The Light

At the earlier stages of meditation darkness pervades within and blocks the sights. Only when quietness is achieved, and the qi made to clean the resting place of the spirit can one see the Light. So what is this light? This light according to Lu Dongbin is not in the body alone, nor is it only outside the body.

“Mountains and rivers and the great earth are lit by sun and moon; all that is this light. Therefore it is not only within the body. Understanding and clarity, perception and enlightenment, and all movements (of the spirit) are likewise this light; therefore it is not just something outside the body. The light-flower of heaven and earth fills all the thousand spaces. But also the light-flower of the individual body passes through heaven and covers the earth. Therefore as soon as the light is circulating, heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, are all circulating with it at the same time.” (The Secret of the Golden Flower [W/B])

In the Leng Yen Ching, Buddha elaborated on how to examine the Light in the midst of darkness to progress further in the meditation.

“Who uses well his light, reverting to its (source so) bright, will from his body ward all blight, and hides the unchanging from men's sight.” “He (who knows it) will keep his mouth shut and close the portals (of his nostrils). He will blunt his sharp points and unravel the complications of things; he will attemper his brightness, and brings himself into agreement with the obscurity (of others). This is called 'the Mysterious Agreement.'” (Tao Te Ching [J Legge])

Hexagrams 1 Heaven, 24 Return, 30 The Clinging, Fire, 33 Retreat and 36 Darkening of the Light, provide examples of the light and where good (the light) eventually triumphs evil (the dark). When Qian (the Light) and Kun (the Dark) keep their respective places there will be peace on earth, but chaos arises when Kun (Yin) tries to overturn Qian (Yang).

Surely the ancients and immortals know much more than anyone about the Light (yang) and the Dark (yin). Yet they prefer the Light.

If you ever imagine how a ‘pure being’ or a ‘divinity’ will look like, perhaps you may understand why the Light (yang) is ever so important. But one never really knows until that state of being has been reached?


(Relevant entries to this topic are “Light and Dark Forces (April 23)” and “Yin Yang (March 30)”.)