NO.9 Reading · ZhongDaoTaiChi & QiGong & TCM

NO.9 Reading

Let's continue reading about the Daoist understanding of consciousness.

In the previous session, it was mentioned that Daoism divides consciousness into several levels. The first and foremost is the primordial spirit(YUAN SHEN).

The second is " Conscious Spirit(SHI SHEN): Refers to the mental activities and thought processes developed after birth (including the emergence of various emotions)."

The third is "True Intent(ZHEN YI): The primordial spirit remains unmoving as the essence, while true intent operates through resonance and connection. The primordial spirit and true intent are fundamentally one. True intent refers to the correct awareness within emptiness..."

Dr Pang points out here that the primordial spirit should not be equated with true intent. He explains, "In the relationship among the primordial spirit, the conscious spirit, and true intent, the primordial spirit is the state of consciousness without mental activity, or the most primitive and fundamental state of the conscious spirit.

When various thoughts have not yet stirred, that special condition is called the primordial spirit. Through practice, one can gradually sense and recognize it—a neutral state devoid of all emotions.

The conscious spirit refers to the everyday activities of the mind. When the conscious spirit becomes tranquil, the nature of the primordial spirit can manifest.

When you are in a state of profound emptiness and tranquility, the function through which you perceive the 'nature of the primordial spirit' is called 'true intent,' which is entirely different from ordinary mental activities.

Ancient philosophers regarded the primordial spirit and the conscious spirit as opposing forces. They believed that practice should involve eliminating the conscious spirit to return to the primordial spirit. However, our Zhineng Qigong does not hold this view."

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