Disciplined Daoist Self-Cultivation is a Difficult Path
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Throughout China’s history, there has been many examples of dedicated and sincere Daoist ascetics who have dedicated their lives to cultivating the mind (and body), and been successful in this task. Why has this been the case? The reason is that in the past, Daoist masters were reluctant to take on many students at any one time, and tended to teach Daoist health building and longevity techniques only to a very small, and select group of already extremely talented disciples. The history books show that it was not uncommon for a particular Daoist master to have just ‘one’ sincere disciple, and transmit the entire Daoist System only to this individual person. Standards were very high in old China, but the consequence of this ‘elitist’ and ‘secretive’ policy was that the vast masses of the ordinary people were permanently ‘excluded’ from the benefits of training within the Daoist School.
However, the problem that ordinary people face, is that of a lack of access to good guidance and genuine ‘nei dan’ (内丹) instruction. This can lead to a problem right at the beginning of Daoist training, which sees the ascetic practising wrong and misunderstood methods that do not work. This error in methodology remains with the practitioner during all times of the day and night, and in all situations in life. Methodological errors in Daoist training do not go away even though a practitioner might well be sincere and extremely well disciplined. Within the Daoist School, it is taught that once a Daoist ascetic is on the wrong path – the Daoist ascetic will always remain on the wrong path. There is an old saying – an eighth of an inch, and the divine-sky and broad-earth are forever set apart.
On the one-hand, it is good and right for the general public to practice Daoist self-cultivation (for health and longevity), whilst on the other, not everyone has access to a genuine Daoist master or a legitimate Daoist lineage. This is where error and misunderstanding can creep-in. A practitioner needs very careful guidance and support in their foundational training. This is not a frivolous exchange of ideas, or the collecting of ‘dry’ facts about broad Daoist history, it is the profound and exact presentation of the cultivation of ‘true qi’ (真气 – Zhen Qi) and its correct, transformative circulation throughout the (mind and) body. If the wrong path is followed, then the incorrect technique will damage the physical body (and mind), by using-up and permanently diminishing essential nature (精 – Jing), and hindering qi (精) energy in its correct circulation (and transformative) functionality. The problem is really a double-edged sword.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Source Text: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102wqy0.html
修道艰苦之路
修道者都有一颗修有所成之心,而历代修者多如牛毛而成功者如风毛菱角为什么?我们纵观道家功夫历史不难看出,真正有所得有所成者都是过去历代正门单传,其传承是非常严谨神秘的。所以大众爱好者很难得到真正法脉传承,大部分爱好者追求者都是到处搜集道家相关书籍,用尽智慧想从丹法典籍中找到修法套路,但是道书中名言,《不论你聪明千百倍,不遇明师瞎胡闹》一语道破功法神秘所在。
大多数爱好内丹修者从一入手就错误修炼偏离方向,道云,修者功夫差之毫厘远之千里。修炼几月阴神上身而自己毫不知晓。没有增补自身精气反而消耗自身精气,时间长久导致失眠健忘,精神萎靡健康状况反而直降。
道家性命双修功夫是一种非常严谨的功夫,不得真传需谨慎炼之,他可以增补体内真气发生,同时没有指导也可消耗你本身精气,他是一把双刃剑。所以我们不难看出大多修者会出现很多问题而不自知、历代修炼功夫者都要亲近师父认真求道,师父要帮助徒弟打开身体关巧,细心讲述道法中每一步关键步骤才可缓慢前进。
千峰草堂 ;赵明旺
However, the problem that ordinary people face, is that of a lack of access to good guidance and genuine ‘nei dan’ (内丹) instruction. This can lead to a problem right at the beginning of Daoist training, which sees the ascetic practising wrong and misunderstood methods that do not work. This error in methodology remains with the practitioner during all times of the day and night, and in all situations in life. Methodological errors in Daoist training do not go away even though a practitioner might well be sincere and extremely well disciplined. Within the Daoist School, it is taught that once a Daoist ascetic is on the wrong path – the Daoist ascetic will always remain on the wrong path. There is an old saying – an eighth of an inch, and the divine-sky and broad-earth are forever set apart.
On the one-hand, it is good and right for the general public to practice Daoist self-cultivation (for health and longevity), whilst on the other, not everyone has access to a genuine Daoist master or a legitimate Daoist lineage. This is where error and misunderstanding can creep-in. A practitioner needs very careful guidance and support in their foundational training. This is not a frivolous exchange of ideas, or the collecting of ‘dry’ facts about broad Daoist history, it is the profound and exact presentation of the cultivation of ‘true qi’ (真气 – Zhen Qi) and its correct, transformative circulation throughout the (mind and) body. If the wrong path is followed, then the incorrect technique will damage the physical body (and mind), by using-up and permanently diminishing essential nature (精 – Jing), and hindering qi (精) energy in its correct circulation (and transformative) functionality. The problem is really a double-edged sword.
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Source Text: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102wqy0.html
修道艰苦之路
修道者都有一颗修有所成之心,而历代修者多如牛毛而成功者如风毛菱角为什么?我们纵观道家功夫历史不难看出,真正有所得有所成者都是过去历代正门单传,其传承是非常严谨神秘的。所以大众爱好者很难得到真正法脉传承,大部分爱好者追求者都是到处搜集道家相关书籍,用尽智慧想从丹法典籍中找到修法套路,但是道书中名言,《不论你聪明千百倍,不遇明师瞎胡闹》一语道破功法神秘所在。
大多数爱好内丹修者从一入手就错误修炼偏离方向,道云,修者功夫差之毫厘远之千里。修炼几月阴神上身而自己毫不知晓。没有增补自身精气反而消耗自身精气,时间长久导致失眠健忘,精神萎靡健康状况反而直降。
道家性命双修功夫是一种非常严谨的功夫,不得真传需谨慎炼之,他可以增补体内真气发生,同时没有指导也可消耗你本身精气,他是一把双刃剑。所以我们不难看出大多修者会出现很多问题而不自知、历代修炼功夫者都要亲近师父认真求道,师父要帮助徒弟打开身体关巧,细心讲述道法中每一步关键步骤才可缓慢前进。
千峰草堂 ;赵明旺