From the writings of Dr. Stone
The universe is run by principles and laws which were established in
the very beginning. This is the world of opposites. Until we reach
beyond the realm of good and evil, there will be joy and sorrow,
sickness and health, life and death. The patterns of energy descends
and crystallizes into definite geometric proportions. The direction of
energy travel is as precise as the weaving of any design. There can be
no favoritism in the law of cause and effect.
Even the experience of a transcendent grace does not upset this
mathematically balanced procedure; it merely transcends it by a higher
vibratory keynote of finer energy. All polarity effects are from above
downward. The higher always rules the lower. The cause rules the
effect. Life rules form. Mind patterns and will, rule matter.
When our attention is scattered, mind and emotions set many causes into
action. Concentrated attention could be very helpful in avoiding
irresponsible thinking and inconsiderate action which is the ground
work for many miseries.
Education as we have it today is not the answer. Higher consciousness
is more than 'information' or mental prowess. Constant attention and
concentrated inner awareness are necessary to become aware of the finer
and deeper energies.
Wherever the attention and consciousness dwells, there it acts and
expands itself. Consciousness is like the sun, and attention forms its
rays. Wherever these are directed, expansion and growth take place, as
in Nature. This is the law of life and growth, internally and
externally. Knowing this, we can aim high for the top fruits in life.
Dr. Stone says, mind is fed by mind substance and thoughts. Emotions
feed on feelings and sensations. Man / woman does realize the great
truths of their own being, otherwise they would not try so hard to
evade them for material distractions.
Man / woman is not a senseless machine, but subject to constant
shifting of desire and mind impulses. Each person is a rule or law unto
himself. One can find what they need for the next step, according to
their desire impulse and mental makeup, if one will study himself. We,
ourselves are the unsolved problems to ourselves. "Intelligent interest
always finds a way."
"When force compels, then life rebels." Force is the law of suffering
and unhappiness. The problem is not simple because the mind and desires
are not simplified. We ourselves cannot meet that constant flux and
impact of desire without inner conflict. This is the obstacle toward
obtaining happiness in this life. To still the mind and to simplify
desires, is the way. Easy to say and hard to do!
When the real Self becomes the object of one's own search, then one is
not lead astray by external interest and discoveries or theories.
The ACU-Polarity newsletter is brought to you Ezekiel's impersonations
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experience of truth, bliss and happiness in this very life.
Sanskrit Philosophy
The first general principle to be examined, translated from Sanskrit means: That which exists is One: Sages call it by various names. This concept is also stated as The One in the Many.
It
teaches that there is perfect Unity. It teaches there is perfect
unity in all life, in the entire world. All that lives is one
life, one in essence, permeated and vitalized by the one universal
being. It is in that Universal One that all things live and move
and have their being. Until we see the essence of life, we will
make much of distinctions. We will see duality. It is only in the
great Universal One, in the Spirit Infinite, that we come to
realize that we are all one in interests with a universal kinship.
Along
with this concept is another Sanskrit expression which in a
general way supports the same fundamental idea. It sums up
our kinship with all that lives. It forms a rational basis for a
universal love. It lays the foundation for a common interest, and
universal brother/sisterhood, even including all living beings.
Translated it is: Thou art that.
First
this teaches that this individual is that individual. It means
that every individual is so closely akin to all others that no
real distinction can be made between them. In a very real sense
each one is identical with every other one and we are all of the
same divine source and essence.
Secondly,
we could regard ourselves as living a part of the Infinite life
and as expressing divinity in every act of our lives, just as a
spark from the great central sun, identical in substance.
As
a part of ones searching discrimination, one should be acquainted
with the four modes of mental action. They are: (1)
Scattering, running out after all sorts of objects, pleasures,
works, friends, properties, etc., etc. This is one of the most
troublesome qualities, and it must be over come before
concentration can be effected. (2) Darkening, dullness, laziness, then injury, evil of all sorts, ending in destruction. (3)
Gathering, striving to overcome the scattering and darkening
tendencies and reversing the processes and beginning to gather
the mind at one point. (4) Concentration, the one-pointed form of mental action,which, when perfected, leads to samadhi and mastership.
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the quest for truth, peace and freedom in this very life.
TAOISM
Oriental
medicine is rooted in Taoism. Tao, Wu Chi, Wu Wei, Tai Chi, Yin / Yang,
the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, The Tao Te Ching, the writings Chuang
Tzu are all aspects of this medicine, even if it is an obscure
underpinning. The rise of communism in China over the years, until
recently, has suppressed some of it's more spiritual aspects. With this
in mind, it seems to discuss what is Taoism would be appropriate.
Early
periods of Chinese history a form of practices came to be know as
Taoism. Its conception is shrouded in obscurity.
Quoting
excerpts from the Hua Hu Ching, Chapter 81, by Master Ni, Hua Ching:
"There once was a great white bearded Master who appeared at the
boundary of the Central Territory (China) on his journey west.
Followers came from everywhere to sit at his feet, for he was a model
of Universal Harmony. His teaching was simple, yet profound. His
instruction was neither ordinary religion, nor worldly wisdom. Yet, it
revealed the Truth of every aspect of the Universe. The followers went
to the garden where the Old Master stayed and awaited his precious
instruction."
A
wise disciple saluted the Master, saying please instruct us. How should
we who are motivated to attain the correct awareness of their true
nature calm their minds? What path should they follow in order to
attune their minds harmoniously to all aspects of life?
A
- One should follow the Integral Way to calm their mind and harmonize
it with all aspects of life. Hold no antagonism toward any living thing
whether it be born of womb, moisture or any other kind of
transformation. Dissolve all discrimination of individuality and absorb
all things into a harmonious Oneness. The virtue of a highly evolved
being embraces all people and things and dispels the darkness that
isolates them.
An
integral being settles their mind. They unite the mind with the
unnamable subtle origin of the multi universe in which there is no past
present or future. This is how the integral being deals with their
mind. All mental structures must finally be relinquished if one is to
reach the ultimate and subtle truth of Oneness.
All
of the far reaching, unfaded teachings of the ancient sages come from
the same source: the subtle truth of great Oneness. Different
expressions are merely the result of different times and places. To the
integral one, the particles are not small nor is the universe vast. It
is merely the relative mind that labels them so.
As
the Old Master was about to conclude his dialogue - "my beloved
friends, I have talked a lot. Did I really say anything since you have
been with Me? Since I started my journey to the west, I have not said
one thing. The subtle truth cannot be concluded in words. The subtle
voice of the universal origin has been speaking since the beginning of
the Universe. To those whose energy can respond to it, the Sound is
very distinct. To those whose energy cannot respond to it, the sound is
muffled and obscure. The subtle melody of universal life is eternal and
constant, yet only those who are in consonance with it can perceive it.
Beloved
friends, listen only to one who speaks with life. Obey that law which
is so subtle it cannot be written. Follow the one who does not show
himself. Worship the unformed, embrace the unnamed and unite with what
is not entrapped by any form - that which existed before heaven, earth
or man. Offer unconditional love to all life and trust the invariable,
positive nature of the Uni-verse.
From
the Ancient I Ching: First is the idea of correcting deficiencies or
'working on what has been spoiled'. It is stated in the Oracle that
once this work has begun, careful monitoring is essential if the work
is to proceed correctly and regression is not to set in. Enlist the aid
of association of the "Superior Man/Woman" and this will bring success.
What
has been spoiled through one's fault can be made good again through
one's work. It is not fate that has caused corruption, but the abuse of
human freedom.
Once
we have given cautious and appropriate deliberation that this is the
path we want to follow then we enter it safely and avoid relapse. To
avoid relapse, decisiveness and energy must take the place of the
inertia and indifference that have led to decay. This means
abandoning the false and returning to the true. Working on fundamental,
getting rid of falsehood and returning to reality.
Originally
there is nothing to cultivate, nothing to realize; since there was no
defect, nothing to correct. But after degeneration, when the
fundamental is established, the path develops. Once you recover your
potential, it is like it was always there; this is attaining great
development in decay.
The way to correct that which has been spoiled, is not by empty
tranquility, by running away from our life; It is necessary to work in
the midst of great danger and difficulty, like 'in the Dragon's pool,"
and the 'tiger's lair.' Only then can one restore one's original being,
cultivating it into something indestructible.
The
skillful correction of that which has been spoiled is done by using the
strength and clarity of the Great Man/Woman to break through our own
ignorance. This is flexible use of correcting the corruption
originating from neglect in former times. We lack the strength to bring
about this reform alone. This all creates an honorable new beginning.
The
second idea from the I Ching (by the way, there is a strong opinion by
some that the I Ching is not solely meant to be a book of divination,
but more over a book of Wisdom. Any book can be used as divination, for
example, one could simply open the bible for the message of the day) -
the second idea is gentleness and ceaseless penetration.
This
is the idea of that which is small is developmental. Success comes
through attention to details, and humility. The change is not brought
about by the result of great force, but an unremitting nature of a
gentle force that penetrates the cloaking mist to expose the heart of
life. This requires a goal and guidance from the Great Man.
The
dark principle, in itself rigid and immovable, is dissolved by the
penetrating light force, to which it subordinates itself in
gentleness. Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous
effects. Like the two guys smoking pot and floating ceiling. One asking
the other, "I wonder when this stuff starts taking effect?"
Gentle
penetration should be effected by influences that are ceaseless, that
never lapse. Results of this kind are less striking to the eye, but are
more enduring and complete. That is what makes it so powerful.
This
is making progress by flexible obedience. Not hurrying, yet not
lagging, gradually step by step - going from near to far, from low to
high, reaching everywhere. If one is flexible and obedient,
they can long endure. By gradual progress one can penetrate to what is
deep, eventually arriving at Self Realization which enables one to have
God Realization.
Another
foundational text by Chuang Tzu says, " The perfect man or woman
employs their mind as a mirror. It grasps nothing; it refuses nothing;
it receives, but does not keep. Thus one can triumph over matter,
without injury to oneself.
The
idea is that when we become too closely bound up with matter, we
descend to its level to our own detriment. In Indian philosophy this is
the great precept of vairag - detachment from the world while still
living in it. It is the Wu Wei of Chinese philosophy, non assertion of
the self - often translated as non action.
Paraphrasing from Chuang Tzu on the Tao of unstrained living:
"The Need to Win"
When
an archer (bowler, golfer, etc.) makes a shot with no goal in mind,
he has all his skill.
If
he shoots for a championship, he is already nervous.
If
he shoots for the prize, he sees two targets - And has lost the focus.
His
skill has not changed, but the prize divides him.
The
need to win drains the power to concentrate.
From
complete Vairag, perfect mental detachment, one enters Nie-Pan,
Nirvana. Then one becomes one with Tao. In this way one attains the
state of mind like the Sun, shinning upon all alike, yet asking nothing
in return.
Wu and You
We return to a Taoist theme as it is an underlying philosophy behind
Oriental Medicine as mentioned before.
Wang Pi is a well known
commentator on the I Ching and Tao Te Ching, which are foundational
text of Taoist philosophy. In explaining the philosophy of the
Tao Te Ching, Wang Pi, as translated by Richard John Lynn says,
"Nothingness" wu, is a key concept.
Wu is the perfect absence of
conscious design, deliberate effort, prejudice or predilection.
You is the presence of
conscious design, deliberate effort, prejudice, or predilection.
You literally means, "somethingness" as contrasted with
"nothingness" of wu.
You can also mean "being" as
contrasted to "non being." You is the phenomenal existence of
creatures / humans, the physical phenomena in general or what is termed
"the 10,000 things."
Wang Pi identifies wu with
the action of Tao or the Natural. The Tao always acts out of
nothing, wu wei, and thus never functions deliberately or with
conscious design. It never acts out of something.
To put it in more familiar
terms, Tao never acts out of ego or the passions of the
mind. It does not calculate; nor does the man/woman of Tao
calculate because they are one with Tao.
For Wang Pi wu wei is not
the absence of action but always the absence of deliberate action with
an end or calculated "selfish" result in mind.
Wu is the principal
attribute of all that is natural. To act out of nothing, and thus
in accord with the Tao, inevitably results in success, safety,
contentment, and happiness. This is what could be referred to as
"living in the Will of God."
Somethingness always
involves differentiation, division - a sense of separation from the
source. You or "somethingness" is the principal attribute of all
that is artificial. Wang Pi points out that when creatures and
humans act out of something, and thus in violation of the Tao, failure,
danger, dissatisfaction and misery result.
If one neglects the roots
and attacks the branch tips, one invites imbalance. (Lynn, pages
17,18).
Therefore, pristine simplicity may be embraced - Wu!
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profit organization dedicated to the experience of truth, bliss and
happiness in this very life.
In Search of the Philosopher's Stone
The
title of this part of the newsletter has been changed a little. You
know the philosopher's stone is said to change base metals into
gold. The base metal is the negative mind, and the gold is
the Light of higher consciousness and real life. It is the search for
that experience, or knowledge and understanding, that transforms one
into that higher life - permanently.
Searching
for this type of knowledge, a few questions and observations present
themselves:
What
is the energy that powers the universe and makes the planets spin in
their orbits? What makes the seasons change according to certain
patterns and carry on the processes of birth, living, and dying?
Is
this energy an imitation from a conscious being, or is it simply an
inert force? Since these powers of nature seem to behave according to
apparent laws, are these laws an accident or was there a pre
arrangement - a blueprint before the manifestation? How are we, as
humans, related to these powers and laws found in Nature?
If
there was an accident, a big bang or a blue print, when and how did it
happen? Can we, as meager humans, know the answers to these questions?
This in itself is another question.
In
order to prepare ourselves to 'experience' this type of knowledge, do
we have to understand what is good? Is there evil? If there is, is it
to be avoided to live a life of truth? These questions face every
individual, whether we consciously address them or not.
Many
a man and woman have addressed these issues, and truck loads of books
have been written. So many people have had their day on the planet and
departed. And still these fundamental issues remain fresh - demanding
resolution if one is to live a conscious existence.
What
has been referred to as a horizontal movement, where there is greater
understanding of the physical universe, has apparently increased in
recent times. But a vertical movement, where one can answer the
questions of ultimate reality, the origins of time and space and the
problem of death, seem to be right where they were in the beginning.
In
fact, much of the apparent progress in human understanding to make life
more comfortable and promote convenience in human life has taken our
understanding into a deep forest, lost and distracted in
intellectualism and materialism. Invention, theoretical proposals and
imagination take great flights, but doubt remains.
Our
on-line server is working well. Invention and technology have produced
insights into the physical environment. But, ultimately physical
instruments can only perceive physical objects no matter how subtle the
instrument.
This
has lead many to believe that nothing exists beyond the physical. They
believe that the idea of solutions to ultimate reality are simply
devices to explain the unknowable.
Even
those who have considered the issues and established or accepted a
belief system about a subtle and more real life beyond the physical may
still not be completely happy.
Along
with the experience of time and space, one basic law of the universe
seems obvious. That is of cause and effect. This law happens not only
in the cosmos but also individually.
Cause
and effect, the law of karma, reaping and sowing, translates into the
law of life on an individual level.
What
ever action that has been performed by body, mind and consciousness can
send that individual into various regions and life experiences to
harvest those actions.
First thing, when we recognize the situation, then we take steps to
terminate our attachment, conditioning, ignorance and bondage. For this
we try to move vertically to the source of existence which is our
destination.
From
the source we might then answer these questions, or they may not be
relevant any more.
The Tao Te Ching
I
think, besides the Bible, the Tao Te Ching is the most often translated
book. One of the patrons of Acu-Polarity brought a recent translation
by Stephen Mitchell into the office. It seems appropriate to discuss
the first chapter. The first chapter leads to the whole secret of the
Tao Te Ching.
The Tao that can be
named is not the True Tao. As Stephen Mitchell stated it, "The Tao that
can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not
the eternal name".
May I substitute Word for name and say
the Word that can be written in any book or scripture is not the True
Word, not the Real Word or the living word as when it is written down
or spoken it becomes a concept.
Then he says, "The unnamable is the
eternally real. Naming is the origin of things." So like I say "hello
Bob" or "this is a tree" . This gives designation of an object or a
particular person, like Bob.
Now if I saw Bob on the street and said,
Namaste, the Hindu greeting which translates as "I salute the God
within you", then the eternal, the real is being acknowledge, not the
particular.
Then he says, "Free from desire you
realize the mistery". What mystery? Well, if we all knew that, then it
would be no mystery. Mystery means something hidden.
The mystery is hidden because we are
thinking ... continuous projection of feelings, imaginings and thoughts
of situations that we feel will help us build a better existence; or
that creates other
distracts away from the reality of what is happening in the present.
"Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations".
"Yet mystery and manifestation arise from
the same source". It all depends on what we are tuned into as to what
we perceive as reality.
The 'unmanifest' in Chinese philosophy is
referred to as Wu Qi, the great No-Thing'-Ness from which everything
arises. In fact, it is only a level of consciousness. It is all
consciousness. What level of consciousness we are tuned into is what we
perceive as our reality. As stated above, tuned into desire we are
tuned into the manifested universe at some degree or another.
With the mind empty we perceive the Source, the No-Thing-Ness / Wu Qi.
Chapter One of the Tao Te Ching ends with
the saying that this is the gate to all understanding and the
experience that everyone is searching for, whether they know it or not.
Koshas
We may not be aware of this fact, but there are more bodies that make up our
life than just the physical. According to Ayurveda, as taught by Dr. Lad in
his book Textbook of Ayurveda, there are several sheaths known in Sanskrit
language as koshas. These are vibrations of the mind used to carry out its
multifarious activities that penetrate the physical body but are much more
subtle and profound.
Dr. Stone (founder of Polarity Therapy) refers to the ultrasonic core which
runs through the center of the spinal cord - in the cerebral spinal fluids -
to connect mind, body and consciousness. The koshas are: the sheath of
bliss, the sheath of knowledge, the sheath of mind, the sheath of prana (life
energy) and the sheath of food.
The most basic kosha, is called the sheath of food. It is equated with the
physical body. The physical body needs food, water and air. It is
associated with the first or root chakra (non-physical spinning energy
centers related to the autonomic nervous system). It relates to survival
issues.
Out from this kosha is the electromagnetic field of the body. It is the
pranic or energy body also known as the etheric body. This kosha relates to
the second, water chakra. It is involved with procreation, prestige and self
identity.
The third, fire chakra relates to ambition, achievement, power and control.
This is technically called manomaya kosha. It is related to manas, the
aspect of mind that is directly linked to sense perception. Dr. Lad points
out that what we know as the astral body includes the prana kosha and the
mano kosha. These relate to the emotional nature of a person.
The sheath of knowledge is associated with the air chakra located in the
center of the chest. This is the ahamkar, the AI am@ aspect of the mind.
It has to do with emotional love. The sheath of knowledge also is
incorporated into the next kosha.
The kosha of intellect is related to the budhi aspect of mind. Cosmically
it is known as mahat or cosmic intelligence. It is also termed the causal
body as it is on the pattern plane where the blueprints and causes for
manifesting the physical plane are drawn according to the law of karma. It
has to do with communication.
The sixth kosha is related to third eye. The mind, body consciousness and
awareness are intertwined here. As Dr. Lad puts it, Athis is where Alpha
meets Omega.@ This is also part of the bliss sheath.
The bliss kosha is beyond the koshas because it is beyond the mind and
physical body. The mind cannot use something it cannot become aware of.
This is the level of Self Realization which prepares one for God Realization.
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peace, truth and bliss in this very life. And also by the letter B which is
not as stressful as A but is still above average.
Mysticism - the Past and Future
I predict that the religion of the future will be a "scientific"
mysticism. The very nature is of the universe is a mystery. Not that it
is an occult undertaking, but that it is hidden from normal waking
consciousness.
John Davidson, in his book Treasury of Mystic Terms, says that wherever
man exists, so does mysticism. Mysticism is a transcendent experience
that is not a philosophy or religious doctrine but is an expansion of
normal consciousness.
Though it is not religious doctrine, the one who has this experience
often expresses the experience in terms that are associated with the
most profound association with the divine. If the experience is written
down in prose or verse, these writings often become the sacred
scripture of religious doctrine.
No amount of reasoning or study can replace the mystic experience. This
experience is open to all who take interest in having it. It also has
been had by the testimony of many of the world"s greatest men and
women.
All mystic experience obtains a certain common understanding. The
expression of that understanding assumes widely different aspects
according to the mystic"s disposition, time and place. This mystic
understanding can be found in all cultural traditions of the
world.
According to traditional Western sources, the earliest known recorded
or written history dates from 3,000 to 4,000 B.C. This is not as early
as the previous civilization referred to in the Indus valley.
The Sumerians are often considered the earliest as they left written
remains. The Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient epic about a semi
divine hero who goes in search of wisdom and immortality. He finds the
"Plant of Immortality - Herb of Life - at the Fountain of Youth."
Zoroastrianism was well known throughout the Middle East in ancient
times. It was mentioned by Plato and the Magi, Zoroastrian sages, were
said to be present at the birth of Christ.
John Davidson mentions that Zoroastrian doctrines (which were written
in the Avestan language) are echoed in the Vedas and the three world
religions that have emanated from the Middle East - Judaism,
Christianity and Islam.
Terms like "aeretatat" in Avestan translates into "amartyata" in
Sanskrit and immortality in English. Avestan "manthra" translates as
word and becomes "mantra" in Sanskrit which is normally understand to
be a word or phrase repeated to bring a heightened state of
awareness.
Embrace the Chaos
Maybe you don't feel this way, but after watching a newscast one could
easy conclude that we are living in a kind of neurotic fairy tale.
Buildings and societies constructed on shifting sands that would appear
as a convincing reality at the time but soon change from an auto parts
store to a Walgreens. We can be swept along with the chaos of the
moment.
The point has been made that once we
have enough to eat, clothes on ours backs and a roof over our heads,
then why go on 'obsessively' trying to improve our conditions. This can
become an end in itself and a pointless distraction that prevents us
from getting clues to a deeper reality.
Sogyal Rinpoche says he thinks the greatest achievement of modern
culture is its brilliant selling of samsara (worldly life) and its
barren distractions. Modern society seems to be a celebration of all
the things that lead away from the truth, make truth hard to live for
and discourage people from even believing that it exists. The consumer
machine keeps us greedy to keep going and feeds off the need for
excitement, anxiety and depression. This creates an environment of
addiction around us.
One reason we can have so many difficulties is because of ignoring of
the truth of impermanence - anitya. We assume that permanence provides
security and impermanence does not.
The whole physical universe is nothing but change, activity and
process. A totality of flux that is the ground of all things. Every
subatomic interaction consists of the annihilation of the original
particles and the creation of new subatomic particles.
The subatomic world is a continual dance of creation and annihilation,
of mass changing into energy and energy changing into mass. Transient
forms sparkle in and out of existence, creating a never-ending, forever
newly created reality.
Brain Hines say in his book God's Whisper, Creation's Thunder, "Chaos
is everywhere and that's O.K. Not in the sense of confusion, but in the
mathematical meaning of this term; behavior that is so complex, so
sensitive to small influences, that it appears random. Scientists are
discovering that chaotic behavior is basically the way the world works.
This should come as a relief to anyone who is trying to make sense of
life. One mathematician writes that today's science shows that nature
is relentlessly nonlinear. So whatever it is that God deals in, it is
not explicit formulas. Or at least those designed for pen and paper.
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the Sky corporation - a for profit organization dedicated to the
experience of truth, bliss and happiness in this very life.
The Kiss the Sky Yoga Sutras (Aphorisms)
An aphorism or sutra is a terse saying that carries a general truth and deep meaning.
1. "Watch the thought, feel the emotion without judgment or analysis."
Can we detach ourselves from the mental dialogue long enough to look at
what is going on inside? Can we aware the movements of the mind without
identifying them? Can we observe the reactions that the thoughts and
emotions promote? Can we become the witness to allow ourselves to
evolve into higher life?
2. "Aware, observe, witness and detach."
3. "Obtain the utmost unoccupiedness." Can we trust our intuitive
response in the moment enough to allow the calculating mind to take a
relaxation?
4. "Live in the eternal now." Since this is all we really have why not be in it as much as possible.
5. "Kiss the Sky," "Kiss the Sky," "Kiss the Sky." You can fill in this
one. If higher states of consciousness do not carry a sense of bliss.
peace and happiness, they may not be worth having.
Winter 05
The human body has five organs of sensation and five of action, (the
five organs of action are the mouth, hands, feet, organs of
reproduction and organs of elimination). All are under the control of
mind.
The control of all systems (motor and sensory currents) are by the
individual mind, some bringing impressions to the mind, and some taking
away orders from it.
Knowledge of the
environment is possible only when the object to be known and the
particular sense organ and the mind are all in one line.
Interpretation of internal stimuli or impressions are at the mind
centers. When the senses are closed, mind contemplates the external
experience by way of recital. (Sar Bachan p. 170).
Recitation and contemplation of the external world is continuous. There
is a perpetual (the Chinese say the earth is perpetual and Heaven is
eternal) whirl and motion of the mind at the five sense centers.
The mind can attend to only one sense at a time. This constant whirl
and occupation of the mind makes it oblivious to what is going on
deeper inside.
The body is the material
characteristic of the mind. The power of awareness and concentration
for acquiring knowledge is due to spirit or soul quality. The
disassociation of the mind from sense organs and stoppage of its
constant motion by concentration is the object of all yoga.
The question has been asked, "In objective reality, what would this
world look like?" Even science says that it is all vibrations. We
experience the world the way we do because we are tuned in to a certain
frequency.
In the electronics of the
universe there are three currents: positive, negative and neutral.
According to ancient yoga teachings, in our forehead are three currents
or veins called 'nadis'. The nadis are translated as 'tubes' or energy
pathways. These veins are know in Sanskrit as: Ida, the negative
current on the left; Pingala, the positive current on the right; and
Sushumna, the neutral current in the middle.
These
nadis intertwine to form the chakras - the energy centers that carry
out the sensory perceptions and provoke individual actions.
These centers have been discussed in depth in previous newsletters and in the ACU-Polarity book.
Nadi currents, like the rivers of the planet, can and have become
polluted. The solution to many of the planetary environmental problems
lies in disassociation with the mind and its negativity. This is the
cleaning up of our internal environment. This leads to association with
the deeper aspect of who we are and what our true needs are.
It is easy to see the negativity in someone or something external. But
it takes true insight and strength, courage and bravery to see the
problem in ourselves and to take appropriate corrective action.
Mr. Sasaki Removes the Veil
It is written that the person who masters Hatha yoga is the knower of
the veil. The veil is the various aspects of the mind and it's
projection, the physical body.
Veiled
from what? Truth and reality. So to know all the details of the mind
and body is good, but that doesn't answer the fundamental question of
who we are.
Mr. Sasaki enlightens us about what real knowledge is like:
"One
day I wiped out all notions from my mind. I gave up all desire. I
discarded all the words with which I thought and stayed in quietude. I
felt a little queer - as if I were being carried into something, or as
if I were touching some power unknown to me ... And zzt! I entered. I
lost the boundary of my physical body. I had my skin, of course, but I
felt I was standing in the center of the cosmos. I spoke, but my words
had lost their meaning. I saw people coming toward me, but all were the
same man. All were myself! I had never known this world. I had believed
that I was created, but now I must change my opinion: I was never
created: was the cosmos: no individual Mr. Sasaki existed. " Zen Master
Sasaki.
The world is theater
The world is like theater. It is not what it seems
to be and nothing related to it is permanent. If we
develop a worldview that puts life situations in their
appropriate perspective, it will give us the strength
to keep from drowning in life's storms. "Everything
is honored but nothing matter that much." This is
because the things of lasting, meaning true and
eternal are within us, not in social, economic or
politically derived situations.
The main difficulty we can face in recognizing our
real need is that becoming too engrossed in life
situations, building castles in the air, we can miss
the inner purpose. As Ekhart Tolle states it, we need
to discern the difference between our life situation -
physical body, friends, possessions, etc. - and our
life.
The constant preoccupation with life situations
distracts to the extent that it can keep us in a
circle of suffering and unhappiness. If we can "root"
ourselves within, which means within our own
consciousness, then it is possible to find balance
that happiness and freedom we often try to find
outside. The constitution of a particular country
does not necessarily give, nor can it take away, one's
inner freedom.
To a certain extent, the true death is to break the
bonds of the false identity that we have constructed
associated with the physical body.
Special note: Do not try these practices at home
without consulting your enlightened spiritual advisor.
A Yogic Theory of Evolution
It is suggested that you take this as traditional wisdom and not as doctrine that must be accepted or rejected.
In the creative process one could classify all living beings into the
wheel of eighty-four. This means the total number of species of living
creatures is counted as 8.4 million. This includes 3,000,000 types of
tress and plants; 2,700,000 types of insects; 1,400,000 kinds of birds;
and 900,000 varieties of marine and aquatic creatures. There are
400,000 types of men/women, animals, heavenly beings, disembodied
spirits and others who inhabit celestial spheres. All go spinning as in
a merry-go-round, in one life after another � in a horizontal movement
This all occurs in a time frame, according to Yogic scriptures, of
creation going through a cycle of four phases or yugas. Each successive
age is less spiritual and twice as short in duration as the previous
age. The cycle starts with a Golden Age, the era of Truth known as Sat
Yuga. During this age the world is steeped in a high level of
spirituality.
Each yuga is in increments of 432,000. Sat yuga is 4 X 432,000 =
1,728,000. You can also assume that humans live longer and healthier
and purer lives during this time.
Sat yoga is followed by the Silver age known as Treta yoga. Treta yuga
lasts 3 X 432,000 = 1,296,000 years. Treta yuga is followed by the
Bronze age known as Dwapar yuga. Dwapar lasts 2 X 432,000 = 864,000
years.
Dwapar yuga is followed by the Iron age known as Kali yuga which is the
age were are in now. This is known as the era as ignorance. The people
are weak and the leaders are corrupt. Kali yuga last 432,000 years.
There is one point here, even though conditions are the worst during
this era, the opportunity for spiritual development is the greatest. It
has been pointed out that you can only graduate from a university at a
certain time of year and no other. It is the yogic teaching that soul
can only achieve moksha, soul liberation, and God Realization during
kali yuga. From this point of One of these cycles of the four yugas
makes one mahayuga (4,320,000). At the end of kali yuga, there is a
dissolution (pralaya). Then the creation begins again fresh and
new.
At the end of 1,000 mahayugas, which is called a Kalpa (also known as a
cosmic day) there is a Maha Pralaya. This is total annihilation of the
physical, astral and causal planes. These regions are drawn up into
precreational condition for an equal amount of time (known as a cosmic
night). Then it begins again, fresh and new. Wu!
Truth and the Time Process
By the very definition of Truth it would have to be something beyond
the time process. Anything involved in the time process would be
subject to change. Truth would have to exist today, as yesterday,
tomorrow and at any time or place it would be the same. If something is
one thing today and something else tomorrow, appears one way in an
Ancient culture and in another way in modern society, then it would not
be the nature of Truth - the beyond the infinite (space) and eternal
(time).
The time process must include the nature of unreality. Maya is the
space process. These two, time and space, are the fundamentals involved
in illusion. Add the law of karma, cause and effect, and you have the
formula for the core process of the three worlds (physical, astral and
causal).
The question is often asked, why did God create this world? In a way,
He did not create the world because it does not exist in truth. It only
exists in the mind. How can this be? How does it work that this world
is not real?
If we are watching a movie, and start wondering how the movie came to
be, and if we climbed up on the stage and started tearing down the
screen, we could never solve the problem of how the movie came to be.
We would obviously have to turn around and go into the projector room
and study the film and camera to understand how the movie was projected
on the screen. Then we could realize that the actors were not involved
in a live performance and the roles they were playing were only made up
to tell a story to entertain and distract the viewers.
Less obvious to we humans is how consciousness is projected on the
screen of the five elements (ether, air, fire , water and earth as the
consistency of matter not the elements of chemistry).
Being fooled by the five senses, the ego and time bound mind, we start
the study of Truth by looking without instead of within. The scientific
tendency is to take the projection as reality.
looking at a pencil, for example, we would tend to think that it is an
object outside what we consider ourselves. It has shape, color, volume
and substance. It is communicating its reality through the senses of
touch and sight. It seems like certain sensory nerves are sending
impression to the brain and the interpretation is deciphered at the
brain centers that yes, indeed this is a pencil. Through memory and
past experience one knows what it is and its utility.
What is difficult to understand is that the pencil, the universe is not
external to consciousness being interpreted within, but is within
consciousness being projected out. To know the reality of the pencil or
the universe, then we would have to turn consciousness on its self.
This can only be done by stilling the mind and thoughts, which stops
the distraction of the time process.
In chapter one of the Tao Te Ching it says in effect that when the mind
moves the manifest, the '10,000 things' as 'being' can be known. When
the mind becomes empty, the unmanifest (Wu), as the 'source' of all
being can experienced. Wu!
Do not believe the illusion
One of the ideals of Taoism is to become a real person, which means to
become an integrated person, whole like in a wholyman/woman.
For those who have given consideration to the subject, by reasoning and
observation we can understand that this world is like a dream. However,
after realizing this, it is not that easy to live this fact in our
actual life experience. It is more likely that we may think the world
is like a dream, but in fact take it as a stern reality. This is why
there is so much worry about the ups and downs of life.
The reason that we can find it so difficult to be clear on this is
because it is only a mental concept and not fully integrated into our
being. When we get true knowledge of the nature of reality, our
behavior and actions are automatically adjusted and modified
accordingly. This is the principle of acting in accord with the Will of
God, of Being in the Flow. It is Wu Wei action less action, effortless
effort.
From the Tao Te Ching, Chapter 38 we read:
A person of integral virtue is not aware of their virtue,
Therefore they are truly virtuous.
A person of incomplete virtue tries to be good,
Therefore is not truly virtuous.
A person of whole virtue does nothing,
And yet, leaves nothing undone. (In other words you could say they let a higher consciousness act through them).
A person of incomplete virtue thinks they are doing it,
Therefore their action is not whole.
The person of integral virtue dwells on what is real, And not on the surface, On the fruit and not the flower.
Therefore, integrate the One and reject the other. (Integrate the One
whole and rejecting the other means otherness as all is One,
considering ourselves as apart and separate from the rest of the
uni-verse).
In objective reality, what would this world look like? Even science
says that it is all vibrations. In a way, we experience the world the
way we do because we are tuned into a certain frequency.
From Deepak Chopra's book The Return of Merlin, as Arthur is watching
Camelot being destroyed by forces of darkness, he awaits his Master,
protector of the kingdom, Merlin. Quoting, Many myths shroud the end of
Camelot. These myths arose because the truth was too deep for people to
understand. When Mordred, the force of darkness, launched his furious
assault, Arthur did nothing.
Arthur opens a note sent by a courier falcon from Merlin, their first
communication in years. It read, Do not believe the illusion. Remember
the teachings, I am here.
We can compromise our ideals and lose our perspective because we believe the illusion, taking it to be real.
Immortality
A mere and meager mortal hillbilly philosopher is hardly in a position
to comment, with authority, on the lofty subject of immortality. I do
not practice Taoist meditation, but Surat Shabd Yoga.
All the books say not to practice meditation simply by reading a book.
It is advised that we need personal and live contact with a teacher who
is an adept to help us personally at every step.
Having said that, it could be helpful, though, to take an intellectual
look through the eyes of Taoist philosophy and meditation practice at
the subject of immortality.
Life is a continuous cycle that almost everybody has to go through over
and over again, in the form of life and death. So, immortality means
one is no longer subject to birth and death. No longer falsely
identified with the physical body and material life.
The cycle is broken by a process called �cultivating Tao.� This means
seeking immortality through consistent effort guided by Taoist
principles. In order to attain immortality, one has to cultivate it.
Those who succeed in becoming immortals are said to have attained Tao,
the way of nature.
Essentially this way has four interrelated, ascending steps: 1) Refine
foods into essence (called jing); 2) refine essence into vital qi (Eva
Wong calls this vapor); 3) refine vapor (qi) into primordial spirit
(shen); 4) Merge primordial spirit into the void (means the
unmanifest). Wu!
According to Taoist philosophy these are the milestones in seeking immortality.
An important method to refine foods into essence is fitness exercises,
which improve digestive power and enhance vitality. Healthy foods are
needed for production of essence.
According to this school of thinking, essence can be used in having sex
and producing children, or it can be used to refine essence into qi. Of
course, we Americans would like to do both.
The more essence one has, the higher will be one�s level of qi energy
and the stronger will be one�s immunity and health.
The relationship between excellent health and immortality is well
explored by the ancients who used the term �internal elixir� to
describe refined spirit, and the term �external elixir� to describe
robust health. The ideal is to embark on the journey in search of
immortality (refine the internal elixir) by refining the external
elixir (having good health). Or as Bikram said to me many years ago
when I told him I wanted to meditate, you can�t meditate unless you�re
in good health.
Personally, I would think that good health is an ideal help, but not a
must for spiritual development, but I�m already in over my head.
The cultivation of internal elixir is referred to as the �training of
the spirit,� aimed at refining qi energy into spirit, while the
cultivation of external elixir is referred to as the �training of the
body,� aimed at refining essence into qi energy.
One of the basic tasks for cultivating immortality is said to be the
restoration of the primordial balance between body and spirit. It is
believed that without considerable length of life, one cannot go
through the lengthy process of cultivating immortality. Here, what is
needed is not enthusiasm, but persistence. Enthusiasm is like a
thunderstorm; it never lasts for long. Persistence is like the drop of
water which will, in due time, penetrate a rock.
Chinese sages are said to have referred to the entire process of
cultivating immortality as �gathering medicines.� Medicines refers to
essence, qi and spirit, the �three treasures.�
Tai Chi Rotation
Proper exercise, according to Hua-Ching Ni in his book Tao the Subtle Universal Law, includes Tai Chi movements that are based on cosmology and patterned after the movement of the universe.
The universal law and the law of individual being is the principle that the human body is a miniature universe.
Gentle movement aims to guide an individual�s energy through his or her
microcosmic energy network in a manner that follows cosmic law.
Tai Chi movements provide realignment with universal law. By observing
how one�s own body and energy operate while performing Tai Chi, one may
discover, experientially, the law inherent in individual being.
The principle of Tai Chi movement is that undivided oneness is the root
of all movement. Cosmically speaking, undivided oneness is the origin
of every manifestation hence �everything�. The technical term to
describe the undivided oneness is Wu Chi. Tai Chi proceeds from Wu Chi
and Wu chi includes Tai Chi.
Movements may be explained in terms of yin and yang. The full leg is
yang and the empty leg is yin. Up and out is yang, in and down is yin.
Breathing in is yang, and exhalation is yin.
The movements of Tai Chi exercise are a continual sequence of yin and
yang movements coordinated with inhalation and exhalation.
Stillness and movement alternately follow each other. Ideally, in Tai
Chi movement, there is a stillness that enhances quiet sitting
meditation and provides a balanced activity. In activity one learns to
look for stillness. In quiet sitting one looks for the creative.
Gentle, rhythmic movement brings about the constant flow of energy.
This is referred to as �constant virtue�, the constant quality in this
type of movement.
The movements are a series of circles that reflect the cosmic laws of
the Earth spinning on its axis as it orbits the sun. The movement of
the sun orbiting the galactic center of the Milky Way, and the Milky
Way following a circular pattern as it moves through the universe form
cosmic circles. This is why these movements are referred to as
�Rotation�; hence � Tai Chi Rotation.
By training the mind to remain calm and relaxed, the brain and central
nervous system may receive and transmit information more accurately and
thoroughly. The spine is kept erect so there is good communication
between mind, body and consciousness.
The ingredients and principles of Tai Chi movements are described in the Yoga and Tai Chi Rotation book and are:
TAI CHI INGREDIENTS:
1) Balancing the chi and blood
2) Building energy and
3) Knowing the sequence of movements and breathing
PRINCIPLES OF MOVEMENT
1) Be natural and relaxed
2) Breathe slowly and deeply
3) Establish groundedness through the lower body and legs
4) Move slowly
5) Practice regularly with concentration throughout the exercise, trying to exclude any other thoughts.
Relax
Spine straight
Breathe deeply into the area of CV 6 below the navel to CV 17 in the center of the chest.
Move from the waist. This area is called the yao shi. The waist
includes the area of the hip socket and the area below the navel, CV6
and the alignment of the spine. Turn the waist (yao shi) to initiate
movements.
Separate Yin and Yang. The movement of weight goes from the full/yang
or weight-bearing leg to the empty/yin or non-weight-bearing leg.
Stephen Anderson can be seen demonstrating Chen style Tai Chi on youtube.com
or google video by typing in Stephen Anderson tai chi. Tai Chi Rotation
can be viewed by typing in Tai Chi Rotation on google or youtube or
going to: http://web.mac.com/pholitao
Loving Regards,
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