To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/09/28 13:21
Subject: [K-list] Taoist Eight Bodies and Cult
From: Jay Wang
On 1999/09/28 13:21, Jay Wang posted thus to the K-list:
Hi, everyone,
Some people have asked about more info on the Eight Bodies. Here is some ideas about the connections between cult cultures and energy works using the Taosit Eight Body paradigm. I am reposting part of the Eight Bodies again in the following two paragraphs.
The Taoists believe that there are eight bodies for human (Relaxing into Your Being, P50-54), the first is the physical body, the second chi body, and then the emotional, mental, psychic, casual, Body of individuality, and the body of the Tao. Physical body is under your skin; chi body occupies the same space but expands out more than the first body. Each successive body occupies the previous space and extends further out. The first body (physical) is the most dense of all. The higher the body the less dense it is. As for the level of power, the higher the body the more powerful it is. To develop a higher body, the lower body needs be clear of blockages. If the lower body is unclear, the higher body will not be fully developed and it will influence the lower body greatly. As the author says Each higher energetic body has a more powerful ability to influence the lower bodies than vice versa. Nonetheless, without the support of the preceding lower body, the next higher will be unable to manifest its full power .The chi body is generally connected with the health and vitality of the individual. In the emotional body, the blockages are generally referred by Chinese as demons or ghosts , clearing blockages of this body will rid yourself of the negative emotional residues from childhood and later experiences and break the restraints that come from how you were conditioned to love by your parents, teachers, and role models& The mental body has to do with the clearness of your thoughts. The psychic energy body allows us to find our hidden internal abilities. This is where the shaman or guides come in. The casual body is the level at which one can manipulate energies. When ones body unifies with the seventh body, the ego reaches its full potential and then completely dissolved& This is the level that the Buddhist considered enlightenment . The person who completes the unification of the last body is considered guardian of the world . This is the best I can do to describe the higher bodies without violating copy right, you can find more info form the book
As ones energy body unifies with the chi, emotional, mental psychic bodies with clarity, one gets good health and vitality, clear emotions, sharp thoughts, and ESP power. What do you think this person is gonna be like? He is likely to be very smart, with well-balanced emotions and the ability to see things that other people cannot see or feel. He is probably the center of envy among us. And what happens in this persons mind is the quietly build-up of his ego. As he practices more and reaches the casual body, he could manipulate energies. What this means is that he could perform so called exorcism for others, protect himself and others from certain harm such as protecting properties in the hurricane, and will a taxi to where he wants it to be in the country roads at the time he chooses. All these power, which was considered paranormal and now its under his control. At this time, think about how big his ego gets, as big as it can be. However, when one loses insights in the midst of all these power, he considers himself God. Its very tempting to do so. Not to mention that there are willing followers eager to view him as one either. This is the time that the ego reaches its fullest. The cult culture is born. There is not a clean line between an egomania and someone keeping low profile with sixth body fully developed. One may starts humble and ends up an egomania or vise versa
However, when one reaches this stage, what he has reached is not the status of God, but a player of the game (Frantzis). One can either keep his perspective in line with the saints or become a living God, sort to speak If this person has no intention to go further to the next level, then he stays there comfortably; if this person goes on to the next level, his ego eventually dissolves completely and reaches enlightenment. Thats why one needs to always keep his perspectives in line, no matter what he is practicing and what level he is in. There is no outside force to influence someone at this level, he is said to be totally responsible for his decision.
I have seen many cults in my life and sadly one of my relatives is in a cult involving lots of Kharma cleansing. Most of the cults adopt moral and religious sense into their routines, thats the way they start, yet there is always a dark side of myth and personal obedience training of the followers. Cutting the lawn and contributing a lot of money and energy to the leader are just some examples.
A religion is a sanctuary where wounded people can heal, after the wound is healed, the person is free to go on with their journey; whereas a cult is place to prey on the hurt and keep them there as long as possible. A religion stays open after you enter; a cult closes it door after your entrance. A religion receives from one person and disperses to another in need; a cult receives from you and gives you something back in return, a business deal. Finally, a religion has more commonly used languages and terms, and a cult has its own secret codes and expressions not shared by others, just another way to gain even more control over their followers by boosting their egos. (Dzung Jau-Shyu)
Cults are everywhere, in all forms of religions or any bombo of them, in qigong group as well as Yoga school. The only way one can avoid falling prey by them is to use your own judgement and common sense, and dont let your personal curiosity and desires lead you to the front door of a cult, though its a tough call during a chaotic rising K.
It is my most sincere intent to take the myth out of energy practice, not to add on to it. If you think this post makes some sense, keep it; if not, delete button is a click away.
Reverence,Jay
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