It is profoundly interesting to me that many people would prefer to debate the semantics of words and define their positions by differences; than trying to see concepts or commonality in their viewpoints. We proclaim the virtues of individuals who can find a new way to define by reductionistic approaches, rather than the synergy that nature enjoys. It is through this splitting of hairs that we become discontent, envious, annoyed and irritated with the people around us. In nature, the entire ecosystem is conjoined with respective differences abounding, but the flawless flow (even though we not see this) is evident in the evolution of life.

So too are we evolving – changing as we get older and wiser or the way I see it, from my Taoist & Buddhist training, is that we are becoming more aware of our true nature or our spirit. In my last blog article, I wrote about The Holy Spirit and the Tao Te Ching…here is an except that fits into this conversation:

The Chinese Medical term Shen (Holy Spirit) lives in our Blood. It is profoundly holy as it was transposed from heaven at the time of your conception. The Shen translates as the Spirit in Taoist Chinese Medicine or from the Chinese Health Practitioner. This Shen courses through our veins as much as oxygen does and in the same way we are not aware of the oxygen in our blood - within moments of its departure, we will surely die.  At Inner strength, we show how to feel this energetic journey of the Shen in our medical QiGong teachings of Taoist origin.

In the Nei Jing, an ancient Chinese Medical text, it speaks that all diseases are of the Spirit first. In this way, to truly become a healer or to be healed, one must address the Spirit (Shen) flowing within you. To truly heal is to start from the Spirit and finish at the flesh but return again to the Spirit- a top down schematical orbit if you will.

One can come to know or to “feel” their own Spirit through an enormous variety of intentional practices. This may include going to mass, praying softly in the forest or near a lake, singing praise, meditation on the sutras or Proverbs, contemplating the works of Blake or by doing QiGong. For many people though, illumination comes from trials and tribulations of life…..being pressured like coal into a fine diamond over time and with increasing pressure. Many times we come alive by feeling the pain that the world gives us. In science, they are discovering that dark matter is moreprolific and that which we cannot - see is more communicative in the uinverse than what we “know to be real by sight.”

Pema Chodon Speaks of this in a meditation called tonglen:where you breathe in the suffering of another (or yourself) and exhale compassion, love, expansiveness and understanding to the world -cleansing ones own Spirit or Shen in the process. This is a basic Buddhist practice, but thereare similar practices in Taoism and Christianity well.

The Buddha said, “ Better your owntruth, however, weak, than the truth of another, however, noble.”

In Chinese Medicine, we use the word Lien – which means to train. We train our mind so that we may receive the Shen that is already coursing through our veins – or said in another way -receiving the Holy Spirit.  Awareness if you will. Similar to becoming aware that there is Love around you – but you may not be able to feel it at this moment due to your state of mind. Because you do not feel God – does not mean that he is not there? This is the true essence of alchemy in ancient texts andpractices.

There are three Stages of Alchemy:

Jing Wei Qi                    Transformessence into Qi

Kien Qi Wa Shen           TransformQi into Shen

Kien Shen Wuji            TransformShen into the Void

Jing Wei Qi is the first and perhaps the most difficult in that it is beginning to cultivate dicipline of mind on a daily basis to laterserve us in the next several transitions. This is were many people pray,meditate, reflect and become mindful of the path that they are on by turning inward rather than focus on the distractions of the outside world.

Kien Qi Wa Shen is the second step of understanding mind and beginning its fusion with the spirit of collective consciousness of ourselves first (learning to love ourselves), and then with the consciousness of the universe.

Kien Shen Wuji is the final step to which we no longer are bound to the physical body at all, but have begun to vibrate with the very nature of God and the Tao. This is were words are not spoken, and words cannot describe the process, nor things are to be looked with reductionist eyes, for it transcends duality - which is the nature of our understanding  (i.e. something is soft/hard,angelic/evil, the true path/the wrong path) in other words, human judgement becomes non-existent.

To study oneself is truly a worthwhile endeavor. By learning to feel your own Spirit this holiday season and come to understand yourself,not only will you be more calm and centered (my term for this sensation), but be able to rejoice in the beauty and love of those around you in a much more profound way. Jesus would want this I believe.

To find out more, please go to www.inner-strength.org for a series of ongoing seminars held monthly or to read more of Dr. Cibik’s work, please click on www.chinesehealthprofessional.com.

Dr. Ted Cibik is a Zhong Yi - a term used to denote a Doctor of Chinese medicine and a Taoist priest - a person who works with the energy of life. This title, although ancient in use, represents the true fusion of mind, body and spirit in healing.

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