Affinity & The Way of the True Teacher ~ Sheng Ren Wu Wei Shifu (圣人 無為 師傅)

 

The Sheng Ren Wu Wei Shifu ( 圣人 無為 師傅) refers to the following: 

 

Sheng Ren ( 圣人): The one that follows the saintly way; is one who embodies the path & lives, breaths its wisdom.

Wu Wei ( 無為): Non impulsive actions, commonly referred as "empty action". The life code of the wise ones in which they follow ~ leading without pushing, doing without striving, living daily with what seems no agenda/goals or end in mind.

Shifu ( 師傅): A skillful Master of the tradition of their art they had embarked on many years in the making. A true Shifu is a longtime student before they are chosen for path of the skillful teacher.       

The teachers of the way generally don't advertise themselves, they will seem as a simple non de-script people. The Sheng Ren of "Tao & Buddhist Ways" look indifferently at fame, wealth, and personal glory. In many ways its against their code to recompense for teaching of Healing Meditation and Arts. They will generally accept donation system of "Dana"(pronounced "Donna) the way of generosity and allow the receiver to decide what it is worth to them and their personal situation. Recompense although is never demanded. This is how it always has been, but sometimes not followed by people of hubris and greed. 

For the teacher and the student of the way, there are almost Eight Billion humans (Fall 2020), of planet Earth! How many are we destined to meet? The true teachers you mentor under and students you teach is for sure a predestined affinity arranged by the Tao. If the teacher & students learn the transmitted traditions well, and utilize it for the better of humanity, people will become happier and more peaceful people, in this way the world can become a better balanced existence at some level.

 

GWA

 

Sacred Symbol of Awakening ~ Lotus Flower

A student asked who's explanation on the Lotus Flower is correct? It's a good question since there's literally hundreds of articles on it. I feel everyone is allowed to express there feelings on anything; and I don't want to be the policeman on who's right, who's wrong. I believe everyone has their worth to chime in. 

One pithy answer from my early Ordained Buddhist Mentor is that the Lotus Flower is an important symbol in Buddhism, as it represents the process of awakening. The Lotus Flower beginning as a seed, it becomes secured in the sticky muck of a pond or dead end water body, and grows from that environment to blossom into this beautiful radiant flower. 

As a sacred symbol of awakening it represents the purity of our awakened body/mind, which in order to manifest itself, has to spring from the muck of normal existence. The Buddhist Religion in many forms has depicted this in their sacred art. The Lotus Flower/Lotus Blossom  is often depicted in the hands of various Icon's or shown as a platform seat on which they sit.  There are countless Buddhist documents, Recitation Practice's, short Mantra's (vocalization as a form of meditation), Mudra's (hand symbols) and Lotus Meditations using tantric imagery, and schools named after the Lotus Flower. Properly understood it for sure came from the Buddhist and has merged into many other systems of spirituality and health.

 Lotus Flower Invocation 

The purity of heaven, purity of earth; purity within and without; purity of my sense organs. Our mind being pure, there is no impurity in any pollution. Our sense organs of our body are pure, I am one with spirits of heaven and earth. Just as the awakened one has taught us the teaching of the Lotus Flower is like the shadow that accompanies form, if what we and what we do are pure, then all our personal request will be fulfilled and our happiness and longevity will be limitless. I am now endowed with the most revered and supreme sacred treasured teaching, my body/mind is pure like a beautiful Lotus Flower which transformed out of the emotional mud of the world.    

GWA

   

                                       

Transformation Benefits of Chanting Practice (updated 7/15/2018)

I have been receiving many emails in the past weeks about "Healing Sounds", and Chanting practice of late. So I thought it would be timely to write a quick entry on it and what I think.

My experience with Chanting began with my first Teacher when I was 13; it was in the form of Morning and Evening Ritual Hommage practice of the Japanese Buddhist  Religion I still follow to this day. As time went on more liturgies and empowerment and practice came into play. A serious practice of Zen Meditation was always present, in which I was required to study the history and the many components of it. The Heart Sutra is one of many popular ones that many learn (image above).    

When I was a teenager I had many health issues and could hardly breathe, focus and function. Which cause myself many personal problems. I found this practice of chanting to be very beneficial to my health and works on many levels. Different sounds vibrate different spiritual centers, invigorating the body and releasing trapped energy. Repeated chanting promotes our physical, mental and spiritual activities, providing positive adaptability to any environment and to deal with the stresses of life.

Scientific research in East Asia and the West has showed evidence that these type of breath control practice are not only a textbook perfect form of healing meditation, but also reverse oxygen deficiency (hypoxia), increase blood saturation and bio electric components of the overall body. In the future the "big buzz" will be how transformation exercises reverse hypoxia and in controlling effects of Cancer. This is my opinion although.   

As the years have ticked on and with many mentors have learned many practices in this area. I still practice many sound resonation practice's and traditional liturgies to this day. These East Asian liturgies have been used for thousands of years because the effects of repeated chanting are very beneficial. You don't have to be a Buddhist, Taoist or a Hindu to benefit from chanting. If you practice it seriously one will find that it helps to develop breathing control, focuses the mind and makes everything better. Just do it for a week or more and see if you feel better!

Pearls of Wisdom Notes: Ling Yan ( 言霊) rough English meaning  "Spiritual Words/Phrases of Empowerment" is a common belief in the traditional schools of practice. Mantras and Healing Sounds Systems are ubiquitous and a melting pot of village practice, culture, belief and imported dialects by neighboring country's. The tangible mystical powers reside within the sacred liturgy itself and come alive when invoked and dutifully followed. In the last 70 years hybrid "Qigong" has adopted it into it's culture and really is a endless list.  The Ling Yan Concept "Spiritual Words of Empowerment", use Mudra (hand symbolism), Mantra (vocalization) and internal image (creative visualization) focusing as well.

The Ling Yan common teaching is that these sacred scripts have a tangible and intrinsic power capable of affecting Body, Mind and Spirit's. Through activation practice one develops various levels of empowerment and stages of awareness. The different levels of power are revealed through health, moving meditation and even while doing everyday life. The mentor teachers responsibility is to introduce the teaching and the rest lies on unshakable faith of the devotee to the path. This can be universal as well in other spirtual systems that use Chanting or sounds systems to empower themselves for connection to the source or a higher level of awareness. ~G. W. Abersold     

       

GWA

Wisdom of the Moment: 

The things that you think that you own; actually own you. 

The above statement can be viewed and applied in numerous ways and meanings. There are many people that have great attachment/belief that money equals power; and things give one status and happiness. Which is very delusional and one can become self sacrificed in a sense;... that one day they realize they spent a whole lifetime chasing after personal bondage of things that really don't matter. They realize they have become a slave to their lifestyle as well. They are not free at all. Culture is a culprit in many ways because it shapes peoples habits, beliefs and daily experiences. Be weary of what you actually participate in and don't be part of "cattle herd mentality".    

We can see that "Smart Phone Technology" and Personal Computers  actually has become the master and the users have become their slaves. Many cannot escape the grasp of their enslavement to their devices and cyber community's such as Facebook, Instagram, etc. Which is very sad because they are truly controlled by validation response such as "likes" and trying to be popular, and their 4,500 so called friends. It's truly kinda like high school of people trying to be popular or be "in the fold crowd". 

 As stated in previous journal entry's more and more people are truly and dangerously addicted to the age of electrical devices. Wisdom of the East Asian Masters is true here - The things that you think you own; actually own you. Lets continue below and look deeper:

A Whirl Wind of  Different Energy and States of Life

Early Christian teachings warn us of personal impropriety of  Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth. The teachings also help us to understand a life of virtue, service and personal cultivation are key to one's life. Those whom follow the path can everyday "Reflect and Look" at how they are doing through personal meditation, centering prayer and reflection. At any given moment can take action not to spiral into a world of Impropriety.  Much of this is contained in Old Testament teachings and that of all true personal faiths of higher level consciousness, qualified mentors of the path.

Mahayana Buddhist teachings hold a share belief that is similar depicted in a teaching Mandala called  Six World's of Life. Each snapshot world is illustrated by characters representing aspects of human existence our various ways of being.  Below I break it down in away that anyone can understand and make useful.

1. Existing in a World of Animal Characteristics: We are driven by basic survival instincts and appetites such as physical hunger and sexuality, which is the ego in overdrive. These urges for many are uncontrollable and nothing is never enough.   

2. Existing in a World of Personal Hell: We are trapped in states of unbearable personal rage and anxiety. Their beliefs and chaos in their mind becomes uncontrollable and in many cases become acted out in personal life. These World's of Hell are very visible through some's personal/collective delusion and acts like suicide, terrorism, strike lines, protesting and vandalism are sure real life signs of this.

3.  Existing in a World of Universal Spirits (Gods?...maybe):  We strive to transcend our weekly troubles and our over inflated egos through ritualistic, aesthetic or a religious experience, through a community church; but it is only temporary and void of true  spiritual cultivation and purification found in daily practice. Even this is scabbed with a sense of loss and suffering. For many the blinders one day come off and a sense of loss is felt.

4.  Existing in a World of Superiority: It could be you..:) or there are always certain people we cross paths with or personas in positions of power that publicly display a phony sense of strength and power. They are deluded by their own personal Superiority. They are threatened by people of compassion, virtue and quality. The Masters depict them clearly as enemies of leaders of enlightened way. These negative self identified persona's are marked by their fierce envy, hate and jealousy. They act quickly and not rationally in all they do, considered to be very dangerous for sure. Best to avoid and not engage with these types, less said is best. 

5. Existing in a World of Insatiability: Buddhist Art is a form of teaching oral traditions passed down through the ages. The above image shows a monk encountering a Hungry Ghost. The Masters of the Buddhist Way of Life, depict the dwellers of Insatiability aka...Hungry Ghost World as deformed, possessed spirits beings with scrawny necks, small mouths, emaciated limbs and large, bloated, empty bellies.

 In a real world experience this is the chains and bondage of powerful brain programing, addiction, and obsession. It is also the end result of being a causality of a life of never finding contentment.  This is a whirl wind of many sickly energies which one is constantly seeking something outside themselves to curb an insatiable yearning for relief or fulfillment. The scorched aching emptiness is perpetual because the substances, objects or pursuits they hope will soothe it are not what it will fix it. Many people can relate to this mode of lack, sometimes you don’t know what you need, and will try a multitude of things and stuff.

 There are many students I encounter in twenty years teaching that are like this. They are the dabblers doing  systems like Yoga, Qigong, Karate all at the same time and doing nothing but driving themselves crazy. If they stuck to one and became real close to it, they would have found contentment. But they cannot hear you and are like a Tornado tearing through life. The wisdom here is when one exist in a World of Insatiability, guess what you will eventually crack and break free. You will hit rock bottom something or someone will intervene. It can take though in some cases a lifetime. Insatiability is a nightmare for many people, it never goes away; it will haunt their lives because we are not engaged in being fully alive and present. 

6. The World of Personal Enlightenment: Sometimes it takes getting embarrassed by a teacher, friend or family member.  A wise teacher once scolded me and said "Embarrassment is the seed to Enlightenment; bet you will never do that again! The World of Personal Enlightenment/Spiritual Path of Cultivation focuses on our human Existence - right here and now is the only World of the above from which has a more brighter outlook. Christians, Taoist and Buddhist alike believe that personal enlightenment is at hand in our current life, yet only a few of us open their eyes and see it.

The Masters throughout the ages teach us that some of us dwell much of their lives in one World or another. Many of us possibly move back and forth between them, perhaps through all of them in the course of a single day. Be aware although Faith alone never halts problems; The things you own or money you may have does not as well. This statement a lesson in Karma " The things that you own; actually own you" is again loaded with many meanings as we have seen today in this journal entry.

The for sure win/win in a practical way is understanding personal cultivation, practicing proven daily enlightened wisdom always does. Masters of the Path like Lao Tsu, Buddha, Jesus of Nazereth and many others taught that belief in self identified charismatic teachers (#4) is dangerous; that instead of just believing in someone else, giving up personal power  or falling into cattle herd mentality, people should use their meditation practice to try to discover their own true nature. For this is the real power "Create Your Own Path ~Follow Your Own Aspirations ~ Make Your Own Moves~

Cheers Until Next Time...

 GWA

 

    

     

Book Review: Rujing and Still Qigong by Tianjun Liu

We have many Qigong books available in English now, which has not always been the case. There are although very few must have books on Qigong although. If one were to view what was published prior to internet you will only see credible teachers published, if you know what to look for. Most Qigong books are equal in the sense they give only a introduction on the view teaching and one must truly study with the teacher of the text or a genuine teacher with references, to make it come alive.  This is important so one can continue and make progress, receive pointers and motivation to excel forward. 

The Age of Self Identified Masters of the Way

Back in China throughout the Qigong boom of the 1980's through early 2000's there were many frauds. To publish a book  in China on Qigong one had very high scrutiny and were generally presented before peer review groups before the final manual was done. There is now what I call "Self Identified Masters of the Way", the internet, has exploded a whole range of questionable teachers, books, videos, web forums and online marketing. For the novice and desperate seeking information one could be overwhelmed very easily. Many are taken advantage of as well. 

 "Rujing and Still Qigong - The Key to the Qigong Meditation State", is a genuine book on Qigong for it explains in much detail on many aspects of standardized Qigong meditation. There are many terms and explanations here that are not available in English elsewhere.

 Practitioners will get much use out of this wonderful book for practices such as Taoist Zuo Wang Meditation, Zhan Zhuang, Standing Meditation or Postural Qigong or even simple natural meditation done as you know it. For Buddhist Meditation students it give them access to different perceptions of specialized terms and ideas of practice which is generally from Taoist Lineage practice. The term "Rujing" which is used mostly in Taoist lineage traditions means training/cultivating the mind to exist in tranquility, and one to feel fresh and alert . The book is a good book for non experts also - for it also explains concepts in modern terms and uses perspective's from western psychology, parapsychology and cognitive research. So I give it "two Thumbs up", get the book while it is in print!    

Gary W. Abersold

New Qigong Meditation Thursday Nights

                   New Lotus Meditation Practice Group Thursday Nights @ 7:00pm:

Come practice with myself and others on Thursday nights at 7:00pm.  Learn a unique tradition to energy healing  with meditation. More info at Qigonghealingcentre.com

*Double click image to enlarge and read details on class above*

Importance of person to person connection

IMPORTANCE OF THE PERSON TO PERSON CONNECTION

Regardless of the particular level of teaching or practice that we are attempting to integrate in our modern life; whether it be Qigong, Taoism, Buddhism, it has always been a time honored tradition that there is an person to person connection that takes place. The reason for this is the mentor teaches the student or students; the students learns the teachings, absorbs their meaning and puts them into practice. This is the goal for teaching the next generations.

There is a reason for this emphasis on live teachings. In most areas of Asia and since the beginning of time up to the present day, the teachings in Taoism, Buddhism and modern conventional Qigong has always been meant to be taught in real time through a mentor/teacher, ensuring that there is a living tradition that is still imbued with the tradition and power of the original teachings. It also guards against the possibility of so-called teachers simply coming up with their own ideas. Instead, the teacher passes on a proven tradition of teachings.

This makes the Orthodox Traditions different from other kinds of learning where it may be possible for people to innovate, fabricate or do it their own way due to lack of traditional teachings. In such realms of learning it may be appropriate to come up with new systems of thought or to introduce new ideas. But when we teachers and students are partaking about Taoism, Buddhism, Village Traditions; teaching must connect with the original teachings of the Orthodox Tradition in order for a teaching to be valid. The teachings cannot be something that someone is simply coming up with on their own. The teachings are something that the teacher passes on. A simple way to find out what is real or not is to ask the view teaching, source tradition teacher and their connection to it. This will eliminate much wasted time.

You can put two students side by side, the one whom values tradition and order will always come ahead the one whom, just prefers to "make it their own". Tradition gives one structure, methodology and eliminates the guessing game. People in life are distracted enough with the technology, webpages and social media. My advice don't try reinvent thousands years of proven techniques. It is youre hubris that is blocking one from becoming a great mentor/teacher or student. Follow the tradition; its simple as that! :)    

Student & Teacher Affinity Key for Getting Ahead

A interesting truth in the Traditional Ways of East Asia is the prerequisite of "affinity". A teacher and Student affinity, sharing an innate karmic link; a sense of "togetherness" was a first step in deciding whom would study and learn and those who would not. Often times teachers donot accept everyone who approaches them for instruction. Many cannot understand this; commonly most unknowing novices treat teachers and classes like a item they buy at a store. They feel I cut you a check you will be able to make me a Master level student/practitioner in due time. This is treating the tradition like a commodity and will turn off almost any credible teacher. So be aware that just cause you show up at someones school or practice center, it might be the only visit.

 Many years ago a World  famous Hong Kong Sifu interviewed me three times and then auditioned me for his group before he let me into his Kung Fu School. I knew the deal but I was not sure if I made the cut. I passed good enough to begin the hazing process of being the newbie. Then after all that he made me pledge my allegiance to him and his Master, and vow I would do whatever they asked. To this day I still feel obligated to my oath and promises I made. So this was a typical process even here in America. It was intense, but I totally understood.

There has been many students who have came along despite their personal motivations and kindness toward myself or the tradition, just never make it through; or its very short lived. What happens is a overwhelming "non likeness", the student not possessing the correct attitude of respect, the appropriate levels of knowledge, the right experience, or not sharing an innate karmic link with the myself or the teachings. It's not the norm but does happen; and its good both for myself and the student.

The "sense of togetherness" must be there or one will not want to study and practice and advance. This is important for the mentor; for they will be encourage to teach you truly. We live in a world of money, advertisements and business, but this innate quality still exist in the teachings regardless of what the popular cliques would tell you. I can tell usually in a short time who will do well and who won't. Those ones who don't are all wrong for myself and myself for them.

For seekers on the path keep this in mind not only to be prepared for what one might ask you to do. Also to remind yourself that, if its not feeling right bow out humbly and move on. It's a large world with many roads to travel! I appreciate the questions Thank You...

GWA