The Cultivation and Elevation of the Yuan Shen
What Westerners refer to as the soul is known as “Yuan Shen” in the Eastern cultivation community. In the realm of cultivation, both Buddhism and Taoism believe that the Yuan Shen is indestructible.
When a life dies, it is merely the death of the physical body on the surface, while its Yuan Shen will reincarnate and embark on another journey of life. Moreover, it is not only humans who possess a soul (Yuan Shen); all things have spirits. This has long been confirmed by scientific discoveries.
As early as 1966, Cleve Backster, a polygraph expert from the CIA, conducted a series of scientific experiments on plants using a lie detector, confirming that plants not only possess consciousness but also engage in advanced emotional activities, can recognize humans, and have extrasensory abilities. Backster’s experiments caused a global sensation, and numerous repeat tests in various countries confirmed the validity of Backster’s plant experiments.
The biggest difference between the cultivation community and scientists when discussing life lies in this: The cultivation community views the universe from a holistic perspective that encompasses both microcosmic and macrocosmic aspects rather than focusing on a single point. In contrast, scientific methodology begins at one point (e.g., molecules) and delves deeper (molecules, atoms, atomic nuclei, protons,…).
Therefore, in the cultivation community’s view, an entire layer of molecules constitutes a space; the atoms that make up those molecules represent another larger and more microscopic space. Thus, when a life dies, it is merely the disintegration of the molecular structure that constitutes its physical body; its more microscopic layer (composed of atoms) still exists within its atomic space.
As for Yuan Shen (soul), practitioners believe it to be the true eternal life; whether it’s human bodies or other animals or plants—they are merely vessels for Yuan Shen (soul), serving as support for completing their life processes. This is what people refer to as reincarnation.
When a person separates from their mother’s womb at birth, they close off their extraordinary meridians; their Yin spirit (spiritual essence) also closes up and does not open again; their Yuan Shen (original spirit) remains hidden and does not manifest. The entire human life exists in a state of silence. From this point onward begins their postnatal journey—operating through their internal organs to form twelve meridians after birth.
Ps. For explanations regarding Yuan Shen—please refer to “Potential and Spiritual Cultivation (Taoist Alchemy)” where there are more detailed descriptions.
The cultivation community believes that whether one’s Yuan Shen (soul) suffers in hell or reincarnates as human or animal or plant depends on their previous life’s good or evil deeds.
In this regard, independent writer Mr. Zhuge Mingyang stated: “The topic ‘Yuan Shen is indestructible’ encompasses vast subjects such as life, universe, ethics and morals—areas that transcend human scientific understanding. Although scientists like Lanza may not fully validate arguments for an immortal soul correctly, they hold extraordinary significance by breaking scientific taboos and prompting people to rethink consciousness’s origins—the true source and meaning of life—the relationship between humans and the universe—and consequences of good versus evil actions.”
If one encounters favorable conditions for practice in this lifetime, they must understand how to seize them; each level of learning serves to refine one’s original spirit into something purer. The true quality of one’s original spirit can only be achieved through these processes’ refinement leading to greater advancement.
With daily practice comes daily awareness; ultimately one can discern reality from illusion.
Internal cultivation enhances methods while external cultivation enhances connections; cultivating both internally and externally constitutes our practice.
Enhancing methods alongside enhancing connections allows virtue and wisdom to progress together amidst life’s turbulent journeys so that our moral character can remain clear.
The three non-leakage studies include “precepts (Sila), meditation (Samadhi), wisdom (Prajna),” which means “from precepts arises meditation; from meditation arises wisdom.”
Cultivating precepts—perfecting moral conduct;
Cultivating meditation—dedicating oneself to inner peace;
Cultivating wisdom—nurturing intelligence.
“Precepts,” “meditation,” “wisdom” correspondingly counteract human greed (“greed”), anger (“hatred”), ignorance (“delusion”).
1. Through maintaining precepts one eliminates transgressions causing afflictions; refraining from wrongdoing equates to precepts which can subdue greedy desires;
2. Through cultivating meditation one removes disturbing afflictions; calming thoughts leads to meditation which can subdue angry hearts;
3. Through cultivating wisdom one eradicates latent afflictions; breaking evil leads to realization called “wisdom”; wisdom can subdue ignorance.
What is meant by “guarding one’s heart as precept,” “from precept arises meditation,” “from meditation arises wisdom”—
Ultimately allows practitioners to attain liberation from afflictions through wisdom leading them towards ultimate Nirvana.
Bodhi represents achieving Nirvana through severing worldly afflictions with wisdom.
These three mutually reinforce each other—they complement each other perfectly with none being dispensable. Only through diligent practice of correct non-leakage studies can one reach the ultimate path towards liberation. Precepts-meditation-wisdom will always serve as excellent indicators for enhancing methods alongside enhancing connections.
Ps: Precepts-meditation-wisdom refers to three non-leakage studies which constitute paths towards liberation from samsara’s cycle of birth-and-death afflictions leading towards complete enlightenment attainment. Three non-leakage studies summarize Eightfold Path: Right Speech, Right Action & Right Livelihood belong under precept studies while Right Effort & Right Mindfulness & Right Concentration fall under meditation studies whereas Right View & Right Thought pertain under wisdom studies.
by- Phoenix Mountain Cihuang Palace