Here's something esoteric. Somebody asked me what I believed in. I've studied Taoism for over twenty years, and I'm still as unsure about the meaning of life as the day I began. But it's fun to study and think about. Anyway, here is a little that is written about this obscure school of Taoism that I study:

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The Complete Reality school is referred to as "reformed" Taoism because the school attempted to eliminate many of the superstitious elements and return to fundamental teachings. The theoretical basis of the school is "reunification of the fragmented self into the original whole or the reunion of Tao and man."


The Founder of the Complete Reality School

The Complete Reality School arose during the Middle Ages and today forms part of modern Taoism. It's founder was Wang Ch'ung-yang of the Southern Sung Dynasty (c. 1127-1279). He was born during the violent rule of the emperors of the Five Dynasties (c. 1000 AD). Wang rejected the rigidity of Confucian doctrine that had failed to prevent the violence and militarism of the times. Wang studied Buddhism, Taoist longevity practices and Confucian ethics. The three-in-one school was a blend of the emptiness teachings of Buddhism, the Taoist techniques of health and longevity, and the ethics of Confucianism. (The doctrine of emptiness in principally associated with the Indian Buddhist teacher, Nagarjuna who is said to have visited China, c. 100 AD and taught the sutras on emptiness and the void which is cited in the Links section).

Some of its practices, have such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan have received wide popular acceptance. This school is known for its rigor as well as its constructive involvement in the ordinary world. The Clear Reality School has produced some of the most advanced Taoist adepts and continues to do so to this day.

Meditation

In Taoist practice it is necessary to embrace the breath with the mind and the mind with the breath. With practice one becomes balanced and the practitioner becomes able to plunge into deep and deeper meditative states where " there is no sky, no earth, no body. "This advanced state of meditation is what is referred to in the saying 'Knowing the white, keep the black, and the illumination of the spirit will come of itself." White refers to everyday life and the rational mind. Black means the intuitive side of the brain and the mystical realms. This distinction was a basic part of the teachings of the Complete Reality School.

The purpose of meditation practice, then, is to center and calm the mind for it is said: "When the ordinary mind is calmed, the shining mind of Tao comes forth." This saying was attributed to Chang San-Feng, on of the famous adepts of the Complete Reality School. "The mind of Tao" refers to the primordial real consciousness. The all-too-human way of mistaking the ego or the ordinary mind for our true self or buddah-mind is called "putting the servant before the master."

The Seven Immortals

Wang Ch'ung-yang of the Southern Sung Dynasty (c. 1127-1279) is one of the great founders of the Complete Reality School, also known as the Holistic Zen Taoist School. His students, seven Taoist masters, received the transmission of the Northern School of Taoism. The School's headquarters has been the White Cloud Monastery near Bejing. They believed that immortality was to be obtained mainly through inner alchemy by meditation and ch'i kung exercises. The collective stories of the students of Master Wang speak of the sacrifices that need to made in order to realize Tao. More importantly, the stories teach that each student has an individual path that differs from every other student. Yet each path is equally valid and appropriate: T'an Ch'ang is successful on the path to knowledge because he has discipline. Hao T'ai-ku attains the Tao by selfless giving. Sun Pu-erh, a woman, undertakes the most difficult task, that of leaving her home and family and destroying her beauty. She succeeds through intellect and strong determination. Ma Tan-yang, her husband, succeeds by simplicity in thought and action. Ch'iu Ch'ang succeeds by the use of his unshakable faith in the Tao. Wang Yu-yang performs unceasing sitting meditation. Liu Chang sheng utilizes the medium of clairvoyance to discover his path.

The seven immortals all had profound and lasting influence and carried forward Taoism. They were very active during the Jin and Yuan Dynasties and also established their own branches according to their personal styles. Some of these are the Dragon Gate Taoist School, the Mount Sui Taoist School, Meeting the Celestials School, Mount Hua Taoist School, and The Quiet and Tranquil Taoist School. These schools promoted and rejuvenated the practice of Taoism. A series of sculptures that honor them is found at the White Cloud Monastery in Bejing.

Here is the poem that a great Taoist wrote:

The Opening of the Mysterious Female
by Lui I Ming

The opening of the mysterious female
is the opening of the mysterious pass.

This opening has a double door, opening and closing.
It is nine feet high and five feet wide. Outside is a
spiritual officer on sentry; inside are a dragon and
tiger standing guard.

The central hall is one room
which extends in all directions; in it dwells a true
human, with unkempt hair and bare feet, wearing a
patchwork garment of five colors and a belt of yellow
silk, holding a scepter of golden light, sitting
peacefully on the seat of spontaneity, leaning back
without casting a shadow on the wall, a crystal lamp
hung in front, eyes half closed, immobile, at rest,
not impulsively looking around, not speaking at
random. To the right there is a golden boy, to the
left a jade girl.

Sometimes the true human opens its eyes and light
fills the universe, illuminating even the dark regions
of the nether world. Sometimes the true human opens
its mouth and energy fills the universe, putting all
demons to flight. The true human holds the power of
creation, the poetry of yin and yang, the talisman
of life and death, and the amulet which holds the essence of life.

However, there are a few people in the world who are
in genuine earnest. Most can not put forth intensive
effort or endure long perseverance; also they do not
seek out the fundamental true principles, but just
think of the mysterious pass and mysterious female in
terms of physical locations and do some minor
techniques which are attached either to voidness or to
form, falsely imagining that they will attain Tao.

This is pitiful.

If one is a true stalwart, one can decisively set
aside all entanglements, and dwell on emptiness,
and then of importance, call on true teachers, form associations
with worthy companions, never changing one's
determination; then one can eventually come to know
the mysterious pass, see the mysterious female, and
finally comprehend the essence of life. Students should
work on this...

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I believe that hidden within this poem is the key to a sacred meditation.