真身 The True Body [Excerpt]

真身
The True Body [Excerpt]
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然阳神之出也，主乎动。动则宜暂不宜久，宜途不宜退。而阳神之入也，主乎静。静则贵久不贵暂，贵遐不贵迩。其功必由暂而至久，其效必因途以及退。
But when the Yang-Spirit exits, it is principally stirring and moving. Movement is, in that case, appropriate in the short term, but inappropriate in the long term. It is appropriate to [follow] the path, [yet] not appropriate to withdraw.
Furthermore, [when] the Yang-Spirit enters, it is principally tranquil and still. Stillness, in this case, is valued in the long term, but not valued in the short term. It is valued when long-lasting, [but] not when brief. Its Gong must follow from the temporary to the long lasting; its effect must be the result of the path and its withdrawal.

-excerpt from《Essentials of the Shortcut to the Great Achievement》 [大成捷要]
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The True body, also known as the Yang-Spirit or the Yang-Body, is formed from the unification of the Yin-Spirit and the physical body. In other words, the Yang-Body is the unification of the Yin-Body and the physical Essence and Qi. This newly-obtained body may accumulate into a shape and form, yet it can also be dispersed into a formless state. When the Yin-Body exits the physical body during sitting meditation, one is able to see one’s own body from the outside. Others, however, will not be able to perceive or observe this Yin-form. The practitioner is unable to ascend with the Yin-Body, since it must be unified with the physical body and transformed in order to attain the Third or Yang-Body, a considerably higher stage of cultivation that makes the Yin-Body look minor in comparison. Moreover, the Yin-Body is incapable of escaping the Ethereal Net, and to take physical shape or form is of no avail to it. The difference between the Yin-Body and the Yang-Body can be illustrated with a simple example. If the Yin-Body were to exit the body and make its way to a vegetable market, it would be able to see the old woman at the market selling cucumbers but would be unable to interact with her and could only observe the scene visually. The Yang-Body, however, after exiting in the same scenario, might audibly ask the elderly lady how much the cucumbers cost per pound. The Yang-Body would even be able to bring back those two Chinese pounds of cucumber to the place where it exited the physical body. Furthermore, the Yang Spirit does not enter the wheel of life again, but the Yin Spirit will be obliged to, once a certain amount of time has passed.

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Post-Scriptum:
The full article will appear in the appendix of Purple Cloud Press’ forthcoming publication of 《The 49 Barriers of Cultivating the Dao》 by Xing De/Li Shi Fu, a manual for refining one’s Inner Nature based on Liu Yi Ming’s 50 Barriers. Li Shi Fu is abbot of Five Immortals Temple (www.fiveimmortals.com).