Someone in some other tribe asked a question about the
I-Ching as it relates to the shamanic use of psychodelics
this was my reply...
More than an oracle you might wish to explore more deeply
the true meaning of the I-Ching. Transformative experience
is all well and good but unless you are grounded with both
feet within each world, that of your preconditioned mentality
and your true celestial potentiality, one day you may wake
up to discover many years have gone by to far down the
absolutely wrong path.
According to Thomas Cleary in the study of the I-Ching,
"Pure yin refers to the mortal, earth-bound material
dross, which must eventually obey the laws of matter.
Pure yang refers to pure unbound consciousness;
held to partake of the nature of infinity, this is repre-
sented as spiritual immortality. Pure yang may be used
to allude to a peak experience, after which there is a
reintergration of this enlightenment into life in the
world, again balancing yang with yin."
"Nuances of yin and yang qualities, their interactions,
and their effects on human life, are the subject of the
I-Ching. Overall, Taoism uses the idea of balanced
integration of yin and yang in the sense of fulfillment
of the complete or whole human potential, living in the
world and fulfilling worldly tasks, yet maintaining con-
tact with a greater dimension, refered to as
'celestial,' ... using things of the world to practice the
principles of the Tao, using human affairs to cultivate
celestial qualities."
~*~*~*~*~
"Understanding stillness and resting the appropriate
place, stabilizing illumination so that its clarity is not
clouded, using clarity and stillness according to the
time - herein lies the work of hidden cultivation and
secret practice."
The Taoist I-Ching
However, none of this is likely to happen or last for very long
without serious practice.
I-Ching as it relates to the shamanic use of psychodelics
this was my reply...
More than an oracle you might wish to explore more deeply
the true meaning of the I-Ching. Transformative experience
is all well and good but unless you are grounded with both
feet within each world, that of your preconditioned mentality
and your true celestial potentiality, one day you may wake
up to discover many years have gone by to far down the
absolutely wrong path.
According to Thomas Cleary in the study of the I-Ching,
"Pure yin refers to the mortal, earth-bound material
dross, which must eventually obey the laws of matter.
Pure yang refers to pure unbound consciousness;
held to partake of the nature of infinity, this is repre-
sented as spiritual immortality. Pure yang may be used
to allude to a peak experience, after which there is a
reintergration of this enlightenment into life in the
world, again balancing yang with yin."
"Nuances of yin and yang qualities, their interactions,
and their effects on human life, are the subject of the
I-Ching. Overall, Taoism uses the idea of balanced
integration of yin and yang in the sense of fulfillment
of the complete or whole human potential, living in the
world and fulfilling worldly tasks, yet maintaining con-
tact with a greater dimension, refered to as
'celestial,' ... using things of the world to practice the
principles of the Tao, using human affairs to cultivate
celestial qualities."
~*~*~*~*~
"Understanding stillness and resting the appropriate
place, stabilizing illumination so that its clarity is not
clouded, using clarity and stillness according to the
time - herein lies the work of hidden cultivation and
secret practice."
The Taoist I-Ching
However, none of this is likely to happen or last for very long
without serious practice.
posted by:
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Raleigh
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Re: Transformative Experience
Tue, July 11, 2006 - 2:07 PMHere's a little more on the subject in question...
~*~*~*~*~
Unwavering
Freedom from constraint
nurture what is right
Seek fullness
by way of emptiness
unwavering
one rest
in the highest good
yin and yang merge
If one seeks truth
One finds truth
Restrain the base
by the noble
without forced effort
proceeding naturally
Seeking true fulfillment
Like a tiger
watching intently
About to give chase
The I-Ching is a beautiful thing,
each hexagram a life of its own
Only the wise can discern.
"Dwelling at the extreme of action, following one's desires,
concerned only with food and clothing and not with essence
and life, nourishing the little body and being a petty person,
is going against the nourishment of nurturing truth. Even if
the food is gained rightly, it is still an inauspicious path.
People like this may spend their entire lives unaware that
there are qualities that should be cultivated - it is not merely
ten years that this should not be acted on, there being no
benefit. This is nurishment in folly and ignorance,
ending up without true fulfillment."
The Taoist I-Ching
"The mind of man is twofold; in one way it is true, in one
way it is false. So to look for the true mind, don't give rise
to arbitrary thoughts - then there is the true mind.
"The true mind is broad and luminous; where the true
mind abides is peace and freedom. When you manage
your affairs withthe true mind, everything is integrated;
when you seek the Tao with the true mind, myraid differ-
ences are of the same root.
"But if people want to use the true mind to deal with
affairs, they need to foster it so that it is strong, and to
keep it calm and uncluttered. Then it can work without
wearness, and be responsive even while tranquil.
"The teaching of spiritual alchemy says that when the
mind runs off one should gather it in; having gathered
it in, then let go of it. After action, seek rest; finding rest,
one develops enlightenment. Who says one cannot
find tranquility in the midst of clamor and activity?"
Chang San-feng
Too many circles divide and separate
Every division slightly different
Non-linear awakening assumes
many forms not all of them equal
Discover what is true
the difference between
right and wrong practice
this principle of communion
between true yin and yang
requires no forced effort
comes about naturally
it is a state of being
before personal history
enduring forever present
finding out truth
we persist
to the end of eternity
to arrive
at the meaning of life
"The dividing line between the primordial and the
conditioned is but a hairbreadth; on one side is the
primordial, on the other side is the conditioned. Condi-
tioned yin and yang always interact, but their inter-
course is not correct; it has no conclusion, and goes
wrong. For example, there are ignorant people in the
world who join the heart and the genitals, or join the
active and passive energy channels up and down the back
and front of the body, or cause energy to rise up the
spine at midnight and descend down the front of the
body at noon, or gather energy from sexual intercourse,
or heat lead and mercury together, or regulate their
exhalations and inhalations - all of these are recog-
nizing the artificial as real, and trying to force com-
munion; imagining that they will thereby live long, in-
stead they are hastening death. This is quite wrong, a
serious degeneration. If practioners of the Tao want to
persist to the end, they should first know what is
wrong; if they know what is wrong, they will not be
deluded by the depraved words of false teachings. Then
if they seek to persist to the end, there is hope they
will be closer."
The Taoist I-Ching
Quiessence
Direct contact with reality
Initial awakening
is only the beginning
of learning
Conscious
Primordial
Potential
However it may
Be achieved
Sincere and truthful
In accord
Break through
the bonds of
Conditioned subjectivity
Constantly aware
of true Eternity
The Crossing
Truthfulness is associated
with the Earth
the go-between
for yin and yang
from shallowness
to the depths
true intent
strong and balanced
correctly oriented
yin and yang blend
the five elements aggregate
integrated with natural principle
strength and flexibility are one
essence, feeling, vitality and spirit
return to the center
faithfulness that is firm
benevolence, justice, courtesy
and wisdom
return to the mind
illumining everything
secret of the gold elixir -
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Re: Transformative Experience
Tue, July 11, 2006 - 2:22 PMThat would be rather the 'use of psychedelics' although for some
it could go either way... -
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How this is
Thu, July 13, 2006 - 8:01 AMJoyful in the beginning
one completes
the end
Joy that always develops
requires applied effort
towards essence and life
Joy in practice of the Tao
Proper timing in action
Outward and inward commune
and yet as a natural process
Light disappears into darkness
illumination is destroyed
like the sun going down
"Inner accord is the path of reversal of conditioning; outer accord is
the path of submission to conditioning."
"Therefore practitioners of the Tao should know how to apply the
path of reversal in the midst of the flow of conditioning."
Disparity: "represents conciliation and adjustment when yin and yang
are separated; it follows on the previous hexagram of concealment of
Illumination'. ... meaning of true illumination being obscured... One's
essence is thus disturbed, life is shaken, and one is separated from the
Tao."
In each of these similar advice is given:
"When practioners of the Tao are among the masses, if they use their
illumination too much, they will startle the ignorant and amaze the wordly,
easily bringing on abuse and slander. Therefore" it is best to "deal with the
masses by acting unobtrusively even though they are in fact Illumined."
When, "Light enters into the earth, illumination is concealed."
"Practioners of the Tao should not fail to assimilate to others, yet should
not be too much like others either. If they do not assimilate, they will
startle and amaze the ignorant and ordinary people, and will be disliked
and suspected by others; if they become too similar, however, they will be
caught up in their influence and fall into mundane feelings. Therefore they
are different in the midst of sameness."
"Joined lakes are joyful. Thus do superior people explain
and practice with companions."
"When thunder emerges the earth stirs; Joy."
The Taoist I-Ching
Inner light within outer darkness...
A great hermit may well live in the city.
Inwardly autonomous
Open awareness
without obscurity
the rule of
spiritual alchemy
Operating the true fire
power of practical application
the path of constant recollection
In Spirit
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