Tag: taoism

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How many Taoists does it take to write a blog?

To write a blog is to break the silence. There better be a good reason for that and there is never really a good reason. This is why a sage never speaks. So how many Taoists does it take to write a blog? Obviously it is none as the blog may be written but there are never any Taoists involved in writing it.

And yet - A Taoist is nothing but a concept. And a concept only exists in words. So there has to be a Taoist involved somewhere, but only conceptually. So even though there was never a real Taoist - we had to make him up if only to write about. And there it is.

Back to this blog. Why am I breaking the silence? Who am I talking to? Who is reading this blog? If I am one with the Tao then who is this?

Words are wind, there is no meaning. Show me any blog or article about Taoism, Zen, Dharma or enlightenment and I will show you that it points you back inside. So the blog is just to direct your attention back inside.

You got distracted, didn't you?

I got distracted, didn't I?

This is all it is, there is no more than that.

Now let's get back to it..

 

Doing Non-doing

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The importance of a standing practice

Kung Fu students at traditional schools (such as Shaolin) will learn to stand in a horse stance (Ma Bu) for between 15 minutes to an hour in order to build their foundation framework. Tai Chi students will stand in the Three Circle Stance for hours as part of their stance training (Zhan Zhuang) in order to create rooting and to generate strong flows of energy through the meridians and develop explosive power in Fa Jin. Is it important to develop a standing practice within the context of Taoism?

An answer

No it's not important at all. The Tao Te Ching is very clear as to what is required to return to the Tao:

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

-- Tao Te Ching Ch 15 -- Stephen Mitchell 1988

Another answer

There are several meditations suggested within the Taoist framework for those who like the idea of following a specific path that leads them to this emptiness. Most revolve around the idea of development of the Three Treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen) using Neidan exercises. To provide an extremely simplified overview, we can say that activating the lower dantian under the navel will cause the Jing (bodily essence) to rise and be refined into Qi (vital energy) that flows along the spine into the middle dantian. Activation of the heart dantian will allow the Qi to rise and be refined into Shen (Spirit Energy) that is pushed up the spin and flows into the dantian of the Third Eye. Activation of the Third Eye dantian will allow the Shen to rise and attain emptiness (returning to the Tao).

There are two main energetic circuits that allow development of the tree treasures - the small heavenly circuit (Xiao Zhou Tian) and the large heavenly circuit (Da Zhou Tian). The small heavenly circulation can most easily be developed from within a traditional sitting meditation posture where the legs are crossed to isolate the inner circuit from the earth. The large heavenly circuit can be practices both from a sitting position (on a chair with the back held up straight) and in a standing position such as the Three Circle Stance practiced in Tai Chi Chuan. Once the large heavenly circuit (or Marocosmic Orbit) is established, one can develop this flow also in moving exercises or while walking in the forest.

The benefit of a standing practice within the context of Taoism is that this is a very effective way to develop the Tree Treasures. The analogy is often made to gardening in that one has to apply constant care and attention in order to create a beautiful garden. Daily standing will allow one to dedicate time and focus in their schedule towards reaching their spiritual goals.

Summary

During certain periods in their spiritual development, people may want to establish a meditation practice that allows them to follow a structured path to attain the Tao. Incorporating a standing practice and establishing the large heavenly circuit will help to develop health, energy and spiritual connections to mind, body and nature. One can lean on the structure but one better avoids identifying with it. Will your garden grow to be beautifully groomed -- or become wild and seemingly chaotic? Does it matter?

 

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Altered Mind State

Taoist meets Ayahuasca

Via Negativa vs Via Positiva

There is a framework of reference for classification of theological and spiritual paths that is called Via Negativa. It applies the idea of definition by elimination or by exhaustion, somewhat akin to subtraction. As 'the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao' (TTC Chapter 1), we could seek to describe the Tao in terms of what it is not (it doesn't take sides, it was never born, it is inexhaustible, infinite, empty). Even though that which is beyond understanding cannot be described in words or symbols, the Tao can be known through practicing Wu Wei and becoming empty (Darkness within darkness).

If you open yourself to the Tao,you are at one with the Tao and you can embody it completely. (TTC Chapter 23)

The Via Positiva approach is that we can describe and know the ultimate (God) through means of positive statements such as 'God is love (John 4:16)' or 'The primordial Buddha is pure and total consciousness'. When we have deep spiritual experiences that fill us with gratitude, joy and love, the idea is that we are filled with the grace of God and get in touch with the divine, inside and outside our selves.

Another way to look at these paths is that on one path you become less and less identified with structures until you finally realize 'I am nothing', whereas on the other path the experiences lead you to realize 'I am everything'. Since 'things' separate from 'self' dissolve in the non-dualistic experience - 'nothing' and 'everything' are the same - 'I am'.

There are many spiritual paths and they could be classified as either Via Positiva or Via Negativa. What path to take is a personal choice and they should all eventually lead to the supreme reality or God consciousness. The Via Negativa does not imply that the positive way is wrong but considers the danger of the ego becoming lost in a structure of concepts and theories. Similarly the Via Positiva can prevent people from becoming completely disconnected from society or from becoming inactive or apathetic. Whatever your path may be, it is your natural path and it has taken you exactly to where you should be (right here, right now) and will take you exactly where you need to go.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a brew used historically by indigenous tribes in the upper Amazon during shamanic healing ceremonies, to generate spiritual experiences and to heal emotional and psychological issues. Ayahuasca is considered a hallucinogenic decoction and can produce strong psychedelic experiences with considerable emotional responses.

For those people that have deeply spiritual experiences with it, Ayahuasca is considered to be like the fast lane on the Via Positiva. On the other hand, Ayahuasca can effectively be used to break down the ego and break associations, attachments and habits. Therefore, Ayahuasca might also be considered the fast lane on the Via Negativa. With a clear and purposeful intention, one might be able to work together with Ayahuasca to create a personal experience on either path.

 

What if...

So how would a Taoist experience Ayahuasca? Would they stay neutral and find the emptiness even when being bombarded by audio-visual and sensory hallucinations pushing them into an altered state of consciousness? This is an interesting question but highly speculative. Easier to answer is this question - how would I experience an Ayahuasca ceremony? Can Ayahuasca drive me on the Via Negativa highway and then onto the Via Positiva highway without crashing?

Only one way to find out.

Altered Mind State

I registered for a 4-day Ayahuasca retreat with Avalon, a highly rated organization in Spain that organizes healing retreats with proper support services and Ayahuasca-friendly catering. In order to prepare the mind and body for the retreat, I followed a prescribed diet for two weeks before the ceremony and clearly set my intentions. The diet is there to avoid chemical incompatibilities with the medicine that result in vomiting and diarrhea, aka 'purging'. Naturally one has to manage their mindset when dealing with strong psychedelic experiences. As there are three Ayahuasca ceremonies held in the 4 days, my mindset is around first getting a general experience in the first session, then on the second session to see if Ayahuasca can help dissolve some structures (Via Negativa) and reserve the last ceremony to walk the Via Positiva.

The retreat provided an excellent setting in a beautiful hotel used for marriage ceremonies surrounded by lush green meadows, a lake and nice paths through lightly forested areas. The ceremonies themselves took place inside a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the outside where a fire was maintained for those who preferred an outdoor setting. The atmosphere inside was cozy and welcoming with mats and pillows for all, an open space for dancing or movement around a central station where the shaman would sit with other tribe members and support staff. Before entering the ceremonial space, everyone would be cleared by means of a ritual using smoke from what smelled like white sage. The space itself was smudged with sage and possibly different herbs.

As I enter for the first session I can feel a sensation of group anticipation but the overall atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. I sit down on a mat that allows for a good overview of the room, provides an easy exit path to the toilets (in case of purging) and the outside patio, and faces the shaman's seat. After a few minutes in meditative posture I feel the group's Qi (energy) rise as everyone prepares to engage in a shared ritual. In order to get into the optimal condition for the Ayahuasca ceremony, the lead shamanic practitioners offer a Rapé ceremony where a tobacco-based snuff is shot into the two nasal cavities (left, then right). This certainly hits the spot; within a minute I feel a sudden and powerful energetic lift that shoots through my body and the three dantiens start humming and vibrating. I start to tremble slightly and the body cools down rapidly. But within minutes, a calm sense of stability descends and for the next 15 minutes I feel completely centered and perfectly conscious and aware of the interior and the exterior processes and sensations. Bring on the Ayahuasca.

And they do; for the first two hours or so there is little reaction noticeable in terms of physical or audio-visual sensations, except for the body feeling tingly and light with high qi circulation. Many of the people around me are puking violently as it was suggested that especially during the first night it is usual to experience the purging process. Possibly thanks to sticking to the diet, my body seems to accept the Ayahuasca brew without difficulty and I am grateful for it. About ten minutes after having drank a third cup of the medicine, things start to change and my sensory and audio-visual perception is taken for a spin. Everything seems to come alive, become more colorful, combine with other objects and morph into different shapes and things. They say that after having properly set your intention, you should let Ayahuasca take over and deliver on that intention in her own way (In shamanism, Ayahuasca is often described as a feminin spirit that enters the consciousness and directs the experience as she sees fit). So I ride the wave of sensations in a neutral state without resistance and it's thoroughly enjoyable. The shaman, tribe members and other shamanic practitioners work together to deliver a musical performance that seems to direct the Ayahuasca experience perfectly. From simple melodic tunes from a pan flute or acoustic guitar to sweeping rhythmic concerts, the music is always moving and very delightful.

In the line-up to enter the sacred ceremony space on the second night, the group energy feels different. People are excited; through the integration sessions we have started to connect and the everyone is eager to jump in with a sort of warrior spirit. This energy is underlined in outfits, red face paint and accessories worn by tribe members and other attendees. I enter the space, occupy a mat adjacent to the previous night, settle into a meditative posture and observe. After the rapé is blown into the nostrils I return to my seat and position myself quickly, ready to take in the experience. Apparently the rapé mix they used is more powerful, as it completely overtakes my body. A very strong energy shoots from the base of my spine through my skull and all energy centers start spinning at the same time. I experience shaking in the spine, a huge heat wave coming over my body, sweat pouring out and everything turns bright white. I can clearly feel all chakras vibrating, but can also distinctly feel energy centers spinning above the skull, which is a sensation that I have no encountered previously. This state continues for a while as my body has a hard time staying in meditative posture with all the vibrations going on along the line of the spine. After a while the body starts to manage and I start to become aware of the environment and exchange energy with others in the room. During all this, the mind is neutral albeit somewhat excited. I close my eyes, center myself to the lower dantien and pass the remaining time in presence.

 

 

The sacred brew is being served, so I return to the intention of going down the Via Negativa. I ask for the Ayahuasca to take me to the deepest darkest place she can take me and break down whatever egoic structure she can find...

And again, she delivers. This time there is no period of enjoyment or light dancing audio-visual playfulness; I am being taken on a path straight to egoic hell as by request. For hours I am being subjected to all kinds of dark sensory, auditory and visual hallucinations. I feel like being pushed, pulled, bitten, whispered to in incomprehensible words; there are demons visiting, a mirror dancing right in front of my face showing some contorted self-image and various scenes of nightmarish torture whether my eyes are open or closed. This goes on for hours and hours, and I literally feel my ego and belief structure being de-composed and completely undone. In the middle of all this, I surrender and realize a complete peace inside and a level of comfort that comes from knowing that I cannot be touched. I am simply not there. That realization does nothing to stop the intensity or quality of the demonic sensations, but I am fully neutral and open to the experience. They announce the closing ceremony and the hallucinations stop as abrupt as they started and all is done. The ego is beaten and bruised but inside of it I feel completely re-wired, empty and still. Mission accomplished.

The third night is all about walking the Via Positiva and this time I join in the group and feel connected the moment we walk into the space. A perfect setting as through the integration talks we have formed a bond and we're like a little Ayahuasca family celebrating life. The rapé has a lighter impact but enjoyable and as I mentally prepare for the Ayahuasca I start naturally exchanging energy with the group - sending and receiving energy from|to the heart. I ask for the Ayahuasca to show me love. The brew is again much stronger than the previous session and the sensations get stronger and stronger throughout the night. But this time it feels light and warm and as I start dancing to the music, a sense of energetic connectedness comes over me. I play with the energy that flows inside and outside the body, and can see, feel and manipulate the energetic waves that radiate from and into the heart chakras of the group members. As directed by magic, the group starts howling and a wolf pack is born. If I was in hell yesterday, then today I am in heaven. At least - for the first few hours..

Sleep deprivation kicks in after several long nights with very little sleep due to circumstances that seemed designed to keep me up especially the day before. I am not used to meditate in conditions of strong fatigue so my mind resists as the body is asking for sleep. This resistance during a powerful Ayahuasca trip takes me off-course and becomes overwhelming. I become restless and wonder how I could possibly fall asleep with all these sensations going on and no way to slow them down. Luckily, a tribe-member from the Mira family sees me and asks if I need help. Specifically he says that the Ayahuasca told him to go help me as I would not have asked for it myself. I recognize the perfect synchronicity, agree with the diagnostic and happily accept the offer. He performs some shamanic ritual of energetic clearing where I get whipped with a feather fan from all angles, he sings using deep vibrations and rhythms that seem so strange to me but at the same time is very effective as I calm down. We hug and right after he leaves another tribe member from the Mira family sits down next to me and we talk. He shares knowledge from his tribe, concepts, rituals and ways of thinking and dealing with different situations. I reflect and share insight into Taoist parallels, Tai Chi theory and how everything is about Yin and Yang in both Taoist and shamanic perspectives. He asks me what Zodiac sign I am - Gemini. He relates that to the Tai Chi symbol and how I will always recognize the Yin and Yang in all experiences, an insight I had never received before. I realize that his words have effectively transformed me to feeling perfectly connected and in full understanding. I convey to him that he is a portal to me - bringing me from a place of overwhelmed confusion to a higher state of consciousness. When he shares that his last name is in fact 'Portal' - I see a web of complex synchronicity and a sense of a higher plan that fits perfectly. He says that the Ayahuasca guides his words and that he naturally felt compelled to sit and talk with me. Sometimes the Ayahuasca talks in visions, sometimes through a person. They close the ceremony and I leave the space feeling extremely tired but at the same time completely connected. Again - mission accomplished.

Conclusion

Everyone is on their own path and has their own needs, thoughts and issues. As a Taoist I do not put much weight on opinions, feelings, belief systems or any kind of organizational or mental constructs and therefore feel it beneficial to experience things for myself. On the spiritual path - some people need to feel connected whereas others need to detach themselves to overcome egoic hindrances. My experience with Ayahuasca shows me that I can successfully work with it on either path. While the third session on Via Positiva (outside of sleep deprivation) was much more enjoyable and I felt on top and a connected part of a larger plan; the second session might have been drastically more effective in terms of the dissolution of egoic attachments. It's a personal journey for everyone and what works for me might not work for you at this time. If you consider going down the road of Ayahuasca and are interested in an opinion, then I would say that it seems important to have a solid support structure -- in terms of integration sessions, a setting in nature and directed by an organization that understands your needs. And if you decide to do something like this - jump into it completely, trust in the process and the medicine. She knows.

This is a link to Avalon, Spain reviews

This is a link to the Mira family that organizes traditional/accessible Ayahuasca retreats in Spain (they also speak English)

 

Open post

Embracing Yin – Acquiescence

I see Tai Chi everywhere. The perfect balance between Yin and Yang is visible in all of nature’s cycles and patterns. New life pops up around me, born from the remains of other things that passed on. Movement born from stillness, and everything eventually returning to the source. These perfect patterns produce, impregnate and govern human beings as much as anything else, and anyone who realizes and experiences this is blessed. To realize Tai Chi in a Yang-dominant person, they should therefore embrace the Yin. This article focuses on one very interesting Yin quality:

acquiescence

a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others

 

Male or Female?

It is important to understand that both male and female qualities are present to some degree in every person, regardless of their gender. For this reason we talk about these male qualities as Yang and their complementary female qualities as Yin, thereby making them easier to relate to without gender-based bias getting in the way.

 

 

The Taoist Perspective

Acquiescence vs Resistance

People have a tendency to resist anything that does not align with their intentions, which includes most changes. This tendency produces imbalances in mind and body that, over a lifetime, can cause both mental and physical health problems. Of course we can visit our shrink and|or osteopath to look at these problems, but it is also important to address the root problem to avoid further troubles. One might learn to incorporate acquiescence into their way of life to bring balance and harmony. To illustrate, consider the image of a bamboo that bends under the pressure of the wind rather than breaking or being uprooted.

Acquiescence can be defined as: ‘a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others’. If resistance is the Yang side, then acquiescence is its Yin complement. When your brother wants to grab the remote control for the TV from your hand - you can fight for it (resistance) or just hand it over (yielding). One action produces strife whereas the other brings peace among the siblings, for however long it lasts.

The power of yielding

In the martial arts that I practice (Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Ba Gua), we are taught to yield and listen for an opportunity to present itself. Whenever someone is launching an attack at me, I could block that attack and then strike back with more power, which is the Yang response and very easy to understand and apply. There is a lot of hard contact and aggression when following this approach and one will quickly reach their limits (stronger opponent, getting older, injuries). In contrast, the Yin approach is to yield to the attack, to only slightly redirect its path so consequently it cannot find its target. At the same time, to borrow energy from the attacker and use that to uproot the opponents center. This response is smooth and playful and makes the opponent wonder how they were defeated by a physically weaker body. Anger can turn to surprise, then frustration and then to the realization that they were only fighting themselves to begin with.

Tai Chi as an art can be extremely instrumental in demonstrating a principle. When practicing push hands with a student, they basically try to push me over. They feel my hands, look for resistance and follow the path of resistance to find my center. Sometimes I allow them to find my center so they can push me over and the game starts again. Sometimes I yield and borrow, expand and redirect so they are pushed over and the game starts again. Either way - a lesson is learned.

Yielding in everyday life

They say you practice Kung Fu until you become Kung Fu. You practice Tai Chi until you become Tai Chi. If we look at ourselves as practitioners of life, then we can say that we practice living until we become truly alive. At any moment during the day we can find ourselves in a situation that might trigger resistance. Consider your options - can you find it in you to yield? Are your interests in the long term not better served by accepting the situation and can you see the opportunity that yielding brings?

 

If you think that yielding is cowardly or you feel it is not manly enough or are afraid that your peers might think you're gone 'soft' - Let those thoughts go...

 

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Doing Non-Doing – Examining Wuwei

 

There are many interpretations of the concept 'wuwei' which is translated as 'non-doing' or 'not doing'. Let's examine some of these ideas for reflection purposes.

Seclusion?

At the level of personal action, some people seem to think that this concept refers to seclusion. The idea of just observing the world without acting in it, sort of being above or beyond it all. They could easily get the idea that by going into seclusion and hanging out on a mountain all day they will become one with the Tao. Seems like a fair interpretation, however, it is important (although only relatively so) to realize that the Taoist mentality is not to separate themselves from the world or from worldly affairs. Check into chapter 4 of the Zhuang Zi to confirm that:

Nothing is as good as following orders (obeying fate)

For some time in one's life it may be beneficial to live in seclusion and many Taoist masters have done this. But this is certainly not a requirement nor is it related to the idea of 'wuwei'. When in seclusion, what do you do? The idea might seem appealing but the existential questions cannot be answered by changing one's location. This is looking outward for an answer that can only be found inside.

The Way is always uncontrived

yet there's nothing it doesn't do.

If lords and monarchs could keep to it,

all beings would evolve spontaneously.

When they have evolved and want to act,

I would stabilize them with nameless simplicity.

Even nameless simplicity would not be wanted.

By not wanting, there is calm, and the world will straighten itself.

-- Tao Te Ching Chapter 37 (Thomas Cleary Translation)

Passivity?

Often enough, people will confuse Taoist philosophy for one of passivity|passiveness. Not doing anything, dropping all responsibility and leaving everything unattended. If that were true, then how could a Taoist live an thrive? Many Taoist masters will happily heal the sick, tend their garden, help someone carry their groceries or work at the supermarket. They will perform all these activities (do all these things) while in a state of 'wuwei'. No, the Taoist is not passive, an whatever they are doing is not related to 'wuwei'...

The Tao is constant in non-action
Yet there is nothing it does not do

-- Tao Te Ching Chapter 37 Excerpt (Derek Lin Translation)

Following the laws of nature?

Then there is this idea about following the laws of nature. According to this concept, a Taoist studies nature like some scientist and observes life to understand the ideal natural circumstances for things to take their optimal path. Like how you would plant a certain bush in accordance to it's optimal sun exposure, ground composition etc and just give it the right amount of water when it seems to dry out a little. And through mindful observation one should evolve towards doing these things in a way that is most effective and efficient so as not to waste any effort.

Hmm - no. A Taoist will certainly observe and naturally gain a certain know-how. But to study nature and to analyze and formulate these observations into laws is not the Taoist way. Nature will do as nature will do. A Taoist will do as a Taoist will do. But the laws of nature are not related to 'wuwei'...

What is this thing called the Way? There is the Way of Heaven, and the way of man. To rest in inaction, and command respect - this is the Way of Heaven. To engage in action and become entangled in it - this is the way of man. The ruler is the Way of Heaven; his subjects are the way of man. The Way of Heaven and the way of man are far apart. This is something to consider carefully!

Zhuang Zi Chapter 11

Doing non-doing

Wei wu wei - 'doing non-doing' is exactly what it says - the only thing you're doing is - dropping any activity that you can relate to yourself. Thereby removing your identity from the perceived reality, and arriving in 'wu wei' - not-doing. Just being.

In practice: Whatever is being done right now - examine who is doing it? If it is you - stop doing it. Continue looking for things that you are doing and stop doing them also. When all is gone - stop looking for things, as that is something you're doing as well. Now you have entered the 'wuwei' state.

When in 'wuwei', things are being done. But it's not you who's doing it. You are not even there - so how could you?

 

Related article - Forget about everything.

 

Open Your Eyes

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Darkness within darkness

The named Tao is not Tao

When talking about Taoism, at one point the Tao Te Ching (TTC) will come up as a key reference. For those of us that do not know how to interpret archaic Chinese characters, a translation would be the best place to start digging into its secrets. The interpretation of these ancient Chinese characters is not straightforward and therefore the TTC has been translated hundreds of times. Here’s a list of some English translations of the Tao Te Ching. And yes – literally every translation provides a different viewpoint on the same text. So then it makes sense to inspect at least a few different translations made by people with various backgrounds and agendas. Here’s a list that recommends some of these translations based on varying requirements.

The first chapter in the Tao Te Ching (TTC) is already a very interesting chapter, as it starts with a section that many interpret as a disclaimer for the rest of the book. It’s basically saying that we can talk about the Tao all we want (even write a book about it), but that has nothing to do with the experience of the Tao itself. We can try to understand the Tao and all its complexities and subtleties by studying texts, but this understanding does not translate to knowledge of the Tao. Here’s a translation by D.C.Lao (1963):

The way that can be spoken of
Is not the constant way;
The name that can be named
Is not the constant name.

The first few lines in TTC chapter 56 allude to the same idea, namely that there are those who talk about the Tao and those who know the Tao. And these groups of people are not the same. Here’s a translation by Derek Lin (1994):

Those who know do not talk
Those who talk do not know

Being and non-being

So then the question becomes – how then, if not by studying the Taoist Canon, may we come to be ‘in the know’. And it so happens that the rest of chapter 1 is dedicated to explaining just that. Consider the next few lines of chapter 1 while using the Tai Chi symbol as a reference. If the nameless (emptiness, mystery, non-being or stillness) is represented by black then naming (fullness, manifestations, being or movement) is represented by white. When we empty ourselves of desire then we are filled with emptiness (darkness). In this state it is easy to observe how sensations manifest and eventually return to stillness. When we attach to sensations driven by desire or fear, we are filled with manifestations. So by observing the Tao we may learn about its inner wonders and its external manifestations. Here’s a translation by Stephen Addiss & Stanley Lombardo (1993):

Nameless: the origin of heaven and earth.

Naming: the mother of ten thousand things.

Empty of desire, perceive mystery.

Filled with desire, perceive manifestations.

Darkness within darkness

The last few lines in the chapter bring everything home. As the Tao is the source of both inner mysteries and outer manifestations, we can trace any expression of the Tao back into the Tao – the darkness. We turn our attention into the darkness by freeing ourselves of desire and observing how every manifestation returns to the source, until there is nothing but darkness left and therefore we ourselves have become the source. Darkness within darkness. Here’s the famous translation by Stephen Mitchell (1988):

Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.

Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.

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Open Eyes

Open Your Eyes

Many meditators will have started their practice with the inclusion of short concentrated meditation sessions in their daily routine. Most meditation tutorials will have the meditator sit cross-legged with a straight spine, relax, close their eyes and concentrate on something (breathing, thoughts, sensations, messages, mantras or visualizations) for some time. As their practice evolves, meditators will increase the time of meditation to around 20 minutes or multiples of 20 minutes (unit of meditation time - it’s the time it takes for an average incense stick to burn). There might not be much variation in the actual method of meditation.

There are many merits to having a daily meditation routine, regardless of the specific type of meditation one decides to practice. A person who sticks to their routine will certainly develop a higher level of calmness, awareness | consciousness and inner peace. During the rest of the day, when one is not meditating, the level of chaos in the mind will slowly increase but that’s acceptable. There’s always the rewarding calm of the next session at the end of the day or at the start of the next day. The meditation practice becomes a grounding beacon of stillness in the chaotic movement of everyday life.

There are many ways in which a meditator can deepen their practice outside of the dimension of session duration. For example, one can meditate in different environments with different levels of distractions that allow a practitioner to build concentration strength. One can play with doing their meditation outside in a park, where people walk by or eventually in a crowded mall where different smells, noises and the idea of interrogating eyes might pose interesting hurdles to overcome. One can decide to leave their phone notifications on and see if they can still attain perfect stillness. Sometimes I like to meditate in the same room where my children are playing and hear them argue about who owns what toy. This type of distraction is more personal compared to a busy mall and thus builds another level of detachment.

All this is very useful for a meditator but at this point they can still be identifying their meditation practice by using a certain method that is executed on a routine basis with a certain frequency. There is meditation time and there is no-meditation time. Many people refer to this no-meditation time as ‘real life’, which is an interesting idea as well. We might identify as a meditator for some part of the day and have some kind of profession during the rest of the day, for example. Effectively we’re still stuck inside a structure, a belief, a spiritual practice with an identity and are building an egoic structure around it, albeit a spiritual one. Wasn’t letting go and breaking down the ego the entire point of the practice? So how do we now break out of this new structure we just built around us?

At the end of the day - the routine execution of any technique will create a new structure. That’s fine, by doing this routine we have crossed over towards a platform where we can be still and concentrated for extended periods of time, where we can accept everything as it is and observe things keenly without being attached to them. Now that we have crossed that river, we are free to step out of the boat that brought us there - the practice itself.

It is now time to drop the boundary between life and practice - such that everyday life becomes meditation and meditation becomes everyday life. No more technique, no more practice. At the end of the meditation, open your eyes, start moving and continue the meditation. Stay aware of everything while going through the day. Accept everything that happens, whether you are observing some thoughts, whether your boss shouts at you or whether some calamity hits the city. Observe the yin and yang of things and never consciously stop the meditation - and when you realize thoughts have taken over - accept that and continue building awareness. Find the space between sentences and in any transition from here to there.

One might ask this question - am I ready? When do I start deepening my practice to this level? Should I not improve my awareness and stillness to a higher degree? A possible answer could be: in any event it is what it is and you are where you are. If you are interested in deepening your practice then arguably you’d have to start somewhere and sometime. What better place than here? What better time than now? Give it a try and then - stop trying.

Just realize where you come from:
this is the essence of wisdom.

 

Open post

Forget About It

Forget about my self

It’s separating me from everyone else.

Forget about my name

It’s used to identify myself. Such an arbitrary thing - what use is a name to one who is forgetting themselves?

Forget about country and nationality

Mother Earth made me like every other being she made, and she does not know about this separation into different areas and groups. We're like apples on a tree. These borders are imaginary. Forget about them!

Forget about suffering

Life is just one sensation after another. Some sensations may be experienced more intensely than others, at what point is it considered suffering? And who exactly is suffering? Is there something other than the sensation itself? Am I suffering right now?

Forget about the future

Anticipation is distracting and things always go different than imagined anyway. Better to deal with things as they arrive.

Forget about the past

The past does not exist but in our memories. What good is it to cloud the moment with memories? It's done. Forget about it.

Forget about respect

What good can come from stroking the ego? This way or that way. I don't need your respect, it only makes me feel special. Do you need my respect - what does it do for you?

Forget about death

Cast your shell when it’s energy is depleted and see it returned to the source. Who cares about the vessel after having crossed the river? Where will death take me? That's irrelevant until the moment comes. At that point I should be aware of it.

Forget about people I dislike

Identify who I still dislike, find out what it is about me that I dislike in them, dissolve it within myself and then forget about that as well.

Forget about hurt

I forgive others for hurting me and forgive myself for hurting others. Forgiving releases energy-draining connections to the past, each moment I'm cutting one off gives a great energetic boost! Awesome!!

Forget about my friends

Treat everyone with love without singling out a select few. Stay neutral without being attracted to this one or that one.

Forget about wealth

There is no wealth greater than our connection to the source.

Forget about power

Power is an illusion, no one can have power over you nor can you have power over anyone else. The moment one realizes this is a good one.

Forget about control

Control is imaginary and egoistic.The desire to control or be controlled is the desire of affirmation of self as compared to others.

Forget about fame

Fame has no substance.

Forget about fear

Breathe. Return to the moment. Is there anything here and now to be afraid of?

Forget about responsibilities

Always do what intuitively feels like the appropriate action (if any). Everything falls into place.

Forget about right and wrong

Know what is appropriate without labeling it as right or wrong. Who am I to judge? Based on what?

Forget about the plan

The plan is no plan.

Forget about distractions

TV - cellphone - PlayStation - Facebook - twitter. Pixel pushing. Escapism. Get back to reality. What am I trying to escape from?

Forget about truth and reality

Such a subjective perspective. Everyone's reality is different and there is no one truth. Even that is a subjective perspective and ultimately irrelevant.

Forget about all thoughts

They’re in the way.

Forget about everything

Become the empty vessel.

 

I sit and forget

 

 

Open post

Serving the Ancient Tea

How wonderful to get a glimpse of the Course that is connecting all that is, was and yet to be. Experiencing such a moment seems like a unique experience - one that might only be available to a select few and needs to be shared. Of course it is only natural that people who believe they have some unique insight should now instruct others on the method they have used to reach this blessed state of mind.

Nevertheless - a little research goes a long way - the ancient texts are overflowing with useful guidance on how to walk the path and where it might lead you to. The question beckons - do any of these recent books on spirituality really offer more insight or are they just re-hashing the classics for personal gain? Are they just re-heating the ancient tea and serving it as something fresh?

It is true that many books in the classic Taoist Canon are written using old parables and cryptic references that seem to obscure the path rather than clarify. A starting scholar of Taoism will have a hard time finding a "Taoism for Dummies" in the old Canon (DaoZhang). Some people might be drawn to more modern interpretations and ready-to-consume conclusions of Taoist Philosophy rather than go through the effort of researching the classics and comparing interpretations to get a glimpse of the ancient wisdom.

Personally, I attached to various Taoist teachers for some years and followed their guidance in regards to the books to study and the way in which to interpret the classics. The countless conversations with my teachers on topics ranging from the benign to the intricate would direct my practice and forge my thinking and experience.

Theory and Practice

However method you use to study the Tao, one should be aware. True insight comes from looking within (hence the name in-sight) - reading more books on spirituality does not deepen the spiritual experience. After studying the Taoist classics and many discussions and meditations with teachers, one discovers that they ultimately have to let go of all this precious knowledge. The mystic pass cannot be crossed until all the baggage has been convincingly thrown overboard.

In the pursuit of knowledge, the scholar gains something every day. In the pursuit of Tao, the sage looses something every day.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 48

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