ChiDragon Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) A "true person" is a person who has cultivated to the highest realm of the DCXM(Dual Cultivation of the Xing(mind) and Ming(body).If this is not good enough, I will try again.A highly cultivated Taoist priest addressed himself by using the term as 真人(true person) but not a true person. So to speak. It is more like a distinction for a Taoist priest that he is above an ordinary human. Edited December 15, 2014 by ChiDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daeluin Posted December 15, 2014 Awakening to the Tao, Liu Yiming, Thomas Cleary: The Original Real Human The Tao connects with the spiritual. Once understood, it applies to everything, going beyond the dust of the ordinary world. Recognize the original formless thing, and forge it into an adamantine, indestructible body. This is most sacred, most spiritual -- the three poisons of greed, aggression, and stupidity die out, there are no calamities, no difficulties, all seasons are spring. This method has no difficulty, it is really simple and easy; nevertheless, in this world there are few real people. This is not a title, it is a state. Like enlightenment. Once one becomes the valley spirit and slips beyond the mysterious barrier, one goes beyond the illusion and connects to what is real. From http://neijiaquan.co.uk/Taoism.htm Real humanTaoism has a long history of mystics, alchemists and magicians.There are many colourful accounts of oddball recluses who studied arcane practices in order to gain great skill and wisdom.At the heart of the teachings is the desire to attain an altered state of consciousness.To see the world through different eyes.Taoists aim to become a "real human being"; in-touch with reality is a tangible, earthy way.They avoid fame, worldliness and repute; remaining in the shadows, in secret and aloof. The Wikipedia page has a great deal of info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhenren 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sternbach Posted December 15, 2014 A highly cultivated Taoist priest addressed himself by using the term as 真人(true person) but not a true person. Oh boy, that looks like the "word" verses "one word" dichotomy from TTC, ch. 1 again, to me. So to speak. It is more like a distinction for a Taoist priest that he is above an ordinary human. I knew it! I knew it! <Bounces up and down on his chair,> 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 15, 2014 I knew it! I knew it! <Bounces up and down on his chair,> Michael.... While you are rocking on your chair with a smile. Let's me disappoint you with this. "So to speak. It is more like a distinction for a Taoist priest that he is above an ordinary human." Above an ordinary human doesn't mean more superior than anyone. It was only meant by that a Taoist had been cultivated the DCXM to have a healthier body and more wiser with the knowledge obtained. I wonder if you have a mind as a Taoist would think otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sternbach Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) "So to speak. It is more like a distinction for a Taoist priest that he is above an ordinary human." Above an ordinary human doesn't mean more superior than anyone. It was only meant by that a Taoist had been cultivated the DCXM to have a healthier body and more wiser with the knowledge obtained. I wonder if you have a mind as a Taoist would think otherwise. Ack - but a layman could be as far or even further cultivated as the revered Daoist priest in that temple. I wonder, does the Daoist "clergy" take that into account. Edited December 15, 2014 by Michael Sternbach 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted December 15, 2014 (edited) Ack - but a layman could be as far or even further cultivated as the revered Daoist priest in that temple. I wonder, does the Daoist "clergy" take that into account. Of course...!!! There is a mountain always higher than another; and there is always one is wiser than another. Edited December 15, 2014 by ChiDragon 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted December 17, 2014 Thank you for explaining further CD. No offence taken, I know what you mean (surely you know by now my wish is to actually learn what is meant by these Chinese semantics, rather than me getting it wrong and coming to my own uneducated opinions...) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forestofclarity Posted December 17, 2014 I've dabbled in different traditions, and also in different schools within a tradition. The traditions, labels, and rituals are all different, but direct experience is all the same. As noted above, the labels don't really matter. But even so, there is a difference in the language and techniques used. In a sense, it is almost like saying "What do you mean when you say the English language, what do you mean?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites