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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2011

The Nobleman star (Tian Yi Gui Ren) and the logic behind its
calculation

   The Nobleman (Tian Yi Gui Ren  天 乙 贵 人 ) is an auspicious symbolic star in Four

Pillars astrology. It neutralizes the negative influences and is supposed to bring good
luck.  Thanks to it, one can easily receive help from others – visible or invisible
assistance. 

Table for calculating the star:

year or day of birth - branch

stem
Jia  (Yang Wood) Wei, Chou (Goat; Ox)
Yi  (Yin Wood) Shen; Zi (Monkey; Rat)
Bing  (Yang Fire) Hai; You (Pig; Rooster)
Ding  (Yin Fire) Hai; You (Pig; Rooster)
Wu  (Yang Earth) Chou; Wei (Ox; Goat)
Ji  (Yin Earth) Zi; Shen  (Rat; Monkey)
Geng (Yang Metal) Chou; Wei (Ox; Goat)
Xin  (Yin Metal) Yin; Wu  (Tiger; Horse)
Ren  (Yang Water) Mao; Si  (Rabbit; Snake)
Gui (Yin Water) Mao; Si  (Rabbit; Snake)

There are many speculations about this symbolic star. After learning that they have
Nobleman in the horoscope, many people become highly elated/berbesar hati, feeling
that they are protected by some sort of angels and higher beings. And if you tell them
that they have 2 or 3 Nobleman stars in the chart, they become very excited: “Wow, I
have 3 guardian angels!”. This way of thinking easily leads to illusions and
misunderstandings. 
The calculation of the Nobleman star is based on the heavenly stems
combination/kombinasi thian kan. Normally the stems combination is regarded as
a positive aspect in Chinese astrology and therefore this symbolic star is given a positive
characteristics of assisting the person and removing the obstacles of his way. But there
really is nothing that much special in the meaning.

The Qing Dynasty book “Qian Ding Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu”《钦定协纪辨方
书》points out:  
“The Nobleman star divides into Yang Nobleman and Yin Nobleman. The calculation of
Yang Nobleman starts from Jia Zi (Rat) and is clockwise, while the calculation of Yin
Nobleman starts from Shen (Monkey) and is counterclockwise.”  
  For Yang Nobleman, the calculation formula is Jia (Yang Wood) + Zi (Rat). From
this base we look at the stems combination and find the branch of the corresponding, i.e.
the combined stem:
Jia (Yang Wood) + Zi (Rat) --> Jia (Yang Wood) combines with Ji (Yin Earth),
therefore for Ji the Yang Nobleman is in Zi (Rat).
Yi (Yin Wood) + Chou (Ox) --> Yi (Yin Wood) combines with Geng (Yang Metal),
therefore for Geng (Yang Metal) the Yang Nobleman is in Chou (Ox).
Bing (Yang Fire) + Yin (Tiger) --> Bing combines with Xin (Yin Metal), therefore for
Xin (Yin Metal) the Yang Nobleman is in Yin (Tiger).
Ding (Yin Fire) + Mao (Rabbit) --> Ding combines with Ren (Yang Water), therefore
for Ren (Yang Water) the Yang Nobleman is in Mao (Rabbit)..."  

For Yin Nobleman the calculation formula is Jia (Yang Wood) + Shen (Monkey).

From this base we look counterclockwise. 
Jia (Yang Wood) + Shen (Monkey) --> Jia (Yang Wood) combines with Ji (Yin Earth),
therefore for Ji the Yin Nobleman is in Shen (Monkey). 
Yi (Yin Wood) + Wei (Goat) --> Yi (Yin Wood) combines with Geng (Yang Metal),
therefore for Geng (Yang Metal) the Yin Nobleman is in Wei (Goat). 
Bing (Yang Fire) + Wu (Horse) --> Bing combines with Xin (Yin Metal), therefore for
Xin (Yin Metal) the Yin Nobleman is in Wu (Horse). 
And so on... 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011

The Metal Monkey day 庚申日

According to some Daoist beliefs one should not sleep in the night of a Metal Monkey
day (geng shen ri 庚申日) .

The Daoists explain that there are three evil demons (san shi  三尸, literary "three
corpses") residing in the body, also known as "the three worms". Once in two months, in
the night of a Metal Monkey day (according to the sexagenary cycle in the Chinese
calendar), while one sleeps, the three demons leave the body and go to heaven to report
to the gods the sins of the person they inhabit/diami.  Then the Heavenly god shortens
the person's life span if he/she has comminted/ bad deeds.

In order to outsmart/mengakali the three demons in the body, one should not fall asleep
during the Metal Monkey day. Simple, isn't it? The Daoist practitioners use this time for
meditation. By doing this, they believe the three demons stay calmly in the body and
miss the opportunity to report one's sins to Heaven. The ordinary folks don't meditate,
but are also awaken in the Metal Monkey night: everybody in the community will get
together and sing and dance.

Some Daoist books point out to "Observe the Metal Monkey" (shou geng shen 守庚
申). This term is also called "Keeping the three demons" (shou san shi 守三尸) and also
"Killing the three demons" (zhai san shi 斩三尸). By doing meditation in this special day,
it is believed that the demons will gradually disappear.

 Why this belief is related exactly to the Metal Monkey day is not thoroughly explained in
the ancient texts. The stem and branch of this day both are Metal elements. Perhaps
double Metal element is seen as "cutting" and shortening of one's life span? In Chinese
astrology there are several Symbolic stars, which are related to abundance of Metal
element and they signify/menandakan danger of death, disasters or killing.

According to the old believes, these three demons are related to the three dan tian 丹田 -
the energy centers in the body. The upper demon can disturb one's thoughts and cause
bad vision and hair loss. The middle demon can cause  bad deeds, anxiety and over
indulgence /terlalu gemar into eating and material desires. The lower demon makes one
lewd/cabul and greedy/tamak.
The belief of the Metal Monkey day can be traced back to Han Dynasty in China, about
2000 years ago. During the Tang and Song dynasties it becomes very popular.  It is still
performed nowadays in some Daoist monasteries.  Some Daoist internet sites even
provide the dates of the Metal Monkey days in the year.
t's interesting to notice how the belief about the Metal Monkey day has been spread in
Japan, where it has became a part of the local folk traditions and Buddhism. In Japanese
language this belief is called "Koshin" (Metal Monkey), which of course derives from
the Chinese "geng shen" 庚申.  Since 9th century, all over Japan have been erected
numerous "Metal Monkey pillars" - Koshin-to (庚申塔) for protection from the three
demons.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011

Wedding day selection letter from 170 years ago

 
   Wedding day selection letter written by a divination master more than 170 years ago in
Kaifeng, China. In Qing Dynasty when the people wanted to get married it was common
that they first go to ask a bazi master to choose an auspicious date for their wedding.
After comparing the couple's dates and hours of birth, he assigned a date for the
marriage. 
   Here on the picture it is written that there is no clash between the two horoscopes, so the
relationship will be very successful.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011

The Winter Solstice and Qi

December 22nd is the Winter Solstice in the Northern/utara Hemisphere. The Sun is at
270 degree on the ecliptic. In the past times, the Winter Solstice in China was regarded
as an official holiday and the New Year's day. The scholars and practitioners of
metaphysics have done important divination namely during the day of the Winter
Solstice.

At the Winter Solstice the Yang energy starts to increase (and the days start to get
larger), while the Yin energy gradually starts to decrease (and the nights are becoming
smaller). Slowly and almost unnoticeably Yang in Nature and within the human body is
awakening and increasing from inside towards outside.
To a certain point, this is also related to the month of Rat (Zi) 子月, in which we are now.
It is represented by “Fu” - the 24th hexagram in I Ching:

    Lao Zi says "Returning is the movement of

Dao". Fu hexagram means “Returning, Coming back" and it consists of 1 Yang and 5 Yin.
The past month (Hai) 亥月 was completely Yin – with 6 Yin lines, but now a new cycle is
beginning, in which the first rays of the Yang energy start to appear. In Chinese this is
called “the appearance of first Yang” 一阳出 (yi yang chu).

   In ancient China the 10th month was named "kun month"坤月 representing the Kun
hexagram 坤卦, which consists of 6 Yin lines. It was also called "Yin month" 阴月 and
"Dark Winter" 玄冬. In comparison, the 11th month, in which happens the Winter
Solstice, was named "the month of Returning"复月, "New Yang" 新阳 and "Return of
Yang" 阳复.

  The several days before and after the Winter Solstice are characterized with very
powerful energy in Nature. This is important time for more meditation and relaxation.
Even in a non-meditation state one can feel  that the energy and the blood circulation are
very intensified as if in a deep state of meditation. Now the qigong meditation is very
qualitative, it gets easier and faster to enter into the deep levels of subconsciousness. 

During the different 24 solar terms of Chinese calendar, qi is concentrated at different

energy points (guan 关) on the small heavenly orbit 小周天. 

  In the 15 days after the Winter Solstice the energy is concentrated at hui yin acupoint in
the body as well as in the lower dan tian. Now qi starts to activate du mai (the Yang
meridian) of the small heavenly orbit. At the same time, the energy flow is faster
throughout the whole body.

                                                                               

  The days around the Winter Solstice are regarded as important time for qigong
meditation, during which easily occurs "interaction between Water and Fire" 水火相交.
Here "Water" is a symbolic representation of the kidneys in the body.  The 63rd
hexagram ("After completion") in I Ching is also called "interaction between Water
and Fire" 水火既濟.  It describes a process that is very important in qigong.

   Here Water trigram (Kan 坎) is above Fire trigram (Li 离). The Water flows downwards
and the Fire goes upward, so when we have the conditions presented by this hexagram,
the Water is above to nourish and balance the heart, and the Fire is below, so to warm up
the Kidneys. In this way a good interaction is generated/dihasilkan between the energies
of the heart and the kidneys. 

   The famous I Ching scholar Kong Yingda 孔穎達 from Tang Dynasty in China has
commented that this hexagram gives a picture of cooking - "Drink and food are
completed by it". This is related to internal alchemy - a natural process of generating and
transforming  qi during qigong meditation.
  Happy Winter Solstice to all!
HURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010

The Summer (June) Solstice and the Energy/21 june

   On June 21st is the Summer Solstice.  It represents an important time of the year, when
Yang transforms into Yin. The energy in Nature is very powerful during the 3-4 days
before and after this date. It is exceptionally valuable period for more meditation and
relaxation. No wonder why in the past in China the people didn't work for 3 days during
the Summer Solstice. 

   The Yi Jing hexagram that is linked to the Summer Solstice is Gou 姤

"Encounters" (hexagram #44). 

    In this hexagram there are 5 Yang and 1 Yin. The Yang energy starts to decrease, while
the Yin energy (represented by the broken line) - to increase.

    Different energy points of the body correspond to the different periods of the year. The
Summer Solstice relates to baihui acupoint 百会 on the top of the head. At this time of
the year, bai hui naturally opens up and the energy at this place is very sensitive and
intense/kuat.

   From the Winter Solstice till now the energy climbs up through dumai 督脉 (the
Governing Vessel) channel on the back of the body. Now, at the Summer Solstice, the
energy is at the highest peak - bai hui point. Similarly, now we are at the longest days of
the year. After the Summer Solstice the days become shorter and the Yang gives way to
the Yin. 

   Happy Summer (June) Solstice to all!

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010 

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

The Vernal Equinox and the Qi in the Body/20 maret

   On March 20th is the March (Vernal) Equinox/siang malama sama. The three days
before and after the Vernal equinox are considered as a valuable time for more
meditation. As the qigong saying goes: "the six days around the Vernal Equinox are the
most important for the first half of the year".  This is a good opportunity to stimulate the
opening of the meridians and achieve a better balance in the body. 
The Governing and the conception channels form the Small Heavenly Orbit. At the
different 15-day solar terms the energy is concentrated and active at a certain area on the
Small Heavenly Orbit, thus making a complete circle in the whole year. 
 At the Vernal Equinox the energy is concentrated at the Jia Ji points  (Hua Tuo
Jia Ji points of the back). You can easily feel the flow of qi inside this area now. 

Enjoy the meditation in the Spring!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011

The Metal Monkey day 庚申日

According to some Daoist beliefs one should not sleep in the night of a Metal Monkey
day (geng shen ri 庚申日) .

The Daoists explain that there are three evil demons (san shi  三尸, literary "three
corpses") residing in the body, also known as "the three worms". Once in two months, in
the night of a Metal Monkey day (according to the sexagenary cycle in the Chinese
calendar), while one sleeps, the three demons leave the body and go to heaven to report
to the gods the sins of the person they inhabit.  Then the Heavenly god shortens the
person's life span if he/she has comminted bad deeds.

In order to outsmart the three demons in the body, one should not fall asleep during the
Metal Monkey day. Simple, isn't it? The Daoist practitioners use this time for meditation.
By doing this, they believe the three demons stay calmly in the body and miss the
opportunity to report one's sins to Heaven. The ordinary folks don't meditate, but are
also awaken in the Metal Monkey night: everybody in the community will get together
and sing and dance.

Some Daoist books point out to "Observe the Metal Monkey" (shou geng shen 守庚
申). This term is also called "Keeping the three demons" (shou san shi 守三尸) and also
"Killing the three demons" (zhai san shi 斩三尸). By doing meditation in this special day,
it is believed that the demons will gradually disappear.

 Why this belief is related exactly to the Metal Monkey day is not thoroughly explained in
the ancient texts. The stem and branch of this day both are Metal elements. Perhaps
double Metal element is seen as "cutting" and shortening of one's life span? In Chinese
astrology there are several Symbolic stars, which are related to abundance of Metal
element and they signify danger of death, disasters or killing.

According to the old believes, these three demons are related to the three dan tian 丹田 -
the energy centers in the body. The upper demon can disturb one's thoughts and cause
bad vision and hair loss. The middle demon can cause  bad deeds, anxiety and
overindulgence into eating and material desires. The lower demon makes one lewd and
greedy.

The belief of the Metal Monkey day can be traced back to Han Dynasty in China, about
2000 years ago. During the Tang and Song dynasties it becomes very popular.  It is still
performed nowadays in some Daoist monasteries.  Some Daoist internet sites even
provide the dates of the Metal Monkey days in the year.

 It's interesting to notice how the belief about the Metal Monkey day has been spread in
Japan, where it has became a part of the local folk traditions and Buddhism. In Japanese
language this belief is called "Koshin" (Metal Monkey), which of course derives from
the Chinese "geng shen" 庚申.  Since 9th century, all over Japan have been erected
numerous "Metal Monkey pillars" - Koshin-to (庚申塔) for protection from the three
demons.
The famous concept of the three wise monkeys comes namely from this Metal
Monkey day belief in Japan. The three monkeys are known as Mizaru . They cover their
eyes, ears and mouth, embodying the principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak
no evil". 
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012

The rest day of the spirits

You thought that the spirits and the deities are all the time present in the temples?!
Noo... They also have their day off and need to rest.

According to the Daoist tradition, on every Wu 戊 day (the days with Yang Earth

heavenly stem in Chinese calendar) the spirits are gone, so you don't need to pray to
them, chant and read the scriptures, perform rituals, beat the bell and the drum, burn
incense... This is called "No rituals on Wu days" 戊日不朝. In Chinese calendar the Wu
days happen at every ten days.
  If a Daoist priest works on a Wu (Yang Earth) day, it is regarded as a sin. And if he
follows the rule to not perform any ritual on that day, then "the benefits and virtues have
no boundaries/batas" 功德无量. That's why if you visit a Daoist temple on such a day, on
the door of the main hall most probably you will see a sign "Today is a Wu day" or
"Forbidden Wu Day", indicating that there are no rituals. 

  The idea of "the forbidden Wu day" originates from an old legend from Song Dynasty,
according to which on every Wu day the Old Supreme Elderly Lord  太上老君 (one of
the three highest deities in the Daoist pantheon) is busy recording the people's destinies
in the heavenly archives - who is going to be born, who - to die, who - to be married, etc. 

  There are many ancient texts which mention the "forbidden Wu Day". Even the famous 
"Bao Pu Zi"《抱朴子》comments:  
                     "When the Heaven and Earth encounter Wu day, they don't move;
                      When the army encounters Wu day, there are injuries;
                      When the snake encounters Wu day, it does not go in [the Earth],
                      When a swallow encounters Wu day, it does not collect mud pellets to make
a nest".

  And if the deities, the spirits and all creatures avoid the Wu days, so do the Daoists as
well. It's a day off, a good opportunity for the priests and everyone to rest from the
temple work and the visitors. A time to relax!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011

Four conditions for cultivation

1. Healthy environment, pure food, moderate climate/iklim yg baik 

2. Proper methods of meditation and cultivation of the inner energy and one’s character

3. Some money (as they can give some freedom and possibilities)

4. Friends of Dao (dao you) – spiritual friends 

The lack of any of these conditions could be compensated with the others.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014

Kindness is the key to restore the Yang qi 善能升阳

    
   In Daoism, the clear Yang qi manifests in physical and mental vitality,
robust/menguatkan health, vibrant/getar voice, bright mind, love, kindness,
ease/tentram, purity/murni and clarity/jernih. 
   The dark and turbid Yin qi manifests in various physical and mental diseases, greed,
lust/berahi and salacity/kecabulan, anger, jealousy, arrogance and hatred/kebencian.
The concept of transforming turbid Yin and cultivating clear Yang is well known in
Daoist cultivation.    Kindness/kebaikan hati is the key to restore the Yang qi. The
kind mind and actions accumulate positive Yang energy in the body 善能升阳.
And while the Yang qi increases, the turbid Yin qi slowly declines and disappears. As the
Chinese medicine saying goes,"when the sun shines, the Yin haze scatters/menyebar
keluar by itself" 阳光普照，阴霾自散.

EDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

Taoists Yin and Yang

   Six years ago in Beijing I met two Taoist monks who are practicing Chinese astrology
and metaphysics for many years. One of them was dressed completely in white, while the
other - completely in black. Exactly like Yin and Yang. These Taoists are good friends
and together they visit different parts of China.
The Taoist that is in white is actually an albino. That's why even his hair is white.
Otherwise he is not that old as it seems. It is very rare to see an albino Chinese. He was
talking and expressing himself in a very Yang style, vividly/dgn jelas and extrovertedly.
  In comparison with him, the Taoist who is dressed in black was a very Yin type and
introvert.
We had a nice conversation and exchanged some ideas  about Chinese astrology and I
Ching.
ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2011 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009

The Winter Solstice and the energy

December 21st is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun is at 270
degree on the ecliptic.

The 3-4 days before and after the Winter Solstice are characterized with very powerful
energy in Nature. This is a good time for receiving energy from Nature, important time
for more meditation and relaxation. Even when no meditating one can feel the
circulation of the energy and blood in the body - so much intense as if in a meditation
state.
Now the meditation is of very good quality, it gets easier and faster to enter into the deep
levels of subconsciousness. The Daoists and Buddhists give a great importance to
meditation during the Winter Solstice. At the this time of the year the Yang energy starts
to increase (and the days start to get larger), while the Yin energy gradually starts to
decline (the nights become smaller). Slowly and almost unnoticeably the heat in Nature
and within us starts to activate from the deeper layers toward the more superficial layers
of the body.

To a certain point, all this is related to the lunar month of Rat (Zi), in which we are now.
It is represented by the “Fu” 24th hexagram in I Ching:

Lao Zi says "Returning is the movement of Dao". Fu

hexagram means “Returning, coming back" and it consists of 1 Yang and 5 Yin. The past
month (亥 Hai) was completely Yin (with 6 Yin), but now a new cycle is starting, in
which the first rays of the Yang qi start to appear. In Chinese, this is called “Yi yang chu”
一阳出 (“the appearance of first Yang”). That's why it is considered a great time for
cultivation.

During the different 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar, qi is concentrated at

different energy points (guan 关, chakra) of the small heavenly orbit 小周天. 
During the 15 days of the Winter Solstice period, qi is concentrated at hui yin 会阴
point at the perineum as well as in the lower dantian in the belly. The qi becomes more
active on du mai 督脉　(the Yang channel) of the small heavenly orbit. At the same time,
the flow of qi can be felt much better and faster throughout the whole body.

In the past times, the Winter Solstice in China was regarded as an official holiday and the
New Year's day. The scholars and practitioners of metaphysics have done important
forecasts namely on the day of Winter solstice.

Happy December (Winter) solstice to all!

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009 

5 COMMENTS:

1.

Sanjay DuaDecember 18, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Lovely post, Annie. I enjoyed reading it very much. The Return,

represented by Thunder or ray of light inside Earth, is also a time for rest
and rejuvination of the spirit, mind, and body. Within Fu is also the
 Receptive, formed from two Kun nuclear trigrams, symbolizing devotion
and nurturing. Would the Hui Yin also correspond with the first chakra?

Reply

2.

Annie PechevaDecember 19, 2009 at 1:14 AM

Yes, Sanjay, the Hui Yin energy point is exactly the first chakra.

Reply

3.

梁文光 December 26, 2009 at 3:48 PM

Yoga is Qigong, Qigong is Yoga, IMHO, Kundalini in Tantra Sastras said

that lies in Muladhara Chakra or Hui Yin Xue...it is also stated that
Muladhara is negative pole and in order to get merge with Shiva ( Cosmic
Consciousness ) so Yogis must brings Kundalini ( Negative Force ) into
Positive pole in Sahasrara Chakra ( Bai Hui Xue ). It is science of
energy..truly miraculuos and wonder...

Reply

4.

Gunadi WwidjajaDecember 20, 2014 at 6:02 AM

very good explanation annie. it is also the reason christian's follower use
dec 25 as Natal or christmas day - and jesus also called son of the sun
because in that day - Sun rise about 2 degree and bring light to all
mankind.

Reply

5.

Los Angeles River Tai Chi-Qigong ClubDecember 20, 2015 at 5:46

PM

I encourage my friends to continue their Qigong practice through the

Winter, out of doors. Yes, Nature is a wonderful classroom and you, Annie,
are as generous sharing this bright post.

Reply
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012

Awakening of insects 惊蛰/5 maret

   On March 5th starts “Awakening of insects” 惊蛰 15-day solar term

according to Chinese calendar. It denotes the start of the month of Rabbit
(Mao), which corresponds to hexagram 34 (Da Zhuang – “Great
Vigour/tenaga”) in Yi Jing. “Great Vigor” here means activation of the
Yang energy. Now everything in nature becomes more active and grows
up full with energy. The hibernating insects awaken and start to move.
The energy and blood within our body also starts to activate and move
from the inner organs outwards/keluar. But this is also a time of
relapse/sakit lagi of old diseases/kambuh penyakit. That’s why some TCM
doctors in China say: “With the start of “Awakening of insects” watch for
old diseases”. Wherever there is a blockage in the movement of qi and
blood, there will be obvious/nyata feeling of pain. Very common is the
relapse/kambuh of arthritis, chronic cough and liver diseases. It’s not a
time for heavy tonification 重补, but rather for a light moisturing/lembab
methods. There is an old tradition in China to eat pears/makan buah
pir during the “Awakening of insects” time. I think this is very reasonable,
because at this time the weather is not very stable and fluctuates
between cold and warm/dingin dan hangat, and the throat and lungs
are more vulnerable/rentan to dryness and infections./rentan infeksi
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

Old man moving objects with energy

Today a friend sent me an interesting video about a Chinese man who can move objects
from a distance. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwnF_3ovmaw

The man is called Qiu Fuyi and he is from Sichuan province, China. 84-years old. He
states that he uses his inner energy and emits it to different object. As he says himself, he
is not a saint, but simply all his abilities are due to his inner strength and energy and
thanks to the many years of practice. 

I searched in the Chinese google and found out that all he does is a trick. Journalists
from the Chinese tv channel CCTV-10 has visited him to repeat his demonstration. In
fact, all the miracles with moving and breaking of the objects are due to the special table.
Within the table, there is a special mechanism, which can shake and move the objects.
Inside the red towel there are 2 small metals that can break the glass under the
vibrations of the table. When the journalists used another, normal towel, the trick did
not work out... And the moving of the water is made possible due to the magnets put in
the bowl and under the table. So, when the journalists used a different bowl with water,
the trick didn't happen.

That's how it goes! There are genuine masters, but also fake ones. And this should not
disappoint the practitioners of qigong and other methods of energy cultivation. The
moving and transformation of objects with energy is a proven fact. The genuine and
serious qigong and yoga masters do posses all kinds of energy abilities and there is
nothing wondrous in it.

Annie Pecheva

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009 

HURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009

Hall full with gold and jade 金玉满堂
In Chapter 9 of "Dao De Jing" Lao Zi says:

"When gold and jade fill the hall, 

nobody can keep them safe. "

However, one of the most used traditional wishes in China is namely to have "a hall full
with gold and jade"... 

金玉满堂 (jīn yù mǎn táng)

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009

The Winter Solstice and the energy

December 21st is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun is at 270
degree on the ecliptic.

The 3-4 days before and after the Winter Solstice are characterized with very powerful
energy in Nature. This is a good time for receiving energy from Nature, important time
for more meditation and relaxation. Even when no meditating one can feel
the circulation of the energy and blood in the body - so much intense as if in
a meditation state.

Now the meditation is of very good quality, it gets easier and faster to enter into the deep
levels of subconsciousness. The Daoists and Buddhists give a great importance to
meditation during the Winter Solstice. At the this time of the year the Yang energy starts
to increase (and the days start to get larger), while the Yin energy gradually starts to
decline (the nights become smaller). Slowly and almost unnoticeably the heat in Nature
and within us starts to activate from the deeper layers toward the more superficial layers
of the body.

To a certain point, all this is related to the lunar month of Rat (Zi), in which we are now.
It is represented by the “Fu” 24th hexagram in I Ching:

Lao Zi says "Returning is the movement of Dao". Fu

hexagram means “Returning, coming back" and it consists of 1 Yang and 5 Yin. The past
month (亥 Hai) was completely Yin (with 6 Yin), but now a new cycle is starting, in
which the first rays of the Yang qi start to appear. In Chinese, this is called “Yi yang chu”
一阳出 (“the appearance of first Yang”). That's why it is considered a great time for
cultivation.

During the different 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar, qi is concentrated at

different energy points (guan 关, chakra) of the small heavenly orbit 小周天. 
During the 15 days of the Winter Solstice period, qi is concentrated at hui yin 会阴
point at the perineum as well as in the lower dantian in the belly. The qi becomes more
active on du mai 督脉　(the Yang channel) of the small heavenly orbit. At the same time,
the flow of qi can be felt much better and faster throughout the whole body.

In the past times, the Winter Solstice in China was regarded as an official holiday and the
New Year's day. The scholars and practitioners of metaphysics have done important
forecasts namely on the day of Winter solstice.

Happy December (Winter) solstice to all!

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010

Zhuang Zi wax figure full with qi

This is one of the best images of the Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zi which I have
ever seen. The picture is taken in the year of 2000, when together with some friends I
visited the Chu City (磨山楚城) on the Mo Hill in Wuhan City, China. In the Chu Celestial
Terrace there were two wax figures - one of Lao Zi, and the other of Zhuang Zi. You can
feel the strong energy coming from these figures about one meter away. 

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MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010

Wuji - without boundary 无极

During deep qigong meditation one achieves the state

of wuji 无极 - without boundary. Without limits like
the infinite universe. As the ancient sages in China say,
the Universe is "so big that it has no end, and it's so
small that it has no inner [matter]". The matter
and the energy in the cosmos can transform and expand
without limits and shrink and divide without end.
 其 大 无 外, 其 小 无 内
qi da wu wai, qi xiao wu nei

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

The Cycles of Life according to Yi Jing

The Cycles of Life according to Yi Jing 
Some years ago I have read a Chinese text from the qigong classics, which describes the
changes of qi during the different periods in life. It's quite interesting, so here is the
translation:

Age 0 - 3  Pure Yin  - hexagram 2 KUN (Earth)

Age 3 - 5  One Yang is generated  – hexagram 24 FU (Returning).

The original qi (yuan qi) increases with 64 grains.

Age 5 - 8   Two yang appear – hexagram 19 LIN (Approach)

The original qi increases with 64 more grains.

Age 8 - 10  Three Yang appear – hexagram 11 TAI (Peace)

The original qi increases with 64 more grains.
  

Age 10 - 13  Four Yang appear - hexagram 34 Da Zhuang (Great Vigour)

The original qi increases with 64 more grains.

Age 13 - 16  Five Yang appear – hexagram 43 GUAI (Resoluteness)

The original qi increases with 64 more grains.

Age 16 - 24  Six Yang appear - hexagram 1 QIAN (Heaven)

The original qi increases with 64 more grains.
At 24-years of age we have gained 360 grains genuine energy from Heaven and Earth. In
addition, we have 24 grainsancestral (genetic) energy from mother and father.
  So, in total we gain 384 grains of qi in our life.
At the time of 24, pure Yang is complete, the essence (jing) and the
energy (qi) are sufficient. If at this time of life onestarts practicing qigong meditation,
one can progress very fast and achieve great results./latihan chi kung terbaik pd saat itu
  From age 24 onwards the original energy starts to decrease.

Age 24 -  32 One Yin is generated - hexagram 44 GOU (Coupling)

The original qi decreases with 64 grains. 

Age 32 - 40   Two Yin appear – hexagram 33 DUN (Retiring)

The original qi decreases with 64 more grains.

Age 40 - 48  Three Yin appear - hexagram PI (Obstruction)

The original qi decreases with 64 more grains.
Age 48 - 56  Four Yin appear - hexagram 20 GUAN (Viewing)
The original qi decreases with 64 more grains.

Age 56 –  64 Five Yin appear - hexagram 23 BO (Splitting Apart)

The original qi decreases with 64 more grains.

   In the last cycle all the energy from Heaven, Earth and the parents (384 total grains

of qi) has been exhausted/habiskan. One cycle of the original energy is completed.
    If the energy is cultivated through qigong or other energy practices,
then the extreme Yin will generate new Yang energy. Thus, the old can enjoy
vitality and become younger.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011

a small story in Wudang...

   Few years ago, I was with my friends in Wudang mountain. While visiting the Purple
Cloud Temple, behind the main buildings we discovered a small yard with old building,
in which all corners were full with big spider nets... There was a mountain mist/kabut
and lots of pure qi in the air. We were standing in the yard silently almost in meditation,
while inside an unknown Taoist monk was playing some tunes on zheng zither... It was a
magical atmosphere... After a while we walked away... One of my friends asked me why I
didn't knock on the door, so we can meet and talk with that Taoist. I replied: "But we
were talking!".
 Mariya Dobreva gathering qi in Wudang

As the saying goes, "the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a
porch/beranda and swing/ayunan with, never say a word, and then walk
away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had".

TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010

The mountain of White Clouds

   A few years ago, when I was visiting the Buddhist monk d-r He Xiaorong in Hunan
Province in China, together with her we made a trip to the Mountain of White Clouds Bai
Yun Shan 白云山.
   On the top of the mountain there is an abandoned/ditinggalkan Taoist monastery. The
air there is very unusual – saturated/dipenuhi with pure energy and lots of negative ions.
Even if you don't do meditation, the feeling is as if you are in meditation - it's full of
energy there!
 As John Muir says: 
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings/kabar. 
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. 
The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their
energy, 
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

ПУБЛИКУВАНО ОТ ANNIE PECHEVA В TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011

A nice poem by Lu Dongbin

 

落魄红尘四十春，无为无事信天真。
生涯只在乾坤鼎，活计惟凭日月轮。
八卦气中潜至宝，五行光里隐元神。
桑田改变依然在，永作人间出世人。

吕洞宾
 

 
 

Wandering aimlessly/tanpa tujuan for 40 years in the

world of mortals/dunia tanpa keabadian, 
Doing nothing out of nothing believing the Heaven is
true; 
Whole life merely within the cauldron/ketel of heaven
and earth, 
All efforts solely/semata2 reliant/percaya on the wheel
of time; 
Sunken/tenggelam within the Qi of Bagua is treasure
most priceless/tak ternilai,
The 5 elements light conceals/menyembunyikan the
original spirit; 
Shall still be here even if the mulberry fields change, 
Forever/selamanya live within mankind, but
transcend/melebihi the mundane/keduniaan.

(translation into English is made by my friend Moon Chin)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2011

Another qigong poem

Some time ago I wrote here that during a certain period
of my qigong practice, there were 1-2 nights, in which
the Chinese characters of some poems appeared in my
mind while I was sleeping.These poems are related to
qigong cultivation.

 The text of one of the qigong poems you can see here:
http://anniepecheva.blogspot.com/2010/06/qigong-
poem-that-appeared-to-me-one.html
And here is another poem:
  

                             白 玉 上 天 桥
                             游 客 来 下 教
                             静 中 气 妙 漂
                             乾 坤 送 来 精
  The literal translation goes like this:
                           White jade ascends to the heavenly
bridge;
                           The wandering visitor comes to
leave knowledge.
                           In the stillness qi is flowing subtly
                          The Heaven and Earth bring pure
essence.

* the white jade ascends to the heavenly bridge - this is

a symbolic description of one of the phenomena
occurring during the qigong practice.  A white cloud of
pure qi ascends towards the head and reaches
thefontanelle ( bai hui acupoint).

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010

a qigong poem that appeared to me one night

     Several years ago, after some intense qigong

meditation, one night while sleeping, some Chinese
characters of a poem appeared in my mind. I woke up
and wrote them down: 
 识为君好地
玄胎洞照开
妙中轻卷气
动起三百河

    Thetext of this poem is related to the energy

phenomena that occur within the body during qigong
meditation. This poem tells about the opening of the
deep "embryo cave" [here symbolically it means dantian
- the energy center of the body], and during this
wonderful process the energy unveils gently and
activates three hundred rivers [the energy meridians and
paths in the body].
1 COMMENT:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2011

Four conditions for cultivation

1. Healthy environment, pure food, moderate climate 

2. Proper methods of meditation and cultivation of the inner energy and one’s character
3. Some money (as they can give some freedom and possibilities)

4. Friends of Dao (dao you) – spiritual friends 

The lack of any of these conditions could be compensated with the others.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014

50 barriers in Daoist cultivation - by Liu Yiming 道教五十关

   Liu Yiming 刘一明(1734–1821) is a prominent Daoist master and doctor from Qing

dynasty.  In Scripture of Passing through the Barriers  《通关文》 Tong Guan
Wen he points out 50 obstacles - barriers in the way of Daoist cultivation and explains
how to pass through them. 

Here is the list:

  
1. Barrier of lust/nafsu birahi and sexual desires 色欲关
“This is the first and most dangerous barrier”; “From all evils lust is number one”. 万
恶淫为首
"Don't stare/memandang with lust, the heart will be peaceful". (Dao
De Jing, ch. 3, translation: Michael Saso) 不见可欲，使心不乱

2. Barrier of passionate love 恩爱关
 Love without obsession/gangguan pikiran and too much passions/gairah. 

3. Barrier of  fame/kemasyuran and reputation 荣贵关
"Fame can make one arrogant and spoiled/merusak... Since the antiquity the great sages stress
the importance on cultivating Dao and don't pay attention to fame." 

4. Barrier of wealth and gain 财利关
Keep apart/terpisah from greed for money and profit.
 
5. Barrier of destitution/kemiskinan 穷困关
 One can cultivate in all kind of conditions, despite destitution and all difficulties. 
 
6. Barrier of the physical body 色身关
Paying too much attention on the physical body and forgetting about the spiritual body (the
real body 真身).  Zhuang Zi says: "Alas/aduh, the humans of the world think that to
nourish the body is sufficient to preserve/memelihara life; and when such
nourishment/makanan is not sufficient/cukup to preserve the life, what can be done
in the world that will be sufficient?" 悲夫！世之人以为养形足以存生，而养形果不足
以存生，则世奚足为哉. ("Zhuang Zi: the Full Undestanding of Life").

7. Barrier of arrogance 傲气关
"Therefore the wise embrace/merangkul the one and set an example to all. 
Not putting on a display, they shine forth/seterusnya. 
Not justifying themselves, they are distinguished/dibedakan.
Not boasting, they receive recognition.
Not bragging/terbuai, they never falter/bimbang." 
(Dao De Jing, chapter 22; English translation: Gia-fu Feng) 

8. Barrier of jealousy/kecemburuan and envy/cemburu,sirik 嫉妒关

Keep the heart away from jealousy and fill it with loving kindness to the others, as is
the heart of the sages; do as the sages do. 存圣贤之心，行圣贤之行
  
9. Barrier of irascibility/lekas marah and haste/tergopoh2 暴躁关
"Before cultivating the inner elixir, first cultivate your character." 未炼还丹先炼性
Irascibility, haste, scholding/membentak and swearing/menyumpah are
harmful/berbahaya much more than one may think: "the orignial spirit leaves its
residence in the body, but heat burns in the body, the essence jing and the genuine qi
scatter/menyebar, the three treasures jing, qi, shen are depleted/dihabiskan
/terkosongkan.

10. Barrier of speech/bicara and disputes/perselisihan 口舌关

Think before you talk. Talk with respect/hirmat and kindness/baik. Cultivate your speech. 
The tongue is the extention of the heart. The way one speaks and writes
reveals/menampakkan one's heart. If the speech (tongue) is not kind and right, then it means
that the heart/mind is also not kind and right. And if so, then how can one achieve
cultivation? One of the 10 Daoist precepts/ajaran is about speech: "Don’t
utter/mengucapkan bad words or use flowery  language! Be straightforward/terus terang
within/dalam and without/tanpa! Don’t talk excessively/terlalu sering!"

11. Barrier of hate/kebencian  瞋恨关 
Egoism, envy/iri hati, anger, the shortage of money, insecurity/kegelisahan, intolerance,
rivalry/persaingan - they all can create hatred. "The confused people don't know how
damaging the hatred can be for their life." One of the main Daoist precepts/ajaran says: “
Never harbor/mempunyai hatred in your heart!... The hatred diminishes/mengurangi
your spirit and energy.” 

12. Barrier of others/orang lain and oneself/diri 人我关
Putting others first and forgetting about one's ego, having awareness of the world
outside one's head is a powerful aspect of cultivation. Look at the myriard things as
one whole, look at the world as one family. "Seeing the others are happy, I feel happy
too." 

 13. Barrier of climate/iklim 冷热关 
Literally “barrier of cold and heat”. Weather is not an obstacle for cultivation.

14. Barrier of laziness/kemalasan  懒惰关 
If one is indolent/malas and afraid of hard work, only seeks pleasures and comfort, then
cultivation stops.  "One has to be active not only for oneself, but also for the others - to
actively do good to others... To build bridges and roads, collect herbs and
tea, open schools, help the old and support the needed and thus day after day, hour after
hour accumulate inner merits/pahala." 

15. Barrier of skills and intelligence 才智关
Wasting energy and life to accumulating useless and fake/palssu knowledge and skills
just to gain profit for oneself, show off, do intrigues/tipu daya, participate in
useless contests to please the ego. That's not the genuine knowledge that leads to
cultivation. 
16. Barrier of willfulness/kesengajaan and the individual character  任性关
When considering oneself infalliable/ and not tolerating and respecting the others, one easily
falls in the trap of willfulness/. One of the main Daoist precepts is to
be retiring/mengundurkan diri and modest/rendah hati in all things: "Put yourself behind to
serve the others".
"I have three precious/berharga things – kindness/kebaiakan hati, thrift/hemat, and never
preferring/lbh menyukai myself over others." (Dao De Jing, chapter 67, translation: Michael
Saso) 

17. Barrier of diseases and difficulties  患难关
When one is worried and afraid of diseases and difficulties, one's mind and will become
unstable, which leads to even more problems. "When confined/mengurung [with difficulties],
one must maintain smooth progress. Persistence/ketekunan will be
auspicious/menguntungkan for the great lord and with no calamity/bencana." (Yi Jing,
hexagram 47 "Confined") 

18. Barrier of craftiness/kelicikan and lies/berdusta  诡诈关 
Lying to others and oneself has nothing good for cultivation. Sincerity/ketulusan hati
can move heaven and earth, it can reach the spirits and deities, it can touch the heart of
everyone. Sincerity is the way of cultivation.  

19.  Barrier of pretense/ber pura2 and guessing/menebak  猜议关
 Pseudo-intelligence, being smart aleck/orang sombong and pretending to know
everything and think that oneself is always right - this is an obstacle for cultivation.
"There are confused people in the world, who want by using the dim light of
fireflies/kunang2 to break through the heavenly net. They  don't realise that there is
infinite depth of wisdom".  "To find a clear-minded/berpikiranjernih teacher is true
happiness."

 
20. Barrier of mysticism/klenik  悬虚关
The insufficient understanding and practice create mystique. The beginners in the study of
Dao tend to feel overly fascinated/terpesona and look for mystic occurrences/penampakan,
which may sometimes hinder/menghalangi the cultivation.
21. Barrier of chimeras/gagasan2 yg tak masuk akal  妄想关
 Those who pretend to cultivate and follow Dao, but in reality don't make any effort s
and only look for good food, beautiful clothes, comfortable sleep and life, they easily
fall in the trap of chimeras. If  always postponing/menunda the genuine practice; just
listening and reading about cultivation, but not practicing it - these are chimeras. 

22. Barrier of life and death  生死关
As the Chinese saying goes: "They have not understood the meaning of life yet, but
are afraid of death."  Free the mind completely from all worries about death.  Better
focus on cultivation and actively do your work in life. Always keep at one with the
Dao.

23. Barrier of complacency/kepuasan dgn diri sendiri  自满关

When falling into the trap of complacency, one accrues/tambah no interests, loses an
objective attitude toward/kearah oneself and the world, and the spiritual cultivation
stops. Having a low estimate on one's own importance 低心下气 leads to success. Yi
Jing hexagram Xun (57) is about humbleness/kerendahan hati and
submissiveness/bersikap tunduk: "Kneeling before the platform/panggung...
Auspicious without misfortune/kemalangan." 巽在牀下。用史巫紛若。吉无咎。 

24. Barrier of fear of difficulties  畏难关 
Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets/menetapkan his mind to it. 天下无
难事，只怕有心人
 
25. Barrier of slow action  轻慢关
Cultivation is like climbing a high mountain, it takes a long time and one has to watch
one's steps constantly. Those who want to follow Dao, first have to learn to respect Dao and
its values.  

26. Barrier of feebleness/kelemahan  懦弱关 
If there is no determination/kebulatan tekad, courage and will/kemauan, one can fall into the
trap of feebleness, which is also related to constant hesitation/keraguan,insensitivity/kurang
peka, self-pity/mengasihi diri, despondency/kemurungan, laziness/kemalasan and
inertia/kelembaman. 

27. Barrier of impersistence/tdk tekun  不久关 

The reason for impersistence is mainly due to lack of internal stability (stable will and
patience). The regular practice of meditation and contemplation will strengthen one's
inner stability and persistence. 

28. Barrier of giving oneself up  暴弃关 
Giving oneself up and dawdling/berlengah2 the time away shows that one has not
truly understood the importance of inner cultivation.  Mencius says: "With those who
do violence/kekerasan to themselves, it is impossible to speak. With those who
abandon/bebas themselves, it is impossible to do anything." 自暴者，不可与有言
也；自弃者，不可与有为也。  "I am not a saint. Attained it through
studying." (Scripture of Inner Observation Nei Guan Jing) 吾非圣人，学而得之。
《内观经》

29. Barrier of debt accumulation /akum hutang 累债关
This barrier includes any debts, even unresolved/belum terselesaikan relationship
problems, corruption and always relyingmengandalkan on others for money and other
things. 

30. Barrier of flaunting/berlagak and hauteur/  高大关 
Those who praise themselves to be great, in the end are not great. 自大者终不大

31. Barrier of forms and ornaments/perhiasan  妆饰关 

The external forms and ornaments are not a bad thing, but when they are given too much
attention, one might lose a notion/pikiran of what is most valuable in cultivation.  

32. Barrier of false understanding  假知关
"There are confused people in the world who don't know how to cultivate, but
intentionally or unintentionally lie and mislead/menyesatkan the others."

33. Barrier of hidden evil  阴恶关
Peacefully accept that the others are different and may disagree with you or talk in
unpleasant/tak enak for you manners/tata krama. If you remember the little
resentments/dendam of others and hide evil thoughts in your heart, then how can you
cultivate and follow Dao? Kindness toward all is the key of passing through this barrier. 
34. The barrier of excessive drinking/mabok  贪酒关
One of the main 5 precepts in Daoism says: "One should not take any alcoholic drinks, unless
one has to take a little bit/sangat sedikit saja to cure an illness." 

 35. Barrier of fear of hardship/kesukaran,penderitaan  怕苦关
No matter how difficult a situation can be, one still has the power to overcome it. The fear of
hardship can not eliminate the problems. In the process of cultivation and
unleashing/melepaskan tali of the mind, all problems can be reduced and solved. 

36. Barrier of disbelief/tdk beriman   不信关 
The sincere faith has a great power. "When a superior man hears of Dao, he
cultivates himself diligently. When an average man hears of Dao, he is doubtful and
doesn't believe it. When an inferior man hears of Dao, he laughs and thinks it is
foolish." (Dao De Jing, chapter 41).

37. Barrier of lack of definite views/wawasan kurang  无主关 
- when one doesn’t have a clear understanding and definite views on cultivation,
one is “looking at cultivation superficially/dgn
dangkal, vaguely/samar2 changing the mind all the time,
without a stable point. Today one studies this, tomorrow - that;
in the morning one goes to worship to Mr. Li, in the evening - to worship to Mr. Wang.”

38. Barrier of search for quick results/serba cepat maunya  速效关

The cultivation takes a long time, diligent practice and perseverence. "The great vessel is
late in completion." (Dao De Jing, chapter 41).

39. Barrier of negligence/lalai and carelessness/sembrono  粗心关
Negligence, carelessness and lack of concentration are obsacle for cultivation.

40. Barrier of waste of time/buang waktu  虚度关
 If one wastes the time on different things and forgets the importance of cultivation, then how
can one achieve Dao?
 
41. Barrier of weak will/kemauan kurang  退志关 
"The strong-willed, even if of old age, will attain Dao. The weak-willed, even if of young
age, will not attain Dao."

42. Barrier of praise/pujiaan  夸扬关
“More words count less, better to hold to the center.” (Dao De Jing, chapter 5).  

43. Barrier of illusions/ilusi  幻景关
If in the process of cultivation one encounters/bertemu some spiritual phenomena and
already thinks of oneself as very highly cultivated - this is the barrier of illusions. 

44. Barrier of stigma/luka batin and shame/rasa malu  耻辱关

"To be solid as a mountain and deep as the great ocean", i.e. to be able to accept and
tolererate everything.
  
45. Barrier of karma  因果关
As you sow, so shall you reap. To harm the others to benefit oneself, to do things
offensive/serangan to Heaven and reason, to stop at nothing and do evil,... then one
cannot attain Dao. “Happiness or misfortune/kemalangan are all created by the
human himself. " (Zuo Zhuan Chronicle of Zuo) 祸福无门，惟人自招《左传》

46. Barrier of bookishness/kutu buku  书魔关
One cannot achieve Dao only by reading books. There are books, which can confuse the
mind and mislead the reader. If not asking for advice and learning from a master with
real experience, clear understanding and secret oral instructions 口诀, then one will fall
in the trap of bookishness and will miss/tdk menangkap the great work of cultivation. 由
执书为道，不求明师，中了书魔，误了大事。
 
47. Barrier of emptiness/kehampaan 着空关
If seeking only to achieve emptiness in a secluded/terpencil place in deep mountains, far
away from society and people, abandoning/menunda family and children, and thinking
that oneself is higher than the others, then one can easily fall in the trap of emptiness.
Real emptiness is not empty. 

48. Barrier of attachment to temporary tendency/keterikatan pd yg sementara 执相关

Blindly following the temporary tendency in every new fashion that appears, including
the different methods of Daoist exercises.
49. Barrier of the female elixir/obat mujarab cairanwanita 闺丹关
 “The confused people who mistakenly listen to the heresy/klenik of sexual practices spre
ad by 
Blindfold/buta teachers ... are making a fool of themselves hundred of times; 
they are extremely impure/KOTOR, foul/cemar, shameless and most silly/pandir. 
The “riding women” 御女  and all other techniques of  [“returning the essence jing 
to replenish/mengisi the brain” 还精补脑] sexual practices have nothing good 
for the cultivation."

50. Barrier of the stove fire/kompor api 炉火关
Cultivation and attaining of Dao has nothing to do with outer alchemy wai dan 
(using elixir of immortality by concocting/membuat mineral and herbal compounds)
. /campuran jamu

___

Link to the complete text in Chinese: http://www.daoism.cc/dandao/fdjd/znz/tgw.htm

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Incantation/mantera for sealing/menutup the seven Po souls

封七魄咒
   
   According to Daoism and Chinese medicine, the human body is
inhabited by three Hun souls and seven Po souls. The Hun souls are
ethereal/halus and Yang in nature, rendering/menyumbangkan positive
and uplifting/menggembirakan pikiran role in one's life. On another hand,
the seven Po souls are corporeal/badaniah, possess turbid/memiliki
kekeruhan Yin properties and tend to drag/menarik one down,
generating/membangkitkan sexual desires and
prompting/mendorong thoughts of jealousy, hatred and
selfishness/egois. Therefore, the process of inner cultivation is closely
related to the practice of cultivating the
Hun souls and overmastering/menaklukan the Po souls 鍊陽魂而制陰魄. 
 the seven corporeal Po souls

  The new age pseudo/palsu-Daoist sexual practices, spread by some

authors in the West, /man tak chia ??which concentrate on following the
lustful/gairah nafsu thoughts and expanding the sexual energy (labeling
their practices "multi-orgasm", "spiritual orgasm", etc.) are turning
their practitioners into slaves/budak of
the seven corporeal Po souls.

  The true Daoist cultivation has nothing to do with sexual practices. It is

based on inner peace and freedom from distracting/kacau thoughts and
desires. The jing essence, qi energy and shen spirit cultivation is attained
through quiet meditation and specific Daoist rituals, requiring/menuntut
inner purity/kemurnian dalam and overmastering the influence of the
seven Po souls.

The Daoist mantra - incantation bellow has a powerful effect on sealing

the seven Po souls. It is found not only in the Daoist texts, but also in the
classical medicine books, such as "Prescriptions/resep for Universal
Relief/pertolongan" Pu Ji Fang 《普济方》, volume 264.

INCANTATION FOR SEALING THE SEVEN PO SOULS

Jade Emperor the Highest Sovereign/raja, 
the Highest ruler of Ultimate Divine/ketuhanan.
The ten thousand spirits pacify/menentramkan the country, the se
ven corporeal/badaniah souls are sealed in the body.
Must not commit/melakukan mistakes and not be influenced by th
e evil.
After long dwelling/tinggal in the body, completely/dgn
sepenuhnya to transform/berubah bentuk into immortal.
Eternally preserving/memelihara the spirit form, guide me to attai
n the truth/kebenaran.
Travel the celestial/langit sorga palace as an imperial visitor.
Inside is the spiritual essence, within the body flows the jade saliv
a/air liur.
Protect and defend me against the evil influence of sexual desires.
Immediately execute/laksanakan this command.

封七魄咒 

玉帝高尊，上皇至真。
萬神安鎮，七魄佩身。
不得越錯，與惡為群。
長居室後，俱化成仙。
永守神形，保我得真。
游行上宮，同為玉賓。
內有靈液，體有玉津。
保我護我，不得邪淫。
急急如律令。

***
  Thankful to Mr. Pat Choo from Singapore for his assistance in the
translation of this incantation.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

The Teachings of Daoist Master Zhuang - a book review

The newly revised and 3rd edition of The Teachings of Daoist Master Z
huang by Michael Sasohas been released! Prof. Saso is one of the world's 
best known Daoist scholars and an initiated Daoist priest, who in the book
describes his training as a disciple of Daoist master Zhuang Chen
Dengyun in Taiwan.

The Teachings of Daoist Master Zhuang provides an
authentic view and 
detailed explanation of the Daoist practice
of the magic square and the positionof the nine stars in Heaven; the
talismans and mantras for the nine stars; 
specific times of the day for thunder meditation, construction of
the Battle Chart of 
the eight trigrams,
a thorough description about the significance of Po Jun star 
(the tail of the seven stars of the Big Dipper) in Daoism, pointing the gate 
of life.

Many practitioners in Chinese metaphysics use Qi Men Dun Jia 奇门遁甲
as a divination method,
but probably are not aware of its deep roots in Daoism and its hidden spiri
tual
significance. It’s a profound/sangat
dalam method for hiding the six Jia spirits (Dun means ’hide’;  
Jia - ‘the six Jia spirits’)
from Heaven into the microcosmos. Prof. Saso reveals/membuka the 
secrets of Qi Men Dun Jia from the perspective of the Daoist
tradition and rituals. He writes of a secret manual of Qi Men Dun Jia,
the content of which is quite 
different from what can be found in all other books on Qi Men Dun Jia
available so far. 

Throughout the book the reader will find lively stories related to Daoism a
nd Chinese 
metaphysics. The author recounts/mencertiakan a story that happened du
ring the performance of a 
Daoist
ritual. The event was supposed to begin at Zi hour (23 pm - 1 am) in the 
night 
according to the rubrics in the
Daoist Cannon. Daoist Master Zhuang, however, 
decided to perform the ritual earlier, between 8 and 10 pm.
And suddenly,
 in the middle of the performance, a possessed/pemilik medium started
disturbing the whole 
gathering, saying to everyone: “The rite was begun at the wrong hour!” 
What else can serve as a better example of
the importance of the Day selection 
(Ze Ri 择日) method in Chinese metaphysics?! The accurate calculations 
in Chinese calendar and day/hour selection correspond exactly to the 
principles of Heaven and Dao. 
The Teachings of Daoist Master Zhuang is not a dry academic writing, but 
a vivid/hidup account of 
Daoist history, teachings and rituals. Everyone who is interested in Daois
m and its relations 
with Chinese metaphysics should read this book. It’s a real treasure!
/harta benda yang sejati
You can order it directly from the author and his website:
http://michaelsaso.org