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This web site?
With space and time, there is Universe. Universe exist with the
compostion of space and time. Space has many shapes and features but are all
able to be viewed with our eyes.
Time however can not be either can be touched or seen. The only
thing we can know about time is that time flows within same cycle. One day is 24
hours, never been 25 hours or 23 hours.
Time has been flowing with its own cycle since, the birth of
the Universe. and this unchangeable cycle of time serves for the unchangeable
order of the various features and shapes of space.
Then, can time be observed through the eye of man's wisdom?
Yes, it can. Time is invisible but from the change of the
space, we are able to trace back the footprints of the time. and there are two
typical ways to prove it. That is the cycle of a day and an year.
A day is the change of day and night. When the time of day
ends, the time of night starts.
When the time of night ends, the time of day starts. and also
season changes through circulating just like day and night.
With this understanding of the cycle of circulation, in the far
east culture, sexagenary cycle has been used until nowadays.
The Gregorian calendar, the current calender, is based on the
linear time thinking. This might be the difference of the West and East thinking
of Time.
But Time never stops. Instead it is eternal. Therefor this
world is eternal. The circle is the shape of movement of the circulation of
Time.
-Part 1
A living sea inside man's body
One of the symbols of man's life is blood. If the circulation of
the blood stops, the metabolism stops too. and if metabolism stops, the man will
brought up to death. What does "A living sea inside man's body" mean? There is a
secret fact that will make you interesting. Let's take a look at a drop of blood
through the microscope.

You can see the small particles that looks like Winchell's
Dounuts floating on the sticky liquid. The particles are white blood cells, red
blood cells and blood platelets(thrombocyte). In a healthy man's body, 45% are
the Dounuts particles and blood plasma covers 55% of the space. blood plasma are
the sticky liquid that is left over after taking out all the small particles.
What surprises us is the blood plasma. Blood plasma has various of inorganic
matters, and the ratio of it is very much similar the ratio of inorganic matters
in the sea. The only difference might be that the sea water is thicker than it
is of man's blood. Can you believe that the man's blood without the particles
and the sea water has similar shape? Can you imagine that inside man's body
there is a small sea floating? Even heart beating resembles the shape of sea.
blood waves toward capillary vessel like the tide is on the flow. and tide ebbs
back to vein. This circulation of in and out is same shape of the flow of tide
in and out.
Knowing one
is knowing all
What does the word
Universe mean? or What does Cosmos mean? "The
universe is the entire spacetime continuum in which we exist, together with all
the energy and matter within it(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe)." and "The word cosmos is the Greek word
for 'order', and the cosmos- the universe as a whole- was the only order to
found in the chaos of Greek mythology(ALPHA & OMEGA by Charles Seife)." In
Korean, Universe or Cosmos is "Woo(?, ?) Joo(?, ?)". Woo(?, ?) means the four
directions (north, south, east and west). Woo(?, ?) means space. Joo(?, ?) means
"comings and goings of all ages". Joo(?, ?) means time. We can discover an
interesting fact that the term of Universe in Korean or Chinese has similar
concept of that of the modern concept of spacetime continuum. From the Ancient
ages of East, the Universe was a unified structure of Time & Space. The
space is a matter. It is visible. The time is invisible. We can not see it but
we know that time flows within certain rule of cycle enabling the change of the
circumstances.
"Knowing one is Knowing
all (????, ????)" This was the basic idea of thinking in
the Far East. It means to analogize the whole out of
the ultimate principle. Where ever you are, When ever at sometimes, this whole
world is being ruled by the Great Ultimate Principle. The East way of thinking
is analogizing through dedcution. Is there anyone who claim you need to drink
all the sea water to confirm if it is salty? Anyone will know that this is not
necessary to do. By only tasting a drop of sea water you will know that sea
water is salty. Presuming that this Great Universe is a sea, all of the
mankind, grass, trees, rocks, earth, solar systems are an individual microcosmos
and are just like a drop of salt water. Especially, the reason why in the East
emphasize that human are the microcosmos is because human are the being to best
resemble the nature of Universe. If you get to understand the Nature Principle
then you will be able to understand how important the role of human is.
Anaogizing the microcosmos, you can deduce the principle of the Great Universe.
Just like analogizing from a drop of sea water to see if it is salty.
The shape of the circle
With space and time, there is Universe. Universe exist with the
compostion of space and time. Space has many shapes and features but are all
able to be viewed with our eyes. Time however can not be either can be touched
or seen. The only thing we can know about time is that time flows within same
cycle. One day is 24 hours, never been 25 hours or 23 hours. Time has been
flowing with its own cycle since, the birth of the Universe. and this
unchangeable cycle of time serves for the unchangeable order of the various
features and shapes of space. Then, can time be observed through the eye of
man's wisdom? Yes, it can. Time is invisible but from the change of the space,
we are able to trace back the footprints of the time. and there are two typical
ways to prove it. That is the cycle of a day and an year. A day is the change of
day and night. When the time of day ends, the time of night starts. When the
time of night ends, the time of day starts. and also season changes through
circulating just like day and night. With this understanding of the cycle of
circulation, in the far east culture, sexagenary cycle has been used until
nowadays. The Gregorian calendar, the current calender, is based on the linear
time thinking. This might be the difference of the West and East thinking of
Time. But Time never stops. Instead it is eternal. Therefore this world is
eternal. The circle is the shape of movement of the circulation of Time.
http://thedaoculture.com
What is Yin & Yang? - Part 2
Steady Space and Changeable Time
Unlike the steady space which is visible, the invisible time is hard to
observe. The change of TIme is hard to observe. However, we can observe the same
kind of change as Time through the structure of an atom and the solar
system.
As in the image above, the structures are circles. Atom is the
smallest element of all things. Atom has proton at the center and electron
revolves it. The orbit of Earth is probably the biggest scale of structure we
can think of. The Sun is at the center and the Earth is revolving it. Why are
the shape of the structures common? because this Universe from the smallest
micro to the biggest macro are structured with one nature law or nature
principle.
Diamond and graphite
All the beings in nature;including creatures and lifeless, exit
under the basic conditions of form and inner order. Pebbles, stream, trees,
fish, birds and all natures are enclosed by this basic condition of form and
inner order. Even man-made plastics or metal products has this form and inner
order. You may see and observe the form but can you see the inner order? Inner
order is not been seen just like the "Time". Well, here's an good example how
much the inner order is important.
Diamond and graphite are two totally different forms. Diamond is
hardest mineral known to man, Graphite is one of the softest. Diamond is an
excellent electrical insulator, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.
Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, Graphite is a very good lubricant. Diamond is
usually transparent, Graphite is opaque. Diamond crystallizes in the Isometric
system and graphite crystallizes in the hexagonal system. Two are totally
different forms. Somewhat of a surprise is that at surface temperatures and
pressures, Graphite is the stable form of carbon. In fact, all diamonds at or
near the surface of the Earth are currently undergoing a transformation into
Graphite. This reaction, fortunately, is extremely slow. Graphite is a polymorph
of the element carbon. diamond is another polymorph. The two share the same
chemistry, carbon, but have very different structures and very different
properties. All of the differences between graphite and diamond are the result
of the difference in their respective structures. Graphite has a sheet like
structure where the atoms all lie in a plane and are only weakly bonded to the
graphite sheets above and below. Diamond has a framework structure where the
carbon atoms are bonded to other carbon atoms in three dimensions as opposed to
two in graphite. The carbon-carbon bonds in both minerals are actually quite
strong, but it is the application of those bonds that make the difference.
The inner order effects the form just like how diamond and
graphite are being effected. Same carbon but if it can be structured
differently, the form will be different.
http://thedaoculture.com/
written by
lennon/McCartney Words are flowing out Like endless rain into a paper
cup,
They slither while they
pass,
They slip away Across the
universe..
Pools of sorrow, waves of
joy are
Drifting through my open
mind,
Possessing and caressing
me.
Jai guru de va
om
*Nothing’s gonna change my
world
Images of broken
light
Which dance before
me
Like a million
eyes,
That call me on and on
Across the universe,
Thoughts meander Like a
restless wind
Inside a letter box They
tumble blindly
As they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru de va
om
*Nothing’s gonna change my
world
Sounds of laughter, Shades
of earth
Are ringing through my open
views
Inciting and inviting
me.
Limitless undying
love
Which shines around
me
Like a million
suns,
It calls me on and on Across
the universe
Jai guru de va
om
*Nothing’s gonna change my
world
http://thedaoculture.com/
Man are microcosmos of universe.
New Science , science magazine in england in
1986 announced that if all constellations are inputed to a computer, the shape
of a human body appear. When the appearance of a person is magnified, it will be
the universe's shape.
From old days, we call the human as the small
universe in the East. The human being is the one who resembles the big universe
most.
Moreover, inside human beings is everything
that exists in the universe. How about looking through specifically
The human body is the
microcosmos of heaven and earth.
The head of human being is round as the heaven
is and two feet flat as the earth. Like the sun and the moon being in the sky,
we have bright eyes.
The eyes of human being has the fire of both
the Sun and the Moon at the same time.
Human body has hands, feet, arms and legs which
are conected with each other through several joints ,and qi is flowing
throughout them.
Our body has hair in the necessary places on
the skin just like trees and grasses on the field or hills . as well as our bosy
consists of bones like mountain ranges on the earth as if there is a river on
the river, our body also has vein. it consist of 70% of water as like the earth
is 70% of water and we have the five viscera and the six entrails as like the
earth has 5 oceans and 6 continents.
the inorganic nitrogene in blood is thought to
be similar to salt in the sea. a year's 365days is the body,the number of star
in the universe- cell, the shape of a celestial and constellation- that man is
standing
the inorganic nitrogene in blood is thought to
be similar to salt in the sea. as 1 year is 365days ,human also have 365 poins
of body ,which are called ?? in korea.And like the number of stars on
cosmo,human also has many cells in its body. And The shapes of constellation is
keeping like a standing human.
all the secrets of
universe is in our body
as both at the center of the solar system and
the center of the earth have their own fire ,in human body has also the
same,called the heart.
Also like four seasons are due to the earth's
declining, the heart is not in the center of body and declined to the left so
that makes ??, and the imperpect mind is also splited easilyby the working of
???
the energy and blood is pulsated by the working
between the sun and moon, and women's menstruationand the tides of the sea is
effected by the moon. and there are countless flowings of energy inside the body
of human like the countles s flowings of energy in the universe.
there are 9 holes of human body like the 9
planets in the solar system.(7 holes on the face, 2 holes in the lower part of
the body.in addition, there's one more hole in women. the reason is because
women need the space which has to make a new birth.it's like the baby universe
is born from a black hole, the womb of the universe.)
everything in the universe is in a vitality of
human. in a view of life, the universe is the myself and i and the universe
myself.
http://thedaoculture.com
A living sea inside man's
body
One of the symbols of man's life is blood.
If the circulation of the blood stops, the
metabolism stops too.
and if metabolism stops, the man will brought
up to death.
What does "A living sea inside man's body"
mean? There is a secret fact that will make you interesting.
Let's take a look at a drop of blood through
the microscope.
You can see the small particles that looks like
Winchell's Dounuts floating on the sticky liquid. The particles are white blood
cells, red blood cells and blood platelets(thrombocyte).
In a health man's body, 45% are the Dounuts
particles and blood plasma covers 55% of the space.
blood plasma are the sticky liquid that is left
over after taking out all the small particles. What surprises us is the blood
plasma.
Blood plasma has various of inorganic matters,
and the ratio of it is very much similar the ratio of inorganic matters in the
sea. The only difference might be that the sea water is thicker than it is of
man's blood.
Can you believe that the man's blood without
the particles and the sea water has similar shape? Can you imagine that inside
man's body there is a small sea floating? Even heart beating resembles the shape
of sea.
blood waves toward capillary vessel like the
tide is on the flow.
and tide ebbs back to vein. This circulation of
in and out is same shape of the flow of tide in and out.
http://thedaoculture.com/
[Yin
& Yang Second Essay]- Know one,
Know All
What does the word Universe mean? or What does Cosmos mean?
"The universe is the entire
spacetime continuum in which we exist, together with all the energy and matter
within it."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe) "The word cosmos is the Greek word for 'order', and the cosmos- the
universe as a whole- was the only order to found in the chaos of Greek
mythology." (ALPHA & OMEGA by Charles Seife) In Korean Universe or Cosmos is
"Woo(?, ?) Joo(?, ?)".
Woo(?, ?) means the four directions (north, south, east and west) and up
& down.
Woo(?, ?) means space.
Joo(?, ?) means "comings and goings of all ages".
Joo(?, ?) means time.
We
can discover an interesting fact that the term of Universe in Korean or Chinese
has similar concept of that of the modern concept of spacetime
continuum.
Frome the Ancient ages of East, the Universe was a unified structure of
Time & Space. The space is a matter.
It is visible. The time is invisible.
We can not see it but we know that time flows within certain rule of
cycle enabling the change of the circumstances.
"Know one, Know All (????, ????)"
This was the basic idea of thinking in the Far East.
It
means to analogize the
whole out of the ultimate principle.
Where ever you are, When ever
at sometimes, this whole world is being ruled by the Great Ultimate Principle.
The East way of thinking is
analogizing through dedcution.
Is there anyone who claim you
need to drink all the sea water to confirm if it is salty? Anyone will know that
this is not necessary to do.
By only tasting a drop of sea
water you will know that sea water is salty. Presuming that this Great Universe is a sea, all of the
mankind, grass, trees, rocks, earth, solar systems are an individual microcosmos
and are just like a drop of salt water. Especially, the reason why in the East
emphasize that human are the microcosmos is because human are the being to best
resemble the nature of Universe.
This is not to bluff
ourselves up, but instead if you get to
understand the Nature
Principle then you will be able to
understand how important the
role of human is.
Anaogizing the microcosmos,
you can deduce the principle
of the Great Universe. Just
like analogizing from a drop of
sea water to see if it is
salty.
< & Yin is ?What book Korean the
from>
Published by Daewon Publishing
Company.
All copyright by "http://thedaoculture.com"
Free distribution of the article not allowed
without permission.> Yin & Yang 3- Origin of
Circle
With space and time, there is Universe.
Universe exist with the compostion of space and time. Space has many shapes and
features but are all able to be viewed with our eyes.
Time however can not be either can be touched
or seen. The only thing we can know about time is that time flows within same
cycle. One day is 24 hours, never been 25 hours or 23 hours.
Time has been flowing with its own cycle since,
the birth of the Universe. and this unchangeable cycle of time serves for the
unchangeable order of the various features and shapes of space.
Then, can time be observed through the eye of
man's wisdom?
Yes, it can. Time is invisible but from the
change of the space, we are able to trace back the footprints of the time. and
there are two typical ways to prove it. That is the cycle of a day and an
year.
A day is the change of day and night. When the
time of day ends, the time of night starts.
When the time of night ends, the time of day
starts. and also season changes through circulating just like day and
night.
With this understanding of the cycle of
circulation, in the far east culture, sexagenary cycle has been used until
nowadays.
The Gregorian calendar, the current calender,
is based on the linear time thinking. This might be the difference of the West
and East thinking of Time.
But Time never stops. Instead it is eternal.
Therefor this world is eternal. The circle is the shape of movement of the
circulation of Time.
http://thedaoculture.com
| Yin & Yang 4- Micro &
Macro
Steady Space and Change of Time
Unlike the steady space which is visible, the
invisible time is hard to observe. The change of TIme is hard to observe.
However, we can observe the same kind of change as Time through the structure of
an atom and the solar system.
As in the image above, the
structures are circles. Atom is the smallest element of all things. Atom has
proton at the center and electron revolves it. The orbit of Earth is probably
the biggest scale of structure we can think of. The Sun is at the center and the
Earth is revolving it. Why are the shapes of the structure same? The Truth isn't
far away. |
http://thedaoculture.com
Oriental philosophy of yin and yang
Dr. Shin
Min-shik
Ancient Oriental philosophers used the
concept of "yin and yang" in order to perceive all natural phenomena and express
their properties. And this main idea has carried over into the Oriental
philosophy of modern society.
Yin originally meant the shady side of a hill.
It represents darkness and passivity, and is associated with the qualities of
yielding, softness and contraction. It moves downward and inward, and its
primary symbols are women, water and earth.
Yang, on the other hand, means the sunny side
of the hill. It represents brightness and activity, and is associated with
resistance, hardness and expansion. It naturally moves upward and outward, and
is symbolized by men, fire and heaven.
Oriental philosophy says that when water (yin)
absorbs a large amount of heat (yang), it transmutes into vapor (yang) and rises
upward.
The principles of yin and yang manifest
themselves in every conceivable contrast, both large and small, and apply to all
beings. Women are considered yin because of their tolerance and softness, while
men are considered yang because of their strong and progressive spirit.
But women with a high degree of yang "chi (life
force)" are more likely to look on the bright side of problems and deal with
them very positively. Men full of yin chi are relatively tolerant, open-minded
and are more likely to listen attentively to others.
It is generally said that a woman full of yang
energy and a man with a high degree of yin energy make a harmonious couple, well
suited for marriage. On the contrary, if both have the same level of yang
energy, they will have frequent arguments and fight often.
Yin and yang energy can be balanced and
regulated through several efficient treatments, including acupuncture, taking
herbs, moxibustion (burning dried mugwort close to the skin) and meditation.
Meditation enhances the chi flowing through the
body through calming the mind. Thus the energized chi can restore and revitalize
all organs of the body. Meditation helps not only calm the mind, but keeps the
energies flowing through the body, such as yin and yang, in equilibrium. What is
more, it is known to be a "miracle cure" for disease.
Excessive yang energy can abruptly cause a
mild-mannered person to become oversensitive and irritated, and keep him or her
from sleeping well at night. On the other hand, too much yin energy causes
insomnia and manic psychosis and consequently results in fatigue.
The center of yang energy is located just below
the navel, whereas the center of yin energy is between the eyebrows. The smooth
interchange of the two energies is very important in maintaining good health.
Mental stress and health problems can greatly
affect the natural movement of yin and yang energies. And this can easily lead
to mysterious headaches, fatigue and a weakened immune system as well
depression. Meditation, acupuncture and moxibustion are all regarded as very
powerful treatments to harmonize the energy of yin and yang and clear up the
symptoms caused by the imbalance.
Updated: 06/17/1999
http://thedaoculture.com
Dual existence of yin and yang
Dr. Shin Min-shik
Yin and yang, taken together, are the reference point
which allows us to see all things in existence. In the dual existence of yin and
yang, we see that all things have two sides to their existence.
Within the principles of yin and yang lie diverse meanings, such
as the nature of synchronization and "changeableness," which can be shown
through examples from the world around us.
When morning sunlight hits the mountains, it simultaneously
appears as bright on the side facing the sun, and dark on the side opposite the
sun. We call the lighted part of the mountain yang and the dark part yin.
In the concept of yin and yang, there is no separation in
existence; yin and yang are the different parts of being and always appear
simultaneously. We call this synchronicity.
Changeableness is the most important part of the nature of yin
and yang. When the sun sets, the bright side of the mountain turns dark, or
becomes yin. As the stream of time flows on, yin becomes yang and vice versa;
each becomes its opposite.
The most important thing to understand is that yin and yang
continuously change in a cyclical pattern. This can be illustrated with examples
from the body and nature.
In summer, our body temperature rises slightly, due to the heat
of the sun. The sun causes the yang energy to increase in the outer body and yin
energy goes to the inner body in an attempt to maintain balance. In the winter,
because of the cold and wind, yin energy increases in the outer body and yang
energy goes to the inner body.
Contrary to what you might think, having an abundance of cold
drinks or ice cream in summer is not a good idea. Since yin energy builds up on
the inside of the body, adding more yin energy (in the form of cold, yin foods)
can cause an imbalance and lead to illness. It is better to have a good amount
of hot and spicy food during hot months. In nations with hot climates, people
usually do eat hot and spicy foods.
Likewise, in nations with cold climates, people like to
routinely have cold drinks and take baths in ice water because too great a
buildup of yang energy on the inside is unhealthy.
The earth provides more examples of yin and yang: In the summer,
the surface of the earth is warm, and caves are cool. But during the winter,
there are many animals that hibernate in caves due to their warmth. Mushrooms
exist in marshes yet contain no water themselves. Cacti grow in the desert, but
contain much water (yin energy).
Aloe is much like a cactus. Because of this, it is not
recommended for people who possess a high degree of yin energy. But for those
who feel like they have a fever, or are always thirsty and have constipation,
aloe is good.
Ginseng, on the other hand, is good for people who have yin
energy. If people who possess yang energy eat ginseng, they usually break out in
pimples and experience a rise in blood pressure.
When making a diagnosis in oriental medicine, it is very
important to view a patient's yin and yang.
When we observe all beings, the view of yin and yang enables us
to comprehend the true existence of substance be seeing how all things related
to each other. Fostering the habit of observing the outward and inward parts is
an integral part of the wisdom of life. And its application goes beyond the
field of oriental medicine, helping us understand life.
Take, for example, people who seem to always have good luck.
They are more than likely lacking in some important aspects of their life. This
is an example of the synchronization of yin and yang; the simultaneous
existence, no matter how easy life may have been at some time. The variety of
changes in life itself is the nature of change in yin and yang.
We have came to understand through research that all illness is
due to an imbalance of yin and yang. Next time we will look at the four seasons
in regards to the yin and yang.
Updated: 06/24/1999
http://thedaoculture.com
Five
elemental activities
by Dr. Shin Min Shik
According to oriental medicine, "wood energy,"
one of the "Five Elemental Energies," encompasses the power to grow and expand.
Wood energy is present in a sprout, full of the
instinctive life force to grow and pierce and expand against all obstacles,
ground, rocks, or climate changes. We can also observe this kind of life force
flowing through a wild flower growing in a field, sometimes breaking through
rock.
Because no other living thing is believed to
have growing energy as powerful as that of a tree, oriental philosophers used
the word wood to symbolize such a mighty life force.
To better grasp this concept, imagine the act
of throwing a ball into the air. When the ball is just about to be released from
the hand, its state of energy is likened to wood, full of the potential energy
"to go up," like a tree from the ground.
The concept of wood energy spreads beyond trees
and sprouts, however. Wind, spring, the color green, East, the liver, tendons
and muscles, anger, and sour and tart foods are all said to contain wood energy.
Wind is closely connected with wood due to its
power to instantaneously generate potential energy, or wind force.
Moreover the wind rises more in spring as the
result of the radical climate change. Therefore, spring is also considered a
component of Wood. Accordingly, anything green, including the leaves of trees or
grass, is considered to possess wood energy.
The sun rises in the east and gives off the
light essential to the growth of all plant life. Oriental philosophers therefore
considered the East as part of wood.
Because the liver is believed to generate
"chi," or life force, the organ contains the force to move the body and stretch
out the hands and feet, it is also considered a part of wood. The muscle and
tendons contain similar characteristics.
Finally, sour tasting foods, which can build up
energy or cause people to abruptly explode with anger or discontent, are said to
contain wood energy.
Armed with the knowledge of what falls into the
realm of wood energy and how the different components interact, doctors of
oriental medicine (OMD) can pinpoint imbalances and prescribe remedies.
Because the wood energy in green vegetables
helps the liver to function, "greens" are highly recommended for those who
suffer from dysfunction of the liver or those who have muscle problems.
Spring is a very important time for bodily
activities associated with wood energy.
No other season affects the liver like spring.
And during this time a run-down liver can be restored to perfect functioning or
take a turn for the worse.
The number of people complaining about sudden
bursts of pain which quickly recede also increases in the spring.
These people have a hard time trying to figure
out where these sudden aches and pains come from. But it is obvious to the OMD
that dysfunction of the liver - brought on by the extra wood energy present in
spring - is the main cause. People who easily lose their temper should be aware
that rage can worsen the functioning of the liver.
OMDs recommended that people experiencing
muscle problems or inflamed tendons eat more sour foods. However, eating too
many sour foods may cause some to become more aggressive or compulsive.
Anyone experiencing depression should take some
time out and go to an area full of trees or greenery. Observing the color green
stimulates latent wood energy and can provide the push needed to pull oneself
out of a malaise.
If you feel fatigued, try wearing some green
clothes. This can help stimulate wood energy and equalize your energy level.
People can easily succumb to diseases when
their yin and yang or five elemental energies are disturbed or out of balance.
By taking advantage of acupuncture and herbs, or learning to meditate, however,
you can effectively regulate the flow of chi and bring your body back to a state
of equilibrium.
http://thedaoculture.com
| |
|
[Seeker's Journal]
Yin-Yang, Sexual Equality, and Heresy Jeff
Kraus, London, Canada, Jeung San Do International
Dept. Originally printed in the Korea
Times newspaper on January 25th, 2005
I was not prepared for my colleague?
heretical question, because nobody in Eastern spirituality ever truly calls into
question the theory of yin and yang. Yin-yang theory holds such an ancient,
venerated, and central position that challenging its tenets seems tantamount to
repudiating all of Eastern spirituality. Yet, ?yssa,?an American and fellow
Oriental medicine student with whom I studied in 1995, posed the question: ?in
and yang relationships are reflected throughout the universe, correct? In men
and women, day and night, fire and water, cold and hot, the seasons of the
year?? ?ure, everywhere,?I agreed. ? nucleus is yang, its electrons are yin.?
?hen here? my question.?She smiled. ?f the relationship between men and women
has changed so dramatically, but the days and the seasons and the atoms have all
remained constant, does that mean that women? equality has put humankind out of
synch with the universe?? I could not answer her. Could you?
Part of my reticence to offer even
an opinion at the time stemmed from my hard-earned awareness of my own personal
ignorance. In 1995, my fascination with Eastern spirituality had only recently
transformed into a serious study, and I had just reached that second stage of
the student in which initial euphoria gives way to a numbing awareness of how
much one does not know?nd how much of what one does know is actually
wrong.
Before my studies, I thought I
understood yin-yang: yin is female, yang is male, and this male-female duality
is echoed throughout the universe. Being Western, I instinctively overlaid the
West? duality of Good and Bad over yin-yang theory and it seemed to work: day
(yang) is clearly good; night (yin) is bad. Life (yang) is good; death (yin) is
bad. From this, I inferred both that I understood yin-yang and that Eastern
philosophy was chauvinistic at its core.
Based on this flawed?et popular?nterpretation of yin-yang,
the historically recent and dramatic change in the relationship between men and
women could indeed be seen to contravene the universe? order. (I have even heard
echoes of this interpretation in the East, from a learned Korean spiritual
figure who vilified sexual equality as a great grief for Western women that
endures only because this equality was always just a facade anyway.) This
interpretation deeply troubled me, and I worried that I would find myself forced
to choose between adopting chauvinism or repudiating a core concept of Eastern
philosophy.
In later years, I posed Lyssa?
challenging question to a Korean friend, ?ictoria,?who possesses a PhD in
Philosophy. The framing of the question caused Victoria to wince. ?ou must
understand that women are neither completely nor eternally yin, and men are
neither completely nor eternally yang. It? contextual. A woman is yin to her
husband, but yang to her child. A teacher is yang and their student is yin, even
if the teacher is a young woman and the student is a venerable man.?She waved
her hand. ?esides, the sociological movement that the West calls sexual equality
is phenomenological; biologically, women are still yin and men are still yang.?
?o, yin-yang relationships are contextual?and biologically intrinsic?? ?e.
Contextual and intrinsic.?/font>
Understanding this paradox required
quite a bit of reflection and study, but eventually I understood that my Western
reading of yin-yang was wrong. According to the Western view of dualities, yang?
uncontrolled desire should be opposed on the yin side by sexual abstinence and
virginity; but I learned that the yin counterpart to uncontrolled desire is
actually prudence in desire. Similarly, yang? rage and fury is not counterpoised
by calmness, but by yin? grudges and resentment. By applying my Western
presumptions, I had blinded myself to a basic tenet of yin-yang theory: yin and
yang do not oppose each other, they collaborate.
To illustrate using earth? calendar
year, at Winter Solstice yin energy is at its peak and yang energy at its nadir,
then yang waxes and yin wanes until the Summer Solstice, and the cycle
subsequently repeats. This is not a war; it? a dance. Yin and yang energies rise
and fall just as two dance partners spiraling around a ballroom alternate moving
slowly and swiftly. Sometimes the man slows while his partner swirls around him
in exuberance and sometimes the woman slows while the man swirls around her
swiftly. Neither could dance without the other, and the dance never truly
stops.
Given my new understanding, I now have the answer
that I wish I could have given Lyssa ten years ago. Actually, I can conceive of
two answers. The first potential answer is the simplest. If the relative
strengths of yin and yang wax and wane cyclically, then the progression of
sexual equality in which women have been historically oppressed but are
presently less oppressed suggests that their standing will continue to wax in
the future until men become as oppressed as women have been in the past. (This
is the fearful dynamic that I suspect secretly drives the polemics of certain
conservatives who decry feminism ?or the sake of the family.? Lyssa may have
enjoyed this answer. But if this cycle of oppression were true, then someday
society would inevitably devolve back to the caveman times of oppressed yin. I
do not believe this.
My second potential answer leads to a personal heresy. I
have studied many Eastern cosmological theories based on yin-yang that assert
that time is cyclical and that the patterns of history will repeat. But I still
hold to the Western linear view of time. I believe that mankind? history, while
replete with repeating cycles, nevertheless is also a progression: like two
dance partners who swing in circles, but whose dance takes them across a
ballroom floor. Men and women, acting collaboratively, have succeeded
collaboratively; and barring some apocalypse that puts us back in the caves, our
dance will take us onward and upward to the stars.
And so my answer to Lyssa? yin-yang
question is this: Women? equality has not put humankind out of synch with the
universe; women? equality has put humankind in a position to gain it.
-http://www.jeungsando.org- |
|
http://thedaoculture.com
Dual existence of yin and yangDr. Shin Min-shik
Yin and yang, taken together, are the reference point
which allows us to see all things in existence. In the dual existence of yin and
yang, we see that all things have two sides to their existence.
Within the principles of yin and yang lie diverse meanings, such
as the nature of synchronization and "changeableness," which can be shown
through examples from the world around us.
When morning sunlight hits the mountains, it simultaneously
appears as bright on the side facing the sun, and dark on the side opposite the
sun. We call the lighted part of the mountain yang and the dark part yin.
In the concept of yin and yang, there is no separation in
existence; yin and yang are the different parts of being and always appear
simultaneously. We call this synchronicity.
Changeableness is the most important part of the nature of yin
and yang. When the sun sets, the bright side of the mountain turns dark, or
becomes yin. As the stream of time flows on, yin becomes yang and vice versa;
each becomes its opposite.
The most important thing to understand is that yin and yang
continuously change in a cyclical pattern. This can be illustrated with examples
from the body and nature.
In summer, our body temperature rises slightly, due to the heat
of the sun. The sun causes the yang energy to increase in the outer body and yin
energy goes to the inner body in an attempt to maintain balance. In the winter,
because of the cold and wind, yin energy increases in the outer body and yang
energy goes to the inner body.
Contrary to what you might think, having an abundance of cold
drinks or ice cream in summer is not a good idea. Since yin energy builds up on
the inside of the body, adding more yin energy (in the form of cold, yin foods)
can cause an imbalance and lead to illness. It is better to have a good amount
of hot and spicy food during hot months. In nations with hot climates, people
usually do eat hot and spicy foods.
Likewise, in nations with cold climates, people like to
routinely have cold drinks and take baths in ice water because too great a
buildup of yang energy on the inside is unhealthy.
The earth provides more examples of yin and yang: In the summer,
the surface of the earth is warm, and caves are cool. But during the winter,
there are many animals that hibernate in caves due to their warmth. Mushrooms
exist in marshes yet contain no water themselves. Cacti grow in the desert, but
contain much water (yin energy).
Aloe is much like a cactus. Because of this, it is not
recommended for people who possess a high degree of yin energy. But for those
who feel like they have a fever, or are always thirsty and have constipation,
aloe is good.
Ginseng, on the other hand, is good for people who have yin
energy. If people who possess yang energy eat ginseng, they usually break out in
pimples and experience a rise in blood pressure.
When making a diagnosis in oriental medicine, it is very
important to view a patient's yin and yang.
When we observe all beings, the view of yin and yang enables us
to comprehend the true existence of substance be seeing how all things related
to each other. Fostering the habit of observing the outward and inward parts is
an integral part of the wisdom of life. And its application goes beyond the
field of oriental medicine, helping us understand life.
Take, for example, people who seem to always have good luck.
They are more than likely lacking in some important aspects of their life. This
is an example of the synchronization of yin and yang; the simultaneous
existence, no matter how easy life may have been at some time. The variety of
changes in life itself is the nature of change in yin and yang.
We have came to understand through research that all illness is
due to an imbalance of yin and yang. Next time we will look at the four seasons
in regards to the yin and yang.
Updated: 06/24/1999
http://thedaoculture.com
Five elemental activitiesDr. Sin Min-sik
According to oriental medicine, "wood energy," one of
the "Five Elemental Energies," encompasses the power to grow and expand.
Wood energy is present in a sprout, full of the instinctive life
force to grow and pierce and expand against all obstacles, ground, rocks, or
climate changes. We can also observe this kind of life force flowing through a
wild flower growing in a field, sometimes breaking through rock.
Because no other living thing is believed to have growing energy
as powerful as that of a tree, oriental philosophers used the word wood to
symbolize such a mighty life force.
To better grasp this concept, imagine the act of throwing a ball
into the air. When the ball is just about to be released from the hand, its
state of energy is likened to wood, full of the potential energy "to go up,"
like a tree from the ground.
The concept of wood energy spreads beyond trees and sprouts,
however. Wind, spring, the color green, East, the liver, tendons and muscles,
anger, and sour and tart foods are all said to contain wood energy.
Wind is closely connected with wood due to its power to
instantaneously generate potential energy, or wind force.
Moreover the wind rises more in spring as the result of the
radical climate change. Therefore, spring is also considered a component of
Wood. Accordingly, anything green, including the leaves of trees or grass, is
considered to possess wood energy.
The sun rises in the east and gives off the light essential to
the growth of all plant life. Oriental philosophers therefore considered the
East as part of wood.
Because the liver is believed to generate "chi," or life force,
the organ contains the force to move the body and stretch out the hands and
feet, it is also considered a part of wood. The muscle and tendons contain
similar characteristics.
Finally, sour tasting foods, which can build up energy or cause
people to abruptly explode with anger or discontent, are said to contain wood
energy.
Armed with the knowledge of what falls into the realm of wood
energy and how the different components interact, doctors of oriental medicine
(OMD) can pinpoint imbalances and prescribe remedies.
Because the wood energy in green vegetables helps the liver to
function, "greens" are highly recommended for those who suffer from dysfunction
of the liver or those who have muscle problems.
Spring is a very important time for bodily activities associated
with wood energy.
No other season affects the liver like spring. And during this
time a run-down liver can be restored to perfect functioning or take a turn for
the worse.
The number of people complaining about sudden bursts of pain
which quickly recede also increases in the spring.
These people have a hard time trying to figure out where these
sudden aches and pains come from. But it is obvious to the OMD that dysfunction
of the liver - brought on by the extra wood energy present in spring - is the
main cause. People who easily lose their temper should be aware that rage can
worsen the functioning of the liver.
OMDs recommended that people experiencing muscle problems or
inflamed tendons eat more sour foods. However, eating too many sour foods may
cause some to become more aggressive or compulsive.
Anyone experiencing depression should take some time out and go
to an area full of trees or greenery. Observing the color green stimulates
latent wood energy and can provide the push needed to pull oneself out of a
malaise.
If you feel fatigued, try wearing some green clothes. This can
help stimulate wood energy and equalize your energy level.
People can easily succumb to diseases when their yin and yang or
five elemental energies are disturbed or out of balance. By taking advantage of
acupuncture and herbs, or learning to meditate, however, you can effectively
regulate the flow of chi and bring your body back to a state of
equilibrium.
http://thedaoculture.com
The mighty growth force of 'wood energy'
Dr. Sin Min-sik
According to oriental medicine, "wood energy," one of
the "Five Elemental Energies," encompasses the power to grow and expand.
Wood energy is present in a sprout, full of the instinctive life
force to grow and pierce and expand against all obstacles, ground, rocks, or
climate changes. We can also observe this kind of life force flowing through a
wild flower growing in a field, sometimes breaking through rock.
Because no other living thing is believed to have growing energy
as powerful as that of a tree, oriental philosophers used the word wood to
symbolize such a mighty life force.
To better grasp this concept, imagine the act of throwing a ball
into the air. When the ball is just about to be released from the hand, its
state of energy is likened to wood, full of the potential energy "to go up,"
like a tree from the ground.
The concept of wood energy spreads beyond trees and sprouts,
however. Wind, spring, the color green, East, the liver, tendons and muscles,
anger, and sour and tart foods are all said to contain wood energy.
Wind is closely connected with wood due to its power to
instantaneously generate potential energy, or wind force.
Moreover the wind rises more in spring as the result of the
radical climate change. Therefore, spring is also considered a component of
Wood. Accordingly, anything green, including the leaves of trees or grass, is
considered to possess wood energy.
The sun rises in the east and gives off the light essential to
the growth of all plant life. Oriental philosophers therefore considered the
East as part of wood.
Because the liver is believed to generate "chi," or life force,
the organ contains the force to move the body and stretch out the hands and
feet, it is also considered a part of wood. The muscle and tendons contain
similar characteristics.
Finally, sour tasting foods, which can build up energy or cause
people to abruptly explode with anger or discontent, are said to contain wood
energy.
Armed with the knowledge of what falls into the realm of wood
energy and how the different components interact, doctors of oriental medicine
(OMD) can pinpoint imbalances and prescribe remedies.
Because the wood energy in green vegetables helps the liver to
function, "greens" are highly recommended for those who suffer from dysfunction
of the liver or those who have muscle problems.
Spring is a very important time for bodily activities associated
with wood energy.
No other season affects the liver like spring. And during this
time a run-down liver can be restored to perfect functioning or take a turn for
the worse.
The number of people complaining about sudden bursts of pain
which quickly recede also increases in the spring.
These people have a hard time trying to figure out where these
sudden aches and pains come from. But it is obvious to the OMD that dysfunction
of the liver - brought on by the extra wood energy present in spring - is the
main cause. People who easily lose their temper should be aware that rage can
worsen the functioning of the liver.
OMDs recommended that people experiencing muscle problems or
inflamed tendons eat more sour foods. However, eating too many sour foods may
cause some to become more aggressive or compulsive.
Anyone experiencing depression should take some time out and go
to an area full of trees or greenery. Observing the color green stimulates
latent wood energy and can provide the push needed to pull oneself out of a
malaise.
If you feel fatigued, try wearing some green clothes. This can
help stimulate wood energy and equalize your energy level.
People can easily succumb to diseases when their yin and yang or
five elemental energies are disturbed or out of balance. By taking advantage of
acupuncture and herbs, or learning to meditate, however, you can effectively
regulate the flow of chi and bring your body back to a state of
equilibrium.
http://thedaoculture.com
Korean Future according to
the theory of divination based on topography
On the basis of the contents of a book,
"Places" which once rose up into sensation after Son, Seok-Woo, writer of the
book, anticipated the death date of the last Kim, Il-Sung in it, I will
scrutinize this Nation's luck and the future of Mankind.
It is said that he, born in Ul-Jin of the
Kangwon province, got mysterious clairvoyance on the ground and splendid wisdom
on topography during he was praying at a good place of a prestigious
mountain.
the book "Places" which is descriving the
prediction of Kim il sung 's death by son seok woo was published just before 1
year of his death... as he died in dep. 1994 , his prediction gathered all of
the people;s interest due to around time of his death .
human beings have a fate of being born from
the earth , living by food and going back to the earth. so the earth is the womb
of human beings. the human beings have a destiny reapeating prosperity and
development eternally on the earth.
the prophets who recognized the principal of
the earth can predict the future of human beings by use of the geographical
feature and the relation of fate and human beings.
Mt. BaekDu which the
forefather of all of the mountains.
Korea is a country that has many moutains, and
the mountains are so graceful and elegant and they are filled with all the
energy of the earth creating the harmony between heaven and the earth, explains
he about our mountains and rivers.
He added "the mountain is the place where the
energy of the earth is renewed, and Korea is the country that constantly moving
energy of the earth erupts". He, also, says that Mt. BaeDo is the vertex of the
earth.
Mt. Bae-Du is the forefather of all the
mountains and the windpipe of the earth, and the water of Chen-Ji, a lake on the
top, is self creative energy and the water drawn from the well early at
dawn.
The great king, who governs
the world, will be born in Korea. He replied to his disciple who asekd him to
answer the question about the leader who will flow from the grace out of a
unique ground place. "Where is it that the great leader will be born who will
rise up, save and govern a populaton of 7 billion and 2 thousand million people
during the Great universe change". and "it was originally pointed out from the
Genesis of the earth, truly Where is it?
The renowned astrology specialists were looking
for the same place. The specialists believed that fortune and luck are related
to the location and its environment. They say that the world top place is
located in the Korean land and coagulated in it.
http://thedaoculture.com
|
Who is Monk Tanheo? His secular name is Kim Geum Taek. Tan Heo is is posthumous
Buddhist name and his Buddhist name is Tak Seong.
He was born in North Jeolla province, Korea in 1913. When he was
15, he exchanged mail with a high priest, Han-am, to have an answer for Dao.
When he was 22, he entered the priesthood at Sang-won-sa in
Oh-dae-san.
He had a extensive knowledge about Eatern philosophy and he gave
a lecture about the Avatamska Sutra at the Eastern philosophy seminar in Japan
and Taiwan. Especially, in Taiwanese University, he was held in respected as a
world-wide great scholar in religious comparative study. In 1983, he passed away
at 71.
Tan-heo was a Buddhist scholar who knew not only Buddhism, but
also Confucism, Daoism and overall Eastern philosophy. Especially he was known
as a great Buddhist scholars of the Avatamska Sutra which is known for its
abstrucsity and the Book of change in our time. He foretold the time of his
death by only 10 hours difference and 13 sarira came from his body.
His ability of prophecy was well known by foretelling Korean
war, Uljin Samcheok armed spy incident and pareparing the disaster. During
Vietnam war, he also predicted that the US would not win the war and widthdraw
from Vietnam.
Tan-heo's father, Kim Hong Gyu, was a seeker after truth and
participated actively as a middle-grade member(one of 24 leaders) in early Jeung
San Do's first movement. As a Buddhist leader, Tan-heo often mentioned Gae-byuk
and Later Heaven and the background of his idea was deeply influenced by his
father's Jeung San Do teachings.
Monk Tanheo prophecy -
In the present, according to the principle of the Change
progression, Gan dosu(Time of Gan) is reflected in the direction of Gan.
According to the principle of Jeongyeok(book of right change or Right-Ching),
time of Later Heaven(the world after the change) will start soon because
Gandosu(Time of Gan) has come already. The view of the future through the
philosophy of Change is much more comprehensive and, furthermore, it gives a big
advantage to see the future of human society in the cosmic level.
The end of the world story, the Last Judgement day from
Christianity, has been around since two thousand years ago. The origin of this
kind of foreknowledge about the future can be found in the Western religion, but
according to the Eastern principle of the Change, Bokhui's eight signs of
divination revealed 'Principle of Heaven' six thousand years ago and King Wen's
eight signs of divination revealed 'Principle of constancy' three thousand years
ago and reached until today, and about eighty years ago(in 1886), the principle
from the Book of Right Change, the Change of the future, foretold the detailed
future of nature and human in Later Heaven.
The prophecy of the Western religion concluded the end of the
world and related to the Advent of Christ, but 'the Principle of right Change'
resolves the revolution of nature in Later Heaven, how the human race will be
judged, and how many people will live in the world without
irrationality.
Eight signs of divination in Jeongyeok(Book of right Change) is
the Change of future as the eight signs of Later Heaven. According to this, the
earth will have a time of maturation as if a girl of puberty encounters the
first menstrual period.
("If Buddha alive") |
http://thedaoculture.com
Who is Nam Sa-go?
(Nam Sa-go ??? ???, 1509~1571) Gyeok-am (hermitage of
decorum) Nam Sa-go was a great sholar, an incredibly talented prophet, and a
wise man of the sixteenth century during Korea's Joseon dynasty. He was born in
1509, in a city called Uljin located in Gyeonsang-do province, and passed away
in the year 1571. Sa-go was his given name and his adopted the name "Gyeok-am"
symbolized his prestigious place in the Joseon dynasty. He was deeply studied in
the I-Ching (The Book of Changes) and had a great understanding of the
principles of astronomy, geomancy, and physiognomy. In his later years, he
served in the royal court of the Joseon dynasty at the time of King Myeongjong,
as the chief of the royal astronomical center. It is said that Nam Sa-go
achieved enlightenment at a temple called Bulyeongsa (The temple of Buddha's
shadow) located in his hometown. It was here that he met an old monk who
conveyed esoteric words and teachings to him.
Like many other famous
people in history, there are many anecdotes about Sa-go's life. One day, as he
was walking along the Yeongdong, an eastern mountain range, he unexpectedly
looked up the sky. Suddenly, with a great voice he shouted "Today, a person who
will harm the Joseon dynasty will appear!". This turned out to be the day when
Toyotomi Hideyoshi; who initiated two invasions of Korea in 1592 and again in
1597, was born. In the Year of the Dragon (1592), he stated "When a man riding a
white horse comes over the south sea, that is when our country will collapse."
True to fact, when Japan started its invasion the following year, a captain
named Gato Giyosama rode a white horse after they crossed the south sea.
What is Gyeokamyurok (????, ????)?
-A book of future by
Korean philosopher Nam Sa-go
"Gyeokamyurok (????)?is written by a famous Korean philosopher
Nam Sa-go (???, 1509-1571). This book consists of more than sixty traditional
Korean poems and written in both Hangeul(Korean language) and traditional hanja
characters(Chinese characters; Koreans use Hangeul and hanja combined since old
times to now). In this book, Nam Sa-go prophesied various incidents starting
from the end of sixteenth century to the future of today. He was deeply versed
in the Eastern principles of Yeokhak (I-Ching?he science of divination), Pungsu
(feng-shui : geomancy), astrology and physiognomy. He foretold of the future and
asked us to prepare with a sincere mind. Specifically, he explained in detail
about a reform of the spiritual world in heaven, changes to religious belief
systems of Korea, the true title of God, and a method to survive the great
change facing humanity at the time of gaebyeok.
http://thedaoculture.com
Going Home the First Time, Meditation
by Jeff Kraus
Everyone knows the fantasy: meditating on an idyllic Eastern mountain
peak with birds singing in rhythm to the soft ddak, ddak of a temple’s wooden
gong. Such images attracted me to Asia ten years ago, seeking an inner sense of
purpose that my upbringing in Canada had not provided. But my first visit to an
actual mountain temple outside of Seoul resulted in a monk offering me inner
peace for $2000 US in tuition. From this I learned that a mountain peak can be
simply a piece of the city mounted high. Luckily, I met a doctor of traditional
Eastern medicine who offered to teach me meditation.
I think that my expectations of meditation matched those of most
Westerners, since we all learned what to expect from movies and television
shows. (We suspect that this image is wrong, but we do not know exactly how.)
I knew that I would not really have to shave my head and wear a saffron
robe, but I expected that my teacher would have me meditating in a hushed temple
with woven mats and ancient statues. In later years, when I started instructing
others in meditation, several of my Western students mentioned their fear that
they would find meditation boring, a result that would have meant in their minds
that they lacked some unique inner vision. I shared this concern and also feared
that I would fail the esoteric art of meditation for petty reasons, such as
failing to keep my mind from wandering or being unable to sit in one position
for long periods of time.
 The reality of my first meditation session was much like the
reality of many stereotyped experiences: half of my expectations were completely
confounded, and the expectations that were met surprised me. Instead of a serene
temple at dawn, my first meditation experience occurred in my teacher’s
apartment after a fine dinner of kalbi and crab. During dinner, my teacher’s
sister-in-law expressed her astonishment that I truly wanted to learn
meditation; she was a modern Korean and viewed meditation as an outmoded and
eccentric pastime. Her astonishment astonished me, for I had always presumed
that all Asians revered meditation, and I suppose I even thought that monks were
only the highest form of meditators and that all other Asians had at least some
cultural experience of the art. After
coffee, my teacher announced: “Let’s meditate!?BR> His apartment study had a
computer station along one wall, his library against a second wall, and a
meditation shrine against the third. His humble shrine, covered in white paper,
had a simple silver water bowl, two white candles, and an incense brazier. He
and I sat on two cushions side by side, and he began the
instructions. “Straighten your back. Breathe with your lower abdomen, like a baby does.
Babies have the most perfect, natural breathing rhythm, right from the stomach.
Your legs do not have to be in any limb-twisting lotus position, just cross them
comfortably.”He gave me more practical advice on how to relax my muscles, where
to place my hands, and how to hold my head. The instruction that surprised me
most was: “Close your eyes, but not all the way.?All the depictions of
meditation I had seen had shown people with their eyes closed. But Doctor Shin
explained, “If you close your eyes, your mind will wander too easily. Instead,
leave your eyelids open a crack to keep you grounded in
reality.?BR>
“I thought that the point of meditation was to transcend
reality.?BR> “If you close your eyes,?he explained, “your mind will drift off
into your vast pool of memories and start compulsively thinking about
everything. That’s analytical meditation, an entirely different form.?He
smiled. “Besides, if you close your eyes, you’ll fall
asleep.?BR> We
meditated in silence at first,
listening to our own breathing. After a few minutes, Doctor Shin led me in
chanting the mantra that he had taught me earlier in his clinic office: a
fundamental mantra focused on healing. At twenty-three syllables, the Tae-eul
Mantra seemed long and complicated to me, but short to him. For a Westerner, a
short mantra would be “ohm,”but historically, Eastern mantras have stretched as
long as ten thousand syllables, comprising the contents of entire tomes of
learning. After a time in which my mind focused on questions such as “Am I
doing this properly?and “Am I chanting the mantra right,?I noticed my left
hand become cold as though an ice pack were hovering near it and my right hand
tingled as though near a heat source. Then, my feet and legs became numb, and
this numbness progressed up my legs and chest and arms, until all that remained
was the sound of the mantra, my breathing, and my mind. A euphoria swelled
within me, something that my mind did not recognize, yet could examine with
eager curiosity. Eventually, my consciousness felt like a balloon tethered to a
speeding car, just tenuously attached to reality. The
clapping of my teacher’s hands,
signaling the end of meditation, startled me. I would later learn that sometimes
during meditation, when your joints are aching or your body is sick, minutes can
seem like hours. But in that first meditation session, what felt like a handful
of minutes spent chanting turned out to have been forty
minutes. Afterward, my emotional elevation evolved into a mind-set of peace
and expansive awareness. In trying to describe this elevation to friends, I
explained that it did not feel like the giddiness of alcohol or sex, but rather
like the euphoria one feels upon beginning a journey home. In my subsequent
years of meditation, I came to recognize this giddiness as a happy stage that
meditators eventually learn to move beyond as they seek the state in which the
mind stops speaking and starts listening. Through and beyond this state lies the
potential to see the universe as it exists in truth.
Jeff Kraus (ilshimjunsa@hotmail.com)
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Experiencing the Universe Through Tae-eul Mantra
Meditation Nancy Chartier, Dallas
Dojang
My Sister Introduces Me to
Jeung San Do
I have been
hearing of Jeung San Do for several years now through my sister, Cynthia. We
have a very close relationship; we are best friends. She never tried to push me
into it; I guess she knows me pretty well. She would go and meditate, and talk
about these wonderful people there, and I would think ‘That’s nice? and try to
catch up with my busy, all too important life.
This year, I was under a lot of stre |