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I was hoping to be quiet for as long as I could, but a few comments by Michael related to Plato and the relationship between Buddhism and Taoism made me speak on this matter.
Internal Alchemy. There is a lot of confusion about this topic. To understand the relationship between what Taoist Internal Alchemy originally was and what it is now being promoted publicly, we first have to look at so-called history of Taoism. I say “so-called” because there are no common grounds on this topic between scholars, and scriptures related to this can be viewed many possible ways.
Taoism started out from philosophical basis of ENDLESS LIFE. Ancients thought that the value of human life and their inherent wisdom can make up for physical shortcomings in Heaven and Earth. They thought people as living organisms have unlimited potential and, as long as they are able to tap it, they will be able to supplement the shortcomings of Heaven-Earth.
You see, Ancients thought that a human being is originally capable of “cultivating” a life that can exist as long as Heaven and Earth, and capable of attaining a longevity that can be compared with the sun and moon. They also asked a good question like: “Why is it then that human beings are unable to develop this kind of potential?”
To answer this they produced 2 possible causes (there are more but I will focus on just these 2):
1. People are blinded by external things, confused by internal thoughts, and disturbed by sexual desires and 7 emotions- love, hate, pleasure, sorrow, anger, joy and desire.
2. They don’t know the principles of supplementation and continuance, but follow the way of reduction and consumption.Now, at this point, ancients, THROUGH THEIR INTERNAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE ENERGIES WITHIN THE BODY, noticed that the pattern of those movements was identical to the pattern of the movements of Heaven and Earth. USING THESE OBSERVATIONS AS THE BASIS, the Ancients established the methods and principles of the “cultivation of life” (Yang-Sheng).
Now, not to sound vague, I want to present some dates related to what I just said.
The first theories of the cultivation and refinement of Chi were the methods of practice called Fang-Shih (“learning of the occultists”), and they focused ONLY on cultivation of the spirit, with theories of Lao Tzu dominating. The date for this was 1001-946 BC, during Eastern Chou dynasty through the Spring and Autumn Period.
By the Warring States Period, the Taoist School cultivation methods changed from emphasis on cultivation of the spirit to practice of both form and spirit, with focus on absorbing and refining Chi. During this period, methods of Chuang Tzu were dominating the Taoist community.
The principle of cultivation of the spirit as taught by Chuang Tzu mainly included “forgetting about material things and the human body, viewing birth and death as a unified whole, making all things equal, and dwelling in the formless.” In practice, Chuang Tzu put special emphasis on “making mind level” and “sitting in forgetfulness,” and cultivating the spirit and harmonizing with the Tao so as to be able to attain the realm of “purity in the abode of the void and only good fortune.” This is all what basically Lao Tzu promoted.
Chuang Tzu also proposed methods for cultivation of Chi. “The true man breaths from his heels while the ordinary man breaths from his throat,” and “By following along the governor meridian, one can protect the body, make it healthy and live a long time.”
NOW, if you compare sacred teachings of Lord Buddha like “Complete Enlightenment Sutra”, “Diamond Sutra” or Pali Cannon with Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu teachings, although they are written in different style and using different forms of language, they are almost identical in their heart.
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And the final thought…I’m writing all this to illustrate a point that Plato was trying to present, but instead of the replies to his ideas he got a thorough examination of his psychological and mental states. No wonder why he bashes on you people. Which, of cause, was turned into “Ohhh, we were right! Plato has no virtue.” Pleeeeeease….
Metta.
Yeaaaaa Thanks for the History lesson professor. That’s the best job yet, big golden star to you…
I’d be interested in direct comparisons, between the differnt folks in the last bit even if that’s what you think everyone else it doing. You present better.
I felt all along like there must be some good stuff that Plato was trying to point out. Have not liked the energy in any of his posts which make them useless to me. Lesson here for him but i don’t feel he gets it. Good his freinds don’t give up on him.
🙂
Thanks for the presentation; very clarifying.
I have a very scorpionic birthchart myself actually, including pluto conjunct my ascendant, and several close scorpionic friends with dagger wits always seeking to uncover the true hidden weirdness of things and people (I have a few scars from those dagger wits that still become inflamed on bad days…), so don’t feel terribly moved by turns of events on the board lately.
I do prefer when people keep the insults at a dull roar though.
SimonThe Buddha was a big fat bald long eared moron. The diamond sutra may be a monks best friend, but it is that kind of nonsensical crap that inspires people to write books like, ‘If you meet the Buddha by the side of the row Kill him.”
Peas
Michael
dying is easy, comedy is hard ;}
max, what you say sounds correct for the most part. i think parts of this will be disputed by scholars, but you’ve acknowledged that already. which historical version is correct will not effect our cultivatin because cultivation is practical and history is acedemic.
the point i wanna make here is that alchemy, both east and west, has evolved. HT is a product of that evolution and so are other schools around the world. i think this evolution is necessary, even natural. it represents an advancement in knowledge and the human race. that doesn’t preclude the option of following the ancients if you want to.
max, what you say sounds correct for the most part. i think parts of this will be disputed by scholars, but you’ve acknowledged that already. which historical version is correct will not effect our cultivatin because cultivation is practical and history is acedemic.
the point i wanna make here is that alchemy, both east and west, has evolved. HT is a product of that evolution and so are other schools around the world. i think this evolution is necessary, even natural. it represents an advancement in knowledge and the human race. that doesn’t preclude the option of following the ancients if you want to.
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