How should the body, mind, and spirit of humanity be cultivated?

How should people cultivate their body, mind, and spirit?

The cultivation of the “body,” “mind,” and “spirit” represents different levels and sequences of practice. The goals of this cultivation are represented by “beauty,” “goodness,” “truth,” as well as “precepts,” “meditation,” and “wisdom.” Although the three—”body,” “mind,” and “spirit”—appear to be three distinct matters,

they are actually unified as one. This “one” refers to our “life” in the mundane world, while in the primordial state, it refers to our “nature.” Those who only cultivate life without cultivating nature can ultimately only achieve the results of “physical existence,” while those who cultivate nature without cultivating life can only attain “spiritual liberation.” However, neither is the ultimate goal of cultivation.

The “body” in “body,” “mind,” and “spirit” refers to our physical body, while the “mind” refers to our unstable ordinary mind. The “spirit” refers to our inherent nature. This is because a mortal’s physical body is controlled by the consciousness within, which is the “ordinary person’s heart.” Therefore, our thoughts will determine our actions. Thus, the physical body should primarily focus on “precepts,” while the ordinary mind should aim for “meditation.” Both must be cultivated simultaneously.

If one only focuses on superficial behaviors of the physical body without changing inner concepts, then similar mistakes will continue to be made repeatedly. Conversely, if one corrects concepts but does not change behaviors at all, that is mere empty talk rather than true cultivation. Therefore, whether a person is truly cultivating can be discerned by observing whether their concepts and behaviors are changing towards a righteous path. Thus, the definition of “cultivation” is correcting our past erroneous concepts and behaviors to align with middle-path thinking and actions.

Middle-path thinking refers to “right mindfulness,” while middle-path behavior corresponds to “right action.” So what does it mean by “middle path”? The so-called “middle path” signifies being just right—neither biased nor partial; embodying great compassion and benevolence; being fair and selfless; adhering to ultimate truth and virtue; as well as embodying selflessness. Deviating from these principles leads to biased concepts and behaviors that fall under the category of superficial cultivation.

How should one cultivate precepts for their physical body? First of all, one must completely eliminate actions that deviate from the path. There’s no need to cling or obstruct oneself with unnecessary actions. Some people insist on eating vegetarian meals for every meal; others insist on not eating vegetarian meals at all. Whether clinging to being vegetarian or not being vegetarian constitutes attachment that deviates from the path; thus both must be eliminated from one’s heart. Some people insist on smoking, visiting prostitutes, or drinking alcohol (because they believe these five activities define manliness). These too are unnecessary matters that should not occupy our hearts. If we cannot even control such bad habits within ourselves, how can we transcend with our physical bodies?

In this way, both our physical bodies and spirits will be pulled down by these impurities and unable to break free for ascension. Of course, this represents a higher level of cultivation; if some practitioners do not wish to set their goals too high, they may simply follow their personal circumstances and karmic paths in their own journey of cultivation!

As for acts like releasing animals back into nature or volunteering—these should also be done with a heart free from desires; they should not be performed out of compulsion or expectation but rather in accordance with circumstances (understanding that prior cultivation must involve developing a compassionate heart along the Bodhisattva path). Deliberately doing things makes them artificial rather than natural; if it’s not natural then it does not conform with principles of the Dao. Especially do not act out of desire for better conditions in future lives or health in this life or happiness or wealth gained through such acts because that reflects a merchant mentality seeking profit rather than genuine cultivation! Otherwise after volunteering if one’s health doesn’t improve would they stop? That would mean exchanging benefits with heaven instead of truly cultivating.

To cultivate means having one’s body involved in worldly affairs while keeping one’s heart detached from them—that’s how we approach both aspects: if one does not engage with worldly matters then accumulated karmic obstacles cannot be resolved; conversely if one remains attached then endless troubles cannot find liberation. Therefore there are many things from which we need to abstain regarding bodily practices—it forms foundational work for cultivation externally! If we fail at basic knowledge below junior high school level then continuing onto high school studies becomes impossible! The way away from worldly attachments ought to follow Confucian values such as loyalty filial piety integrity righteousness etc.

As for cultivating one’s heart—it belongs at a higher level: if one’s heart cannot settle then wisdom cannot develop spiritually! Hence an essential key point in cultivating one’s heart lies within achieving stability—the true essence of stability aligns with what’s described in texts like《太上清靜經》as true purity (“真清”) & true tranquility (“真靜”). (If you wish your heart truly settles you must achieve this state through sitting quietly meditating!)

When your heart achieves genuine purity it becomes devoid (“無物”), when genuinely tranquil it becomes devoid (“無念”). Devoidness means right mindfulness whereas devoidness indicates even lacking any thought about being devoid—that’s when you can claim true devoidness! Only through such devoidness can you reach states where your heart finds stability.

Generally speaking practitioners often remain stuck at this level unable break through upwards—why? Because some religions require followers chant mantras others require prayer still others ask devotees run around temples seeking blessings yet others urge them release animals everywhere hold ceremonies (so many methods merely represent learning phases yet haven’t entered into actual practice let alone traversing stages involving action verification enlightenment thresholds). All those thoughts habits stem from consciousness’ influence—which obstructs spiritual growth! When filled up entirely by consciousness there’s no room left for original spirit occupying rightful position thus how could your heart possibly settle?

With various religious sects expanding outreach although many engage in practices few achieve enlightenment due knowledge barriers caused by written language communication! Such barriers hinder abilities & potentials related understanding deeper truths during spiritual pursuits! (Ancient sages’ scriptures were meant guide beings lost returning onto paths—they’ve survived till now precisely because beings’ spiritual awareness varies needing interpretations via classic texts guiding stages!)

Treating false self (“假我”) associated merely fleshly existence as true self (“真我”) whilst mistaking worldly structures representing superficial temples (“表相道場”) mistaken believing them genuine paths toward realization leads nowhere unless reaching states where both mind & essence become void results difficulty achieving accomplishments along spiritual journeys risking entrapment within cycles reincarnation wandering between life death realms!

Thus concerning spirituality at this level requires focusing upon wisdom & truth—the latter indicating authenticity! Within entire universe only righteous paths truths exist—this points towards philosophy surrounding primordial unity generating transformations throughout cosmos since all material forms arise non-material energies manifesting changes illusions hence solely primordial unity represents reality—all else remains illusory appearances cultivators striving uncover truths therein whilst wisdom denotes acquiring insights managing mundane affairs post realization!

A practitioner lacking genuine wisdom easily falls prey illusions believing visible phenomena represent reality itself—for instance notions surrounding animal release abolishing death penalty serve typical examples showcasing misguided compassion merely noticing suffering victims neglecting underlying causes leading creatures becoming livestock committing heinous acts impulsively sympathizing offenders resulting cosmic injustices violating heavenly earthly laws execution—that isn’t performing good deeds but creating karma instead (also referred stopping cause effect cycle)! Should practitioners penetrate profound teachings grasp truths they’d recognize great compassion embodies ultimate reality hence we cultivators must nurture body mind spirit otherwise genuine wisdom remains unattainable—isn’t it so?