The Genuine Meaning of
Essential Life Mind-Body (性命双修 - Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) Self-Cultivation
ORIGINAL CHINESE LANGUAGE ARTICLE BY: QIANFENG DAOIST MASTER ZHAO MING WANG (赵明旺)
(TRANSLATED BY ADRIAN CHAN-WYLES PHD)
When I discuss traditional (Philosophical) Daoist self-cultivation techniques with the general public (and occasionally with other Daoist practitioners), it is obvious that most people do not know what genuine ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation actually entails, and how it should be practiced properly. Even those I would call ‘friends’ often think it involves a ‘sexual yoga’ practiced only by married couples, or a mystical Daoist method which generates immeasurable lifespans in a divine and magical kingdom!
In reality, many believe that traditional Daoist methods no longer exist, or are incompatible with modern culture. ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation is also categorized as a ‘myth’ or a ‘legend’, viewed as never really existing and a product of wishful thinking. The old days are thought of as ‘backward’ and lacking any true or scientific grounding. These viewpoints are incorrect and the product of systemic ignorance (in both China and abroad).
Authentic Chinese Daoist self-cultivation is premised entirely upon logical and rational thought processes, developed over thousands of years of ‘objective’ and ‘subjective’ experimentation. The ancient sages used their own minds and bodies – as well as the minds and bodies of their disciples – to carefully discern the (external) cycles of nature in relation to the (internal) rhythms of the (mind) and body. This process involved meditation for ‘stilling’ the chaotic thoughts of the mind, as well as herbal medicines, acupressure and acupuncture, as well as various systems of physical (and martial) exercises. What is well-known in the world is ‘external’ (外 - Wai) qigong (or ‘Wai Dan’) – but this type of Daoism is not the highest level of Daoist self-cultivation and can even be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Indeed, China’s ancient culture invented many things as part of its intellectual flowering including paper, gunpowder, printing and compass, as well as ‘tofu’ which many of us eat every day. China’s ancient culture was not ‘backward’ in any way, and Daoist culture was very much a product not of mystery or ignorance, but rather a vigorous scientific investigation of the universe and humanity’s place in it. We should be proud of our ancestors who developed such profound and sublime systems of investigative thought! Of course, at the same time, countries outside of China were also investigating how the human body worked, and how the lifespan could be improved and enhanced. This type of thinking eventually evolved into modern science and the appreciation of the speed of light (and what theoretically might lie beyond it)!
Daoist understanding is a unique ‘Chinese’ science which runs in parallel with modern science but which does not (and should not) contradict it. People born outside of China (unless otherwise educated) cannot be expected to correctly understand how Chinese Daoist science interfaces with Western science, whilst people born within China should frequent themselves with such uniquely Daoist terms such as ‘Jing’ (精) or ‘essential nature’, ‘Qi’ (炁), or ‘vital force’, and ‘Shen’ (神), or ‘all-pervading, empty consciousness that contains all things’. These three concepts are expertly used (through carefully structured methods) to purify the mind and body, build a robust strength and increase longevity. This is genuine ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation.
This body of knowledge is also referred to as ‘Internal’ (内 - Nei) qigong (or ‘Nei Dan’). This method is so effective that even an ordinary person can cure all their chronic illnesses from their (minds) and bodies – even if they do not achieve immortality. People can get physically fit and improve their lives in all kinds of ways if only one can find a genuine Daoist master to carefully guide them along the path of life. As matters stand - ‘Nei Dan’ - is known the world-over and multitudes of people make use of its teachings every day to make their lives better. This is the foundational teaching of the Qianfeng School. The entire world should benefit from China’s ancient Daoist knowledge and wisdom!
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102ymvm.html
当我们谈及道家传统功夫(性命双修)时有很多不了解的朋友认为是一种男女或者夫妻同修之法,也有的认为是一套道家修仙之法。
其实真正了解道家性命双修功夫的朋友如今实在不多了,大部分人认为是一种传说,一种神话和现代社会格格不入的糟粕思想。
中国道家文化经历数千年,在这漫长岁月中我们的先辈为了探索人体能长生不老研究探索很多方法,比如名扬四海的道家外丹术,在哪一时期风靡四海而经过时间的验证最终失败。
但是她也带来了不少其在研究中的附属产品,如中国四大发明中的火药,我们平常吃的豆腐等许多附属产品。
我们的先辈在不断的研究探索人体长生不老中不断失败不断探索,同样西方国家在哪个时期也在研究人体如何能长生课题,可以说如何能达到长生不老如今以是世界研究探索课题。
我们用科学思维了解人类,用超过光速度设想人体奥秘变化,而这项研究还是设想与探索中。
而我们中华道家文化中早已有了一种用自己身体的,精,炁,神增补方法来达到人体健康长寿目的,她就是道家性命双修功夫,道家术语统称内丹,虽然普通修者达不到长生不老效果,但是可以达到去除身体慢性疾病,以及强身健体有着明显效果,如今传播此法没有间断传承门派可属道家千峰先天派庙外一派,这派属真修实炼其大部分门内弟子来自世界各地,用他们的身体来验证道家内丹性命双修功夫。
道家性命双修养生功夫,可以说是中华道家文化在人类历史长河中的一部人体健康养生经典,同样也为世界养生爱好者提供了宝贵的历史研究资料。
道家全真龙门千峰先天派传承
北京千峰草堂;赵明旺
In reality, many believe that traditional Daoist methods no longer exist, or are incompatible with modern culture. ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation is also categorized as a ‘myth’ or a ‘legend’, viewed as never really existing and a product of wishful thinking. The old days are thought of as ‘backward’ and lacking any true or scientific grounding. These viewpoints are incorrect and the product of systemic ignorance (in both China and abroad).
Authentic Chinese Daoist self-cultivation is premised entirely upon logical and rational thought processes, developed over thousands of years of ‘objective’ and ‘subjective’ experimentation. The ancient sages used their own minds and bodies – as well as the minds and bodies of their disciples – to carefully discern the (external) cycles of nature in relation to the (internal) rhythms of the (mind) and body. This process involved meditation for ‘stilling’ the chaotic thoughts of the mind, as well as herbal medicines, acupressure and acupuncture, as well as various systems of physical (and martial) exercises. What is well-known in the world is ‘external’ (外 - Wai) qigong (or ‘Wai Dan’) – but this type of Daoism is not the highest level of Daoist self-cultivation and can even be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Indeed, China’s ancient culture invented many things as part of its intellectual flowering including paper, gunpowder, printing and compass, as well as ‘tofu’ which many of us eat every day. China’s ancient culture was not ‘backward’ in any way, and Daoist culture was very much a product not of mystery or ignorance, but rather a vigorous scientific investigation of the universe and humanity’s place in it. We should be proud of our ancestors who developed such profound and sublime systems of investigative thought! Of course, at the same time, countries outside of China were also investigating how the human body worked, and how the lifespan could be improved and enhanced. This type of thinking eventually evolved into modern science and the appreciation of the speed of light (and what theoretically might lie beyond it)!
Daoist understanding is a unique ‘Chinese’ science which runs in parallel with modern science but which does not (and should not) contradict it. People born outside of China (unless otherwise educated) cannot be expected to correctly understand how Chinese Daoist science interfaces with Western science, whilst people born within China should frequent themselves with such uniquely Daoist terms such as ‘Jing’ (精) or ‘essential nature’, ‘Qi’ (炁), or ‘vital force’, and ‘Shen’ (神), or ‘all-pervading, empty consciousness that contains all things’. These three concepts are expertly used (through carefully structured methods) to purify the mind and body, build a robust strength and increase longevity. This is genuine ‘Essential Life Mind-Body' self-cultivation.
This body of knowledge is also referred to as ‘Internal’ (内 - Nei) qigong (or ‘Nei Dan’). This method is so effective that even an ordinary person can cure all their chronic illnesses from their (minds) and bodies – even if they do not achieve immortality. People can get physically fit and improve their lives in all kinds of ways if only one can find a genuine Daoist master to carefully guide them along the path of life. As matters stand - ‘Nei Dan’ - is known the world-over and multitudes of people make use of its teachings every day to make their lives better. This is the foundational teaching of the Qianfeng School. The entire world should benefit from China’s ancient Daoist knowledge and wisdom!
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2019.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_64e533c90102ymvm.html
当我们谈及道家传统功夫(性命双修)时有很多不了解的朋友认为是一种男女或者夫妻同修之法,也有的认为是一套道家修仙之法。
其实真正了解道家性命双修功夫的朋友如今实在不多了,大部分人认为是一种传说,一种神话和现代社会格格不入的糟粕思想。
中国道家文化经历数千年,在这漫长岁月中我们的先辈为了探索人体能长生不老研究探索很多方法,比如名扬四海的道家外丹术,在哪一时期风靡四海而经过时间的验证最终失败。
但是她也带来了不少其在研究中的附属产品,如中国四大发明中的火药,我们平常吃的豆腐等许多附属产品。
我们的先辈在不断的研究探索人体长生不老中不断失败不断探索,同样西方国家在哪个时期也在研究人体如何能长生课题,可以说如何能达到长生不老如今以是世界研究探索课题。
我们用科学思维了解人类,用超过光速度设想人体奥秘变化,而这项研究还是设想与探索中。
而我们中华道家文化中早已有了一种用自己身体的,精,炁,神增补方法来达到人体健康长寿目的,她就是道家性命双修功夫,道家术语统称内丹,虽然普通修者达不到长生不老效果,但是可以达到去除身体慢性疾病,以及强身健体有着明显效果,如今传播此法没有间断传承门派可属道家千峰先天派庙外一派,这派属真修实炼其大部分门内弟子来自世界各地,用他们的身体来验证道家内丹性命双修功夫。
道家性命双修养生功夫,可以说是中华道家文化在人类历史长河中的一部人体健康养生经典,同样也为世界养生爱好者提供了宝贵的历史研究资料。
道家全真龙门千峰先天派传承
北京千峰草堂;赵明旺