How much do you understand about “spiritual cultivation”?
The term “spiritual cultivation” is familiar to everyone, but do you know why many practitioners have been troubled by their practice and spiritual cultivation in recent years? And why are they desperately seeking a “spiritual outlet”?
This is simply because our “spirit” is eager, or rather, it has become impatient. It knows that if it does not return to the source and align with the path of “cultivating truth,” this lifetime’s spiritual exam will be a “blank paper.” So, can you say it isn’t anxious?
One thing that ordinary practitioners often overlook is that they tend to treat their physical body (the false self) as the true self, while considering Earth as their eternal hometown. Little do they realize that the “homeland of the spirit” cannot be imagined by mere mortal eyes. How can the false self comprehend and compare with the innate spirit of the “true self”?
Yet how many practitioners are willing to make a firm commitment to learn the way of cultivation for the sake of “breaking free from reincarnation” and work hard to elevate their spiritual status? Most practitioners doubt whether relying on learning, cultivating virtue, settling past grievances, meditating in stillness, and benefiting both yin and yang through gradual accumulation of merit can lay a solid foundation for spiritual elevation.
What should be understood in learning and practicing the way—explanation of consciousness:
Consciousness is formed within the brain of the body; it is an entity that can control the behavior of living beings. From the moment life begins, it continuously receives information energy from various things in heaven and earth through its body (including skin and nerves) and senses.
This includes wind and clouds, light and shadow, sunshine and rain, warmth and coldness, as well as sounds. In human life forms, there is also constant acceptance of cultural phenomena, especially a large amount of knowledge and life teachings accumulated in the brain.
The brain has special biological information processing functions; an energy vortex forms between brain functions and information energy, creating thought processes that continuously replicate, evolve, create, and refine new information. This causes rapid expansion of information within the brain.
As information energy increases accordingly, an information energy field forms with sensitivity to energy. This sensitivity continually enhances itself within the brain until it ultimately synthesizes with brain functions into… an entity capable of discernment and control over bodily functions—this is consciousness.
However strong consciousness may be, it is still constrained by brain function and stored information. Human thoughts vary greatly but cannot exceed cognitive abilities beyond what is stored in knowledge; thus human thoughts must inevitably remain limited within these parameters. The fusion between consciousness and brain function constitutes an organic part of living beings; emotions and desires are closely related to consciousness—occurring under its influence.
The goals of learning Daoist practices can be roughly divided into several points:
1. To fully understand oneself more clearly through deep analysis.
2. To increase wisdom for liberation from worldly troubles.
3. Through practice to attain indifference or insight regarding life and death.
4. To seek one’s own spiritual source through practice—recognizing one’s spiritual lineage.
5. Through practice to achieve spiritual enlightenment at various levels: shallow understanding or sudden realization.
6. The cultivation through practice or meditation can change our temperament.
7. Cultivating Taoist Qi skills can lead to spiritual elevation.
Regardless of which benchmark you choose as your goal for practice, it ultimately revolves around these three areas: body, mind, spirit. If practice leans too heavily towards one side or another, it will affect your growth in spirituality.
It’s important to recognize that as civilization advances in material terms, spirituality tends to become more hollow; coupled with external pressures creates internal turmoil—a kind of dual crisis where if one cannot find a “pathway for their spirit,” they may feel like a train derailed from its tracks leading to numerous pitfalls.
This represents a common psychological dilemma faced by modern practitioners seeking spirituality—they often feel life lacks meaning: Why come into this world? Without direction or goals—and seeing no hope or vision—why cultivate? What are we striving for? What keeps us busy?
Are there really too many questions without answers? Wrong! When Master Miaode was nearly losing his will to survive due to adversity he faced during tough times—it was fortunate he had Master Miaoxin’s companionship providing emotional guidance along with mental nourishment (officially entering Daoist studies), along with over a year’s worth of support distributing benevolent literature,
Regardless if it’s sunny days or stormy weather—continuously distributing benevolent literature while cleaning various temples’ bookshelves actively engaged him (fearlessly giving) helping print benevolent books… such good deeds helped his spirit gradually rise from rock bottom; these experiences are something only those who have lived them can truly understand;
However once you’ve endured hardships throughout your journey filled with diverse experiences when you reach out for others—you’ll empathize deeply with fellow spirits’ suffering souls among them! As they say: Rome wasn’t built in a day; every step taken leaves traces behind—the growth achieved through cultivation must accumulate gradually step by step.
Thus when receiving messages from all kinds mediums… if practitioners could humble themselves merging into all things under heaven while genuinely interpreting processes allowing themselves time reflecting on all received messages at present—it would enable them recognizing shortcomings allowing corrective actions toward improvement.
In this mundane world filled with dualities regarding everything experienced by sentient beings—we exist amidst binary oppositions; without clarity regarding limitations posed by yin-yang dynamics we cannot genuinely let go our egos since we often find ourselves caught up within right-wrong dichotomies unique only among humans which influences judgment calls made during practices undertaken.
If one could break free from such binary constraints then existence itself would transcend fundamentally concerning sentient beings’ realities hereafter! Furthermore transforming polarizing limits avoiding further karmic entanglements preventing oneself becoming ensnared unable elevate spiritually!
Sages say: “All phenomena arise due causes & conditions,” knowing fate leads one out suffering’s roots allows grasping opportunities arising during Daoist studies putting utmost effort acquiring essential elements needed most—compassion & wisdom! On life’s grand stage each person plays different roles occupying distinct positions “without rejection nor comparison”…
Moreover never harboring jealousy nor slander leading toward biases creating gain-loss mentality! Remember: “Embrace others’ achievements appreciating others’ uniqueness.” This reflects wise non-action mindset since one perceives everything around them using compassion & wisdom!
Consider beautiful flowers needing green leaves supporting them showcasing their beauty—in life’s vast garden every flower & leaf holds value deserving recognition rather than dismissal! The essence behind practicing Daoism lies primarily upon “how does one shine brightly while accepting others’ radiance (aura).”
by- Phoenix Mountain Cihuang Palace