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

On Saturday April 29, 2017 is the annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. Anyone is welcome to join my weekly Saturday Class at 10:00am - 1130am in Sterling heights Michigan.  In our group we practice Tai Chi Energy Cultivation, which teaches posture, energy flow, imagery meditation and proper breath technique. 

For over 40 + years the technique of Taiji Qi Liu (太極氣流) commonly refereed to as  Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow is intended for the common citizen for the promotion of good health. The first practice is intended for any health level and was originally designed as a rehabilitative sequence of movements.  Perfect for people who like stretching of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Vastly improves blood circulation and strengthen's the immune system. The practice is soft and flowing, and with tangible results. Every class you feel your energy, peace of mind and joy of Tai Chi and Qigong. 

The class will be hopefully outdoors depending on weather; if not we will be at my studio. For previous, or serious students that would like to practice email me below:

qigonghealingcentre@gmail.com 

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*

Chi Flow Way of Life

The benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong form practices are multi leveled. In this journal entry I will detail what I have seen personally teaching many clients, since the mid 1990's. These practices are built on the premise on the compliance of doing them. Don't become the teacher or practitioner of all talk and no action. You have to be diligent in practicing; to get the health benefits, and to take it to new heights. Like the picture I provided above  "We can open the door but you must enter".

 As far as practices go it is very important to connect locally to a teacher of the community. The daily and nightly weekly classes and people that are in the community will be there for you day in; day out.  So what can Health and Wellness practices of the Chi Flow Way do for you? Read below:

(1) Healthier Body

• Improves immune system and energy levels
• Improves breathing & heart rates
• Fast Improvement in Blood Pressure
• Increases stamina and longevity
• Balances hormonal health
• Eliminates many respiratory issues
• Helps balance mental fog and burnout very easily
• Builds physical body safely and no stressful on skeletal system  

 (2) Daily Well Being

• Balances worry, anxiety & impulsiveness
• Dissolves tendency of stress, fear, loneliness, and depressive states 
• Enhances self esteem and self acceptance
• Develop resilience against pain & adversity
• One feels more optimistic, relaxed and can problem solve better
• Increased levels of self awareness and intuition
• Helps with emotional problems with addictions as in eating, gaming, compulsions
• Develop great self esteem in social interactions
• Keeps one sharp develops great learning abilities

 (3) Meditative Mind Power

• Develop mental strength and great focus 
• Develop ability for sharp memory recall & retention
• Improved cognitive ability & creative processing
• Manages burnout from technology overuse found in Smart Phone Users  
• For students improves learning curve by 1/2 of average student's

As little as 15 minutes in the morning you can balance yourself for work. We warm up the body, then flow as little as four simple sequences. The nigh-time practice is generally a recovery one. Clean the stresses of the day and refine what you have before bedtime. The night-time practice is a little longer about 30-35 minutes.  For the everyday person it comes down simply to the morning charge up and night time recovery and balancing tradition.

In my classes I only teach two practices which are in depth. One practice in the morning to wake up and charge up and one at night, to find peace and tranquility. 

These practices are the student that is: I work or go to school  40-60 hours per week, have a family. So you don't have to become a expert by any means to feel the results. A good Chi Flow exercise in most cases after about 5-7 minutes you should start opening up.

Hope you find this article to motivate you to enter into the "Chi Flow Way of Life", there are many teachers and approaches. Look for the teachers whom offer ongoing weekly classes, and have a genuine community practice in place. 

Gary W. Abersold 

taozahnchi@gmail.com

Qigong Healing Centre

      

Hi students and friends,

Its been a busy year with lots of growth; certified teachers, new friends and students have connected. Much has changed from when I began many years ago in 1981, everything is becoming more richer and still exciting as it was on day 1!

With that being said, also has been a year of two teacher friends that have unzipped and passed on into the next journey. Its always sad to see beloved people you know pass away and no matter whom you are it takes time to heal from it. These are lessons in life not to become lazy and comfortable because life here is short and we all go through this.  

 So moving on, in the new year I will be expanding and promoting more useful practices for anyone whom has desire to learn. The first one is the Emei Lotus Tradition, which is a tradition over 1,000 years old and is a traditional Chi Meditation. You can read more below:      

I am getting prepared to start filming my very first DVD for all my dedicated friends and students. This DVD Will focus on Health and Wellness aspect of the Emei Lotus Meditation Level I. It will be priced very reasonable and will include a prompt book for the movements of this form. This will match my group classes and will focus on clarity of the moving sequence. This is the short form being filmed. 

The reason for filming this first of all is, I have seen so many people have remarkable results from it. The second reason is my teacher Wen Lei Chen rather have myself represent to teach this. I have yet to see this tradition done anywhere else, on film so I feel its a fresh practice for the general public.  It has inspired me to start documenting my traditions as well for future generations as well. If it helps people learn better I am all for that!

GWA

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! :)    

Question: Erupting Emotions on Ones Healing Path

 Received a email where a person whom has recently been experiencing alot of emotions surfacing from practicing Insight Meditation. The person wanted to how practicing something so serene at times can be so hurtful. They also explained they want fast results now. This is a good question because it deals with an important topics that almost never gets answered in any classes for the most part. It really relates understanding how to proceed to heal. 

Generally when one embarks on a healing journey to better oneself, there are two types of people I find often. The first type is one that does multiple therapy's and is going to kinda "kill" the problems they are dealing with over excessive therapy, medicinal them-self to no end. They do in a weeks time from primary health, acupuncture, massage to different types of herbal treatments and Qigong classes. There is no shortage of appointments in their schedule. This is for a certain setup to fail; and really illustrates a multitude of personal problems within themselves. They have a lack in faith in one system per say.

The second type of person is one whom is focused, with like "Qigong" but they have very impatient expectations and want fast results within a short time. This is also one whom bounces from healer to healer system to system and really gets nowhere really quick. They don't understand that as many years it took for the downward spiral; it will take some time to bounce back as well. The following will give a snipit of what actually happens based on a possible scenario. It is based on consistent daily engagement to a process!

A Loose Timeline for Basic Stabilization

In ones personal life practice especially if dealing with anger, grief, fear and traumatic emotions, here is a loose timeline. It does not cover special meditations and spiritual healing practices. One really needs to be engaged in a process with a mentor teacher, healer or therapist that understands the depths of Healing practices. Practices like formless meditation found within Hindu, Taoist and Buddhist traditions give a framework to follow. Light standing Meditation to accent the long sitting sessions will help open up energy as well. You will need a mentor, don't kid yourself; you cannot do it alone. The mentor should be able to provide the special meditations and empowerment's with your commitment to the path, as you move along.

Stage I: The first Phase 1-60 Days:

This is a time period that will establish the beginning foundation for healing emotions. What typically happens is that one will experience alot of physical, emotional & spiritual detoxification, the body/mind will be "Seething & Simmering" out a state of turmoil and personal torment. One will have to guard against becoming overcome with boredom, isolation and loneliness anger, stress situations and exhausting themselves with too much to do. Its very typical to overkill with practice; "Less is always more" beware of the body trigger explained above.

Stage II: The second phase roughly 60-120 Days:

 At this point the body/mind should be done "Seething & Simmering"; although it might come and go. This is what's known as the "reset phase"; one feels like they are finally moving forward slowly. One will feel like "I am going to be ok"; I am moving forward. That is the short prompt good news, the truth is that the feelings that may have been suppressed through bad choices in life, are about to hit. One will have a tsunami of emotions come at you grief, anger, fear etc. They will need to be dealt with. This is where special enhancement meditations and deep healing practices comes to play. The reason is most of these problems and unbalanced emotions have been either medicated or suppressed for years. I call this "One most walk through Hell to get back to Heaven". Deep healing is never easy and will take a unshakable spirit to take hold. Personal faith will be your compass. Our habit attachments in life to our things, are a way for you to hide and mask what really is going on.

Many will have challenges of getting pass stage I or II; body/mind withdrawal likened to that of a substance abuser will be present. Immune suppression, psychical pain can hit hard. Many cannot negotiate it on the first try. It could take several attempts; you really need to simplify yourself especially if you are serious about succeeding. Community and mentorship is a must have.

 Stage III: The third phase roughly 120 - 180 Days: At this stage one is well on the path of a balance life most likely. You can begin restructuring a more positive life and all the earlier trials and tribulations seem like so long ago. Remember this is only the first 6 months. Beware of old patterns and habits could come back to haunt you like a hungry ghost! Much at this stage will be catered to where you fall and what is unique to your situation. It needs to be tailored for that from this point forward.

 Stage IV: The fourth phase and beyond the next 180 Days:

Many should take it slow with their healing process. Begin to develop structure, and create a healing model for you to follow. Remember not to immerse yourself with a never ending system of therapies. The Healing Meditations give you a firm foundation, but really is more than just meditating, or practicing Qigong.

Serious healing is like dying and being reborn once again. I can tell you from personal experience; it will challenge everything you believe and know. Heed good advice find a mentor you can connect with, as well as stay in touch with primary care. Your support network is very important as well. Although the question was about meditating and emotions, as we see in this article it really is just the portal to learning how to detox, heal and reemerge renewed and changed for the better. I hope this helps you in your healing path and journey's.

GWA 


     
           

           


 

   
       

The Wonderful Meditation on Compassion

 The Blooming Lotus Flower Mudra

(Lian Hua Shou Yin)

View Teaching/Information: This simple adaptation is from a larger practice, here for the web. It is one I learned from my teacher Wen Lei Chen of Emei Mountain Lotus Tradition. Emei Lotus Tradition is a hybrid system that has Buddhist and Taoist practice in a tradition.They are seated meditations that have many movement sequences to nourish life force and periods of formless meditation. In my classes most of the people whom follow it use it for personal healing and balance. Some follow the spiritual tradition, but not a mandatory aspect for the daily health benefits.  

 The blooming Lotus Flower Mudra as depicted above  is the Mudra of Compassion. In Buddhist Traditions and Taoism it connects to the Spiritual power of Kuanyin Buddha, deity of compassion.There is not enough space here although to go into depth conversation although. In Chinese Lian Hua ( 莲花) "Lotus Flower" the lotus hold special significance in many East Asian practice systems. Commonly taught as though rooted in the mud, the lotus blossom rises above to blossom in the sun. Although it grows in pools of water the leaves of the lotus always remain dry. The symbolism of the lotus points to the purity of consciousness and the journey of transformation from ignorance to awakening. Some give the analogy before we learned practices we existed in the emotional mud of life! 

Meditation practice for "Compassion" is a wonderful practice for anyone. The purpose of Meditation of Compassion is to help us eliminate anger and arouse the desire to alleviate discontent and suffering in others. We practice Meditation of Compassion with aspiring mindset of a enlightened adept to help family, friends, and coworkers free themselves from bodily and mental anguish, and if causes and conditions are right, to help them derive happiness from the teachings of Healing Meditation, and ultimately to reach personal enlightenment. Here are some ways to practice Meditations of Compassion:

(1) Generally first step is always connect to entering in tranquility, essentially formless meditation. Just be yourself and get comfortable with coming into harmony of the session. Utilize a position that is conducive to your body type and adopt a mudra/hand position that you like. The common meditation mudra of left hand resting on top of right and thumbs touching is traditional. The left represents formlessness and right represents skillful means of practice. The mudras are important for shaping the consciousness of practice.   

(2) Then after a certain amount of time, you shift into focused insight practice; - activate insight on how you tend to see people as either beneficial or harmful to you, or as neither beneficial nor harmful. Therefore, we should contemplate our relationships to others to better understand how you can help them.

(3) Next, we could use insight to see how we respond to others with like or dislike.We see that our feelings are often based upon the perceived benefit or harm we receive from others. If we understand that the mind is an ever-changing succession of sense impressions and illusory thoughts, we would see there is no reason to like or dislike our interactions with others.

 (4) Next we could investigate what really happens when we interact with others. We see that praise and blame are only sounds or vibrations entering our ears; a smile or a frown is only light rays perceived by our eyes. Just as the body is illusory, so are these external stimuli illusory. Once we realize this, we no longer need to give rise to feelings of like or dislike and we will treat all family, friends and coworkers as equal.

(5) Next we could, contemplate why people we know suffer from discontent, which is that they are ignorant of the true nature of the self. So up to now, there is still no true compassion in our meditation. How can we feel compassion towards people that possess an illusory self?..lol, so not knowing why they act in certain ways, our family members, friends or coworker don’t know why they feel happiness or anger. They are attached to emotions and possessions and are fearful of loss. This causes personal discontent or just plain personal suffering. They are not as free in body and mind as they think; they know they shouldn’t do certain things but do them anyway, and this also causes a endless circle of reoccurring discontent/suffering.  Kinda like never ending personal Chaos.

Sometimes it seems we have two selves, each struggling towards different ends. Kinda like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde persona with many we know. All of us are born, grow old, get sick, and eventually die. In the very short life span, each of us endures all kinds of afflictions of body and mind. Because of the discontent of life sometimes our loved ones undergo this and everyone should have compassion for them. I know this sounds like a lofty goal in  world of "Me-ism"...:)

(6) Finally, next we could contemplate people not as beneficial, harmful, or neutral, but as equals. We realize that our relationships with them are not fixed or unchanging. We cannot say that those with whom we now share affinity with, were not once our enemy or vice versa. There is no definite, unchanging relationship of closeness or adversity. Seen from the perspective of the infinite past, present, and future, all family, friends and coworkers beings have had some interaction with each other in the past, and probably will have in the future. From this point of view we can see all people as equal to ourselves, and can feel compassion for them.

(7) You can close the practice with returning to formlessness meditation as in number (1). In the beginning it could make you feel tired especially if meditation skill is new.

Closing Thoughts: I hope you find this practice inspiring and useful as I did when I first learned it. Give yourself a few months to work with it. Could be a perfect meditation for fall and holiday season. East Asian Traditions aim to liberate anyone not just the devout or special in crowd participants. Even the many who don't believe in good sense of the traditions message; or who engage in bad deeds. Are worthy of personal healing and salvation from darkness. Likewise, other practice systems and spiritual practices that are dedicated to compassion and awakening of the self, are accepted as welcome participants on the path. No matter how different traditions may be anyone that shares the healing ways of these indigenous world traditions is considered to be worthy and of value. With that being said we can say that all spiritual people lives a life that contains all other lives and practices a path that contains all the other paths...GWA 

         

Retro ~ Traditional Story: True Mastery

Story of True Mastery

Three Silly Samurai sat down at a table in a crowded Japanese inn and began to make loud comments about their neighbor, hoping to goad him into a duel. The master seemed to take no notice of them, but when their remarks became ruder and more pointed, he raised his chopsticks and, in quick snips, effortlessly caught four flies wings. As he slowly laid down the chopsticks, the three swordsmen hurriedly left the room.

The story illustrates a great difference between Martial Artist and wannabe's thinking. The average wannabe would be intrigued by someone’s ability to catch flies with chopsticks, and would probably say that has nothing to do with how good he is in combat. But the Martial Artist would realize that a man who has attained such complete mastery of an art reveals his presence of mind in every action. The state of wholeness and imperturbability demonstrated by the master indicated his mastery of self.To the wannabe the finger jabs, the side kicks, and the back fist, etc, are tools of destruction and violence which is, indeed, one of their functions. But the masters believe that the primary function of such tools is revealed when they are self-distracted and destroy greed, fear, anger and silly folly. Manipulative skill is not a Masters goal. He is aiming his kicks and blows at himself and when successful, may even succeed inknocking himself out. After years of training, he hopes to achieve that vital loosening and equability of all powers which is what the three swordsmen saw in the master.

In every day life the mind is capable of moving from one thought or object to another – “being” mind instead of “having” mind. However, when face to face with an opponent in a deadly conflict, the mind tends to stick and loses it mobility. Stick ability or stoppage is a problem that haunts every martial artist.

Kuanyin (avalokitesvara), the goddess of mercy, is sometimes represented with one thousand arms, each holding a different instrument. If her mind stops (999) will be of no use whatever, it is only because of her mind not stopping with the use of one arm. But moving from one instrument to another, that all her arms
prove useful with the utmost degree of efficiency.

Thus the figure is meant to demonstrate that, when the ultimate truth is realized even as many as one thousand arms on one body may each be service able in one way or another.“Purposelessness”, “empty – mindedness” or “no art” are frequent terms used in East Asian Tradition to denote the ultimate achievement of their tradition.  According to Zen, the spirit is by nature formless and no “ objects” are to be harbored in it. When anything is harbored there, energy is drawn toward it, and when energy loses its balance, its native activity becomes cramped and it no longer flows with the stream, where the energy is tipped, there is too much of it in one direction and a shortage of it in another direction.

Where there is too much energy, it overflows and cannot be controlled. In either case, it is unable to cope with ever – changing situations. But when there prevails a state of “purposelessness” - which is also a stage of fluidity or mindlessness. The spirit harbors nothing in it, nor is it tipped in one direction; it transcends both subject and object; it responds empty – mindedly to whatever is happening.True mastery transcends any particular art. It stems from mastery of oneself – the ability, developed through self – discipline, to be calm, fully aware, and completely in tune with oneself and the surroundings. Then, and only then, can a person know himself.

Wisdom for those on the Path

To expand on the previous post; here's a piece I wrote in a different forum. I see alot of people getting alot of information but lack process or direction. So "to send Chi" in cyber-ville I thought this would be useful here as well.  Take it as face value there are no definitive in anything. 

Traveling abound you encounter many types of people. You see how people perform their art and traditions. There is no region the same as well as the people that practice them.  The one thing that is universal is quality or not. The underlying problem with anything is passing on to the younger generation the fruits of a tradition to be carried forward. This can be seen in family held recipes of a favorite dish, herbal remedy or secret gardening technique.

Being a lifelong student of Spiritual Studies and Body/Mind Health practices I feel its useful to send "Wisdom Chi" to the community. There is usually many burning questions, common questions received like how does one learn? In anything in life I had found with whatever one focuses in one will need the following: 

•   The initiative to get massively passionate on whatever that might be.
•   A Mentor Experience HANDS ON IN PERSON. There is no better way.
•   Access to Oral Tradition; or the insights that are not written anywhere.

These are three check points I follow to this day. When I was a performing Musician/student, I made sure my teachers where the best in their field but also had the Self Mastery "the insights you never seen anywhere". Being a lifetime student as well in East Asian Traditions follows the above. 

A few years back during my comparative Taoist Religious Studies, my teacher sent to me by accident (or not..possibly for shock value). A several day footage of a obscure village in China performing a two week Funeral Ritual that went in out of homes and non stop chanting, and dances etc. It was amazing! The level of Mastery was something I will never forget and was quite moving. It motivated me to ramp up my sincerity of memorization, practice and educating the next generation, even more.

The future of these traditions require mentor-ship, hands on experience and specialized knowledge. Communities, healing enclaves and experiences is how one accelerates the process. You will need to sacrifice things in life to get what you want. Its no different than being in school. In School many are out and about on the weekend and the dedicated are at home studying deeper. The ones that succeed are the dedicated and persevere. The ones whom waste time and don't give extra effort miss out and accumulate miss opportunities.

The internet is great for connecting and communication; as I am doing here.. but should not be the dominant force in getting to be a hopeful expert in whatever one seeks. These practices require serious effort and practice like anything. You will need to be involved with people, teachers and experiences. You have to get tested in whatever you do thats the value of participating. There will be lots of wins, stumbles and plain ole "I blew it moments". 

Eventually through the process you become more educated grounded and begin to the embody the tradition. Learning will never cease and do-not over fill you're cup in haste to avoid someone more experienced then you. Take the useful lessons from anyone and learn to integrate them in you're life practice.  

 

 A old East Asian oral story on The Great Apple says it all:

I can tell one how great this apple is. I can describe it in many wonderful ways and sounds. But it will require you to express your inner will and see for yourself. Only then will it confirm to you all that I have told you. You will need to test many apples large ones, small ones and various types. Only then will you develop the skill of eyes are open to receive the experience; ears open to develop wisdom and mouth mindfully in action to embody the experience. You now have truly learned have you not.

GWA

Creating a Wonderful Life Part I

To Think it And See It, Is to Create;

Imagination Creates You're Reality

Si Tai Gung T.T. Liang

In my classes and traveling this past late winter I encountered many wonderful practitioners and new friends. Often many interesting conversations come up, such as how to create a Life Practice Tradition with Qigong. These are the "Burning Questions" in many peoples minds. So in today's entry I will address it from the standpoint "you have test road many traditions thus far now what"? So much I like and not sure where to go.

Seek Within: The first thing that comes to mind is ask yourself "what is it that you truly want"? What is the practice that brings you the blissful states that you cannot wait to do each and everyday. For whatever it is you really want, that's whats going to flow through you with ease and come out the best. Follow youre heart and find the peace and joy with the practice or tradition that youre most comfortable with. Ignore what everyone else would like to plant in youre mind. 

Understand  that you are on the right road. Embrace it truly and do the best at it, that's what you can begin to focus with massive action and passion. Another point is to find a mentor for sure. Don't kid yourself you will need a mentor/teacher to help you stay accountable to progressing. A great guide is a great map to the end goal. 

Yin/Yang-Fire & Water: We all have strengths and weaknesses. Don't waste time on practices and traditions that totally aggravate you. Everyone's personal cosmology will have a strong "affinity" to certain things. These are practices, traditions and ways we learn that come naturally. There will be also practices and traditions that are in total opposition as well. Forget these practices for the time being, if not forever. Don't waste time on weaknesses, focus on strengths, cultivate them. I have taught students who struggled with certain structures and when it was changed up, viola they start to excel.

 Some people are great at meditation and natural healers, but cannot exist outside of that structure. We also see some are great at learning like a Tai Chi Chuan form, but their naturalness to it - is to expand the structure beyond the ordinary. The typical class will not serve them any longer. We also see some are great form players, but cannot do anything else that well  either.  A comparative tradition is in Music; we see the similarity in Jazz musicians who awakened into improvisation skills who cannot no longer function in a Classical Musician realm. They are now expanded in a different way. I believe not one is better than the other its just ones experience and cosmology to practices and traditions.

Filter What Comes In: Beware of what you let into your consciousness. The only thing holding you back from creating youre peak experiences is you. The way we think is influenced and ultimately will help or derail our progression. There will be critics and "Debbie Downers's" these are usually the people who have created a life of non - completion and are frustrated and jealous. Everyone is entitled to there opinion, but it does not matter in reality. This is just the Chaos of their mind.

Imagination Creates Reality: Master T.T. Liang taught this and wrote about it in his Tai Chuan Text called "Imagination Creates Reality". He simply states in his Liang-isms "To think it and see it is to create; the Imagination Creates Reality". This is taught in Form practice to see youre opponent and imagine the application etc. A more concrete practical application to get progress along the path I recommend the following.

(A) Pick a form, sequence or skill you would like to practice, and put it in your consciousness, the mind. This is something that you will have a personal commitment to for a period of time, until perfected. From there you will truly embody that skill to a new profound level.  As a note here you need to also pick something thats within youre level of reach; even if you are a beginner, this will help you to progress. In these traditions "Less is More" does not have to be so intricate, the most basic can become profound. Work with youre teacher with this in mind. You will have a new found joy and energy if you feel you have been stuck.

(B) Imagination Creates Reality= Imagine right now that form or skill. See yourself performing it. This is the first level of achieving it. Practice this several times a day even within a meditation session. This can be useful and is used in Japanese Shi Kan (Concentrate and Investigate or Look tradition) Meditation. Use video aids to help kick start the memory process....blink it in into the consciousness. Watch people that do it as well in person; which should be the first option. 

(C) Now as you see yourself performing it, use that imagination to create the reality. Imagine what it looks like, perfectly. See yourself doing it elegantly, beautifully and with much joy and bliss. See yourself from beginning to end perfectly... with confidence and with great spirits. The more you are able to fuse that and crystallize that vision; the more you will be able to manifest it as a "self fulfilled personal prophecy", in youre life. 

Practice as much you as can do your best. 

End of Part I

GWA  

                  

                                

       

Wisdom of Tendai Buddhism

 

Wisdom of Ajari Yusai Sakai 

"The world today is one in which there is no empathy, or feeling of gratitude, there are no bonds holding people together. There is no way that politics or economy can go well in such an environment... I want to tell people living today to live with empathy and compassion"

                                 Sakai Yūsai's Message

 

"Live each day as if it were your whole life." "Don't get wrapped up in what you have been up to now. Suck in your gut and live your life to the best of your abilities." 

Spiritual growth is not all peaches and cream and good feeling aphorisms, to make one feel good for the moment. This is something that will ween fairly fast in over technology based, fast paced world.  Many are searching ideals; I say turn to time tested traditions.  

 The statement by the late great Tendai Buddhist Master Yusai Sakai "Live each day as if it were your whole life;"offers I believe true wisdom. Time is truly short, I can remember beginning in Tendai Buddhism at 13 and I am now in my late 40's.  It was a blink of an eye in cosmic terms. 

Wisdom is Like Water it Flows

The other night I taught a Army Veteran of several wars a spiritual practice and passed on a special Mala bracelet I have had for many years; waiting for the right person. For whatever reason It was like coming full circle. I have done countless healing and teachings but this gentleman stood out among many in the last few years. I could see he was beat up and tired of being ran around by whomever. I gave him the same message that Shihan Katsumi gave me at 13 "No matter what you're circumstance you deserve a fresh start".

Tendai Buddhism saved my life and gave me a foundation. I was deathly ill and with many problems. I worked on myself on many levels. It's a lifetime journey although and Its easy to get lazy and not deal with our "shadow self". As we get older we will have new shadows to re cycle as well. In Chinese traditions its called Xiu Lian (shew lian) Spiritual Journey; and that's what it is... a long but joyous  journey until we unzip out of our physical body and travel to the next mission.

  Tendai Buddhism offered me at a young age a vehicle for self realization, peace and a workable model that did not fall ill to changing times. It is very structured in which it helped me staying aligned in life.

 I am grateful to Master teacher Katsumi Koku for allowing me in his life. A spiritual Master, powerful energy healer and like an angel on my shoulder to guide me to become successful.  Everything he predicted about my life and the future has come true.  I see him laughing at me holding his four fingers and counting "I told you so"!

So everyone you encounter in life will try and guide you whats the truth for you. The ultimate truth is what are achievable plans and is it a right match with you're personality. Only you can answer that. You also need to have desire, and a unshakable conviction to see things through. My journey has been a perfect match along the way; it most likely is not perfect for hardly anyone else. Ultimately whatever you believe and follow dive in with conviction and positive energy, I guarantee you it will be full of true prosperity, that beyond our worldly standards.  Keep on the Path of your Life Traditions...

GWA

Concentrating the Mind to Remove Hindrances

Todays journal entry is on Traditional Buddhist Meditation. The focus of this entry is on Concentrating the Mind. As written and taught in many of my classes throughout the years the importance of Meditation and connecting to tradition cannot be underestimated. Qigong is a modern adaptation to selections of the Taoist and Buddhist Tradition. Its not for everyone, but one cannot deny the depth of skills found within these practice systems. In Traditional Buddhist Meditation, the practice of concentrating the mind is known as Samatha (Serenity). Samatha removes the Five Hindrances (Nãvaraõa) and prepares the mind for Wisdom (Vipassanà) meditation. The Five Hindrances are attachment to sensual desire, ill-will, inactivity or sleepiness, anxiety or restlessness, and doubt. Our mind is accustomed to drifting from object to object in the outside world. Concentrating the mind and bringing it inward does require effort, but the mind cannot be forced. Therefore, the Buddha taught various concentration methods/skills.

Concentration Methods/Skills

Within Traditional Buddhist Spiritual Traditions, it is taught that the Buddha taught "forty concentration" skills for meditation; for calming the mind. They are the ten recollections (Anussati), ten meditations on impurities (Asubha), ten complete objects (Kasiõa), four immaterial absorptions (Aråpajhàna), four divine abidings (Brahmavihàra), one perception (âhàre patikålasaññà) or contemplation of the impurity of material food, and one defining contemplation  (Vavatthàna) on the Four Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, and Air).

The Ten Anussati or recollections are: 

(1) Buddhà-nussati or recollection of the virtues of the Buddha
(2) Dhammà-nussati or recollection of the virtues of the Dhamma
(3) Sanghà-nussati or recollection of the virtues of the Sangha
(4) Sãlà-nussati or recollection of the duties of morality
(5) Càgà-nussati or recollection of generosity
(6) Devatà-nussati or recollection of celestial beings
(7) Mara-õassati or recollection of death
(8) Kàya-gatàsati or mindfulness of the body
(9) ânàpànasati or mindfulness of breathing
(10) Upasamà-nussati or recollection of Nibbàna or peace.

The ten impurities or kinds of foulness (Asubha) are:

 (1) The bloated
 (2) The livid
 (3) The festering
 (4) The cut-up
 (5) The gnawed
 (6) The scattered
 (7) The hacked and scattered
 (8) The bleeding
(9) The worm-infested
(10) A skeleton

The ten Kasiõa or complete objects are:
(1) Earth
(2) Water
(3) Fire
(4) Wind
(5) Space (âkàsa)
(6) Light (âloka-kasiõa)
(7-10) the four colors or Vaõõa-kasiõa (blue, yellow, red, and white)

The four divine abodes or Brahmavihàra are loving kindness (Mettà), compassion (Karuõà), sympathetic joy (Mudità), and equanimity (Upekkhà).

A student of Buddhist Meditation teachings can select any one or combination of these forty meditation subjects, according to ones own character. For example, Kasiõa concentration is very suitable for those with sensual desire, restlessness of mind, or inclination toward anger, hatred or ill will.

For those whose habits areintellectual thought, devotion or delusion, mindfulness of breathing (ânàpànasati) and recollection of Buddha’s virtues (Buddhà-nussati) are most suitable.

Notes:

•  The forty are listed in the Visuddhi-magga. Some teachers maintain that only 38 were specified by the historical Buddha and that two were added later. If you would like a copy of this work, its a nice large ebook written through the Theravada Council ~  email me at Taozahnchi@gmail.com

• This short journal entry is based on teachings from Theravada; which uses original Pali terms and concepts of Traditional Buddhism. They are shared teachings even in Mahayana with minor differences and dialects. All the credit goes to my teachers and Mentors for allowing me access to their Notebooks and personal teachings.   

For further Study on Buddhist Meditation below are very excellent self guides if one cannot find a teacher, community or temple.

Zen is for Everyone by Su Lao Shr (Michael Saso)
The Essential of Buddhist Meditation by Bhikshu Dharmamitra (book I)
The Six Dharma Gates to the Sublime by Bhikshu Dharmamitra (book II)
The Sweet Dews of Chan by Ajari Chen Kuan