Two brothers get into an argument in the desert....


It's a lead-in to a really bad joke that just won't go away.

I have always purposed an alternate approach
when dealing with these energies and for every
action there is an equal and opposite reaction:
Cause and effect according to the laws of
polarity. But there really is no secret. What is
the truth the light and the Way? What is
enlightenment, illumination and the resultant
liberation of freedom implied? For lack of
a better term there are those who might call
this the Tao. Which no doubt remains open
for interputation. But for every translation
there is yet another individualistic agenda
implied as in, for instance, the Tao Teh Ching.
So continually lines are drawn to fit the
prevailing winds. Those things which
are alike grow to resemble the imprecations
ascribed and so we - all of us - tend to
argree with what makes most sense for
us along the rigid ways of some particular
attainment.

The truth about alchemy? All one need do
is to follow the links here among associated
tribes to easily discern what the word means
in western magical terms. Some great and
hidden knowledge that will lead one to this
ultimate awakening, turning lead into gold.
And yet there is this talk of inqesting actual
metals for health and longevity, i say to each
his own - whatever makes you happy.

Here are few notes on spiritual alchemy from
a purely Taoist perspective:

"If one can accord with the time, then the promotion of strength
can be correct, and the use of intelligence can be appropriate:
The firing process does not go wrong, the measure of the
elements is regulated, haste and relaxation are in order, advance
and withdrawal accord with the appropriate time and measure;
reaching effortless by way of effort, there is no problem of losing
what has been gained."

I Ching

Now the imprecations are clear those of us who have ears to hear
will see the truth of it... "When one acts in accord with the time,
the yang energy is expansive, like thunder going out of the earth
and rising forcefully into the sky, startling an area of a hundred
miles with its rumble, so that all demons flee. The life-giving
potential continues increasing, and the earth is always covered
with yellow sprouts, the world blooms with golden flowers.
Wherever one may walk, everywhere is the Tao. No happiness
is more delightful than this." Unfortunately few are they who
are interested in this truthful practice in spirit.

The I Ching was never intended as a tool for devination but as
a tool for teaching this balance of earthly and celestial harmony.
It is by this firing process that we are givien the means of
insight into self mastery.


"Practioners of the Tao should carefully develope
immense energy, and combine duty with right action,
so that they may attain to perfect truthfulness
without error."

The Taoist I-Ching


Quite some time has passed since this project
first began and with each passing day we draw
closer to the remote by the near at hand...
Who we are through this process of awakening
'none but the wise can say ' - Rise up then, like
the movement of thunder irrepressible from
beneath the earthly to activate the energy of will
with firmness and efficacy to act decisively at
this moment of emergence upon the path of
harmonious action producing happiness...



"Innate knowledge is rooted in heaven, and belongs to the order
of life; innate capacity is rooted in earth, and belongs to to nature."

"Upon mixture with temporal conditioning, innate knowledge and
turns into artificial knowledge, innate capacity turns into artifcial
capacity; the earthly and the celestial out of harmony, firmness
and flexibility are out of balance, so nature becomes deranged
and life is destabilized, losing the natural endowment of simplicity
and readiness of heaven and earth, losing the innate goodness of
knowledge and capacity."

"Modification to simplicity and readiness means that knowledge
and capacity are in their innate condition of innocence."

When this happens there is no question of right and wrong,
before or after, past or future because all is contained within
the present moment.

Illumination is not some fanciful illusion of someday tomorrow.

"The practice of virtue is the study of body and mind, nature and life.
It is a very refined and subtle science, in which the slightest deviation
can produce an enormous loss. It can be accomplished only by
constancy and consistancy, thoroughly investigationg its principles,
fulfilling nature and arriving at the meaning of life."

"What does light illumine? It simply illumines the inherent quality
of open awareness without obscurity."

True enlightenment is continuing light that illumines not only
the inward but extends outward to reach the four quaters.



Eros ecclesia Spiritualis
Revelations reveal
Archetypical Metamorphosis
Receptivity to spirit
Less anima complecti complexus


Original natural reality
fire that burns
fire that heals
Return of the real
yin fire is restless
yang fire is true
when yin culminates
yang is born
light enters into the earth
a compainion comes
reversing the path
creative energy is born


Fire with Fire

Energy of open Illumination
Embracing Fire with Fire
Inner illumination
outwardly expressed
requires
Constancy of development
We turn the light around
to shine within
with flexible receptivity
We nurture inner illumination
preserving truthfulness
both inward and outward
combine to produce
the fire of One Illumination
yin within yang
Fire embracing the female
within
A thousand illuminations


Joined Mountains

One moutain joins another
immutably stabilized
in the right way
all thoughts rest
in their proper place
Responding to all things
ten thousand mountains
are joined
harmonious and peaceful
able to refine the self
and master the mind
as steady as a mountain
how many know the One?
and can think without
changing places
always upright
persistent in the path
faultless
from beginning to finish
complete all task
with no forced effort
by this one attainment alone
both action and stillness arise
from genuine intent


Wind Blowing Fire

Within the human body
vitality, spirit, soul,
psyche, and intent
are like people
in the home
when the mind
is illumined
all are transformed
into guardian spirits
of truth in confluence
with heaven and earth
illumination grows
from receptivity
sadness, joy,
anger and happiness
are harmonious
in balance
using openness
to seek fulfillment
true nature
appears
like wind
blowing fire


Rising Up

Accumulate virtue
study widely
with serious intent
everyday improve
precedents of speech
with action
To emulate
the sages of yore
question earnestly
think for yourself
fulfill nature
reach the meaning of life
stable as a mountain
permanent as heaven
strong in stillness
resting in the highest good


The True Eternal Tao

"Whenever I see those whom the vulgar call devotees of the Tao,
I find that all of them seek to be taken in by spirits and immor-
tals, or they seek lasting life and preservation of wealth by the
practice of material alchemy or sexual yoga. When it comes to the
great Tao of true eternity, pure and open, tranquile and dispassionate,
there are few who are interested in it."

lost reference


~*~*~*~

Twofold mind

"The mind of man is twofold; in one way it is true, in one
way it is false. So to look for the true mind, don't give rise
to arbitrary thoughts - then there is the true mind.

"The true mind is broad and luminous; where the true
mind abides is peace and freedom. When you manage
your affairs withthe true mind, everything is integrated;
when you seek the Tao with the true mind, myraid differ-
ences are of the same root.

"But if people want to use the true mind to deal with
affairs, they need to foster it so that it is strong, and to
keep it calm and uncluttered. Then it can work without
wearness, and be responsive even while tranquil.

"The teaching of spiritual alchemy says that when the
mind runs off one should gather it in; having gathered
it in, then let go of it. After action, seek rest; finding rest,
one develops enlightenment. Who says one cannot
find tranquility in the midst of clamor and activity?"

Chang San-feng