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The Taoist Candle Method of Observing the Heart and Universal Illumination Meditation
Views: Date: 2012-11-18 11:26
In an era where social morality has slid to the very bottom, the most terrifying thing is the human heart, the hardest thing to transform is the human heart, and the most urgent thing to rescue is the human heart. Rolling within people’s hearts are dark clouds of selfish desire and self-interest; self-attachment and cognitive obstructions fill their souls. Only morality, only the Supreme One, can help us, aiding us in returning to a pure body and mind of morality.
The Taoist Supreme is the light of brightness that we can truly rely on. The rebirth of our lives depends only on exchanging the human heart for the Taoist heart; the Tao is the only Master we can rely on. Every step of our internal verification of the innate changes in our body and mind cannot be separated for an instant from the compassionate care and concern of the Taoist Supreme. Please do not trust your own human heart. You must unhesitatingly sacrifice this dirty, smelly, and ignorant human heart of yours—along with its cognitive obstructions, turbid consciousness, selfish desires, private intentions, and the body, mouth, and mind of the petty self—to the Tao. Exchange this for the public spirit of the Great Self and the Tao-body, and hand everything over to the only trustworthy Taoist Supreme. Only then can our hearts gradually become pure and quiet, gaining brightness day by day, and gradually establishing the Holy Sovereign within our "body-nation." Please sincerely take refuge in the true Tao-self within your heart and the ubiquitous Master; this is the foundation of our moral cultivation, and this is the shortcut to the non-action (Wu Wei) rebirth of our nature and life.
We are still too immature, still too ignorant; we have never managed to glimpse the true nature within our hearts. For a long time, we have struggled to survive within a mode of logical reasoning and postnatal thinking. As we step into the cultivation of truth through moral self-cultivation, we must break free from the trapped state of logical reasoning and contemplation. We must learn to examine our own consciences, to spiritually investigate and ponder the "three hearts" within our bodies, and how these three selves can assimilate, unite, and approach the Truth. We are too addicted to secular life, with the result that we have never spent even a little time engaging in spiritual verification and inquiry into our own true nature. Awakening is the precursor to spiritual enlightenment. To keep right awareness and right thoughts不离寸心 and prevent the dust of distinction between objects and self from arising, the desirous human heart must be sacrificed to enter the realm of non-action (Wu Wei). One must definitely take refuge in the "Constant Tao" and "Constant Name" before Taiji was divided and Yin and Yang were differentiated—the realm of formlessness and namelessness. Abandon the self to witness the True Person, returning to the Supreme Tao to transform into the Whole Truth.
Among the thousands of schools and methods in the world, people flock to them, studying and bustling about, yet the true secret formulas have never revealed themselves in the dust of history from ancient times until today. Opening the various classics and scriptures, which method is not deeply hidden and unnamed? We only see theories discussing the cultivation of the heart, waiting for karmic affinity to correspond with the Truth. Methods have their rules and laws; otherwise, they mislead and harm people. Creating methods with the human heart to scheme for fame and profit in the mundane realm is a tremendous evil, not to be taken lightly, and recklessly creates karmic causes of sin. It is lamentable that people, their hearts obscured by cognitive obstructions, cannot see through this ultimate reality. They do not know that only when the Original Lord of the Method descends into the world can the secret formulas resonate and give life. Only methods that have been empowered by the Supreme One and his manifestations possess safety and efficacy. Leaving the Three Treasures is like a blind man on a blind horse setting out on a journey; please be careful again and again. The Taoist Supreme’s compassion is immeasurable. As long as you sincerely seek his help, he will inevitably be protecting your body and mind at all times, allowing you to smoothly enter a sublime state.
Regarding meditation methods, their objective is static "Stability" (Ding), which must be established on the foundation of dynamic "Flow" (Tong), and on the premise that doors are opened, windows are raised, and the pathways are unobstructed. Those with a very poor foundation need not rush to practice this method. Those who do not respect the Three Treasures, or those who have not connected to Heaven and Earth, must not recklessly enter deep stability (Samadhi); otherwise, it is tantamount to trifling with one’s own life.
The soul of the meditation method, and the key to the method, is to seal the heart with the Treasure of the Master (Shibao), letting the Supreme One become the mentor in your heart to guide you forward. As long as you seek help from the Supreme One and the true nature within your heart, the Tao and the Master will resonate with you at all times.
Among the many meditation methods, the "Taoist Candle" and "Buddhist Lamp" are among the best visualization methods. Of the many methods passed down from ancient times to the present, using a flame for visualization is one of the most effective and safe methods. We have taught this method before. In order to better assist with the deepening of the study of the Tao Te Ching, I will introduce this method to everyone again in a more systematic way below. I hope everyone will practice it well.
Before practicing this method, please prepare a thick, cylindrical, flat-bottomed red candle. It is best not to use the kind with a stick (available via mail order). Prepare a thick cushion and a platform to hold the candle. The height of the candle should be positioned above the heart area when sitting cross-legged, but not above the horizontal line of the eyes. When formally sitting to practice, first light the red candle. If you wish to use a "Buddhist Lamp," you may also light a lamp for observation; the basic requirements are the same. Westerners prefer white candles, which can also be used as is appropriate.
I. Regulating the Heart and Spirit (Tiao Xin Tiao Shen):
Invoke the Master. Offer your Yin heart and your body, mouth, and mind to the Taoist Supreme. Earnestly beg the Master to accept them, and to compassionately guide us in the meditation we are about to undertake. Receive us and empower us. Adjust your mindset to a state of relaxation, stillness, naturalness, emptiness, and liveliness.
II. Regulating the Body and Breath (Tiao Xing Tiao Xi):
Sitting cross-legged is best; the half-lotus and full-lotus positions are better, but also pay attention to maintaining a comfortable posture that can be sustained. When sitting cross-legged, keep the body upright, tuck the chin in slightly, wear a smile, hold the chest in and pull the back up. The entire internal and external form of the body should enter a state of relaxation, stillness, and naturalness. The regulation of breathing should be the same. Regarding these "Three Regulations" (San Tiao), please refer to the teaching materials and the guided practice sessions.
III. Light the candle in front of the body, at the height of the chest.
First, observe with open eyes. Praise the brightness of the Taoist Candle in your heart. In the flame of the candle, visualize the image of Laozi—that is, visualize the compassionate smile of the Taoist Supreme within the light of the flame, and visualize the Taoist Supreme watching over our bodies and minds.
Views: Date: 2012-11-18 11:26
In an era where social morality has slid to the very bottom, the most terrifying thing is the human heart, the hardest thing to transform is the human heart, and the most urgent thing to rescue is the human heart. Rolling within people’s hearts are dark clouds of selfish desire and self-interest; self-attachment and cognitive obstructions fill their souls. Only morality, only the Supreme One, can help us, aiding us in returning to a pure body and mind of morality.
The Taoist Supreme is the light of brightness that we can truly rely on. The rebirth of our lives depends only on exchanging the human heart for the Taoist heart; the Tao is the only Master we can rely on. Every step of our internal verification of the innate changes in our body and mind cannot be separated for an instant from the compassionate care and concern of the Taoist Supreme. Please do not trust your own human heart. You must unhesitatingly sacrifice this dirty, smelly, and ignorant human heart of yours—along with its cognitive obstructions, turbid consciousness, selfish desires, private intentions, and the body, mouth, and mind of the petty self—to the Tao. Exchange this for the public spirit of the Great Self and the Tao-body, and hand everything over to the only trustworthy Taoist Supreme. Only then can our hearts gradually become pure and quiet, gaining brightness day by day, and gradually establishing the Holy Sovereign within our "body-nation." Please sincerely take refuge in the true Tao-self within your heart and the ubiquitous Master; this is the foundation of our moral cultivation, and this is the shortcut to the non-action (Wu Wei) rebirth of our nature and life.
We are still too immature, still too ignorant; we have never managed to glimpse the true nature within our hearts. For a long time, we have struggled to survive within a mode of logical reasoning and postnatal thinking. As we step into the cultivation of truth through moral self-cultivation, we must break free from the trapped state of logical reasoning and contemplation. We must learn to examine our own consciences, to spiritually investigate and ponder the "three hearts" within our bodies, and how these three selves can assimilate, unite, and approach the Truth. We are too addicted to secular life, with the result that we have never spent even a little time engaging in spiritual verification and inquiry into our own true nature. Awakening is the precursor to spiritual enlightenment. To keep right awareness and right thoughts不离寸心 and prevent the dust of distinction between objects and self from arising, the desirous human heart must be sacrificed to enter the realm of non-action (Wu Wei). One must definitely take refuge in the "Constant Tao" and "Constant Name" before Taiji was divided and Yin and Yang were differentiated—the realm of formlessness and namelessness. Abandon the self to witness the True Person, returning to the Supreme Tao to transform into the Whole Truth.
Among the thousands of schools and methods in the world, people flock to them, studying and bustling about, yet the true secret formulas have never revealed themselves in the dust of history from ancient times until today. Opening the various classics and scriptures, which method is not deeply hidden and unnamed? We only see theories discussing the cultivation of the heart, waiting for karmic affinity to correspond with the Truth. Methods have their rules and laws; otherwise, they mislead and harm people. Creating methods with the human heart to scheme for fame and profit in the mundane realm is a tremendous evil, not to be taken lightly, and recklessly creates karmic causes of sin. It is lamentable that people, their hearts obscured by cognitive obstructions, cannot see through this ultimate reality. They do not know that only when the Original Lord of the Method descends into the world can the secret formulas resonate and give life. Only methods that have been empowered by the Supreme One and his manifestations possess safety and efficacy. Leaving the Three Treasures is like a blind man on a blind horse setting out on a journey; please be careful again and again. The Taoist Supreme’s compassion is immeasurable. As long as you sincerely seek his help, he will inevitably be protecting your body and mind at all times, allowing you to smoothly enter a sublime state.
Regarding meditation methods, their objective is static "Stability" (Ding), which must be established on the foundation of dynamic "Flow" (Tong), and on the premise that doors are opened, windows are raised, and the pathways are unobstructed. Those with a very poor foundation need not rush to practice this method. Those who do not respect the Three Treasures, or those who have not connected to Heaven and Earth, must not recklessly enter deep stability (Samadhi); otherwise, it is tantamount to trifling with one’s own life.
The soul of the meditation method, and the key to the method, is to seal the heart with the Treasure of the Master (Shibao), letting the Supreme One become the mentor in your heart to guide you forward. As long as you seek help from the Supreme One and the true nature within your heart, the Tao and the Master will resonate with you at all times.
Among the many meditation methods, the "Taoist Candle" and "Buddhist Lamp" are among the best visualization methods. Of the many methods passed down from ancient times to the present, using a flame for visualization is one of the most effective and safe methods. We have taught this method before. In order to better assist with the deepening of the study of the Tao Te Ching, I will introduce this method to everyone again in a more systematic way below. I hope everyone will practice it well.
Before practicing this method, please prepare a thick, cylindrical, flat-bottomed red candle. It is best not to use the kind with a stick (available via mail order). Prepare a thick cushion and a platform to hold the candle. The height of the candle should be positioned above the heart area when sitting cross-legged, but not above the horizontal line of the eyes. When formally sitting to practice, first light the red candle. If you wish to use a "Buddhist Lamp," you may also light a lamp for observation; the basic requirements are the same. Westerners prefer white candles, which can also be used as is appropriate.
I. Regulating the Heart and Spirit (Tiao Xin Tiao Shen):
Invoke the Master. Offer your Yin heart and your body, mouth, and mind to the Taoist Supreme. Earnestly beg the Master to accept them, and to compassionately guide us in the meditation we are about to undertake. Receive us and empower us. Adjust your mindset to a state of relaxation, stillness, naturalness, emptiness, and liveliness.
II. Regulating the Body and Breath (Tiao Xing Tiao Xi):
Sitting cross-legged is best; the half-lotus and full-lotus positions are better, but also pay attention to maintaining a comfortable posture that can be sustained. When sitting cross-legged, keep the body upright, tuck the chin in slightly, wear a smile, hold the chest in and pull the back up. The entire internal and external form of the body should enter a state of relaxation, stillness, and naturalness. The regulation of breathing should be the same. Regarding these "Three Regulations" (San Tiao), please refer to the teaching materials and the guided practice sessions.
III. Light the candle in front of the body, at the height of the chest.
First, observe with open eyes. Praise the brightness of the Taoist Candle in your heart. In the flame of the candle, visualize the image of Laozi—that is, visualize the compassionate smile of the Taoist Supreme within the light of the flame, and visualize the Taoist Supreme watching over our bodies and minds.