The Extraordinary Nature of the Daoist Shifu
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
An authentic Daoist master (shifu) sets a psychological and physical example throughout his or hers own entire life, but before a ‘shifu’ can teach others, he or she must first have undergone a thorough and disciplined study of the Dao and all its various techniques, as well as having fully realised all the levels of attainment and had this realisation confirmed by older Daoist masters who can discern the truth from fiction. Why is this process necessary? It is necessary because a Daoist teacher (shifu) is responsible for understanding the psycho-physical needs of each of his or her disciples, and in so doing be able to apply the correct technique to the appropriate circumstance. This requires an innate knowledge of the health building and life prolonging techniques found within the school of philosophical Daoism. Without this experiential knowledge it is impossible to build virtue and possess the moral strength to lead others. Those who do not possess virtue cannot fulfil the duties associated with a Daoist ‘shifu’.
A student must train with a genuine master – there is no other way. Stumbling through the dark without knowing where to go is of no use. Over thousands of years the teachings of inner energy centre self-cultivation has been established and built-up from one generation to the next. One person learns this body of knowledge completely and passes it on to his or her students – some of whom will also become ‘shifu’ for the next generations. Not all students of the Dao become shifu even if they achieve Immortality. This is because being a shifu is a task of great selflessness and responsibility, and such a position is not suitable for all beings. Many high-attaining Immortals have spent their lives living in the hills and not teaching a single person, whilst other Immortals live in society and teach many students. The true reality of the Dao and all its techniques that constitute its ‘law’ must be fully penetrated, understood, and realised completely before a teacher is able to pass on the tradition effectively.
Is it possible to build the foundation of inner self-cultivation in just 100 days? Well, only if your teacher is able to fully comprehend the true state of your inner qi energy flow, and understand where it is deficient and where it is strong. It is only if a shifu can ‘see’ this with his mind that he is able to give the correct Daoist technique required to rectify the problem at hand, an existential problem that always varies from student to student due to the different histories of their families and their different current circumstances. Due to the variation of qi flow in each student of the Dao, a true shifu must be able to automatically perceive exactly what is need ‘here and now’, without hesitation and with an absolute clarity of thought. Students will be too weak here, and too strong there, and this needs to be instantly comprehended by the true Daoist teacher – this is how philosophical Daoism functions, and is an explanation of what some refer to as a ‘mystery’ that surrounds this school. It is not a mystery as such, but the Daoist shifu does possess the skill of instantly (and correctly) decoding the exact psycho-physical state of health of each student. Only then can the right exercise be given that unblocks the qi energy flow and develops essential nature (jing) and spirit (shen). I have heard of people trying to do this on their own and ultimately failing because they could not develop the insight into their own current state of health. This is a stumbling block that usually requires an objective assessment carried-out by another person who possesses the requisite knowledge – like a medical doctor examining a patient, diagnosing an illness and prescribing a medicine. Hence the old saying – an eighth of an inch and the divine-sky and the broad-earth are set apart!
A true disciple understands the four great hand method and the sixteen-step self-cultivation techniques. This is how an authentic training foundation is established and built-up in a manner that does not deceive the people, and which builds inner strength in the traditional manner. Some people think that ninety to one hundred days of not engaging in sexual relations with one’s partner is enough to build inner strength and vigour, but this is not necessarily true. In fact without a teacher to guide the way, this might not work at all. Besides, within the Qianfeng tradition couples are often encouraged to work together in their self-cultivation, and help one another along the path. How should prenatal self-cultivation be performed? When searching for prenatal qi energy, what is insufficient refinement – what is sufficient refinement? There is always the danger of not putting enough effort into daily refinement practice. How should a yin deficiency be treated in the sick body of an elderly person? When is the right time to generate the ‘fire’ through martial training? Only a true shifu understands these things because he or she possesses the clarity of thought that understands the bright reality of Daoist self-cultivation. To many this ability can seem very mysterious indeed.
Beijing Qianfeng Zhao Bichen Cultural Arts and Exchange Centre
Daojia, Quan Zhen, Longmen Pai Lineage Descendent
Descendent of Zhao Bichen the Founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School – Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220109334659397/
道家性命双修功夫解秘
世上不论什么功夫都得有师父相传,要其认真参学才能有所认识和了解其内在的奥秘。下功夫身体力行才可得到真功。
有关道家性命双修是历代真传的一部道家养生及丹道真法,非真学者不传。学者必德善有之,尊师重道。方可得以真传。下面我讲述一下道家内修秘要。
道家内丹养生学以有几千年的历史,其真功是以性命双修为本,以其修性炼命去病增寿的一种有为到无为之功夫。此法是道家性命双修基本理论与修法。而真学者必有师来传承才可了解其内在的奥秘。
就百日筑基而言你可了解其内在的奥秘否?真心求道者必得真传,师必先了解你的先天之本足以不足[注]以法才可了解,此为道家秘传验证之法。然后师帮你打通气道方可进入练功。道家曰:打开神气穴方可好炼功。而有的朋友无师自炼,最后一事无成,不要忘了此功是道家真正的功夫,就是有师传承关键功夫也要再三辅导才可掌握要领。差之毫厘以是千里之外了。
真修者要了解真正的性命双修功夫,以四大手十六步功夫,筑基真修其功夫是骗不了人的,修与没修内家一看便知。有的人说道家百日筑基三个月不近房事以可修成,其实是大错特错了,道家性功以伴命功相依而成。而百日筑基者,需看其先天与后天足以不足,由师验证在打开其气道,在炼真功。
先天足者怎么炼?先天不足者如何炼?先后天不足者以:老者 多病者 身体虚者 身体阴虚者 怎么炼?什么时候用武 文之火?只有师父指点才能了明其真正秘密。可见此功真正玄妙之处。
北京千峰赵避尘文化交流中心
道家全真龙门派嫡传后裔
道家千峰先天派始祖:赵避尘后裔:赵明旺
A student must train with a genuine master – there is no other way. Stumbling through the dark without knowing where to go is of no use. Over thousands of years the teachings of inner energy centre self-cultivation has been established and built-up from one generation to the next. One person learns this body of knowledge completely and passes it on to his or her students – some of whom will also become ‘shifu’ for the next generations. Not all students of the Dao become shifu even if they achieve Immortality. This is because being a shifu is a task of great selflessness and responsibility, and such a position is not suitable for all beings. Many high-attaining Immortals have spent their lives living in the hills and not teaching a single person, whilst other Immortals live in society and teach many students. The true reality of the Dao and all its techniques that constitute its ‘law’ must be fully penetrated, understood, and realised completely before a teacher is able to pass on the tradition effectively.
Is it possible to build the foundation of inner self-cultivation in just 100 days? Well, only if your teacher is able to fully comprehend the true state of your inner qi energy flow, and understand where it is deficient and where it is strong. It is only if a shifu can ‘see’ this with his mind that he is able to give the correct Daoist technique required to rectify the problem at hand, an existential problem that always varies from student to student due to the different histories of their families and their different current circumstances. Due to the variation of qi flow in each student of the Dao, a true shifu must be able to automatically perceive exactly what is need ‘here and now’, without hesitation and with an absolute clarity of thought. Students will be too weak here, and too strong there, and this needs to be instantly comprehended by the true Daoist teacher – this is how philosophical Daoism functions, and is an explanation of what some refer to as a ‘mystery’ that surrounds this school. It is not a mystery as such, but the Daoist shifu does possess the skill of instantly (and correctly) decoding the exact psycho-physical state of health of each student. Only then can the right exercise be given that unblocks the qi energy flow and develops essential nature (jing) and spirit (shen). I have heard of people trying to do this on their own and ultimately failing because they could not develop the insight into their own current state of health. This is a stumbling block that usually requires an objective assessment carried-out by another person who possesses the requisite knowledge – like a medical doctor examining a patient, diagnosing an illness and prescribing a medicine. Hence the old saying – an eighth of an inch and the divine-sky and the broad-earth are set apart!
A true disciple understands the four great hand method and the sixteen-step self-cultivation techniques. This is how an authentic training foundation is established and built-up in a manner that does not deceive the people, and which builds inner strength in the traditional manner. Some people think that ninety to one hundred days of not engaging in sexual relations with one’s partner is enough to build inner strength and vigour, but this is not necessarily true. In fact without a teacher to guide the way, this might not work at all. Besides, within the Qianfeng tradition couples are often encouraged to work together in their self-cultivation, and help one another along the path. How should prenatal self-cultivation be performed? When searching for prenatal qi energy, what is insufficient refinement – what is sufficient refinement? There is always the danger of not putting enough effort into daily refinement practice. How should a yin deficiency be treated in the sick body of an elderly person? When is the right time to generate the ‘fire’ through martial training? Only a true shifu understands these things because he or she possesses the clarity of thought that understands the bright reality of Daoist self-cultivation. To many this ability can seem very mysterious indeed.
Beijing Qianfeng Zhao Bichen Cultural Arts and Exchange Centre
Daojia, Quan Zhen, Longmen Pai Lineage Descendent
Descendent of Zhao Bichen the Founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School – Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/8830018220109334659397/
道家性命双修功夫解秘
世上不论什么功夫都得有师父相传,要其认真参学才能有所认识和了解其内在的奥秘。下功夫身体力行才可得到真功。
有关道家性命双修是历代真传的一部道家养生及丹道真法,非真学者不传。学者必德善有之,尊师重道。方可得以真传。下面我讲述一下道家内修秘要。
道家内丹养生学以有几千年的历史,其真功是以性命双修为本,以其修性炼命去病增寿的一种有为到无为之功夫。此法是道家性命双修基本理论与修法。而真学者必有师来传承才可了解其内在的奥秘。
就百日筑基而言你可了解其内在的奥秘否?真心求道者必得真传,师必先了解你的先天之本足以不足[注]以法才可了解,此为道家秘传验证之法。然后师帮你打通气道方可进入练功。道家曰:打开神气穴方可好炼功。而有的朋友无师自炼,最后一事无成,不要忘了此功是道家真正的功夫,就是有师传承关键功夫也要再三辅导才可掌握要领。差之毫厘以是千里之外了。
真修者要了解真正的性命双修功夫,以四大手十六步功夫,筑基真修其功夫是骗不了人的,修与没修内家一看便知。有的人说道家百日筑基三个月不近房事以可修成,其实是大错特错了,道家性功以伴命功相依而成。而百日筑基者,需看其先天与后天足以不足,由师验证在打开其气道,在炼真功。
先天足者怎么炼?先天不足者如何炼?先后天不足者以:老者 多病者 身体虚者 身体阴虚者 怎么炼?什么时候用武 文之火?只有师父指点才能了明其真正秘密。可见此功真正玄妙之处。
北京千峰赵避尘文化交流中心
道家全真龙门派嫡传后裔
道家千峰先天派始祖:赵避尘后裔:赵明旺