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The Tao is the ultimate source of
all, the beginning before the beginning and the uncreated which
constantly creates everything. Tao has influence over all things
and creation is a result of Tao.
The Taoists do not conceive the Tao as an Omnipotent Being
sitting in the clouds. Tao is considered a powerful active force
with no physical human representation. Tao creates because it is
the actual essence of all things. It does not set out to create
but things emerge as a result of Tao. It is what the Tao Te
Ching refers to as the ‘Natural Way’. In the ‘Tao Te Ching’
Lao Tse says the Tao is beyond description:
‘The Tao that can be
explained is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.’
Lao Tse talks of the Tao as being
forever indefinable. It is the power beyond power and it flows
through the world, like a river heading to the sea and back to
its origin.
Man’s purpose within all this is to act as mediator between
Heaven and Earth. The price he pays for this privilege is to
bear the responsibility of protecting and nurturing all life
forms on the planet. To achieve this harmony with nature it is
necessary to achieve a peaceful mind and spirit in a healthy
body. This only can be achieved by living in accordance with the
forces of Yin and Yang.
The Tao is the ultimate source of all, the origin before the
origin and the essence which creates everything. The process of
eternal creation is described in the Tao Te Ching as:
‘The Tao is the origin of
the One
The One created the two.
The two created the three.
From the three came forth all life.’
The two are the twin forces of Yin
and Yang. These forces are opposites like black and white, male
and female, hot and cold.
In their eternal struggle, they
generated a special kind of energy (Qi) which fuels creation and
which causes all to come to birth. They are not forces of good
and evil. They are locked in an eternal struggle which neither
can win. At the very moment that one reaches the highest point
of its power it gives way to the other. This is why the Yin/Yang
symbol shows the two forces curled around each other, with a dot
of the other in the centre of each. All things have their origin
in the interaction of the two opposites of Yin and Yang. Yin is
being represented by black and Yang represented by white. The
small contrasting circles within the larger division represent
the fact that within Yin there is Yang and within Yang there is
Yin. The dynamic curve represents a continual struggle between
the two forces. They control each other and transform into each
other.
According to Zhang Hun Bao, the balance of Yin and Yang has
altered slightly at this time:
Now the Yin infiltrates the Yang
and this is reflected in our modern society by a change in the
relationships between men (Yang - brightness), and women (Yin -
shade). This can be clearly understood from the point of view of
opposite attraction - Yang (male), is attracted to the shade and
the dark side of this force. This is clear in our society and
has been so for many centuries. What attracts men, particularly
those in a position of power is darkness. Conversely, women are
generally the opposite and attracted always to the light. The
balance is slowly shifting through a slow process of world
events. The rise in power of the female element (Yin), will
correct the imbalance.
In Daoism there is an idea of a non-personalised and mysterious
creative life force which equates with the original idea of God
in all great religions. The original Hebrew name, Jehovah, was
de-personalised meaning ‘That which was, That which is, That
which ever shall be’ and so is the Muslim word Allah meaning
‘the in and out of the Breath’. This force manifests itself
by creating balance - the flow of the Da Qi. When we go against
this force disaster strikes. Either personally, nationally or
globally.
Disaster possibly struck the Dinosaurs some millions of years
ago and disaster might strike us soon too for we are rapidly
approaching a point where natural forces might intervene
(Greenhouse Effect). When a race of beings knowingly (for
profit) destroys the home in which it lives, you must expect
change. We need to care for the planet and for each other and we
are not doing this on a global scale. The force of balance, or
Da Qi, will clearly intervene.
With pure Daoism (Shuichuan) you make your own connection to the
Da Qi or Universal Life Force. This kind of connection enables
you to acquire knowledge from within, as and when you need it.
Unlike religion, it imposes nothing, but gives you free choice,
freedom of interpretation and communicates in a manner which is
tailor-made for you. You will come to understand, not from
exterior teachings, but from within yourself. Shuichuan
doesn’t work against religion, but deepens your understanding
of it as all great religions come from the same Source.
In this totally free way Shuichuan can be used by all of us,
regardless of differences - there is only one Universal Life
Force, whatever you call it, and despite our differences
(Science or Religion), there is a subtle underlying inner
correspondence within all things.
Qigong is very simple. You receive Chu Xing then practise the
exercise. It can be done alone and at home. How often is up to
you. In time, much that was difficult becomes easier. This is
because you are going with a visually imperceivable flow and
live your life in accordance with the forces of Yin and Yang
while maintaining an attitude of non-interference or Wu Wei. You
make fewer ‘mistakes’ and life begins to reappear as a
‘game’.
Life is still there. The shadow, or the projection of the
outside world is still there, but you are experiencing also the
light. As they balance you begin to recognise the shadow within
yourself and begin to laugh at it. You have begun to play ‘The
Game’…….
Elisabeth Rusch
Tao is powerful;
Heaven is powerful;
Earth is powerful;
Mankind is also powerful.
These are the four great powers of the universe
And the wise Man takes his place amongst them.
Tao Te Ching
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