Over the past ten years, like many readers I have seen several changes happening on the World Wide Web.
Daoist and I Ching Forums come and go. Websites that used to advertise and sell Daoist or neidan meditations or secrets at USD 30 a pop have probably disappeared. It seems that people who like these topics are becoming wiser and more discerning. It is all for the good.
The reason the blog is titled, ‘A touch of ancients, buddhas, immortals, and the zhouyi’ is because of my limited knowledge and experience. But knowledge and experiences increases as the years past by if we continue to be earnest and sincere in our studies and practice. In that way we gain new insights and wisdom, so to speak.
New readers may ask why do I include buddhas and immortals in the title when most entries deal with the teachings of the ancients and the Zhouyi?
Regular readers over the past five and the half years may know why.
The earlier entries deal with my (again limited) experiences with buddhas, Daoist immortals and deities. Some of my knowledge on Yi divination and on neidan comes, directly or indirectly, from these divinities.
Furthermore, these once wise and learned humans became buddhas and immortals through their diligent study and sincere practice of ancient teachings which (may or may not) include the Zhouyi. From my experience, Buddhas know about the Yi, and Quanzhen celestial immortals know the Yi very well.
With the above explanations, hopefully you understand why buddhas and immortals are included in the title.
The way, the blog entries are written with the many hints and references given is for readers to explore them further, and extend their studies and practices of Tao and/or the Yi, thus hopefully gaining insights through their own experiences.
Even with a real master (including celestial immortals), students have to do that, otherwise how could they ever be learned and wise? If you doubt my words, ask those who learn from real masters of Tao and/or the Yi.
Therefore, even with the many hints and references given, you have to do the proverbial ‘learn how to fish’ by yourself, otherwise you may eventually ‘starve to death’ and dropout of your studies halfway. We do not really want that, do we?
Cheerio!
3 comments:
Thank you for putting your experiences and knowledge on this blog. It is of great help to me.
Keep up the good work.
Dear Allan, first of let me apologize for posting under this comments.
I had met Biroco yesterday evening, and he told me about your blog, as I am Malaysian too who is currently using the Yi, a beginner of course.
I had read a few of your post, Love your blog and your views.
I will be returning to Malaysia in December, Its great to know there are people back home studying the Yi.
If you are willing to get in touch, that will great.
Best Wishes
Lex
Thank you both for your kind comments on the blog.
To Lex,
Good. Your parents and your elderly relatives who know something about ancient Chinese philosophy would be proud of your studying of the Yi.
Reading the four Confucian books and the five classics (the Yi included) could improve your understanding of Yi studies. Steve Marshall a.k.a Joel Biroco is very knowledgeable in Yi studies. Keep in touch with him.
At times, more than half of daily hits come from Malaysia. Among them would be fellow students of the Yi.
What is shared in this blog is made available to all from across the world, whether they are beginners, intermediates, experts, or scholars. I prefer to keep it this way, for the time being.
Post a Comment