Why It Is Sometimes Correct To Withhold Daoist Instruction
Original Chinese
Language Article By: Qianfeng Daoist Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺)
(Translated by Adrian
Chan-Wyles PhD)
Translator’s Note: Daoist self-cultivation has a number of
teachings and theories regarding sexual intercourse and its use (or lack of
use) during training. This blog entry
from Zhao Ming Wang discusses how he withheld the teaching of ‘Preserving Jing’
(闭精 – Bi Jing) from an enquirer because he was not healthy
enough at the time of requesting. I have
also translated a short Chinese language text into English which describes what
this technique entails;
Preserving Jing Immortal Law
This is a qigong exercise the point of which is to fill the lower energy centre (dantian) with qi energy, and then circulate it freely up the spine to the top of the head (bahui) than down the front of the body and throughout the other energy channels – so that at no time does it leave the body. Qi energy is refined through meditation in the dantian and nourishes the essential nature (jing) – which builds health and preserves life. If there is any sexual emission through ejaculation, then the essential nature (jing) is diminished in the dantian, which weakens the qi flow around the body, and leads to poor health and a shorter life. Such weakening of the body prevents any effective Daoist self-cultivation from taking place. When practiced correctly, an elderly Daoist practitioner can have the vigour and health of an 18 year old youth.
Its method is as follows; when it is time to urinate, take a deep breath and direct the qi energy into the lower dantian area, and stop the flow of urine. Then visualise the qi as being in the area of the perineum (Huiyin - between the genitalia and the anus). The qi energy then travels up the spine (governing energy channel) with the inward breath to the top of the head (bahui). Here, the colour green is visualised (the colour of urine). Whilst allowing the urine to flow again – the qi energy is kept focused on the top of head. When the flow of urine finishes, then the practitioner can breath-out, the qi energy travelling down the front of the body (through the conception energy channel), and into the dantian for further refinement – as if it is flowing water. The urine leaves the body – but the qi energy does not and is retained in the lower dantian to be refined into essential nature (jing). This Daoist method of self-cultivation is very strict. Eventually, this method progresses to being practiced during sexual intercourse – where orgasm may be experienced – but no sperm (jing) is ejaculated. Before this practice can be attempted, however, the mind must be disciplined and ‘stilled’ through meditation, and all the qi energy channels must be fully opened and united. The mind must first perfect the urine method before moving on to the sexual method.
http://www.baike.com/wiki/%E9%97%AD%E7%B2%BE%E4%BB%99%E6%B3%95
闭精仙法
气功练习者,每练至丹田气满,真气运至百会时,容易遗精走丹,影响练功进步。有一八旬老道传出闭精仙法,练后果然奇妙。其法如下:每当小便时,深吸一口气纳入丹田,而后闭息,意想此气由丹田至会阴,沿督脉上百会,即守住百会穴,复想此穴有一绿色的“水”字,始行小便,待小便解完,将气嘘嘘呵出,同时意想百会处“水”字随气下行于丹田。此功法闭精甚严,即使再行房事,亦无正常精子排出。否则需开精门,开时去掉一切杂念,小便之际呵气即可
ACW 15.9.15
Master Zhao Ming Wang’s Blog Entry
Two days ago I met my friend – a government official - who wanted to discuss advanced Daoist training. We exchanged pleasantries for a time and I noticed that this person was superficially in good order (in the sense that his appearance was smart and clean), but that he lacked inner strength and vigour. I asked him what he expected to gain from his visit and he replied that he knew that within the Daoist teachings there exists the method known as the ‘Law of Preserving Essential Nature’ (闭精之法 – Bi Jing Zhi Fa), and that he wanted to learn it. I smiled when I heard this, and said that although Daoism does indeed teach this skill, I felt that due to its level of difficulty he could not learn it at the moment, because he lacked the required level of inner strength and vigour. In other words, the inner health of his body was not currently robust enough to successfully practice the required skill. Instead I suggested that he builds-up his inner strength slowly and overtime, in a manner that is similar to the technique he seeks, but which is foundational in nature. I suggested that through a daily regimen of pressure-point pressing and limiting sexual intercourse, his qi energy and essential nature (jing) can be suitably built-up and repaired. He persisted in his request to learn the above advanced technique, but I advised that he goes away for a time to replenish and strengthen his inner strength.
I cannot say that this friend is a bad person, far from it, most people nowadays are like this and are always impatient in their training requirements. They want the advanced training without laying the foundations first. This is no good because advanced training cannot function without being built upon a firm foundation. I suspect that some people will assume that I did not teach this person because he did not pay me – but this is wrong – as I never charge money for teaching others Daoist techniques. The reality is that in this case the advanced technique requested would have caused more harm than good considering the lack of good health of the enquirer. My decision not to teach in this instance stems from the fact that I did not want the enquirer hurt through inappropriate Daoist self-cultivation technique.
The reality is this; the Daoist technique of building health and developing longevity can only be taught to those who already have a virtuous mind and vigorous body – and that without these prerequisites, no transmission of the Daoist teachings can take place. Both vital energy (qi) and essential nature (Jing) must be refined, strengthened and developed through diligent practice. This is the only way that the mind and body can be developed to be healthy and to live for a long time. It is not easy to acquire, and it is not quick to achieve.
I must also say that no matter how the outward manifestations of society change and evolve, our bodies are still subject to ageing whilst functioning in a familiar manner, and it is our own responsibility to keep them fit and healthy. This means not participating in activities that damage the inner and outer body, and which confuses the mind.
Beijing Qianfeng Zhao Bichen Cultural Arts and Exchange Centre.
Upholder of the Law: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/883001822008102012712917/
[传功小记]
前两天我的一位朋友领来一个人,非要学功夫,我们聊了起来。从表面上看此人油光满面,而此人内虚的厉害。他还是一位处级干部,我问他为何要学此功夫?他也很直白的讲,听说你们道家有[闭精之法]就想学这个功夫。我笑了笑对此人讲,道家确有此功夫,但你学不了的,无有真心修道之人是学不来的。我交了他几处穴位每天按柔,对他讲以后少做房事,不然本无精人以损。他还是要坚持学,我对他讲‘先回去照我讲的去调理,如真能物出其道在传你也不迟。
我不能说这位朋友不好,现在的社会风气就是这个样子。他以感到自己身体之虚,想补其身体。有人会说他给你钱就交她吧,哈哈我不是不交如传他闭精之法反而会害了他。
道家[性命双修]是一门正统养生修炼功夫。没有德善之心是不传的,炼此功先修人品。筑基炼己,修性炼命,非一日之功。能炼到下手炼精化气以是闭精之法。能感到年轻十几岁,去病养生之目的。
在此我还要说;不论社会怎样开放,如何变化,身体是自己的,如没有尺度挥洒,其结果只能是自损害己了。
北京千峰赵避尘文化交流艺术中心
法人;赵明旺
Preserving Jing Immortal Law
This is a qigong exercise the point of which is to fill the lower energy centre (dantian) with qi energy, and then circulate it freely up the spine to the top of the head (bahui) than down the front of the body and throughout the other energy channels – so that at no time does it leave the body. Qi energy is refined through meditation in the dantian and nourishes the essential nature (jing) – which builds health and preserves life. If there is any sexual emission through ejaculation, then the essential nature (jing) is diminished in the dantian, which weakens the qi flow around the body, and leads to poor health and a shorter life. Such weakening of the body prevents any effective Daoist self-cultivation from taking place. When practiced correctly, an elderly Daoist practitioner can have the vigour and health of an 18 year old youth.
Its method is as follows; when it is time to urinate, take a deep breath and direct the qi energy into the lower dantian area, and stop the flow of urine. Then visualise the qi as being in the area of the perineum (Huiyin - between the genitalia and the anus). The qi energy then travels up the spine (governing energy channel) with the inward breath to the top of the head (bahui). Here, the colour green is visualised (the colour of urine). Whilst allowing the urine to flow again – the qi energy is kept focused on the top of head. When the flow of urine finishes, then the practitioner can breath-out, the qi energy travelling down the front of the body (through the conception energy channel), and into the dantian for further refinement – as if it is flowing water. The urine leaves the body – but the qi energy does not and is retained in the lower dantian to be refined into essential nature (jing). This Daoist method of self-cultivation is very strict. Eventually, this method progresses to being practiced during sexual intercourse – where orgasm may be experienced – but no sperm (jing) is ejaculated. Before this practice can be attempted, however, the mind must be disciplined and ‘stilled’ through meditation, and all the qi energy channels must be fully opened and united. The mind must first perfect the urine method before moving on to the sexual method.
http://www.baike.com/wiki/%E9%97%AD%E7%B2%BE%E4%BB%99%E6%B3%95
闭精仙法
气功练习者,每练至丹田气满,真气运至百会时,容易遗精走丹,影响练功进步。有一八旬老道传出闭精仙法,练后果然奇妙。其法如下:每当小便时,深吸一口气纳入丹田,而后闭息,意想此气由丹田至会阴,沿督脉上百会,即守住百会穴,复想此穴有一绿色的“水”字,始行小便,待小便解完,将气嘘嘘呵出,同时意想百会处“水”字随气下行于丹田。此功法闭精甚严,即使再行房事,亦无正常精子排出。否则需开精门,开时去掉一切杂念,小便之际呵气即可
ACW 15.9.15
Master Zhao Ming Wang’s Blog Entry
Two days ago I met my friend – a government official - who wanted to discuss advanced Daoist training. We exchanged pleasantries for a time and I noticed that this person was superficially in good order (in the sense that his appearance was smart and clean), but that he lacked inner strength and vigour. I asked him what he expected to gain from his visit and he replied that he knew that within the Daoist teachings there exists the method known as the ‘Law of Preserving Essential Nature’ (闭精之法 – Bi Jing Zhi Fa), and that he wanted to learn it. I smiled when I heard this, and said that although Daoism does indeed teach this skill, I felt that due to its level of difficulty he could not learn it at the moment, because he lacked the required level of inner strength and vigour. In other words, the inner health of his body was not currently robust enough to successfully practice the required skill. Instead I suggested that he builds-up his inner strength slowly and overtime, in a manner that is similar to the technique he seeks, but which is foundational in nature. I suggested that through a daily regimen of pressure-point pressing and limiting sexual intercourse, his qi energy and essential nature (jing) can be suitably built-up and repaired. He persisted in his request to learn the above advanced technique, but I advised that he goes away for a time to replenish and strengthen his inner strength.
I cannot say that this friend is a bad person, far from it, most people nowadays are like this and are always impatient in their training requirements. They want the advanced training without laying the foundations first. This is no good because advanced training cannot function without being built upon a firm foundation. I suspect that some people will assume that I did not teach this person because he did not pay me – but this is wrong – as I never charge money for teaching others Daoist techniques. The reality is that in this case the advanced technique requested would have caused more harm than good considering the lack of good health of the enquirer. My decision not to teach in this instance stems from the fact that I did not want the enquirer hurt through inappropriate Daoist self-cultivation technique.
The reality is this; the Daoist technique of building health and developing longevity can only be taught to those who already have a virtuous mind and vigorous body – and that without these prerequisites, no transmission of the Daoist teachings can take place. Both vital energy (qi) and essential nature (Jing) must be refined, strengthened and developed through diligent practice. This is the only way that the mind and body can be developed to be healthy and to live for a long time. It is not easy to acquire, and it is not quick to achieve.
I must also say that no matter how the outward manifestations of society change and evolve, our bodies are still subject to ageing whilst functioning in a familiar manner, and it is our own responsibility to keep them fit and healthy. This means not participating in activities that damage the inner and outer body, and which confuses the mind.
Beijing Qianfeng Zhao Bichen Cultural Arts and Exchange Centre.
Upholder of the Law: Zhao Ming Wang
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2015.
Original Chinese Language Source Article: http://752315496.blog.163.com/blog/static/883001822008102012712917/
[传功小记]
前两天我的一位朋友领来一个人,非要学功夫,我们聊了起来。从表面上看此人油光满面,而此人内虚的厉害。他还是一位处级干部,我问他为何要学此功夫?他也很直白的讲,听说你们道家有[闭精之法]就想学这个功夫。我笑了笑对此人讲,道家确有此功夫,但你学不了的,无有真心修道之人是学不来的。我交了他几处穴位每天按柔,对他讲以后少做房事,不然本无精人以损。他还是要坚持学,我对他讲‘先回去照我讲的去调理,如真能物出其道在传你也不迟。
我不能说这位朋友不好,现在的社会风气就是这个样子。他以感到自己身体之虚,想补其身体。有人会说他给你钱就交她吧,哈哈我不是不交如传他闭精之法反而会害了他。
道家[性命双修]是一门正统养生修炼功夫。没有德善之心是不传的,炼此功先修人品。筑基炼己,修性炼命,非一日之功。能炼到下手炼精化气以是闭精之法。能感到年轻十几岁,去病养生之目的。
在此我还要说;不论社会怎样开放,如何变化,身体是自己的,如没有尺度挥洒,其结果只能是自损害己了。
北京千峰赵避尘文化交流艺术中心
法人;赵明旺