Master Logray

I have the book but want to know how the terms are translated into English. The original book was DDJ/TTC, Master Huang Yuan Ji (he was very important) translated/annotate/explain it into modern classical Chinese with reference to cultivation. Ge GuoLong is a professor who translated the translation into contemporary Chinese. So the Mattias further translated Ge's translation of Huang's translation into English. Ge Guolong is well versed in alchemy. But he is too academic. For us, we prefer a more technical translation and/or deciphering.

There were only about 1000 Neidanist before 1949, out of a population of 450 millions. @Taoist Texts Where do you get the English version of Huang Yuan-ji 's book? Or you translate yourself?

If Taoism is to compare with Buddhism, then Tibetan would be most similar, not in the exact technique or objectives but in the general structure and importance of cultivation. While China Buddhism is similar to Taoist by long term association, integration. Theravada would be the least of the 3.

It is very good for you to take on the task of explaining Fajin. If I don't recall wrongly, people here have not shown much interest in the Taichi Fajin (i.e. leverage and muscular elasticity as above). They are much curious about the 2nd type - supposedly energetic one. Are you going to look into that too?

Your examples happen to exactly reflect the Taoist view. They are all mental/emotional results. While Taoist are talking about physical/body results like how many wrinkles per square inch. Taoist Neidan is to be Xing/Meng join approach (i.e. Mind/Body together). But in different stages, one precedes the other. Using meditation or even enlightenment to heal the Plantar Fascia (base of feet tissue) don't work or don't work well. The so called Mind/Body connection is of the higher level or philosophical.

It is a sign only.

@Giles brings back this post. What you are asking have been debated numerous times for centuries. Taoist viewpoint doesn't reject claims that their practices produced results that are lower to middle in Buddhist system (Chinese). Their counter argument is that, the Buddhist way promises a lot, but you never know it can deliver or not until after your death (similar to other religions). But human life is so short, does one really have the time to achieve the objectives when one's mind is troubling, body is in constant pain and engaged in worldly affairs and obligations? Therefore it becomes a multiple-lives task that there is no certainty the person can follow through or most unlikely continue in same vigour? And the emptiness meditation (stubborn emptiness) seldom works. While Taoist Neidan stresses on "This Life". The cultivation towards Tao must produce results, concrete ones within this lifetime; and this life must be prolonged as lengthy as possible and must also be in excellent condition. Otherwise no cultivation is really possible. Only with this "Vehicle" or modern day "Platform" intact, a cultivator can achieve high end spiritual purposes. It is why the connotation "Immortal" and the translated name comes up. The measurements are like fading away of long term illnesses, tight and naturally shining skin, return of male potency, a general sense of well-being, regrow of hair and even teeth, blood becomes white, pupils become square. Special powers e.g. seeing lights, angels and demons are considered as tricks of the conscious mind.

Using a lethal weapon to train and demonstrate Neidan is highly questionable. When one trains in weapon, every move has an intention to puncture, cut, knock, slice and spill blood, damage human flesh, organ and kill. It is not a dance. A modern version would be a bunch of people wielding and waving AK47s, would they be good Neidanists if they can do it more than 3-6 minutes? If Qigong, Neigong and Neidan are mostly about breathing and oxygen, then why the people in ancient China developed these skills? They don't have sufficient oxygen in those days?

When the "value" of something is to determine the discussion, it is not very right.

You can photo them and trash the originals. It saves space.

If anyone is going to write a Taoist book, they should engage you to write the preface.

A bit of history may help. Originally "The Book" by Laozi, had no title. Then it was referred to as "Laozi". Only about 600 years lated, it started be called TTC or now DDJ. Using the name of the book to determine about how much of it is for virtue is not very useful. The TTC has actually 2 parts, the Tao Jing and the De Jing, talking about the Tao and the Virtues. Tao Jing is about 40~ chapters, De Jing is about 30~ chapters. It shows the book is for more than 1 purpose. Interestingly, the contemporary structure of the book is Tao Jing first and De Jing later. But from the silk version (the book material), showed that the correct order would have been De Jing first and Tao Jing later. And chapters could appear under Tao or De, depending on versions. So it was also called De Tao Jing.

Western culture is bit by bit building up, can be broken down and examined one by one. Chinese culture is all encompassing. It means when a framework is established, everything goes into it and be explained by it. The writer of DDJ had a thinking which explained the world. This thinking can be applied to metaphysics, morality, ethics, longevity and political governance i.e. multipurpose. The latter generations can tap into it and find reference and supporting. This is not unique. In modern days, it is very common to explain everything in terms of money, and/or power.

This excerpt is the most widely accepted explanation of Tao and De (not TaoDe - ethics), among academics and senior religious people. For common people, TaoDe is merely virtues or ethics. As to how a cultivator views the world, Laozhi was probably one, Tao is the origin of everything and De is the manifestation of Tao. It is because Tao is just there, not moving, not acting, well - no use. De is how the Tao manifests into myriad entities and operations of this world, according to the principles or inherent nature of the Tao. This Tao and De relationship permeates in all levels of the Inner Alchemy. To take an example, the concepts of YuanShen (元神) the original spirit; and the Real Intention (真意) are very important in arriving at the Mystic Gate and obtaining the Cosmic Force. Yuan Shen behaves like the Tao and Real Intention behaves like De. Our job is to remove everything clouding the Yuan Shen like polishing mirror everyday and always ready for the Real Intention to act anywhere anytime. This cultivator worldview is not very applicable to philosophy or governance of the country or life guidelines of Taoist thinking. I always find the meaning of De very difficult to grasp, despite lessons and readings. It is only when I go deeper in cultivation then the new meanings arise and seems to start making sense. It is not uncommon for newbie to have access to deeper understanding of the teachings only when they are ready, in modern terms, they unlock a new level. There could be levels after levels.

I am not conversant with Pinyin.

Most people know the name and label of a product or service usually do not correspond with what is actually inside. Whether a certain "Gong" can produce a reasonable level of YangShen must be verified.

There are frequent speculations that the higher echelon of the CCP can live up to very senior age is because of a full team of Qi Specialist that keep on pumping them with Qi, in addition to all the best modern medicines and treatments. Sure Trump should have all the medical resources, but he won't be the only one who can afford such. Clinton 78, and Biden seem not so successful in keeping a healthy body and mind. He coincidentally talked like a TCM practitioner in the battery example. It could be a conspiracy theory, but rather interesting. Longevity is every Taoist's interest.

Well he sounds a bit like cultivators and TCM.

Trump's body condition is worthwhile to be discussed. He is still full of vigour. He probably is living against most internal cultivation principles.

You have a very good point. If these things really happen, when and where they should be in the ladder of attainments? Let say a level 10 could do it easily, then how about level 5 or 4, 3..... When phenomenon arises when/where they should not be, isn't there something not in order?

I read the few lines written by Freeform again. I think he really mean he emitting light and being seen by others. BUT it is the "people around me" that he didn't define very clearly. I think those most likely were his peers or teachers of a certain level. These "people" can view the light or aura or whatever surrounding a body, Freeform or not. It is not common among common people but common among adepts. In all the Taoist texts I read, I can't recall development of light emitting ability that can be observed by common people. I did read a book that the writer claims his master can emanate light during deep meditation. It is difficult to gauge as most of the meditators sit alone. While they may not go so deep during a group setting. Anyway Taoist alchemist and Buddhist always regards such abilities, ,and seeing light as well, as trivial or distraction or even harmful in reaching the final goal.

Wait.

The original wording is 必心志紛、而神明亂. It roughly means sure will lead to the heart having many objectives/desires and the clear mind is confused or the clarity of the mind is disrupted. Modern people writing classical Chinese. Google cannot handle.

Which part of Freeform's practice? I only know he stands for hours which I don't really concur. While Awaken always offend people.

Warned what?