Cultivating the Skill of Stillness

Xuefeng

July 1, 2011

All things are born from stillness and perish through motion. Stillness is the dwelling place of the divine. It is the spirit that gives life and the heart that brings death. When the spirit resides, life flows endlessly; when the spirit departs, life fades away. In stillness, the winds are gentle, the sun shines brightly, and clarity prevails. In turmoil, storms rage, and anguished cries fill the air. Stillness allows all things to flourish, while chaos leads to their destruction. When one’s energy is calm and the spirit at ease, order is maintained, fostering health and longevity. Conversely, when energy is chaotic and the spirit disturbed, consciousness becomes confused, the body weakens, and illness arises. Without tranquility, one cannot achieve great distances; without a settled heart, one cannot attain immortality. Stillness engenders wisdom, while motion brings confusion. The world is filled with disputes and disturbances; if one approaches them with stillness, all clouds and mists will dissipate, revealing a state of pure clarity.

Stillness is a skill that requires cultivation; it cannot be achieved without deliberate effort. To cultivate celestial being or attain Buddhahood, one must master the art of stillness. Buddhahood is as steadfast as a towering mountain, unyielding and unshaken, like a vast lake with only gentle ripples. To attain the 64 divine powers of a Super Celestial Being, one must achieve stillness, just as seeds must be sown in fertile soil under clear skies, not in the midst of fierce storms or on barren sands.

Cultivating the art of stillness should not be attempted by those unprepared. Forcing it is as futile as trying to drown sorrow with wine or cut water with a knife—it will not only fail to bring stillness but will also lead to greater confusion, potentially resulting in mental collapse or delusion. Through the cycles of seasons, amidst trials and challenges, dozens of Chanyuan Celestials have embarked on this path, detaching from worldly bonds and creating soul gardens. For them, the time has come to leap over the dragon gate and begin cultivating the skill of stillness.

Requirements for Practicing Stillness To practice the art of stillness, one must meet certain conditions:

1.Residency: Only those who have lived in the Second Home for more than two years may practice.

2.Attachment: Those whose hearts are still attached to desires should not practice.

3.Flexibility and Harmony: Those who have not reached a state of flexibility and harmony should not practice.

4.Childlike State: Those who have not returned to a childlike state of purity should not practice.

5.Merit: Those who lack sufficient merit should not practice.

6.Those who ignore these conditions and attempt to practice regardless will achieve only half-baked results, making their journey even longer and more arduous.

The Eight Methods of Practicing Stillness in Lifechanyuan

1.Forget All Teachings:

Let go of all teachings from gods, Buddhas, and celestial beings. Forget my guidance, Chanyuan values, and everything learned from written texts. Clear your mind entirely and enter a state of emptiness, spirit, and grace.

2.Abandon the Self:

Cast aside concerns about life and death, honor and disgrace. Let go of virtue, kindness, righteousness, and propriety. Follow only the Tao.

3.Engage in Daily Exercises:

Spend about an hour each day performing Chanyuan health exercises. Absorb the essence of the sun and moon, gather the spirit of heaven and earth, and harmonize intention, breath, and movement. Achieve a perfect unity of body, mind, and spirit. Pay particular attention to breathing—each inhale and exhale should be long, smooth, and continuous, storing abundant energy in the Dantian.

4.Read the Book Without Words:

Avoid reading written texts; instead, focus on the book without words. Participate in online forums only for amusement and play. Do not engage in debates or arguments. Observe the chaos and complexities of human affairs just like the moon in the sky.

5.Embrace Simplicity and Humility:

Integrate into the ordinary and unremarkable. Do not present yourself as a master, a superior person, a great individual, someone exceptional, or someone burdened with a mission. Instead, present yourself as an ordinary person and as a child. Remember: those who crave unusual flavors will suffer from unusual diseases; those who harbor eccentricities will develop peculiar ailments; those who practice scheming will encounter sinister misfortunes; those who exhibit strange behaviors will meet extraordinary poverty. No matter how great a person’s wisdom is, they cannot fully grasp the entirety of the Tao and will inevitably miss some aspects while attending to others. Neither exceptional skills nor clever techniques can help; only by being plain, ordinary, and natural can one connect with the Great Tao.

6.Moderate Desires and Actions:

Cultivate a mindset of moderation and minimal desires. Maintain a regular lifestyle, avoid excessive thinking and attachment, and refrain from anger and arrogance. Refrain from killing and greed. In all things, go with the flow and follow destiny, extending consideration to others as you would to yourself.

7.Find Stillness Within Motion:

Stillness belongs to the nature, while movement belongs to the mind. When the light of one's nature is clear and perfect, true stillness is achieved. When the mind is free from attachments and obstructions, stillness can be entered. Therefore, follow your nature in all things, not your mind. Do not seek desolation, for true stillness exists amidst movement. Stillness without movement is mere desolation, which benefits neither oneself nor society.

8.Nurture Life Wisely:

Nurture life wisely and always remember the essential points of my Health Preservation Chapter. If you achieve something, keep it to yourself; neither speak nor display it. Maintain kind thoughts, bring peace to the place you dwell, and bestow blessings upon all you encounter, regardless of their appearance or relationship to you. Without words or actions, dissolve all conflict and darkness without a trace. Once complete, let it go, returning to emptiness and serenity. Achieve success without claiming credit.

The divine resides in stillness and can be perceived through stillness. Demonic forces reside in movement and are revealed through movement. This stillness is not mere emptiness but a stillness of mind and heart. This movement is not physical but arises in the mind and heart. To practice stillness, one must first correct the body and mind, gathering true essence and spirit. Only then can one develop great talent and virtue—not human ingenuity but the formless and intangible essence of the Tao.

To become a celestial or attain Buddhahood, one must perceive their true nature. Only through stillness can this nature be realized. Once realized and revealed, one becomes a Buddha or a Super Celestial Being.

These eight methods are suitable only for those who have lived in the Second Home for more than two years. Others should not practice them; doing so will lead to disorder and may result in falling into delusion.