Taoism

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="03fa11c3.gif"> <div> <B>  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="39266650.gif" border=0 width="102" height="101" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The Three-in-One path:  Taoism. Buddhism. Confucianism</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="52f80b20.jpg" border=0 width="128" height="178" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Buddhism</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="52e739f0.jpg" border=0 width="115" height="159" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Confucius</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="36265850.jpg" border=0 width="101" height="133" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Taoism</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#99CC00" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Online Journal of the I Ching, Yi Jing</B></FONT>     <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CCCC66" FACE="Arial" >|   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Online Journal of the I Ching, Yi Ji"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="want_to_be_an_i_ching_diviner_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Diviners Page"><U>Diviner's Page</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Diviners Code of Ethics"><U>Diviner's Code of Ethics</U></A>   |   <A HREF="buddhism.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Buddhism"><U>Buddhism</U></A>   |   <B>Taoism</B>   |   <A HREF="alchemy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alchemy"><U>Alchemy</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Five Element Theory"><U>Five Element Theory</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Eight Immortals"><U>The Eight Immortals</U></A>   |   <A HREF="page_of_dragons.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letters to the Editor"><U>Letters to the Editor</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tampa Bay Album"><U>Tampa Bay Album</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="03ef4010.gif" border=0 width="500" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Taoism</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="55418d60.gif" border=0 width="280" height="214" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Colorized picture of a writing on silk which relates the</div> <div> appearance of several comets. Found at Ma-wang-tui, Changsa, Hunan, in 1976.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="37364460.gif" border=0 width="100" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> The Complete Reality School</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >       </FONT><B>The Complete Reality school is referred to as "reformed" Taoism because the school attempted to eliminate many of the superstitious elements and return to fundamental teachings.  The theoretical basis of the school is "reunification of the fragmented self into the original whole or the reunion of  Tao and man."</B>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>The Founder of the Complete Reality School</B></div> <bR> <div>       <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >The  Complete Reality School arose during the Middle Ages and today forms part of modern Taoism.  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >It's founder was Wang Ch'ung-yang of the Southern Sung Dynasty</FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >(c. 1127-1279)</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993380" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >  He was born during the violent rule of the emperors of the Five Dynasties (c. 1000 AD).  Wang  rejected the rigidity of Confucian doctrine that had failed to prevent the violence and militarism of the times. Wang studied Buddhism, Taoist longevity practices and Confucian ethics. </FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><B>The three-in-one school was a blend of the emptiness teachings of Buddhism, the Taoist techniques of health and longevity, and the ethics of Confucianism</B></FONT>. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > (The doctrine of emptiness in principally associated with the Indian Buddhist teacher, Nagarjuna who is said to have visited China, c. 100 AD and taught the sutras on emptiness and the void which is cited in the Links section).  </FONT></div> <div>    <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >Some of its practices, have such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan have received  wide popular acceptance.   This school is known for its rigor as well as its constructive involvement in the ordinary world.  The Clear Reality School has produced some of the most advanced Taoist adepts and continues to do so to this day.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Liu I-ming, I Ching Scholar of the Complete Reality School</B></div> <bR> <div>       Thomas Cleary, the most renowned  western scholars in this field, bases the majority of his writings on<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" > <B>Lui I-ming (1734-1821 AD)</B></FONT><B>.  </B>Liu was one of the principal teachers of the Complete Reality School.   Liu I -ming is also known for lifting the veil of mystery from Taoist <A HREF="alchemy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alchemy"><U>alchemy</U></A> and making it more widely available to sincere seekers.  During his lifetime Liu worked as a teacher, merchant, recluse, coolie, builder, teacher and writer in order to broaden and deepen his life's experience.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >     </FONT><I><B>T</B></I><I><B>he Taoist I Ching</B></I><I> </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > by Thomas Cleary is based on the I Ching studies of Liu I-ming.  Liu I-ming frequently breaks with traditional commentary in his I Ching:  For example, Hexagram 37 which is usually called "The Family,"  Liu entitles the hexagram "People Within the Home." </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>He says that the hexagram represents "refining the self, mastering the mind, turning the attention to gaze inward</B>.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >"  His is a thoughtful commentary.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Meditation Practice</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" >       </FONT>In Taoist practice it is necessary to embrace the breath with the mind and the mind with the breath.  With practice one becomes balanced and the practitioner becomes able to plunge into deep and deeper meditative states where " there is no sky, no earth, no body.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >  "This advanced state of meditation is what is referred to in the saying 'Knowing the white, keep the black, and the illumination of the spirit will come of itself."</FONT>   <I>White</I> refers to everyday life and the rational mind.  <I>Black </I> means the  intuitive side of the brain and the mystical realms.  This distinction was a basic part of the teachings of the Complete Reality School.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >       The purpose of meditation practice, then, is to center and calm the mind for it is said: </FONT>"When the ordinary mind is calmed, the shining mind of Tao comes forth."<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >This saying was attributed to</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >Chang San-Feng, on of the famous adepts of the Complete Reality School.  </FONT>"The mind of Tao" refers to the primordial real consciousness.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >  The all-too-human way of mistaking the ego or the ordinary mind for our true self or buddah-mind is called </FONT>"putting the servant before the master." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Training the Mind</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>"</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Dauphin" ><B>Put Oneself First By Being Last</B></FONT><B>"</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Firmness</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>     </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >Liu I-ming spoke first of establishing firmness which he defined was first</FONT> to get rid of the desire for material possessions (covetousness) and establish spiritual practice<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC3399" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >  The second stage was cutting through sentiment and overcoming fear of difficulties and obstacles or</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>of putting the spirit in order and fearlessly going forward. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > Firmness also meant living a virtuous life by doing good and avoiding doing bad.  In this way the spiritual path was begun.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Flexibility</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B>     </B></FONT>With flexibility one achieves progress along  the spiritual path.   What does <I>flexibility</I> mean?  Essentially it means to<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" > stop identifying our true self as our ego</FONT>.   It is to give up the ego and its self-cherishing and allow the true spiritual self to unfold. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" > The qualities of flexibility are these:  Yielding, self-mastery, restraint, self-effacement, selflessness, consideration for others, simplicity, and genuineness. </FONT> People who are flexible are spiritually fulfilled.  The do not ever seek revenge.  They forgive readily knowing the impermanence of all things.  They seek spiritual rather than worldly riches and they do not contend with anyone.  Working gradually, they achieve great things.  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >"<B>This is what is called putting oneself first by being last."</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT> Liu I-ming</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B>    </B></FONT><B>The Seven Immortals</B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="4a27b310.gif" border=0 width="123" height="49" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>     </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3366CC" FACE="Arial" ><B>Wang Ch'ung-yang</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT>of the Southern Sung Dynasty (c. 1127-1279) is one of the great founders of the Complete Reality School, also known as the Holistic Zhen Taoist School." .  His  students, seven Taoist masters, received the transmission of the Northern School of Taoism.  The School's headquarters has been the White Cloud Monastery near Bejing.  They believed that immortality was to be obtained mainly through inner alchemy by meditation and ch'i kung exercises.  The collective stories of the students of Master Wang speak of the sacrifices that need to made in order  to realize Tao.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > More importantly, the stories teach that each student has an individual path that differs from every other student.  Yet each path is equally valid and appropriate: </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>T'an Ch'ang is successful on the path to knowledge because he has <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >discipline</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> Hao T'ai-ku attains the Tao by<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >selfless giving</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >.  </FONT>Sun Pu-erh, a woman, undertakes the most difficult task, that of leaving her home and family and destroying her beauty.  She succeeds through<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >intellect and strong determination.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Ma Tan-yang, her husband, succeeds by<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >simplicity in thought and action</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >. </FONT> Ch'iu Ch'ang succeeds by the use of his unshakable <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >faith</FONT> in the Tao.  Wang Yu-yang performs unceasing<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > sitting</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >meditation</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >. </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Liu Chang sheng utilizes the medium of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >clairvoyance</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>to discover his path. </div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >The seven immortals all had profound and lasting influence and carried forward Taoism. They were very active during the Jin and Yuan Dynasties and also established their own branches according to their personal styles. Some of these are the Dragon Gate Taoist School, the Mount Sui Taoist School, Meeting the Celestials School, Mount Hua Taoist School, and The Quiet and Tranquil Taoist School. These schools promoted and rejuvenated the practice of Taoism.  A series of sculptures that honor them is found at the White Cloud Monastery in Bejing.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Suggested Reading</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="7e6544b0.gif" border=0 width="84" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>Seven Taoist Masters</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>by Eva Wong.  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="52cc8280.gif" border=0 width="200" height="40" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>The Ma-wang-tui (or Mawangdui) I Ching Manuscripts</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT>The earliest known I Ching manuscript called <I>Eranzi Wen</I> or <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><I>Several Disciples Asked </I></FONT> was found at Mawangdui along with two copies of the Tao Te Ching which mention Lao Tzu by name.  Aslo found was <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><I>The Great Treatise</I></FONT><I>, </I>minus one paragraph.  <I>The great Treatise </I>is certainly the most mystical component of the collection of documents that comprise today's I Ching, although their is a Confucian manuscript with the identical name and the text is unclear to which manuscript it refers.  The I Ching <I>Great Treatise </I>is also known as <I>Ta Chuan.</I> The silk manuscripts are dated c.190 BC. </div> <div>       The title <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><I>Several Disciples Asked</I></FONT>,  is taken from the first line of the text.  The disciples are apparently asking "Kongzi," better known as Confucius, the meaning of certain line statements in some of the hexagrams: </div> <bR> <div> <B>The Virtue of a Dragon</B></div> <bR> <div>       For example,  one such question concerned dragons:   A disciple asked  "The <I>Changes </I>often mentions dragons<I>;</I> what is the virtue of a dragon like?"  Confucius said,  The dragon's form shifts: " When it approaches the Lord in audience it appears as a Sage.  When it rises in the heavens and moves among the stars and planets and sun and moon it is invisible because it is able to be yang; when it descends to the depths it does not drown because it is able to be yin.  In high places the Lord of Thunder nourishes it, "the wind and rain do not face it and the birds and beasts do not disturb it."  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><I>Several Disciples Asked</I>, <I>The Classic of Changes (1996)</I></FONT><I>  </I>translated by Edward L. Shaunessey. </div> <bR> <div>        <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> The next earliest text of the I Ching is the <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><I>Xiping Stone Classics</I></FONT><I> </I>which were engraved c.180 BC during the Han Dynasty.  Only twenty percent of the text has been recovered.</div> <bR> <div> <B>    </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Thomas Cleary</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="7e6544b0.gif" border=0 width="84" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > Thomas Cleary is one of the foremost authors in the  Clear Serene Branch of Complete Reality Taoism. His  work has a balanced perspective and sound teaching. He has published many works, his magnum opus is a four volume series entitled<I>Taoist Classics</I> , which includes the</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><I>Tao Te Ching</I>,  <I>Understanding Reality</I>,<I> The Inner Teachings of Taoism, Practical Taoism, The Secret of the Golden Flower, The Taoist I Ching, and I Ching Mandalas</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >, and several others.  His other works include a study of Chuang-Tzu, the famous philosopher.  His latest contribution is</FONT> <I>Twilight Goddess</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>, </I> a study of spiritual feminism in Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, and Sufi religions.</FONT></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="391625f0.gif" border=0 width="98" height="95" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>The Opening of the Mysterious Female</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>by Lui I Ming</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div>   The opening of the mysterious female </div> <div> is the opening of the mysterious pass.</div> <bR> <div>      This opening has a double door, opening and closing. </div> <div> It is nine feet high and five feet wide. Outside is a</div> <div> spiritual officer on sentry; inside are a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >dragon</FONT> and</div> <div> tiger <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >standing guard.</FONT></div> <bR> <div>  The central hall is one room</div> <div> which extends in all directions; in it <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >dwells a true</FONT></div> <div> human<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >, with unkempt hair and bare feet, wearing a</FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >patchwork garment of</FONT> five colors<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > and a </FONT>belt of yellow</div> <div> silk,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > holding a </FONT>scepter of golden light,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > sitting</FONT></div> <div> peacefully on the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >seat of spontaneity</FONT>, leaning back</div> <div> without casting a shadow on the wall, a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >crystal lamp</FONT></div> <div> hung in front, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >eyes half closed, immobile, at rest,</FONT></div> <div> not impulsively looking around, not speaking at</div> <div> random. To the right there is a golden boy, to the</div> <div> left a jade girl.</div> <bR> <div>     <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" > Sometimes the true human opens its eyes and light</FONT></div> <div> fills the universe<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >, illuminating even the dark regions</FONT></div> <div> of the nether world.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" > Sometimes the true human opens</FONT></div> <div> its mouth and energy fills the universe<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >, putting all</FONT></div> <div> demons to flight. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0099" FACE="Arial" >The true human holds the power of</FONT></div> <div> creation, the poetry of yin and yang, the talisman</div> <div> of life and death, and the amulet which holds the essence of life.</div> <bR> <div> However, there are a few people in the world who are</div> <div> in genuine earnest. Most can not put forth intensive</div> <div> effort or endure long perseverance; also they do not</div> <div> seek out the fundamental true principles, but just</div> <div> think of the mysterious pass and mysterious female in</div> <div> terms of physical locations and do some minor</div> <div> techniques which are attached either to voidness or to</div> <div> form, falsely imagining that they will attain Tao.</div> <div>  This is pitiful.</div> <div> If one is a true stalwart, one can decisively set</div> <div> aside all entanglements, and dwell on emptiness,</div> <div> and then of importance, call on true teachers, form associations</div> <div> with worthy companions, never changing one's</div> <div> determination; then one can eventually come to know</div> <div> the mysterious pass, see the mysterious female, and</div> <div> finally comprehend the essence of  life. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >Students should</FONT></div> <div> work on this"</div> <div> <B>Contributed by Gene of Midaughter's List</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Story of Chuang Tzu , the Philosopher</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >   <IMG SRC="3e0796b0.gif" border=0 width="121" height="107" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >One day about sunset, Chuang Tzu dozed off and dreamed that he turned into a butterfly.  He flapped his wings and sure enough he was a butterfly!  What a joyful feeling as he fluttered about, he completely forgot that he was Chuang Tzu.  Soon though, he realized that that proud butterfly was really Chuang Tzu who dreamed he was a butterfly, or was it a butterfly who dreamed he was Chuang Tzu ?  In this way Chuang Tzu explains the Tao as an inner experience in which the subject and the object are merged.  It is this fusion between self and no-self that is the key that unlocks the mystery of Tao. It is the intuitional, creative self which blossoms when this distinction disappears.  Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu both founded the philosophical school of Taoism in the period  6th-4th Century BC.  Chuang Tzu taught the method of seeing the pattern by <I>wu wei, </I>the Taoist concept of least effort.  One attains the state by </FONT> letting go and achieving a state of heightened awareness and receptivity which allows one to see the pattern or "see the Li:: Taoists describe as  by the method of <I>wu wei </I>or "least effort,<I>" </I><I> </I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>"To him who does not dwell in himself, the forms of things</B></div> <div> <B>show themselves as they are.  His movement is like that of</B></div> <div> <B>water; his stillness is like that of a mirror; his response</B></div> <div> <B>is like that of an echo.  His rarified condition makes him</B></div> <div> <B>seem to be disappearing altogether; he is still as a clear</B></div> <div> <B>lake, harmonious in his association with others..."</B></div> <div> <B>Chuang Tzu</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5345e8d0.gif" border=0 width="94" height="141" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6965a5a0.gif" border=0 width="90" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="alchemy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alchemy"><U><B>Next</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="midaughter_s_i_ching.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Online Journal of the I Ching"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>