The Refined Beauty of Daoist Self-cultivation
Original Chinese Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Chinese Why has the philosophical Daoist method endured for so long? How is it that the body of knowledge that comprises building a robust health in the body and mind, and the prolonging of life survived over thousands of years and has been passed down from one dynasty to another? The reason for this is that the ancients made a very careful study and observation of the human body (and mind) and from this analysis devised an ingenious system of Daoist self-cultivation exercises that came to represent the well-known entry gate that is ‘Daoism’. Daoism is a science premised upon the careful verification of results and is not based upon random association or illogical superstitions.
I understand that many Westerners have believed that Chinese Daoist culture is unscientific and as such possesses no relevant analytical power, but in fact when Westerners have become aware of authentic Chinese culture, this attitude changes to one of admiration and respect. The problem has been that many have spent valuable time, money and resources on trying to learn Daoist self-cultivation, but have not found the right people to receive instruction from. Many Westerners expect immediate development with little or no correct preparation. Starting from a false premise, or putting all their hope into just one avenue of study is not the right way to embark upon Daoist study. When the foundation is not strong the structure will be weak and will not survive – this is why some Westerners develop a negative interpretation of Daoism, as their self-cultivation fails to achieve the expected results. This does not have to be the case, as Chinese culture is a deeply scientific process of analysis premised upon the integration of the five phases of vital force (qi energy) transformation with the interaction of yin and yang, essential nature (jing) and the eight diagrams (Ba Gua). When Westerners hear of the vital force qi energy channels and essential nature (jing), they are very interested to learn about them, but they approach this in the wrong way. They try to seek a superficial and immediate ‘modern scientific proof’ of these realities which are only understood to exist through correct self-cultivation and the opening and strengthening of the right kind of awareness. It really is a shame when this type of impatience prevents proper Daoist self-cultivation.
One country that has perhaps demonstrated the greatest appreciation of Chinese Daoist culture historically is that of our neighbour Japan. Since around the time of the Tang Dynasty, Japan integrated many aspects of Chinese culture into their own because of a sense of admiration and respect. All this changed with the Japanese invasion of China (in the 1930’s). After this date the Japanese attitude changed completely and their policy became one of destruction toward the practice of Daoism – followed by a subsequent re-engagement with the ‘Daoist Canon’ of classical texts. The International (Chinese) Wisdom Society – in its recent paper entitled ‘Great Chinese Masters of Wisdom and the Resurrection of Daoism’ - has noted that during his lifetime, Zhao Bichen - the Founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School (as well as other masters of the Qing Dynasty) - took measures to preserve Daoism and compiled a record of all the Daoist knowledge that he had been taught into books incase a future catastrophe arise in China. Daoist science is very difficult to grasp because it is a system of advanced knowledge that needs proper training and guidance to understand. Without a qualified teacher and correct direction, there will be no development of understanding, this is why it was very important for the masters of old to take the steps they did as a means to prevent the loss of Daoist wisdom and preserve it for future generations.
The Japanese are very clever and successful people. Their brain power is very great and no one can accuse them of being stupid, so why is it that the Japanese Emperor and his people after centuries of association with China and with Chinese Daoist culture, do not understand the Daoist teaching of building health and longevity? Part of the problem has been the historical issue of Chinese masters refusing to share their knowledge and guidance to anyone but a chosen few. Those who were not part of the training group were simply ignored and never instructed. This means that people may gain the Daoist classical texts but possess no practical knowledge of how to proceed.
Today China has experienced a very rapid economic growth so that now Western (and other cultures) are showing an interest in Chinese culture. At home and abroad Daoist self-cultivation schools are springing-up everywhere. Despite the popularity obviously not all of these schools can be authentic. It is like discussing the taste of the dish of the roast Beijing duck; everywhere might serve it, but which one is the real taste? Only if you have ever tasted the authentic dish will you ever truly ‘know’. How many people ignore the masters until it is too late, relying instead upon books for instruction? How many bow their heads to the ground out of regret at the graves of deceased masters? Stop wasting time and seek-out instruction from those who truly know. Even the Japanese did not learn, but can you?
As things stand, people in China today would like peace of mind and good health in their body. This can certainly be achieved through the Daoist self-cultivation that builds health and prolongs life. The present life you have is precious and Daoist training can secure fitness and eradicate illness. If people are trained in the right way then their capacity to open their mind is activated and they develop the ability to think wisely. This ability is a natural consequence of building the strength (and health) of the body. When I look at young people today, for instance, I notice that many of them appear to be too slim and wear glasses. Many of them cannot run a hundred meters without running-out of breath. How much fitter would they be if they regularly trained to improve themselves? At around forty years of age people are continuously taking medicines. Incidence of heart and brain diseases are occurring at ever younger ages, and people young and old are routinely dying of poor health related issues. It is interesting to note that never before in the history of China have elderly people spent such a staggering amount on drugs!
Although I have only written a brief account, I hope you all realise how important health is, and how it is all of your own responsibilities to keep yourself fit and strong. Learn one or two Daoist exercises and dedicate yourself to the practice. I guarantee that if you are diligent your health will improve beyond measure.
Daojia, Quanzhen, Longmen Pai. Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Text: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/88300182201321435020520/
道家性命双修秘法妙处详解
道家门派历代秘传的性命双修功法为什么能远远流长?这要说明道家的功夫有其神妙之处,历代祖先细致的探索人体的奥秘,经过反复验证得出宝贵的修炼方法。
西方人认为中国的文化没有科学论正性没有说服力,拿不到台面上来,其实在他门内心中很敬佩中国的文化,表面上说没有科学依据背地里用大量的财力人力来研究中国道家文化的功夫《性命双修》而到如今也没有得到真正的答复,月深入研究就感觉到迷茫,不知道其中的道理,其实一开始西方人的研究方向就错了,总从单一入手研究那是不行的,中国的文化深渊博大要系统的研究五行 阴阳 精气 八卦 自然 经络 有很多西方科学家就人体经络精气运行感觉就向看的见,而摸不到总想用现代科学来验正。很可惜的是到现在也没有具体的进展。
最想得到中国道家文化功夫的国家要说是我们的邻国日本,从唐朝时日本就已经很崇拜中国的文化,引进了不少中国的文化,一直到日本侵华战争的爆发在一次偶然的机会得到了《道藏辑要》在中华智慧学会,千峰先天派赵避尘生命智慧研究中有详细介绍《大师们的远见与中国道教的复活 》而日本得到了这份珍贵的宝藏经典,认为中国的道家神秘功夫就此全部了解了。经过几年的研究才发现所了解的总在云里雾里,相继开了几次道家功夫交流也没有真正的掌握中国的道家秘修的功法。
其实日本人是很聪明了不起的,不能说他门的肩膀上扛着的是瓢,他门的大脑很有智慧的,但是就是搞不懂中国道家的东西,这是为什么那?只有一个回答,中国道家功夫《性命双修》历代单传,不是真修者从不吐露半点玄机,就连皇帝想了解都没戏,何况外帮外族了。
如今在发展的今天中国的经济迅速发展,西方等不同国家很关注中国的发展和文化。在国内外逐步的了解和学习中国道家文化的功夫,而如今大谈道家功夫的人,如雨后春笋到处可见,就和北京的烤鸭一样,到处都是正宗北京烤鸭,而真正的北京全聚德烤鸭是什么味道?只有品尝过的才了解其中的味道。甚至有其人看了几遍丹经道书背得几局术语,找个大师墓前磕几个头,转身就是大师的门徒,在世传道可笑否?就连日本人都没有学到你就学到了?
现在的社会大谈养神之道是对的,人们的生活提高了自然想健康长寿,应为生命只有一次。而道家的功夫是最行之有效的健身 养生 祛病的功法。和开启人们思维智慧的有效功夫,年青人学此功夫能提高自己的智慧强壮身体,看看现在的年轻人的标准,苗条青年大部分眼镜一幅,跑上几百米就气喘虚虚,以后的日子远着那怎么办?中年人40初头药不离口,心脑疾病年轻化,上有老下有小你可倒好撒手而去也。老年人就更有意思了,天天吃药现在国家一年的药品开支是个惊人的数字。
以上这些写的不多,希望大家有所领悟。要强身是自己的,也是对家庭的责任,中国的养生文化是中国几千年的宝贵经典,如今了解一二用以自身也是一种自我修持。
道家全真 龙门 千峰先天派,
千峰草堂:赵明旺
I understand that many Westerners have believed that Chinese Daoist culture is unscientific and as such possesses no relevant analytical power, but in fact when Westerners have become aware of authentic Chinese culture, this attitude changes to one of admiration and respect. The problem has been that many have spent valuable time, money and resources on trying to learn Daoist self-cultivation, but have not found the right people to receive instruction from. Many Westerners expect immediate development with little or no correct preparation. Starting from a false premise, or putting all their hope into just one avenue of study is not the right way to embark upon Daoist study. When the foundation is not strong the structure will be weak and will not survive – this is why some Westerners develop a negative interpretation of Daoism, as their self-cultivation fails to achieve the expected results. This does not have to be the case, as Chinese culture is a deeply scientific process of analysis premised upon the integration of the five phases of vital force (qi energy) transformation with the interaction of yin and yang, essential nature (jing) and the eight diagrams (Ba Gua). When Westerners hear of the vital force qi energy channels and essential nature (jing), they are very interested to learn about them, but they approach this in the wrong way. They try to seek a superficial and immediate ‘modern scientific proof’ of these realities which are only understood to exist through correct self-cultivation and the opening and strengthening of the right kind of awareness. It really is a shame when this type of impatience prevents proper Daoist self-cultivation.
One country that has perhaps demonstrated the greatest appreciation of Chinese Daoist culture historically is that of our neighbour Japan. Since around the time of the Tang Dynasty, Japan integrated many aspects of Chinese culture into their own because of a sense of admiration and respect. All this changed with the Japanese invasion of China (in the 1930’s). After this date the Japanese attitude changed completely and their policy became one of destruction toward the practice of Daoism – followed by a subsequent re-engagement with the ‘Daoist Canon’ of classical texts. The International (Chinese) Wisdom Society – in its recent paper entitled ‘Great Chinese Masters of Wisdom and the Resurrection of Daoism’ - has noted that during his lifetime, Zhao Bichen - the Founder of the Qianfeng Prenatal School (as well as other masters of the Qing Dynasty) - took measures to preserve Daoism and compiled a record of all the Daoist knowledge that he had been taught into books incase a future catastrophe arise in China. Daoist science is very difficult to grasp because it is a system of advanced knowledge that needs proper training and guidance to understand. Without a qualified teacher and correct direction, there will be no development of understanding, this is why it was very important for the masters of old to take the steps they did as a means to prevent the loss of Daoist wisdom and preserve it for future generations.
The Japanese are very clever and successful people. Their brain power is very great and no one can accuse them of being stupid, so why is it that the Japanese Emperor and his people after centuries of association with China and with Chinese Daoist culture, do not understand the Daoist teaching of building health and longevity? Part of the problem has been the historical issue of Chinese masters refusing to share their knowledge and guidance to anyone but a chosen few. Those who were not part of the training group were simply ignored and never instructed. This means that people may gain the Daoist classical texts but possess no practical knowledge of how to proceed.
Today China has experienced a very rapid economic growth so that now Western (and other cultures) are showing an interest in Chinese culture. At home and abroad Daoist self-cultivation schools are springing-up everywhere. Despite the popularity obviously not all of these schools can be authentic. It is like discussing the taste of the dish of the roast Beijing duck; everywhere might serve it, but which one is the real taste? Only if you have ever tasted the authentic dish will you ever truly ‘know’. How many people ignore the masters until it is too late, relying instead upon books for instruction? How many bow their heads to the ground out of regret at the graves of deceased masters? Stop wasting time and seek-out instruction from those who truly know. Even the Japanese did not learn, but can you?
As things stand, people in China today would like peace of mind and good health in their body. This can certainly be achieved through the Daoist self-cultivation that builds health and prolongs life. The present life you have is precious and Daoist training can secure fitness and eradicate illness. If people are trained in the right way then their capacity to open their mind is activated and they develop the ability to think wisely. This ability is a natural consequence of building the strength (and health) of the body. When I look at young people today, for instance, I notice that many of them appear to be too slim and wear glasses. Many of them cannot run a hundred meters without running-out of breath. How much fitter would they be if they regularly trained to improve themselves? At around forty years of age people are continuously taking medicines. Incidence of heart and brain diseases are occurring at ever younger ages, and people young and old are routinely dying of poor health related issues. It is interesting to note that never before in the history of China have elderly people spent such a staggering amount on drugs!
Although I have only written a brief account, I hope you all realise how important health is, and how it is all of your own responsibilities to keep yourself fit and strong. Learn one or two Daoist exercises and dedicate yourself to the practice. I guarantee that if you are diligent your health will improve beyond measure.
Daojia, Quanzhen, Longmen Pai. Qianfeng Prenatal School
Qianfeng Hermitage: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Text: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/88300182201321435020520/
道家性命双修秘法妙处详解
道家门派历代秘传的性命双修功法为什么能远远流长?这要说明道家的功夫有其神妙之处,历代祖先细致的探索人体的奥秘,经过反复验证得出宝贵的修炼方法。
西方人认为中国的文化没有科学论正性没有说服力,拿不到台面上来,其实在他门内心中很敬佩中国的文化,表面上说没有科学依据背地里用大量的财力人力来研究中国道家文化的功夫《性命双修》而到如今也没有得到真正的答复,月深入研究就感觉到迷茫,不知道其中的道理,其实一开始西方人的研究方向就错了,总从单一入手研究那是不行的,中国的文化深渊博大要系统的研究五行 阴阳 精气 八卦 自然 经络 有很多西方科学家就人体经络精气运行感觉就向看的见,而摸不到总想用现代科学来验正。很可惜的是到现在也没有具体的进展。
最想得到中国道家文化功夫的国家要说是我们的邻国日本,从唐朝时日本就已经很崇拜中国的文化,引进了不少中国的文化,一直到日本侵华战争的爆发在一次偶然的机会得到了《道藏辑要》在中华智慧学会,千峰先天派赵避尘生命智慧研究中有详细介绍《大师们的远见与中国道教的复活 》而日本得到了这份珍贵的宝藏经典,认为中国的道家神秘功夫就此全部了解了。经过几年的研究才发现所了解的总在云里雾里,相继开了几次道家功夫交流也没有真正的掌握中国的道家秘修的功法。
其实日本人是很聪明了不起的,不能说他门的肩膀上扛着的是瓢,他门的大脑很有智慧的,但是就是搞不懂中国道家的东西,这是为什么那?只有一个回答,中国道家功夫《性命双修》历代单传,不是真修者从不吐露半点玄机,就连皇帝想了解都没戏,何况外帮外族了。
如今在发展的今天中国的经济迅速发展,西方等不同国家很关注中国的发展和文化。在国内外逐步的了解和学习中国道家文化的功夫,而如今大谈道家功夫的人,如雨后春笋到处可见,就和北京的烤鸭一样,到处都是正宗北京烤鸭,而真正的北京全聚德烤鸭是什么味道?只有品尝过的才了解其中的味道。甚至有其人看了几遍丹经道书背得几局术语,找个大师墓前磕几个头,转身就是大师的门徒,在世传道可笑否?就连日本人都没有学到你就学到了?
现在的社会大谈养神之道是对的,人们的生活提高了自然想健康长寿,应为生命只有一次。而道家的功夫是最行之有效的健身 养生 祛病的功法。和开启人们思维智慧的有效功夫,年青人学此功夫能提高自己的智慧强壮身体,看看现在的年轻人的标准,苗条青年大部分眼镜一幅,跑上几百米就气喘虚虚,以后的日子远着那怎么办?中年人40初头药不离口,心脑疾病年轻化,上有老下有小你可倒好撒手而去也。老年人就更有意思了,天天吃药现在国家一年的药品开支是个惊人的数字。
以上这些写的不多,希望大家有所领悟。要强身是自己的,也是对家庭的责任,中国的养生文化是中国几千年的宝贵经典,如今了解一二用以自身也是一种自我修持。
道家全真 龙门 千峰先天派,
千峰草堂:赵明旺