Guest Contribution by Trina Dubose

Everyone on this earth is searching for happiness; from the lady going to church faithfully, the firemen risking their life to save another and mothers to the Uncle hooked on alcohol, the sister on meth, rapists, and those committing suicide. Every single person is seeking it in the way they know how to get it at that moment.

We are usually taught to have perfect lives, not happy ones. Because of this, most people have no idea of how to go about being happy or what happiness truly is so to try and grasp it, we try to define it. In defining it, we give it parameters. Our parameters may be the perfectly defined spouse, home, car, 2.5 kids, job or it may be being single, renting, no kids or responsibilities.

Both of these scenarios depend upon our external influences and learned behaviors and thoughts or beliefs. As soon as we set the parameters up and get them, they begin to fail. Our happiness now depends upon external influences.., others, and inside, however deep, we know it. As soon as these things fall apart, so do we. Once apart, many begin again with the same parameters or another set like them or exact opposite them (no more marriages again, no more office jobs, etc). It is a cycle.

These things are layers. Our true self sits like a core within us. On top of this core, we build these layers that we have learned. They range from our favorite sports, hobbies, foods, jobs, even beliefs and how we may define strength.

We have our true selves, our spirit per say but when we start learning as children; we begin to add things on top. Like a wall that you add paintings and pictures to dress up, the wall is still the wall but the paintings and pictures start to define it. We define ourselves similarly.

These layers are important; they make up our human existence, but they won’t lead to happiness. They are layers. They aren’t the ones that define us, they just let us have fun and look nice while on this ride. Imagine chess pieces in a game, every move is intriguing and thought provoking but it is just that - a move. It is not the game.

True happiness comes from one who knows the love and joy of their own spirit. It is love that needs no attachment, strength that needs no display and wisdom that needs no validation. To find it, dare to step out of the cycle of external definitions, ideas and concepts and look within.

Health and rejuvenation depend on increasing the quality and quantity of Jing and Qi. What methods can you use?

The first method is seated meditation. This is the method of stillness.

The next method is slow Tai Chi in which you focus on the waist. All action starts from the waist (the Dan Tian). Then breathe. Use the breath to cooperate mind and action, to gain cooperation of tiger and dragon. Tai Chi has 8 different actions and 5 postures. This is the method of motion.

Dao Yin is the third way to collect Jing. Dao Yin is between stillness and motion. It includes the 12, 16 and 8 pieces brocade. It includes Qi Gong – Qi Gong is Dao Yin. Qi Gong is supporting exercise. In order to collect Qi, the meridians must be smooth and unblocked. Qi Gong smooths the meridians. When the Qi transmuted from meditation and Tai Chi, then we need the channels to transport the Qi. When the organs are healthy, at the end of the day, they give back left over Yuan Qi and Yuan Jing. This goes back to the Dan Tian.

Diet and nutrition are also important. Better health is achieved if you are 80% vegetarian, and 20% non-vegetarian. At first, when you are rebuilding your foundation, you should have meat. If you are a healer or body worker you should continue at least 20% meat until you are ready to give up your practice. It is best to eat fresh, organic foods and to avoid preserved and deep fried foods. Avoid lead and mercury tainted foods, avoid super heated oils, and avoid pickled foods.

When you practice these the body will initially become very sensitive to its intake. You will feel it if you bring in polluted foods. Yang quality of food is preferred. The Solar Diet is the best to keep Yang at an optimum level. If you must eat meat, eat good quality meat. Venison, buffalo and elk are very good. Never eat beef, dog, goose, or Koi carp – they are associated to the four basic virtues: filial piety, kindness, loyalty and devotion. Humans must learn from these animals and keep this kind of quality. You must cultivate virtue; must engage in virtue.

These practices will increase your Jing and Qi.

Why are you unable to breakthrough to the Tao? What keeps most people from making that breakthrough from the basic step of meditation? You hold on too much. You have to look deep inside your soul to find your true soul purpose. Can you brush all the clouds away to see the sun and make a path for you to walk through? The World of Tao is not a straight path. There are two main reasons people do not breakthrough:
1. The spirit is being seduced
2. They are not being diligent in their practice.
I suspect that it is the first issue more than the second issue. Then Jing and Qi have to support you. How long will they last?

You have to look into the spirit and make the decision for devotion while the opportunity is there, so must watch the most important issue in life.

I understand that we all have issues. Taoism is not about being a passive human being; in fact we should be the opposite; be active in what’s engaged in front of you. Engage life is total joy and happiness.

The only thing that prevents breakthrough is psychological issues. To solve the psychological issues you must bring in the Three Treasures of the Tao: Conscience; Mercy; and Forgiveness. The more you get entangled in Hero, Victim, Persecutor the more you deplete your Jing, Qi and Shen. So how can you become a psychologically independent spirit, free?

It is your choice: God’s Garden or the devil’s display.

It takes unlimited resources to fight the devil. If you see the devil, you become the devil. If you become the devil you will be wounded. Read chapter 1 of the Bible. How can you return to the garden of God and spit out the apple, give up the curiosity? The mercy of God, the messenger of God, comes because of God. Follow the technique, practice virtue. Too much mind screws up your purity, too much curiosity screws you up. Cultivation of Xing, essential mind, you must do yourself. Cultivation of Ming, eternal life, requires that you follow the instructions of your Master.

Use Conscience, Mercy and Forgiveness. Be devoted to your body. That’s all.

Even if you have to struggle at first, it becomes Mercy and the struggle goes away. The Three Treasures give you the real power to deal with the devil. If you are not following the Three Treasures, then you can’t break through.

If you are asking for thanks, being greedy and needy, asking for acknowledgment, then you have self-worth issues. You need to get over self-worth issues to get to the Tao. Don’t grab God’s foot when you need him. Demanding attention is playing with the devil. When you suck on the devil’s nipple, you get poison. The closer you get to God, the stronger the devil’s attacks. God has never left you. You must access God through the Three Treasures: Mercy, Forgiveness, Conscience.

You must learn to be firm and loyal to your choice. Trust the choice and the journey. Don’t argue with your Master. This is a sacred journey; you must follow your Master. You want to use your intelligence to wrestle with the devil. Don’t take detours. Ask for help when you need it. The key is devotion to your soul purpose; devotion to being a better human being. That devotion will let you forgive the unforgivable and then you are closer to God.

Can you accept yourself? Love and forgive yourself? I ask you to let go of immature childishness and arrogance. Don’t focus on the psychological drama. Set yourself to a higher goal because then all the material concerns will fall away.

Never negotiate with God. Never trade with God.

Be humble, humble, humble.

This life is all about relationships. It’s about love – expecting love and giving love. It’s about our relationship with Tao, family, people, pets, nature Love is the best thing for the quality of mankind, but is the worst thing got attaining immortality – a lethal poison. Love is a major attachment.

What is your wisdom for giving and getting love? What is your need for giving and getting love? We hunger, we crave, we grieve, we hate. It’s all about love and need.

To deal with love we have the three treasures of the Tao: Conscience; Mercy; and Forgiveness.

Heal yourself to heal your relationships.

Love is the best quality and the worst nectar and poison. Nurtured by love and killed by love. You must balance love with the Three Treasures.

Are you making a truthful effort? You must go into the original spirit and apply conscience, mercy and forgiveness. You need to make a 100% truthful effort.

The ultimate goal is the selfish Tao and doing what is needed to walk the tightrope. You must be focused. You can only go forward on the narrow path which is full of reward and full of danger. You must have no baggage.

Love is a poison arrow that can distract you from stillness and detachment from need. Detach/attach – that is how we balance. First though, we must produce the best quality of human life and love. Only then can we move beyond to practice immortality. At some point we must give up love. We must take off our shoes when we go inside; that is equal to love. Then the home is completely clean and life is pure.

The Tao and Virtue are behind the Three Treasures. Use the Three Treasures. First you must apply the best conscience for yourself before you can apply it to others. Decide who you want to be. Be merciful about anything that detracts or distracts. Forgiveness is the tool for getting back on track.

Every day we are in the triangle game. How can we play and not play? Detachment is the key. Play the game joyfully and playfully. Don’t crave the chocolate, take it lightly. When you do have it, enjoy it.

Celebrate diversity. Don’t force yourself into the game, celebrate the game. Don’t try to force others to be like you. The more you push or persecute, the harder they kick back. Others will fight to protect their spirit. Softness overcomes hardness, mercy is water, water is soft. The unique character of Wu Dang is softness. Softness is the application of the Tao. Water can carry, flow, or flood. Celebrate different manifestations of the Tao.

Can you find a single reason to forgive yourself? You can always find 100 reasons to forgive others.
You have unlimited potential for a successful life! You must believe “I CAN DO IT!”

What is the connection between grief and happiness? They are two sides of the hand. To appreciate happiness you must have grief. Just flip the coin.

Victims lose their motivation to flip the coin. Don’t be a victim of any situation or for anyone, especially yourself. It is very simple to find the root – it only took me 30 years…

Bubble Meditation

For this meditation, seat yourself comfortably in meditation pose (cross legged or in a chair) and visualize yourself covered by a large bell. Visualize your mind as the sun, and your Dan Tian is the water.

Let the sun shine and boil the water.

Allow Qi to rise up the inner face of the spine – the Du channel – (red line) and around to below the nose with the inhalation. With the exhalation allow the intention to drop down the front of the body and back to the Dan Tian. (light blue dashed line). This circuit is the small circulation. Once Qi flows on the small circulation there is no more sickness.

Eventually you will achieve longevity and immortality.

Degree of concentration determines heat of the fire.

Do not practice when you are emotional.
Repeat the circuit beginning with 36 breaths and building up to 108 breaths.

When you are done, cover the belly with both palms (females right hand underneath, males left hand) and rub the belly three times in each direction. Then rub the palms until they are hot and dry wash the face and head 3 times.

Practice for 100 days and observe the changes within.