind and Breathing, and at last the Mysterious Pass begins to present itself. - Combination of the Heart Mind and Breathing / Heart Mind Fasting - ~ Above taken from Eternal Way by Wayfarer Will to Learn Emptiness ~

As has been said and written by my Teacher and Friend of The Way: When the two eyes gaze inwardly, two ears hear inwardly, the nose smells inwardly, the tongue rises gently against the hard palate, the whole body remains motionless in the silent sitting posture, the Mind-Will settles inwardly in the Lower Elixir Field, and the Fertilizing Fluid remains indifferent to any temptation; then and only then are you qualified for further advance in the Pursuit of Tao. So we must endeavor to refill the Jing, Qi and Shen, till these three have become sufficient enough and merged into one---which means the process of Laying the Foundation has successfully come to an end. Without the means and method to follow the Way, are not people truly lost?

I also have heard it said as such: Transform Jing to Qi. Transform Qi to Shen. Merge the Shen into Emptiness. Break the Emptiness to Pieces. I also was instructed in a new view this last month by my Teacher: 1. Merge and become one with the Heart Mind of Heaven and Earth. 2. Merge and become one with the Heart Mind of Tao. 3. Merge and become one with the Heart Mind of Great Nature. Purity / Tranquility / Stillness / Emptiness / Nothingness These seem to me to be the main themes of the Taoism practice I am learning.......

So many places in QingCheng Shan were destroyed and damaged during the quake in May. For those who wish to read more about QingCheng Shan - Please visit Here - We have put up a donation link on this page, and are raising money to help rebuild and restore temples in this Holy Mountain......

I do not know much about history and the like....... But my Master was talking to me about Kunlun being a place where in ancient times there were hermits and wizards training in the deep mountains......... Yet, he did not mention it as "Daoism" per say...... He said it was a place he loved greatly, and he seemed in awe of the Kunlun mountain range....... Makes me want to take a trip there....... I know there are many legends about Kunlun, and a few movies and such here in China that have a lot of fantasy about the place.....

Much love to you brother Ai Wei..... *** bow ***

Thank you very much for this contribution. Wondeful truth from the ancients....... I wish the Tao Bums could have an online cannon, so students could browse the ancient texts. It would be good for all of us students of Tao. With my best regards, Dao Zhen

What is the dream state? From the Taoism Doctrine we find the explanation of the Po suppressing the Hun. Hun is a relation to our Soul, and resides in the Liver Sphere. Po is a relation to the Jing, and resides in the Lung Sphere. The Po suppresses the Hun during sleep, the Hun wanders around, and dreams are a result. Hun sponsors life. Po sponsors death. Innate Nature is an Original Owner of the house - Hun - Disposition is like a thief that takes over the house and holds the original owner captive - Po - How to free the Innate Nature and transform the Disposition? Most think of the act of "meditation" as a posture when we cross the legs and sit without moving. This is usually the starting point of meditation practice, and for a very good reason. This is the most beneficial posture to discipline the heart. If the heart is not disciplined, then if one were to try and practice in the "sleeping" posture on the back, they would just drift off into "ordinary" sleep and loose consciousness. Cleanse the Heart / Self Discipline / Laying the Foundation Cleanse the Heart Mind of all Deluded Thoughts When the Heart Mind is clean and empty enough, Qi will come and naturally reside in this empty place. So it is generally taught, one uses the laying posture once the heart is disciplined, and also the meridian network has become opened, and Qi has been cultivated to some level. I close the eyes, and sleep; journey into the dream realm. I open the eyes and awaken from sleep; journey in the waking realm. The act of waking / The act of sleeping. Going back and forth, one depends upon the other for their relative existence. What if we were to "awaken" from this? The Great Awakening......... Change the defiled Ego into Wisdom. Such Wisdom can embody the equality of everything. Undifferentiated State. Everything is myself........ Myself is everything....... No discrimination.....

If "you" think you know something; you know nothing. Completely forget everything........ Forgetting all........ Then the Journey has begun............

The movement of Tao gives rise to Qi. The spontaneity of Qi gives rise to the interactions of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are the opposite expressions of the same reality. Mass and energy are the opposite expressions of the same Qi. Qi is the mass and Qi is the energy, yet Qi is also the transforming force between mass and energy. Energy is represented by Yang and mass by Yin. Yin and Yang are different and opposite; they undergo movement and transformation in the Infinite Emptiness. The union of Yin and Yang becomes harmony. This union of harmony is possible because they are opposite. It is because they are opposite that interactions take place. This is the source of interactions. The Yin and Yang concept is applied to all opposites in the universe, to substance and to motion. For motion and stillness also are intrinsic with Yin and Yang. Thus the Infinite Emptiness is the field; Qi resting is the mass - Yin; Qi in motion is the energy, Yang; and the Qi both resting and in motion is the transforming force. According to Lao Tzu, all things carry Yin and Yang, through the impact of the Qi, harmony is accomplished.

I am a student, and have only studied with one teacher deeply in these arts, thus I can only offer a limited view and perhaps a partial picture of this whole process. The act of "dreaming" is related to the pattern of the Metal conquering Wood; Or the Po suppressing the Hun during the night. The Po resides in the Lung Sphere and may be thought of in one regard as Metal Element. Hun resides in the Liver Sphere, and may be thought of in one regard as Wood Element. Po sponsors Death and has a relation to Jing. Hun spsonsors Life and has a relationship to Soul. When the Hun is suppressed by the Po at night during sleeping, The Hun wanders away from the sphere of the liver, and the resulting experience is dreams. As Jing is transformed into Qi, and the Hun is strengthened, there is less and less dream activity during the sleep state. This will also reflect in the strengthening of Yang and the uprooting of Yin; so many Yin quality will be transformed or uprooted. I think the most important starting point is the Cleaning of the Heart Mind, or to Still the Mind and Clean the Heart Mind of All Desire. After this point, one may begin the process of transforming the Jing back to Qi. This is the Stage of Burning the Slow Fire or Lighting the Fire. There is a method and technique taught and a transmission given for this practice. Later it becomes a very natural state; with no artificial method or technique used, and takes place naturally. Signs from this practice include: ~ an expansion and feeling much like a vast clear blue sky. ~ a steaming, or something heavy from below becoming light, and rising up ward in an expansion that is full of a kind of bliss. ~ shrinking of the genital organ and the testicles after the transformation; like the "ball" shrinks to a very small size if you feel it after practice. ~ mental stillness, and lack of dream activity. Signs that the transformation was not done properly or enough: ~ The whole abdomen feels very wet, or damp, like there is something on the skin in the area and also something inside - but when you feel it, there is only dry skin. ~ A moving in the Dantian as you lie down to sleep, like a worm moving around. ~ much dream activity, and emission of the fluid in sleep. After such a stage has been taken for a time, with Jing transforming back to Qi, the Yang Qi will begin to be cultivated and harvested. In my experience, as Yang Qi begins to come on the scene of the practice, there can be light, strong dropping into a deep emptiness, erection, and a great overwhelming heat and most notable is the loud vibration and roaring sound........ the sound that is outside, and inside, and a sound and a substance, with a feeling, vibration, density and more..... This sound is one of the main signs of the arrivalof Yang Qi. When the Heart Mind has not been stilled and cleaned enough, there can be grasping and mental activity when the Yang Qi arrives. This will lead to a great heat and a huge volume of sweat will usually pour off the body. This is a sign that the Yang Qi has transformed to a physical or Post Heaven state, and is discharged and lost. Yang Qi derives from the Emptiness that surrounds Heaven and Earth; thus it is attracted to Emptiness. So one of the aspects of the "timing" is to have "no timing" and to fall into the emptiness at the time of the arrival of the Yang Qi........ Usually one may use the "power" of the ears to "listen" and "follow" the sound...... Following it back to it's origin and root. Around this time of practice one may begin to move into the Large Water Wheel state - or the begining of this process being started. So the Yong Chuan will begin to pulse and vibrate along or in rhythm with this sound. Also the Qi moves with such a strong force and surging motion, like it wants to run its own course and has its own idea of the course it wishes to take, along with the arrival of the Yang Qi. It was taught that at this time, one should begin to practice "lying" on the back. You lay down on the back, with the belly facing the ceiling, and let the qi run its course, and allowing the Yang Qi to arrive on the scene. You forget all aspects of self. You forget all aspects of the corporeal body. You forget all aspects of ego. You fall into the deep empty state, and allow the Qi to run its course freely from Yong Chuan to Bai Hui - though really it has nothing to do with the corporeal body nor any location we may map or chart on the corporeal body and its related landmarks. This is one aspect of sleeping practice. You practice at night, and as it is not a difficult posture to hold, you may train for many, many hours in the night. The first stages of: Tempering the Heart and Cleansing of All Desire and Stray Thoughts Transferal of Jing to Qi Small Water Wheel Harvest of Yang Qi Large Water Wheel All these stages can be done in the city, and while leading a normal life. The stage of Incubation is the time one must move into an isolated place and live away from people and noise in order to complete. I just came back from Huashan and spent time with my companion of tao there. He trains in the sleeping practice of Huashan and the Dream Yoga. We sleep in caves together, and he has never given any formal teachings or ideas about such a practice. Just we lie down and face each other, and waves come over one, and states are experienced.... Deep states of emptiness, and profound Qi circulation....... Like falling into an ocean, and then rising up into the sky, then expanding into the entire vastness of the sky..... I asked him about "Sleep Practice" and he just laughed and said it is just the same as doing the "meditation" work, only you do it lying down..........

Good question. I also am curious as to why the Tao Yin exercise is said to be from a branch of Lung Men, but from my simple observation it looks to be the exercise here in a modified manner - - link - But from my personal training, some branches teach cultivation of body first, then mind second. Some mind first, then body second. In the end, the main goal should be Unification of Innate Nature and Life Force. I have found better results from just going straight to the proper practice of seated meditation. Yet, you do have to gain the method from a qualified teacher.

I have been taught that there are abilities that develop - perhaps halfway through the course of development. These are Five Abilities or Five Magical Powers 1. Heart Enlightenment - 2. Commune with Spirit Sphere - 3. Heavenly Eye - 4. Heavenly Ear - 5. Heavenly Destiny - It is taught that we should not use them, nor demonstrate them, as this leads to a tangent path - perhaps this refers to someone using such things with ego, or the desire to embrace the power. I have met a few Qigong masters who could do the 'shock', distant viewing, and a lot of other things that are not commonly seen by most. If one grasps at such "ability", it is often viewed one is on a divergent road away from Tao. Pure Heart or True Heart is often a term that is used to describe the Primal Qi; or Cultivation of Primal Qi. We should always strive to clean our heart of all desires and passions. Seeking to uncover our True Heart. Perhaps Buddhism books have many good teachings on such subject matter. The course of development is a natural one. Yet really, there are only a very few born in every 3 to 6 generations that have the capability and innate attributes to gain completion of the entire course of development. Even such a one will need a teacher in the first stages of development. Combine Heart Mind and the Corporeal Body. Reach the very Root of Destiny. Follow the evolution course while remaining unchanged. Combine mentality with materiality. Nourish our Qi and Cultivate our Qi. Qi is the intermediate agent........ To describe the development can be done in many different views, or a different structure of terms to look at the major phases or points one passes through on the journey: ~ - Cleanse Heart Mind - Small Water Wheel - One Year Incubation - Large Water Wheel - Cultivate the Infant - Temper Emptiness to Accord with Tao ~ - Laying a Foundation / Cleanse Heart Mind - Incubation - Going through the Great Pass - Nurture the Infant of True Self - Train Infant of True Self - Change into Brilliant Light ~ - Cleanse Heart Mind - Opening Channels - Light a Small Fire - Arrival of True Medicine - Arrival of Buddhist Relic - Arrival of Golden Elixir Pill - Nourish Golden Elixir Pill - Raise Infant of True Self - Gain Union with Tao ~ - Cleansing the Heart Mind - Settle Mind Will in Lower Dantian - Open up 8 Extra Channel - Adminster Jing - Harvest Congenital Vital Energy - Revolve the First Water Wheel - Gather Psychical Rays - Cultivate Qi of the Great Unification - Automatic Revolution - Fetal Breathing - Preserve the Buddhist Relic - Nourish the Buddhist Relic - Golden Lightening Flashes 3 Times - Conduct the Buddhist Relic to Pass Through the 3 Passes - Conceive a Fetus of the True Self - Give Birth to the Fetus of the True Self - Raise the Infant of True Self in 3 Years Time - Being in Possesion of the Same Body as Tao Do not think you wish to become a strong man. Do not wish to become an Immortal or a Great Saint. Do not think of opening or running the Small Water Wheel. Feel that you will become the same as nature.... Be the same as the mountain..... Resting, motionless......... In complete Emptiness..........

I lived in Japan for about 5 plus years and love it there. I still keep a small house in the Buddhism Valley of Gokurakuji - many Shingon Sect Temples there - I see many influences of China in Japan, and feel this is perhaps why I love the place. I know that the city of Kyoto was designed by an expert in Feng Shui - maybe in the Tang Dynasty - this was a time when there was much exchange from China to Japan. I know that students of ancient Chinese architecture study the ancient structures in Kyoto and Nara city. They have stories of "Immortals" in the mountains of Japan. There are the "Yama Bushi" - mountain warriors who train in esoteric methods, and extreme physcial training. Perhaps so many aspects of the culture has some influence from China and Taoism. There is also the ancient religion of Shinto - which involves nature spirits, and elemental powers - which to me from observation really is a form of ancient Taoism, with many aspects of Shamanism. There are also sects and branches of Taoism in Japan; such as Lung Men Pai and others. But it is a closed society, and as in many places in Asia, you must be introduced to gain access to groups and study. Jaaaaaaa Mata Ne...... BANZAI.........

There is nothing to get, no one to meet and nothing to learn.......... The secret is in "being"......... Look at the language and grasping you are all using..... This is a direct reflection of your state of mind and heart........ Improve the quality of your daily life first through humility, and sincere / selfless giving when it presents itself. Improve the quality of your heart through seeking purity and inner stillness. Sit in silence daily. Sit for a period of 2 - 4 hours in an unmoving state, and see what takes place naturally....... This is a real path to Tao....... When it is time, a teacher will present themselves ~ it is a law of Heaven. When you feel much grasping and need to seek something outside of yourselves, the Way has already been lost........ When it is time, a teacher will present themselves ~ it is a law of Heaven. Those that charge outlandish sums of money for "teachings", are doing so for their own personal gain and nothing more...........

I am fine. I missed the quake by chance, as a teacher called me to come and meet with him, so I was in the north when it hit. My friends temple was destroyed, but no one was hurt. The school in the village below the temple was hit very hard. I am busy with my work, but am doing some fundraising to try and do what I can. It is a real tragedy, but life will go on. From what I was told, many ancient Taoist temples on Qingcheng Shan were destroyed.

This book may be looked at as having three sections. ~ Prologue- Retrace the Footprints Back to the Very Beginning ~Tao Te Ching With Inner Commentary ~Glossary I think for the disscussion here, it may be best to begin with the Prologue first. The Prologue has many concepts and terms introduced that are used in the commentary given in the Tao Te Ching section. The Glossary section can be an aid throughout, as it gives explanation of the key terms used throughout this work. The Tao Te Ching With Inner Commentary section is laid out as follows: Each Chapter is given and this is followed with commentary for each line on the following pages.