THE path or many paths?

[cal val]

Brian mentioned something to Mr Marshall about knowing 'the path' that struck me.

Is it 'THE path' or many paths? Are we all on the same path or each on our own individual path? I feel like I'm on my own path alone and I cross paths with others and the Yi counsels how to stay on it or get back on it when I stray. I get this from the interpretion I refer to mostly at the moment. It talks about YOUR path. But the thought that we all might share a path together as well is an interesting thought I'd like to explore.

Thanks,

Val

 

[bfireman]

Hey Val!

Damn good question! Let me be clear. In my post to Steve, I was questioning his assumptions. One does not have to read between the lines to see that what he believes is his "path" is somehow superior to others', in particular his insights gained from years of relationship with yi. I am not making this up. From his own mouth. No judgements here.

To answer your question, and this is just my personal opinion... trying to answer such a question is like trying to answer the question, "what is the meaning of life". Not such a rational concept which is easily discussed. I have seeked wisdom from various spiritual traditions, many of which do have designated "paths" as ways of self-realization. I love how Lao-tzu describes it in the Dao De Jing, something like "the dao that can be spoken is not the true dao, the name that can be named is not the true name". That's kind of where I am going with this. I over-rationalize things all the time, too much thinking. Most often my best "path" is when I can just shut up and truly be present. The question just gets in the way. Peace - B

 

[jonathon]

I think that each individual follows a path. The path for individual A need not be similar to that of individual B.

One person may find their path following the YiJing, whilst another may find their path following _Stranger in a Strange Land_, whilst a third might find their path in the bones that a Snagoma uses.

Unless one wants to claim that their is only one path --- to find one's self.

 

[hilary]

A quote from somewhere - Sufi, I think - that I came across when preparing for a debate against the Christian Union when I was at school!

'There are as many ways to God as there are men.'

(OK, slight attack of the Wilhelms there, read 'people' for 'men'.)

There was also something about a mountain, and there being more than one path to the summit.

Or this, from one of the most helpful I Ching authors on the planet:

'Follow your own road, your own Tao. Only by being oneself over and over again, one fills in one?s place. Like the sun gets its meaning from creating day after day, year after year.
Who follows his Tao, can be relied upon. Everything he does has the same base, how divers it may be.
A Tao can only be followed if one flows along with it. Trying to stick to one road all the time will not work. Every Tao always is a never-ending succession of days and nights, of coming and going, of cycles, endings and new beginnings. Moving in cycles, eternally, that is what Tao looks like.'

Actually, I don't think that the Yi itself constitutes a single path, either.

Anyone who says they know The Path reminds me fatally of those CU people. Like the one who approached a Muslim girl and asked her - in totally honest bewilderment - 'But do you really want to go to Hell?' Or one I saw on TV, memorably starting a sentence with 'Well, I'm looking at this from God's point of view...'

 

[hilary]

... I'm not usually keen on quoting Yi out of context - in other words, quoting it when I haven't actually received the hexagram in divination about the question. But 24 is too good to miss. Val, you asked about sharing a path. The part about 'Partners coming, without fault' makes me think that you simply meet allies as and when they are walking the same way as you. Which might explain how this hexagram often comes up with its gentle, relaxed atmosphere when people are asking about relationships in a bad way, and by no means always means 'he's coming back'...

 

[suzy]

Hilary, that's brilliant on 24. I've wondered that myself -- why on earth does 24 pop up so often in such cases -- invariably interpreted by the anxious seeker as "he's coming back!" -- when almost certainly "he" is not coming back. I've usually interpreted as meaning one needs to "return" to one's senses, come back to oneself. But I like your reading.

 

[gene]

Hi Suzy

Who's coming back? Oh, and Val and Suzy. I believe you are in Jerry Falwell's territory, you will have to stop by and give him a "Cheerio the noo..." ha ha.

Anyway, I have often been told, there are many paths, but only one great way. From a Christian perspective, Jesus said, broad is the way to destruction, but the path to life is a marrow way, and few there be that find it. So,,, in the I Ching we have #24, Return, or, the turning point. Could relate in either way. For it is only in life when we reach a turning point that we begin to look for a better way. But even after we have found it, we tend to turn aside for nourishment, (#27), in ways that are not appropriate. Then we turn back to the way once again, and we nourish ourselves off of the top trigram of #27.

Many sacred scriptures speak of a time in the wilderness. Being more familiar with Judaic christian, I can only speak of the time the Jews spent in the wilderness, before reaching the promised land. Or Jesus in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil. Our dreams have been shattered, and we see life around us as a disillusionment. (Kind of like the wanderer, #56). But this makes us sit up and take notice, and wonder why our "way" has failed us. That is the turning point, #24. We create a revolution in our lives, (#43 and #49) upon which time we find the way anew and enter the promised land. (#50).

Gene

 

[gene]

In actuality, "all roads lead to Rome", but some are just a lot rockier, and take a lot longer than others.

Gene

 

[candid]

I also think its a great question Val raises.

I think there are basically two paths, each with a sideline where someone can choose to camp out on for a year, or for many lifetimes, but those are not paths, only resting places. There is also the middle path. So that makes three altogether.

One path is, to decide on and conform to an object of belief. One says: its here! Or, its this! This is the way!

The second says: Everyone can't be right, or wrong. There must actually be no "real" path. Everyone's own path is up to them to decide. That is the right path for them.

The third path acknowledges both paths but sees the way not so much as a path at all, but as life-force moving in a consistent direction. Its this force, which moves them along, enduring and self-renewing. Their path is the moment and all that is in it. There's no ulterior purpose to their life. They live because they are alive. They express because life requires this of them. They judge as they see fit to judge and withhold judgment when they see fit to withhold it. They are not locked and bound by any written moral code. They are loved by some and unloved by others, but these are irrelevant considerations.

Each chooses their path according to their innate nature and by the scope of which they are able to see.

Candid

 

[gene]

Ooops, Suzy, I misread your statement. Since Val was talking about churches, I thought you were talking about people believing Jesus was coming back. Then I reread Hilary's post, and it made more sense. In terms of the boyfriend coming back? Well, sometimes we read things in that make it sound like what we want. I am not talking about anyone in specific, just that is the case, and especially for beginners. Yang lines are considered light, and in 24 we have the first sign of light, symbolized by the return of the sun after the winter solstice. Before there is yang, (there is always a touch of yang, or yin) there is #2, the receptive. When line one changes, we see that we need to be aware of the signs, because at the first sign of hoarfrost, we know that winter is close by. When this line changes, we have #24. This is the turning point, from darkness into light. While I can't say it never means a boyfriend or girlfriend is coming back, in general, it is speaking of a new cycle. The turning point has come and there is change. It has the connotation of turning darkness into light. Sometimes, our relationships are darker than we can see. As they say, love is blind. Now it is time to take the blinders off, and see the light. There are many possibilities of meaning for this hexagram, only one of which, and only in the right circumstances, can be the return of a friend or lover.

Gene

 

[suzy]

I think this topic threatens to become hopelessly confused. What are we talking about? Can somebody define "path?" If it means the trajectory of a single human life, then everybody has a path -- a temporal path, if you will, beginning with birth and ending with death. If it means the trajectory of that life as shaped by the individual's free will/choices/whatever, then still, everyone has a "path."

Or is it supposed to refer to a journeying towards some spiritual goal? If so, who defines the goal? Does everyone share this goal? Does everyone have a different goal, or none at all? Is "spiritual" progress even a meaningful concept as distinct from simply the living of a single human life?

 

[gene]

Hi Suzy

If I say anything too much, I am afraid I will spark another war between the true believers, and the other true believers. For we all believe something. It is the nature of the beast. There is the agnostic bumper sticker seen occasionally, that says, "I don't know if there is a God, and you don't either." Almost true, almost. Anyway, since this forum is for the I Ching and that can be considered in a sense a spiritual matter, then I will refrain from shutting up for this post at least and irritate half the people that post here one more time, all in fun of course. And if someone challenges me I will as usual just ignore it and pay attention to something else. Anyway, that being said. Whether you call it life experience, or a path, not too significant. We are here to learn lessons, and the primary lesson is to learn to know ourselves. That can involve pain, and lots of it. But it is necessary. So there is no God up in the sky that is going to come down here and save us from our folly, except in the sense of something like that possibly happening for a short time at the end of the age. So the atheists are correct!!! Yes they are, but no they are not. For there is a principle, and it doesn't make any difference whether you subscribe to atheism, or fundamentalist christianity, the principle is recognized in each type of true believer. For the atheist, the principle is evolution. We evolve from one thing to another. As humans, we evolve through growth, and going through experiences that help us take off our blinders. As Christians, we evolve through personal experience with Jesus Christ, learning to be more like him, and applying his attributes to ourselves. As Buddhists, we learn to let go of our attachments, and eventually reach nirvana. I believe Hinduism has a similar concept. As Jews, we learn the spiritual laws and become better persons because of it, and as Taoists, we learn the natural way, as related in Hexagram 25. Call it what you will, it is a matter of maturing. The fruit of a peach tree is not ripe until a certain fundamental process has been gone through. It is the same with humans.

Each human is endowed with a sense of meaning. When terrible things happen in our lives we begin to search for meaning. Though we may consciously say otherwise, deep down inside we refuse to see it as a random accident that just happened to us and there is no meaning to it. So each human takes on the characteristics of hexagram 56, the Wanderer. For we are strangers and pilgrims on this present earth.

And is there evolution? Yes, and no. Because we did evolve, but.... and it is a very big but...only half of our dna came from the primates, the other half came from elsewhere. There is really very little difference between our DNA and a primates. But, the difference is major. That is why they have always talked of a missing link. If you put a medium sized chimpanzee in a ring with the biggest toughest heavyweight fighter that ever lived, that chimpanzee is going to come out a winner. Why? because they are totally native to the earth and a product of evolution. We are only partly. Herein is the difference...we can evolve on a soul level, or if you prefer on a mental level. And what are we evolving toward? As the Beattles sang. "I am the walrus."

This is the whole principle behind the I Ching. Each verse, each line is designed to give us a little more information about the secrets of the universe. And sometimes we receive a line that says, the Sage, (The I Ching) should be treated as an honored guest, and not just as a tool. We use it to figure out what to do, but we don't use it to figure out what we are. Every hexagram has an image, that tells us what the superior man/woman does, or how he/she composes himself/herself in a given situation. Often this is overlooked, but this is where we receive our growth.

Gene

 

[suzy]

Hi, Gene.
Gracious, I wasn't trying to spark a war. I just want to define terms. You see, in the previous thread, I thought references to the "path" were specifically about the Tao -- the "way" embodied in the I Ching and Confucian philosophy. If that's what we're talking about, then perhaps we could discuss whether there is one correct way to follow the Tao -- thus implying a sort of uniformity of behavior among followers, or at least a commonly held ideal -- or whether there are a multiplicity of ways (in which case the question might be, what is the common denominator?). However, that doesn't seem to be what we're talking about. Or at least, that's not the only thing we're talking about. Hence, my suggestion that we define terms.

Now, Gene, your post is admirably clear. That's exactly the kind of statement we need to have a discussion. If I understand you correctly, you're using the term "path" to mean the life journey -- or rather, the spiritual growth during that journey -- of a human being. The purpose of the journey is to learn lessons, with the most important lesson being to "know thyself." The various belief systems offer different but equally valuable road maps for making the journey. That is clear. What confuses me a little, though, is that you then go on to name what sound like ultimate goals for several of the belief systems, none of which is "know thyself!" To wit:

Belief system/Method or Road Map/Goal or Result:
Christianity/personal experience of Christ/becoming as Christ-like as possible
Buddhists/letting go of attachments/Nirvana
Jews/learning spiritual laws/becoming better person
Atheism/personal evolution/?
Taoism/learning natural way/?

Gene, how does "know thyself" fit into the above structure? Is it a kind of super-goal, beyond Nirvana or becoming Christ-like? Is it identical with those specific goals? Is it subordinate to them?

 

[gene]

Suzy

I hinted at that without coming right out and saying it, when I mentioned the Beattle's song. If you consider fundamental christianity, then I agree, no, it does not fit. If you consider mystical christianity, which even Paul, who some say was the most mystical, others say he was the double agent that wreaked havoc on the Jewish Christian community, (the old saying, if you can't beat em, join em) said, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" not dying on a cross somewhere, but within. The gospels say that upon the cross was a sign posted by Pilate saying, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Gnostic traditions have other meanings for the sign however. I have forgotten the actual words, but the initials were INRI. Something like, In ourselves reigns Christ. In Nostros regnus Isous. Anyway, you get my drift? How do we arrive at Nirvana? Same way, in ourselves reigns Buddha. In ourselves is the mystical way. Hexagram 48, the deep well, the well is within us.

Gene

 

[gene]

By the way, Suzi, and others

Did you see the TV series West Wing last Friday night? I don't know if that shows internationally or not, but here in the states it is popular. Right after the show, the creator and executive director suddenly resigned. Now go to Richard Hoagland's website, enterprisemission.com and see how the show, which was a drama about a coverup at the highest government levels of life on Mars....was a direct takeoff of things being said on his website. (Go to the posting on 05/19/03 called "Finally, Birds of a feather flock together.)" How does this relate to the rest of the thread? Not much, except to say, it was mentioned about mankinds origens. And the Iraqi war? What is the news all about now? About looting of historical museums. There is far more here than meets the eye. What was this war about? Oil was a small part of it. And why did the director of West Wing suddenly resign? There are things the public isn't being told!! Who are we, really? Line 3 of #48, The well is cleaned, but no one drinks of it, this is my heart's sorrow.

These things are not exactly what I mean by "knowing ourselves," but they play a part.

Gene

 

[gene]

But the path, from a Taoist perspective, (not to be confused with a Dowist, wall street perspective). I will be the first to admit, I know all too little about Taoism. However, as I study Tai Chi and Yoga, I come to understand a little more each day as I practice, the concept of energy flows through the body. Taoism, in my opinion, is the highest level teaching in one regard. They were looking for actual physical immortality. All the martial arts of ancient China were directed toward this end, not just as a fighting art. And I personally believe that the original true martial arts were the main way, if not the only true way, to a spiritual life. If you look at Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching, it appears that he, and true he is only going by what he has been taught by his teachers, but he extols the value of yang, and minimizes the value of yin. This is not totally true, but it would appear that way. Yang is light, it is life, it is strong, etc. etc. However, the author of the classic book on the Tao, Lao Tzu, has nothing but good things to say about yin and not so pleased with yang. Once again, this is only appearance. The entire concept is to get in touch with one's inner nature, our natural being. This is why they belittled Confucious, not that they didn't care about morals, but they were more concerned about following the natural way. Their concept too, was getting to know oneself. In the book of the Art of War, Sun Tzu expressly states that the general who knows both himself and his enemy will win one hundred percent of his battles. The general who knows himself but not his enemy or his enemy but not himself will lose half his battles. The general who knows neither himself nor his enemy will lose all his battles. The I Ching states that man has an inner nature that is pure but we cover it up with all kinds of pretenses. The images of the superior man in each hexagram is designed to teach us a little bit more about our nature and our inner nature. Hexagram 4 teaches us that we must humble ourselves before those who have gone further in the way and submit to their teaching.

The Japanese have a term called Hara, it in its more outward meaning has to do with the belly, but it actually means something a little more metaphysical than that. And from that comes the term committing Hara Kari. Or ritual suicide. The purpose of training in their military traditionally was to have good hara. In other words, a physical, mental and emotional balance, that comes from a mind free of encumbrances, to the point of having no fear of death. In Chinese the same area is called the Dan Tien. Without writing a book here, just to say, this is considered to be in a sense, the sea of Chi, chi not being translatable directly into English, but loosely means life force or energy. It is the building up of this energy that leads to a longer life, and eventually, under the right circumstances, and for the right person, the potential for immortality. #26 I have called previously a pressure cooker, there is also a hint of what happens to chi when it is blocked. Hexagram 50 has a hint of the cooking or the transformation of chi. hexagram 63 talks of the balancing of these primal forces. Yin and Yang. They need to be kept in balance once they are there. All of these things I only know about, but do not know much depth of these teachings. EAch of us has our own nature and that is taken into consideration when learning of the way. To learn the way, I would not receive the same hexagrams you or anyone else would to "lead me to the truth." There is an individual perspective. There are many forms of martial arts. (why is martial so close in spelling to marital?) Each one a way, a path in its own right, but the ultimate goal is the build up of that life force. That is why I would like to see an I Ching book that really spells out the I Ching from a Taoist perspective, and yes, they do exist, but not with the depth of material that would be nice to have. Many paths, only one great way.

We can only start on the path at a point that corresponds to our own level of development up to this point. For one it may start this way, for another that. One may start with the martial arts, another in a buddhist temple or a monastery full of monks, another may start with a chance meeting with a very unusual person. But a teacher can only point the way, and that way is within. We are all our own teachers.

I wish I could say more, I realize this is sketchy and only half way reaches the point. Hopefully some day I can expound on this more.

Gene

 

[binz]

To answer the original question; my opinion is that we are all different, and therefore are on subtley different paths. But we are all the same, and so our paths are all heading towards a common something.

as we flow with life
the river may take us many ways

often many rivers join and flow together
then separate as if flowing past islands of independence

the flows may rejoin
or be joined by others

do not wish to be the other side of the island
we shall all reach the sea

oh! and thanks for the comments on hex 24, a timely reminder for me.

cheers

Binz

 

[stephen]

On the Path and the ?paths?

We might look again at what is probably the greatest source for this kind of discourse, the famous statement from Daodejing mentioned earlier:

Dao ke dao : fei Chang Tao
Ming ke ming : fei Chang Ming

Way can-be tao-ed=walked : absolutely-not Unchanging Way.

Name can-be named=codified : absolutely-not Unchanging Name.

This famous statement is based on a double word play that reflects a main topic in Warring States thought, the conflict between the ?codifiers,? the Legalists and Confucians, and an emerging ?Daoist? sense of what the Way or Path might be and how it might, or might not, be enacted. In fact, the whole period, to use A. C. Graham?s phrase, might be characterized as a great struggle between these ?Disputers of the Way.? The first of the parallel statements plays on the old and the new sense of the word ?dao.? In the oldest writings it seems to mean simply a road or walking a path, in the literal sense. In the new ?inner tradition? it is sign for an experience of what we might call the deep unity of all things that is beyond human articulation, the ?on-going process of the real,? as Willard Peterson has translated it.

Similarly the use of the word ming, name or naming, with cognates that connect it to ?mandate? and ?bright omens,? plays on the attempt to codify and fix the ?mysterious essence? of things (miao)in a name. Realists and fundamentalists of every description, to use Arthur Waley?s term, use this in their attempts to enact a Chang Dao or Unvarying Way of thought, a cultural and literary project in which ?every act inimical and every act beneficial to the state or doctrine is codified (ming) and linked to an appropriate punishment or reward. This would mechanically describe what name (ming) and consequently what punishment/reward can be assigned to any given thought or deed.?

Thus the statement is a sort of hermeneutic trap. It wants to change your focus from "manifestation" to "source" (yuan). It twists the ?names? of things back onto themselves to demonstrate, paradoxically, both the origin and the futility of literally ?naming? any position or literally ?walking? any way. Wu wei: without (or dissolve) focused-action. Better to return (fu) and hold fast to the center (zhong), as in Zhong Fu, figure 61, the Opened Heart. This keeps your words small, courteous and frugal (figure 62: ?keep a small heart!?) Big words and talking heads (yen) lead to the exhaustion and death of what you desire (yu: both an intense desire and a compulsive pattern in the heart-mind or xin.

Xuan xuan!
This is the mystery within a mystery;

Zhong miao zhi men ?

Of all the secret essences/images, this is the gate.

Best wishes

Stephen Karcher

 

[bfireman]

Gene- Are you saying that martial arts were the main way, if not only way, for Chinese people to experience immortality, or were you implying something broader. A bit confused by what you mean...as well as why you say this?

By the way, do you study Baguazhang? It is the main internal art(or at least most popular), based on the theory of i ching. Tai Chi and Hsing-I borrow from the I-Ching, but baguazhang theory is a direct take-off of yi principles. I am a very beginner at this, so cannot say too much. In ten years I will hopefully be able to explain much better, at least the fundamentals! I have been reading a translation of Sun Lu-Tangs two classic works on Baguazhang, translated by Joseph Crandall. Extremely interesting and insightful into daoist nei-gong and internal alchemy. Also, Shou-Yu Liang and Jwing-Ming Yang co-authored a good basic baguazhang book which has some good information in the first few chapters on the theory of this art. Thought you might be interested, since you a student of yi as well as the Chinese internal martial arts! Peace - Brian

 

[bfireman]

Stephen -

It is an interesting twist on words. I have always loved this first chapter of dao de jing. The Buddhist concept of emptiness is another interesting parallel, I believe. All phenomena exist by name, yet are simultaneously empty. Candid described it one time in this forum something like this(sorry Candid for butchering your words!) "All you can do is jump and and down and point at it!" That is how I interpret this passage. It is pointing... Peace - Brian

 

[gene]

Stephen

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I really appreciate that you are here and giving to us of your wisdom. Hopefully that will be true of all who truly study the I Ching, that we can all share our knowledge.

Brian

I am a little confused by what I am saying too. It will take a while for me to sort all the things out I have learned over the years. Today even, I was reading some books that were just blowing my mind. I can't finish one book before a new one comes out with updated information. We are living in very interesting times. If the human race is allowed to exist much longer, the technology of star trek, such as replicators, will soon be with us, that is, if our government allows us to have such things. Hard to pay taxes on things you replicate. I am primarily interested in Tai Chi, but my teacher has been forcing us lately to study BaGua and Hsing-yi. I like BaGua, not so fond of Hsing=yi, although there are some things I like about it. Unfortunately, I cannot come to class always because of my schedule. In fact, I have to go to class right now, so I will discuss this more later.

Gene

 

[candid]

Brian, actually, it was a quote from someone I met, a Buddhist: "..and the best we can do is to jump up and down pointing at it." Its really stuck with me, glad you relate to it as well.

 

[gene]

Hi Brian

I have seen the book by Yang, Jwing Ming you are talking about, but have not bought it. There is a new one out on Tai Chi by him too that I want to buy when I feel I can afford to, that deals more with internal energy than anything else. I do have some of his other books. He is a nice compliment in many ways to Mantak Chia's books on "Fusion of the five elements."
I think part of my point was, since Suzy was asking specifically about the way of the Daoists, was there only one way, I replied with the martial arts aspect because that is the part of Daoism I am most familiar with. I do know that Tai Chi was created as a form meant to develop both enlightenment and immortality. The path was not easy however, and nowdays, may well be impossible, but I don't know. On the other hand, though not gaining immortality on the physical level, they still may gain enlightenment, which is in a way the same thing because by becoming enlightened, they escaped the endless cycle of incarnation and reincarnation. There are several ways with martial arts of gaining this, though the ultimate goal is still the same. One great way, many paths. There is also many ways to attain this through meditation and other spiritual practices. The Buddhists I believe speak of the eightfold way. The Christians speak of the way of the cross, or the stations of the cross. The cross being a symbol of dying to ourselves and letting our true nature live. The Daoists speak of the way of yielding. The yin nature. "Nothing is softer than water, but nothing can stand in its way." Different paths, but all include to a certain extent the way of suffering, the way of yielding to the higher powers, of giving up our own will to a greater power. Dying to our lower selves so that our higher self can live.

There is a Chinese saying that the wave of a hand changes the balance of particles throughout the universe, and it does so instantaneously. Physicists are coming to this conclusion too. The catch is that the universe always rebalances itself. This is the basis for karma, "As ye have sown, so shall ye reap" So, the farther we get off the path, the more it forces us to get back onto it, but with the penalty of loss of time, and great suffering. Inasmuch, the principles of entropy and evolution become complementary, because entropy follows the law that all things left to themselves must break down. This is the opposite of evolution. Metal rusts, water stagnates, etc. Engines wear down, and moths eat clothing. But when entropy does its trick and completely breaks something down, it reemerges usually, and in a higher order than it was in its original state. Leaves breakdown into dirt, but out of the dirt a new tree is born, and the grass grows, etc. Moss ants and other insects eat an old an dying tree, but the aftermath is ground that is fertile. nature always replenishes and restores itself. Why do I bring this up, it is part of the path, no matter whether you take the high road or the low road, eventually you get there, but do you get there with less pain, or more?

Gene

 

[anita]

I agree with Gene. The universe alwaus balances itself through the laws of karma. The important thing is not just to know what makes the superior man, but to find a Path, a teacher, an initiation that will give you the short cutn to enlightenment. And it is not that your teacher will always be there as Gene says, one day you will be left on your own when you have finished learning and can become your own teacher -- which is anyway, the goal.

Risking sparks here on this thread, I will also venture to say that there IS indeed one path in my belief which is superior to all others -- in that is is the shortcut to enlightenment. And the Yi is based on that. Lao Tzu as I have said befpre on other threads is a Master of this Path that I doscovered 5 years ago and still follow -- now on my own. I have the proof that this is the only way to ensure that one gains freedom from rebirth (after all, The Buddha too wa sone of the Masters of this Path). Absolute proof. Other paths may help transform you into a better human being, but this one can save your life when it is threatened and when the initiated die, their bodies remain fresh for days and free from rigor mortis because the atman exits from the open third eye and merges directly with the divine.
This third eye cannot be opened in any other way but through the direct touch of the Master -- in a baptism by fire mentioned in the bible I am told. The Buddha somewhere in the scriptures says that this Path is equal to a 100 years of meditation and penance.

That does not mean that one looks down on others however. The Path requires that one is compassionate and humble, and yet can discriminate -- this is wisdom, not passing judgements on others.

I have followed another path before -- that of ritual magic (never black magic) and when I found my present path, I let it go -- never out of blind belief, but out of my own experience and that of others on this Path. It is in fact the Tao or Dao.

As for 24 -- Gene you're right again. It can mean a return to one's senses and path but it can also mean literally the return of friends.

Can anyone explain what enlightenement means? My teachers say that it cannot be explained but is experienced. It has come top many on this path which just a note of music or the twang of bamboo in the breeze! I wonder, is that a state when one ceases to be attached to anything at all and needs no love, no job, no nothing and lives only for others, no longer for oneself? But if he has no job how does he look after his body which he needs anyway to gain enlightenment? How does one know when he's reached it? Is ritual necessary after the foundation for enlightenment has been laid?

Best for your Quest

Anita

 

[pedro]

Hi Anita, Im curious, what exactly is that path you mention? Can you elaborate a little further on the practical matters?

 

[anita]

Ah, that's it Pedro -- attaining the Centre is quite another thing and believe me I'm going through great inner struggles in that quest.

By Virtue we mean many things. We accumulate virtue by helping divine work in any way we can (I used to perform the rituals, clean the temple loo, make offerings of money, of course introduce people to the ceremony -- I introduced at least 5000 people and tried to guide those I introduced, out which at least three or four -including my German boyfriend and a close girlfriend's who's in The Netherlands.) and being vegetarian which means no onion garlic, no meat, no fish, no tobacco or alcohol.

But it is not just these outer things, it is also
understanding the Truth and the divine energy that resides within -- in the opened third eye. Despite all this that I have done for 5 years, I am still struggling to understand the truth. Struggling with my ego, between blame and non-blame. I believe that once we understand that everything that happens to us is caused by us -- karma--, we begin to understand the Truth a little better.

And only the real cultivators of this Path are tested. I am undergoing the same kind of test that others dedicated to this path have undergone and I must come out successful. And another thing I have realised -- since the Path has no shape (and is not a religion with clear-cut and I think limited ways of conduct) one must be able to learn from those above one, those that guide us. And we must trust them even when they seem to do the wrong things in our unenlightened eyes.

I must say this is the only path that I have found to be practical. I have never been religious but I have a fair idea of what's involved in religion. It is practical because the third eye is opened and this connects us directly to the Divine Origin we come from and this great energy enables us to change our bad habits and transform ourselves into the divine beings we really are but don't know.

It is not easy to get to Heaven. But opening the third eye ensures this. We do pay homage to the Immortals and Sages in Heaven -- and these include The Buddha. They also include Gandhiji and Mother Teresa. In fact, another unique thing about this precious path is the fact that we even offer prayers to each other! Becoming an introducer is said to be equal to building more than 7 temples!

Best for your Quest

Anita