The Main Points of Daoist Mind-Body Essence of Life Self-Cultivation
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
In the world today, there are many people who have heard of the Daoist self-cultivation technique known as ‘xingming shuangxiu’ (性命双修). This is a profound method of revealing, purifying and training the rarefied ‘life-essence’ that underlies both the mind and body. This body of knowledge represents a complex Daoist science that has been developed over thousands of years of endeavour by many very able individuals. Consequently, the techniques of ‘xingming shuangxiu’ are difficult to understand, and need to be learnt from within a genuine Daoist lineage. Recently, I was in discussion with a businessman from Southern China, and he asked me whether it was true that ‘xingming shuangxiu’ only existed as a form of ‘sexual yoga’ to be practised by men and women (to boost flagging sexuality), and outside of this, had little relevance for humanity. I was speechless in the face of this crass misunderstanding and gross misconception!
When I returned to the Qianfeng Hermitage (my family home and training hall in Beijing), I investigated this claim on the internet, and discovered an article stating just this nonsense. The author of this article does not understand traditional Chinese Daoism, and certainly possesses no genuine knowledge about ‘xingming shuangxiu’. If this author had actually trained in a legitimate Daoist lineage, they would never make the outrageous claim that ‘xingming shuangxiu’ exists only as a form of ‘sexual yoga’. The ancient sages developed ‘xingming shuangxiu’ as a means to develop ‘essential nature’ (精 – Jing), ‘vital force’ (气 – qi), and ‘empty spirit’ (神 – Shen) through various and distinct methods of self-cultivation. This training is both ‘exact’ and ‘precise’ and has nothing to do with engaging in ‘sexual yoga’ – as this ordinary (worldly) activity wastes valuable ‘jing’ and depletes ‘qi’ – meaning that ‘shen’ cannot be developed. In other words, engaging in sexual activity is the exact opposite to the true intended method of ‘xingming shuangxiu’.
The problem today, is that many people set-up courses on the internet and in training halls, that have no legitimacy, and are not part of an authentic Daoist lineage. All genuine Daoist learning emanates from a properly trained and qualified Daoist master, who carefully monitors and directs the learning of all disciples under his or her care. There are exact instructions that must be followed (including sexual abstinence), and particular states of attainment that need to be realised before moving onward in the training. How can any of this be achieved if a proper Daoist lineage is not located, and entry gained? How can the wondrous inner reality be realised without guidance from a true master, if the student is not supported by a sincere community of Daoist disciples? Even when all this is attained, no one can be exactly sure how long an individual will take to achieve each component of the path being studied. This uncertainty is due to the complexity of the ‘xingming shuangxiu’ methodology, which involves the indepth study of the principles of the divine sky and the broad earth (天地 – Tian Di), shade and light (阴阳 – Yin Yang), five phases of qi transformation (五行 – Wu Xing), numerical divination studies (术数 – Shu Shu), as well as many other important disciplines. All this happens around a core of ‘inner’ (内 – Nei) and ‘outer’ (外 – Wai) self-cultivation achieved through various specially designed practises. None of this can be rushed, and usually unfolds slowly, under a master’s educated gaze. If there is an error of just an eighth of an inch – the divine sky and the broad earth will be forever separate and never reconciled.
In the old days, the ancient masters ensured that a firm theoretical understanding and sound practical foundation was developed first and fore-most, and that this was accomplished in a slow and methodical manner. Today, people are impatient and demand ‘instant’ success. This type of instant gratification cannot be had within traditional Chinese Daoism. It is common sense to assume that if a foundation is not sound and secure, nothing substantial can be built upon it. Those who delude themselves with improper or pseudo-Daoist training, are insubstantial – like a reflection of the moon in water, being mistaken for the real moon. The ‘gate’ of self-cultivation cannot be entered without practising self-cultivation. A good Daoist practitioner must learn to take the rough with the smooth, and build-up a tolerance to hardship (by developing inner strength). None of this can be attained by wasting ‘jing’ and ‘qi’ through wasteful sexual activity. A person who has not developed their mind and body, will remain entirely in this ‘undeveloped’ state, and will not progress. This is how everyone is at the beginning. There are no short-cuts to developing inner and outer strength, and realising an empty mind that embraces all things. Undisciplined sexual activity only serves to confuse the mind at the beginning, and should be avoided due to the ill affects it can produce. Having clearly stated the main teachings associated with the practice of ‘xingming shuangxiu’, it is obvious that it is not a ‘sexual yoga’. However, after years of training under a qualified master, the fact that sexual function can be enhanced in both male and female disciples is only a very minor point, and should not be used to mislead genuine seekers of Daoist good health and longevity.
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102wzne.html
道家性命双修之要领
如今在国内以及世界各地大谈道家性命双修者甚多,前不久一位南方企业家和我交流时谈及道家性命双修功夫。他言道性命双修不就是男女双修吗?不就是提高男女性欲的完美吗?我无语了。
回到草堂再网上点击性命双修一词发现果然有此方面的文章,我无法理解这些词汇的出现。他们不但不了解中华传统道家性命双修功夫,几乎完全不懂就敢发表道家性命双修是男女双修。道家性命双修是中国道家几千年经过历代祖师研究探索以性命为主运化自身精,气,神的功夫。和男女交合没有任何关系,而修炼此性命双修者把自身精,气当做珍宝怎会轻易排出。
当今丹道大谈开班传授,可知修道家性命双修者要多久才可真正领悟其内在之妙?知道要和师父相处多久才可真苗出?道家性命双修是一部很神秘玄妙之法,包含内容颇多,以天地,阴阳,五行,术数,等诸多学科,应用内功,外炼功夫,以及师父的不断调理观察,才可缓慢前行。道者言道,差之毫厘远之千里之外。来不得半点疏忽。
性命双修祖师言道性靠自悟命由师传,但是当今人心烦急躁,总想得到真法以加紧炼之,是不知根基不坚固如同水中月镜中花。修性以上开启元神门户,而修性之难历代有所表述,他要和魔,神,精,淫,色等作斗争,就一个压住实神唤醒元神之法不知难道多少求道者。
所以真修或者爱好者不要忙修瞎练,得法之后修性炼命共同前进。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺
When I returned to the Qianfeng Hermitage (my family home and training hall in Beijing), I investigated this claim on the internet, and discovered an article stating just this nonsense. The author of this article does not understand traditional Chinese Daoism, and certainly possesses no genuine knowledge about ‘xingming shuangxiu’. If this author had actually trained in a legitimate Daoist lineage, they would never make the outrageous claim that ‘xingming shuangxiu’ exists only as a form of ‘sexual yoga’. The ancient sages developed ‘xingming shuangxiu’ as a means to develop ‘essential nature’ (精 – Jing), ‘vital force’ (气 – qi), and ‘empty spirit’ (神 – Shen) through various and distinct methods of self-cultivation. This training is both ‘exact’ and ‘precise’ and has nothing to do with engaging in ‘sexual yoga’ – as this ordinary (worldly) activity wastes valuable ‘jing’ and depletes ‘qi’ – meaning that ‘shen’ cannot be developed. In other words, engaging in sexual activity is the exact opposite to the true intended method of ‘xingming shuangxiu’.
The problem today, is that many people set-up courses on the internet and in training halls, that have no legitimacy, and are not part of an authentic Daoist lineage. All genuine Daoist learning emanates from a properly trained and qualified Daoist master, who carefully monitors and directs the learning of all disciples under his or her care. There are exact instructions that must be followed (including sexual abstinence), and particular states of attainment that need to be realised before moving onward in the training. How can any of this be achieved if a proper Daoist lineage is not located, and entry gained? How can the wondrous inner reality be realised without guidance from a true master, if the student is not supported by a sincere community of Daoist disciples? Even when all this is attained, no one can be exactly sure how long an individual will take to achieve each component of the path being studied. This uncertainty is due to the complexity of the ‘xingming shuangxiu’ methodology, which involves the indepth study of the principles of the divine sky and the broad earth (天地 – Tian Di), shade and light (阴阳 – Yin Yang), five phases of qi transformation (五行 – Wu Xing), numerical divination studies (术数 – Shu Shu), as well as many other important disciplines. All this happens around a core of ‘inner’ (内 – Nei) and ‘outer’ (外 – Wai) self-cultivation achieved through various specially designed practises. None of this can be rushed, and usually unfolds slowly, under a master’s educated gaze. If there is an error of just an eighth of an inch – the divine sky and the broad earth will be forever separate and never reconciled.
In the old days, the ancient masters ensured that a firm theoretical understanding and sound practical foundation was developed first and fore-most, and that this was accomplished in a slow and methodical manner. Today, people are impatient and demand ‘instant’ success. This type of instant gratification cannot be had within traditional Chinese Daoism. It is common sense to assume that if a foundation is not sound and secure, nothing substantial can be built upon it. Those who delude themselves with improper or pseudo-Daoist training, are insubstantial – like a reflection of the moon in water, being mistaken for the real moon. The ‘gate’ of self-cultivation cannot be entered without practising self-cultivation. A good Daoist practitioner must learn to take the rough with the smooth, and build-up a tolerance to hardship (by developing inner strength). None of this can be attained by wasting ‘jing’ and ‘qi’ through wasteful sexual activity. A person who has not developed their mind and body, will remain entirely in this ‘undeveloped’ state, and will not progress. This is how everyone is at the beginning. There are no short-cuts to developing inner and outer strength, and realising an empty mind that embraces all things. Undisciplined sexual activity only serves to confuse the mind at the beginning, and should be avoided due to the ill affects it can produce. Having clearly stated the main teachings associated with the practice of ‘xingming shuangxiu’, it is obvious that it is not a ‘sexual yoga’. However, after years of training under a qualified master, the fact that sexual function can be enhanced in both male and female disciples is only a very minor point, and should not be used to mislead genuine seekers of Daoist good health and longevity.
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102wzne.html
道家性命双修之要领
如今在国内以及世界各地大谈道家性命双修者甚多,前不久一位南方企业家和我交流时谈及道家性命双修功夫。他言道性命双修不就是男女双修吗?不就是提高男女性欲的完美吗?我无语了。
回到草堂再网上点击性命双修一词发现果然有此方面的文章,我无法理解这些词汇的出现。他们不但不了解中华传统道家性命双修功夫,几乎完全不懂就敢发表道家性命双修是男女双修。道家性命双修是中国道家几千年经过历代祖师研究探索以性命为主运化自身精,气,神的功夫。和男女交合没有任何关系,而修炼此性命双修者把自身精,气当做珍宝怎会轻易排出。
当今丹道大谈开班传授,可知修道家性命双修者要多久才可真正领悟其内在之妙?知道要和师父相处多久才可真苗出?道家性命双修是一部很神秘玄妙之法,包含内容颇多,以天地,阴阳,五行,术数,等诸多学科,应用内功,外炼功夫,以及师父的不断调理观察,才可缓慢前行。道者言道,差之毫厘远之千里之外。来不得半点疏忽。
性命双修祖师言道性靠自悟命由师传,但是当今人心烦急躁,总想得到真法以加紧炼之,是不知根基不坚固如同水中月镜中花。修性以上开启元神门户,而修性之难历代有所表述,他要和魔,神,精,淫,色等作斗争,就一个压住实神唤醒元神之法不知难道多少求道者。
所以真修或者爱好者不要忙修瞎练,得法之后修性炼命共同前进。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺