The American and the Mysterious Self-Cultivation of Qianfeng Daoism
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Since ancient times, the Daoist techniques associated with ‘Essential Life Mind-Body’ (性命双修 – Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) self-cultivation were the profound product of generations of research and practice, and were strictly passed-on only through select master-disciple lineages. This process meant that in any one generation there were very few people within Chinese society who were qualified to understand this distinct body of knowledge and wisdom. As ordinary people could not gain access to these teachings, the general public were unable to benefit from the Daoist practice of ‘Energy Centre Self-Cultivation’ (内丹 – Nei Dan).
After decades of reform and opening in modern China, various ancient cultures have been recovered, preserved and passed-on. As for authentic Daoist self-cultivation techniques, this has remained in the background and quietly adjusted to suit the changing times. Today, Daoism has re-emerged into the public eye yet again, and everyone is aware of its profound theoretical basis. However, the path to modernity has not always been smooth. During the 1980’s ‘qigong’ (气功) craze, untold numbers of people caused harm to their minds and bodies by blindly pursuing Daoist-related paths that they did not properly understand, and within which they had received no genuine instruction.
Correct Daoist practice involves the logical and rational practice of ‘Essential Life Mind-Body’ self-cultivation. This means that a person ‘who knows’ and who is properly trained and qualified, teaches those who respectfully seek instruction. There is no other way even within modern China. This being the case, why are there so many individuals today who present themselves as ‘Daoist Masters’, but who cannot explain their lineage, prove their lineage, or give any names of verifiable Daoist teachers? This is the situation not only in China, but also in the West. Many claim a knowledge of Daoism they do not possess in reality. Such people are criminals who mislead the population and teach dangerous nonsense as Daoist technique. Whilst claiming to ‘lengthen’ your lifespan these frauds are actually ‘shortening’ your life!
Some years ago, an American came to China in search of genuine Daoist technique, but after travelling around the country, he found that the standard of knowledge amongst these various masters was really quite low. Many spoke about the ‘Metaphysics of Emptiness’ (玄论虚 – Xuan Lun Xu), but did not convincingly know how to attain to these states of being. As this American retained a healthy skepticism, he just nodded his head politely, but did not allow himself to be misled with empty promises of immortality. After spending time and hard-earned money in China, he was planning to leave with a sense of disappointment. However, it was at this point that he learned about the Qianfeng Pre-Natal (千峰先天 – Qian Feng Xian Tian) School situated in the Yangfang area of Beijing’s Changping District. He was told that this school still occupied the very same house that its founder – Zhao Bichen (赵避尘) – once lived within. However, when he arrived at our simple farmhouse and adjacent building, he was surprised that it did not look like an ornate Daoist Temple or the elaborate home of an old-style scholar-official. When I walked out (an ordinary-looking middle-aged man), dressed in casual clothes, he was even more surprised! He stated bluntly that he had spoken to many so-called ‘masters’ about meditation and self-cultivation, and that as far as he was concerned, none of them knew how to practice or teach Daoism. He asked me how I differed from these other ‘masters’ he had met?
This all changed after a few minutes of profound conversation in simple language, when he instinctively knew that the Qianfeng lineage was authentic and that it possessed the knowledge and wisdom he had travelled to China to find. I (Zhao Ming Wang) stated that I did not need to convince him of anything, but I would explain the basic Daoist path in simple language and few words. Chinese Daoism is mysterious, difficult to learn and arduous to practice. These are facts and not opinions. A true master conveys the exact essence of the Daoist self-cultivation technique, and never holds any ulterior motives. Qianfeng Daoist self-cultivation requires the systematic training of the mind and body. The body is trained through internally cultivating ‘essential nature’ (精 – Jing) and ‘vital force’ (气 – Qi), whilst the mind must be subjected to the discipline of the seated meditation associated with Philosophical Daoism – namely that of ‘Build Meditation’ (打坐 – Da Zuo). I said that as a friend of China and Chinese culture, he should not yet drink tea with me in case I am trying to drug his drink and make him think or do things he does not want to do. Firstly, I said that it is normal for me to assess his qi energy flow, and through finger and palm massage, as well as using special acupressure devices, ‘open-up’ all his qi energy channels. After this process is achieved, he may state whether he wants to continue with the training. I asked him to think about it and come back early tomorrow morning. After four days of conditioning and practising ‘Sweating Ox’ (汗牛 – Han Niu) self-cultivation, his mind and body experienced a profound transformation. On the fifth day, this American returned to the Qianfeng Hermitage and knelt in front of the shrine of Zhao Bichen. After paying his respects to the Qianfeng Lineage, he stated that he could return home a happy and fulfilled person, as he had re-discovered the true cultural treasure of authentic Chinese Daoism!
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2018.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102x1a8.html
道家千峰神秘功夫
自古以来道家性命双修功夫都是以内传方式传承着道家神秘内丹功夫,无有亲传根本无法掌握其真正道家内丹功夫,所以众人言道玄之又玄根本无法探索其内在之奥妙。
几十年来在我国改革开放,各种文化的复苏,道家功夫也悄悄迎合时代的气息不断展示他底蕴深厚的中华文化,八十年代气功热潮,爱好者盲目的去追求,盲修瞎炼,不知到伤害了多少人。
真正的道家功夫性命双修在传承与修炼中是很严谨的,来不得半点遐思。但是如今社会关于道家功夫出现了很多大师,可笑的是不知道他们师承何人?道家的功夫我前面曾经指出他是很神奇和严谨的,不得真法者只是盲修瞎炼,最后自己受伤而不知。
几年前一位美国人了解到中国道家有一部神奇功夫,练功可以把虚欠身体转化强盛,抱着希望来到中国,历经各地没有找到一个可以信服功夫,大都谈玄论虚,要不就要求打坐静心。可这位美国朋友是很现实的,没有立竿见影之法很难让其信服,所以在谈到道家功夫时总是以怀疑的心态微笑摇头。
当他准备带着失望的心情离开中国时,了解到北京昌平区阳坊是道家千峰先天派,千峰老人赵避尘故居如今尚有传入,抱着看看的心情来到千峰老人故居,千峰草堂。
非常简谱的农家小院,没有一点以前见过的气派楼阁和大师人物,一个中年人接待了他,朴实的装束话语亲和根本看不出像个大师的样子,
经过简短的交流才了解到,他是千峰老人后裔赵明旺,也是赵家唯一千峰派功夫传入,此时这位美国人根本不相信这位中年人有什么道家神奇的功夫,直言明了到:我听了很多什么要打坐,要炼气等等没有真功夫,我的要求是展示现实的,要看的见的。因为此人阳跟不靠伟哥很难站立了,经过了解赵明旺微笑着对这位美国朋友言道:中国道家功夫是很神秘的,以前你见到的大师没有和你乱说,讲的完全是真的,要想增补体内精气是要用道家打坐来增补的。你来自外国是我们中国人的朋友,今天我来帮你解决这个小问题,但是有言在先,不要和我的一口水,完全杜绝饮食接触,这样你不会怀疑我给你下春药,其二不要怕痛,在我帮助你打开经络时会痛。如果同意明天早上来草堂。
经过四天的调理和炼汗牛功,第五天早上来的草堂,跪在千峰老人赵避尘金像面前,言道中国功夫太神奇了很伟大。
他从新获得了一个男人的雄伟,他带着愉快,带着满意离开了中国。道家功夫的确很神奇。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺
After decades of reform and opening in modern China, various ancient cultures have been recovered, preserved and passed-on. As for authentic Daoist self-cultivation techniques, this has remained in the background and quietly adjusted to suit the changing times. Today, Daoism has re-emerged into the public eye yet again, and everyone is aware of its profound theoretical basis. However, the path to modernity has not always been smooth. During the 1980’s ‘qigong’ (气功) craze, untold numbers of people caused harm to their minds and bodies by blindly pursuing Daoist-related paths that they did not properly understand, and within which they had received no genuine instruction.
Correct Daoist practice involves the logical and rational practice of ‘Essential Life Mind-Body’ self-cultivation. This means that a person ‘who knows’ and who is properly trained and qualified, teaches those who respectfully seek instruction. There is no other way even within modern China. This being the case, why are there so many individuals today who present themselves as ‘Daoist Masters’, but who cannot explain their lineage, prove their lineage, or give any names of verifiable Daoist teachers? This is the situation not only in China, but also in the West. Many claim a knowledge of Daoism they do not possess in reality. Such people are criminals who mislead the population and teach dangerous nonsense as Daoist technique. Whilst claiming to ‘lengthen’ your lifespan these frauds are actually ‘shortening’ your life!
Some years ago, an American came to China in search of genuine Daoist technique, but after travelling around the country, he found that the standard of knowledge amongst these various masters was really quite low. Many spoke about the ‘Metaphysics of Emptiness’ (玄论虚 – Xuan Lun Xu), but did not convincingly know how to attain to these states of being. As this American retained a healthy skepticism, he just nodded his head politely, but did not allow himself to be misled with empty promises of immortality. After spending time and hard-earned money in China, he was planning to leave with a sense of disappointment. However, it was at this point that he learned about the Qianfeng Pre-Natal (千峰先天 – Qian Feng Xian Tian) School situated in the Yangfang area of Beijing’s Changping District. He was told that this school still occupied the very same house that its founder – Zhao Bichen (赵避尘) – once lived within. However, when he arrived at our simple farmhouse and adjacent building, he was surprised that it did not look like an ornate Daoist Temple or the elaborate home of an old-style scholar-official. When I walked out (an ordinary-looking middle-aged man), dressed in casual clothes, he was even more surprised! He stated bluntly that he had spoken to many so-called ‘masters’ about meditation and self-cultivation, and that as far as he was concerned, none of them knew how to practice or teach Daoism. He asked me how I differed from these other ‘masters’ he had met?
This all changed after a few minutes of profound conversation in simple language, when he instinctively knew that the Qianfeng lineage was authentic and that it possessed the knowledge and wisdom he had travelled to China to find. I (Zhao Ming Wang) stated that I did not need to convince him of anything, but I would explain the basic Daoist path in simple language and few words. Chinese Daoism is mysterious, difficult to learn and arduous to practice. These are facts and not opinions. A true master conveys the exact essence of the Daoist self-cultivation technique, and never holds any ulterior motives. Qianfeng Daoist self-cultivation requires the systematic training of the mind and body. The body is trained through internally cultivating ‘essential nature’ (精 – Jing) and ‘vital force’ (气 – Qi), whilst the mind must be subjected to the discipline of the seated meditation associated with Philosophical Daoism – namely that of ‘Build Meditation’ (打坐 – Da Zuo). I said that as a friend of China and Chinese culture, he should not yet drink tea with me in case I am trying to drug his drink and make him think or do things he does not want to do. Firstly, I said that it is normal for me to assess his qi energy flow, and through finger and palm massage, as well as using special acupressure devices, ‘open-up’ all his qi energy channels. After this process is achieved, he may state whether he wants to continue with the training. I asked him to think about it and come back early tomorrow morning. After four days of conditioning and practising ‘Sweating Ox’ (汗牛 – Han Niu) self-cultivation, his mind and body experienced a profound transformation. On the fifth day, this American returned to the Qianfeng Hermitage and knelt in front of the shrine of Zhao Bichen. After paying his respects to the Qianfeng Lineage, he stated that he could return home a happy and fulfilled person, as he had re-discovered the true cultural treasure of authentic Chinese Daoism!
Daojia, Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2018.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102x1a8.html
道家千峰神秘功夫
自古以来道家性命双修功夫都是以内传方式传承着道家神秘内丹功夫,无有亲传根本无法掌握其真正道家内丹功夫,所以众人言道玄之又玄根本无法探索其内在之奥妙。
几十年来在我国改革开放,各种文化的复苏,道家功夫也悄悄迎合时代的气息不断展示他底蕴深厚的中华文化,八十年代气功热潮,爱好者盲目的去追求,盲修瞎炼,不知到伤害了多少人。
真正的道家功夫性命双修在传承与修炼中是很严谨的,来不得半点遐思。但是如今社会关于道家功夫出现了很多大师,可笑的是不知道他们师承何人?道家的功夫我前面曾经指出他是很神奇和严谨的,不得真法者只是盲修瞎炼,最后自己受伤而不知。
几年前一位美国人了解到中国道家有一部神奇功夫,练功可以把虚欠身体转化强盛,抱着希望来到中国,历经各地没有找到一个可以信服功夫,大都谈玄论虚,要不就要求打坐静心。可这位美国朋友是很现实的,没有立竿见影之法很难让其信服,所以在谈到道家功夫时总是以怀疑的心态微笑摇头。
当他准备带着失望的心情离开中国时,了解到北京昌平区阳坊是道家千峰先天派,千峰老人赵避尘故居如今尚有传入,抱着看看的心情来到千峰老人故居,千峰草堂。
非常简谱的农家小院,没有一点以前见过的气派楼阁和大师人物,一个中年人接待了他,朴实的装束话语亲和根本看不出像个大师的样子,
经过简短的交流才了解到,他是千峰老人后裔赵明旺,也是赵家唯一千峰派功夫传入,此时这位美国人根本不相信这位中年人有什么道家神奇的功夫,直言明了到:我听了很多什么要打坐,要炼气等等没有真功夫,我的要求是展示现实的,要看的见的。因为此人阳跟不靠伟哥很难站立了,经过了解赵明旺微笑着对这位美国朋友言道:中国道家功夫是很神秘的,以前你见到的大师没有和你乱说,讲的完全是真的,要想增补体内精气是要用道家打坐来增补的。你来自外国是我们中国人的朋友,今天我来帮你解决这个小问题,但是有言在先,不要和我的一口水,完全杜绝饮食接触,这样你不会怀疑我给你下春药,其二不要怕痛,在我帮助你打开经络时会痛。如果同意明天早上来草堂。
经过四天的调理和炼汗牛功,第五天早上来的草堂,跪在千峰老人赵避尘金像面前,言道中国功夫太神奇了很伟大。
他从新获得了一个男人的雄伟,他带着愉快,带着满意离开了中国。道家功夫的确很神奇。
道家千峰先天派
千峰草堂: 赵明旺