The secrets of Chinese meditation : self-cultivation by mind control as taught in the Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist schools in China

The Secrets of Chinese Meditation is a classic text that presents a rare opportunity: a chance to study the ancient and original sources which are the basis for most contemporary texts on consciousness development. Lu K'uaan Yu is one of the foremost interpreters of Chinese meditation practices. This concise volume is a presentation of different methods of meditation as practiced in China, including extracts from ancient and modern classics as well as practiced and detailed suggestions for meditation. Meditation is crucial for the development of consciousness, and the Taoist art of controlling the breath is a prerequisite for training in the martial arts. The Secrets of Chinese Meditation provides students with practical instructions for controlling the breath and calming the mind the foundation of selfrealization. The way to consciousness will be different for all individuals. This classic work is a source book that encourages you to knowledgeably choose the way most useful to your chosen path.Two chapters in Lu Kuan Yü’s The Secrets of Chinese Meditation discuss two forms of Taoist meditation. Chapter 5 describes a style of meditation attributed to Yin-shih Tzu, a twentieth-century Taoist practitioner. Chapter 7 describes a form of Taoist meditation that uses quiet sitting together with breathing exercises to accomplish the Microcosmic Circulation. Lu’s book is useful in comparing Buddhist and Taoist forms of meditation, as he discusses Zen and T’ientai meditation in other chapters. The Secrets Of Chinese Meditation TOC Illustrations Sakyamuni Buddha Mater Hsu Yun Three Holy Ones Of The Western Paradise Preface 1. Self-cultivation as taught in the Surangama Sutra A. Meditation On The Six Sense Data 1. Meditation on sound 2. Meditation on form 3. Meditation on smell 4. Meditation on taste 5· Meditation on touch B. Meditation On The Five Sense Organs 6. Meditation on things ( dharma) 7. Meditation on the organ of sight 8. Meditation on the organ of smell 9. Meditation on the organ of taste 10. Meditation on the body 11. Meditation on the intellect {manas) C. Meditation On The Six Consciousnesses 12. Meditation on sight perception 13. Meditation on ear perception 14. Meditation on smell perception 15. Meditation on tongue perception 16. Meditation on the perception of objects of touch 17. Meditation on the faculty of mind {mano-vijfiana) D. Meditation On The Seven Elements 18. Meditation on the element fire 19. Meditation on the element earth 20. Meditation on the element water 21. Meditation on the element wind 22. Meditation on the element space 23. Meditation on the element consciousness 24. Meditation on the element perception 25. Meditation on the organ of hearing 2. Self-cultivation according to the Chan (Zen) School The Mind Dharma Or Doctrine Of The Mind The Inner Potentiality The Ancient Technique The Kung An Device The Hua T'ou Technique I Ch'ing Or The Feeling Of Doubt Instructions By Enlightened Masters 1. Instruction given by the late Master Hsu Yun (1 840-1959) 2. Instruction given by Master Han Shan (1546-1623) (a) (b) (c) (d) 3. Instructions given by Master Kao Feng (1238-1295) 4. Instruction given by Master Chrmg Feng (1263-1323) (a) To upasaka Hai Yin (b) To the Japanese ascetic Ting I (Tei-ichi) 5. Instruction given by Master Ta Kuan, alias Tsu Pai (1 543-1004) Freezing The Wandering Mind For The Resurrection Of Self-Nature Relative Nirvana The Yun Men Dharma (Ummon Zen) The Linchi Dharma (Rinzai Zen) The Kuei Yang Dharma (Ikyo Zen) The Ts'ao Tung Dharma (Soto Zen) The Fayen Dharma (Hogen Zen) Asolute Nirvana The Final Sentence Bodhi Or Enlightenment 3. Self-cultivation according to the Pure Land School The Lineage Of The Pureland school Methods Of Practice 1. Repetition of Amitabha's Name. 2. Repetition of the Mantra of Amitabha 3. The Contemplation of Amitayus Buddha 1. Contemplation Of The Setting Sun 2. Contemplation Of Water 3. Contemplation Of The Ground 4. Contemplation Of Precious Trees 5. Contemplation Of Merit-Giving Water 6. Contemplation Of The Realm Of Bliss 7. Contemplation Of The Lotus Seat 8. Contemplation Of The Images Of The Three Holy Ones 9. Contemplation Of The Bodily Form Of Amitayus Buddha 10. Contemplation Of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva 11. Contemplation Of Mahasthama Bodhisattva 12. Contemplation Of Amitayus' Realm Of Bliss 13. Contemplation Of The Three Holy Ones 14. The Superior Class Of Birth In The Realm Of Bliss 15. The Middle Class Of Birth In The Realm Of Bliss 16. The Inferior Class Of Birth In The Realm Of Bliss 4. Self-cultivation according to the Tien Tai School (I) Samatha-Vipasyana For Beginners 1. Formation Of Concurrent causes 2. Rebuking All Desires 3. Removal Of Screens 4. Regulating Food , Sleep , Body, Breathand Mind 5. Expedient Lines Of Conduct 6. The Main Practice 7. Manifestation Of Goodroots (Qualities) 8. Discerning Mara's Harmful Interference 9. The Healing Of Ailments 10. The Final Realization The Chih-Kuan Dharma Door (II) The Six Profound Dharma Doors 5. Self-cultivation according to the Taoist School A. Regulating The Bodily Posture 1. Before and after the meditation 2. The position of the legs 3. The chest, buttocks and belly 4. The two hands 5. The face, ears, eyes, mouth and breath 6. The mental state during meditation 7. The duration of meditation B. Regulating The Breath 1. Natural breathing 2. Correct breathing 3. The breathing exercise C. Vibration In The Belly D. My Personal Experience 1. My childhood 2. My youth 3. My motive for meditating. 4. Resumption of my practice of meditation 5. Time-table for my meditation 6. Difficulties at the beginning of my practice 7. The first vibration 8. The second and third vibrations 9. Over twenty years' experience. 10. The secret of 'forgetfulness' 11. Avoidance of impatience for quick results 12. Vibration bearing no relation to the effectiveness of meditation 13. Relation between meditation and sleep 14. Relation between meditation and food Question. 6. Authentic experiments with Buddhist and Taoist methods of self-cultivation 7. Physical and spiritual culture according to Chinese Yoga The Microcosmic Orbit Technique Self-Healing A Substitute For Daily Walking Inner Organ Invigorating Yoga The Taoist Secret Of The Sixhealing Sounds Ancient Medical Science Acupuncture And Cauterization Spirit Over Matter Rejuvenation And Immortality Omnipresence And Omniscience Conclusions Glossary Index I