Observations placeholder

Turning the Light Around and Tuning the Breathing

1. The doctrine just requires single-minded practice.
One does not seek experiential proof, but experien-
tial proof comes of itself.

2.  On the whole, beginners suffer from two kinds of
problems: oblivion and distraction. There is a device
to get rid of them, which is simply to rest the mind
on the breath.

3.  The breath is one's own mind; one's own mind does
the breathing. Once mind stirs, then there is energy.
Energy is basically an emanation of mind.

4.  Our thoughts are very rapid; a single random
thought takes place in a moment, whereupon an
exhalation and inhalation respond to it. Therefore
inward breathing and outward breathing accompany
each other like sound and echo. In a single day one
breathes countless times, so has countless random
thoughts. When the luminosity of spirit has leaked
out completely one is like a withered tree or dead
ashes.

5.  So should one have no thoughts? It is impossible to
have no thoughts. Should one not breathe? It is
impossible not to breathe. Nothing compares to
making the affliction itself into medicine, which
means to have mind and breath rest on each other.
Therefore tuning the breath should be included in
turning the light around.

6.  This method makes use of two lights. One is the
light of the ears, one is the light of the eyes. The
light of the eyes means the external sun and moon,
combining their lights; the light of the ears means
the internal sun and moon, combining their vitali-
ties. However, vitality is congealed and stabilized
light; "they have the same source but different
names." Therefore clarity of hearing and seeing are
both one and the same spiritual light.

7.  When you sit, lower your eyelids and then establish a
point of reference. Now let go. But if you let go abso-
lutely, you may not be able to simultaneously keep
your mind on listening to your breathing.

8.  You should not allow your breathing to actually be
audible; just listen to its soundlessness. Once there is
sound, you are buoyed by the coarse and do not
enter the fine. Then be patient and lighten up a little.
The more you let go, the greater the subtlety; and
the greater the subtlety, the deeper the quietude.