The Inner Teachings of Taoism ... The Occult Opening
A Fenghuang on the roof of Longshan Temple in Taipei
Fenghuang ... the Chinese Phoenix
'Its body symbolizes the six celestial bodies. The head is the sky, the eyes are the sun, the back is the moon, the wings are the wind, the feet are the earth, and the tail is the planets. Its feathers contain the five fundamental colors: black, white, red, blue and yellow. It is also sometimes depicted as having three legs. It is believed that phoenix only appear in areas or places that are blessed with utmost peace and prosperity or happiness.
Chinese traditions cites it as living atop the Kunlun Mountains in northern China." Wikipedia
The Phoenix, in a general way, represents something renewed and that lies at the heart of both the Tao and it's inspirations ... like Taiji Chuan. Within the study of Taiji Chuan is the concept of the dance of Yin and Yang and how it represents the changes in the reality we experience every moment ... every day ... at all times. There are many ways to scale a mountain it is said but the surest is methodical, step by step ... concentrated. This is also true within the study of a nei-gong art like taiji Chuan where the perception of each moment can carry potential and potency ... or not ... depending on you mental condition. "The Inner Teachings of Taoism" [6] is a work representing Chinese Alchemy as a process of development and change that human kind can venture through in the journey of life. It makes clear the imagery used to engage in the process of becoming a true human being, a sage, an enlightened being ... all of these concepts and more.
The occult opening is clarified in this condensed work by Chang Po-tuan as are other concepts and images used to prepare the 'Elixir of life' ... more commonly known as the 'philosopher's stone.'
These concepts have been mystified purposefully throughout the ages through the use of arcane language to hide the deeper meanings and processes from unfit individuals who would use the knowledge and power gained for unfit purposes. As to the chemical processes that bide within the history of alchemy ... I cannot say ... but I can point to the process of alchemical change within the human being as it relates to the practice of Taiji Chuan. A great deal of what contributes to our good and ill health involves organic and inorganic chemicals and chemical processes after all. (more on this later)
The occult opening becomes important within the study of Taiji Chuan and nei-gong because it clarifies it's existence as a space within our presceptions ... it's not physical and yet, effects the physical ... it's not mental and yet, effects the mind. If we understand the mind to be our awareness capabilities then we are on the right track.
"This opening is not an ordinary aperture: made by heaven and earth together, it is called the lair of spirit and energy: within it are the vitalities of water and fire." [6] It is invisible yet, accessible and herein lies our point within the study. When we practice 'mind body' in movement or standing we need our attention to open and we do this by looking far ... not concentrating on any one point and extending our attention in the distance ... taking in everything ... yet, not focusing on anything. This helps to quiet the mind ... to cut the chatter that endlessly buzzes in our heads. We often experience a loss of memory as to where we are within the movements, at certain points in this practice, which just means we have entered an expanded mental space. It's this space wherein lies the crucible where the mating of mental, spiritual and energenic vibrations of Yin and Yang occurs. With time our understanding of far and near becomes stable and we no longer forget where we are in the practice ... this is growth and stabilizes our awareness in the energies and everyday life. The practice of 'mind body' is extremely important to the practice of Taiji Chuan and to the process of becoming a true human being ... so engage ...
all the best and may God bless ...
Copyright © D.D. Harrington