Unless noted otherwise, the following definitions were
derived from the material presented in "Cultivating Stillness."
A
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B
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C
ch'i:
vital energy or vapor
ching:
generative energy
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D
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E
Earlier Heaven:
describes an ideal state of existence, in which everything is in harmony and connected to
the Tao.
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F
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G
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H
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I
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J
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K
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L
Later Heaven:
describes the nature of the phenomenal world in which there is a lack of harmony, and the
Tao has been forgotten.
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M
ming-men:
an area on the spine between the kidneys said to control the movement of generative energy
in the lower tan-t'ien. Sometimes referred to as the Mysterious Gate, but the Mysterious
Gate has a spiritual significance that transcends the body.
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N
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O
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P
pa-k'ua:
a pattern which captures the essence of something; the way in which something manifests
itself through a pattern.
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Q
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R
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S
shen:
spiritual energy; also known as ling-ch'i
si-fu: teacher
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T
t'ai-chi:
a state of differentiation of the Tao into yin and yang, in which each of the opposites
nonetheless embodies the essence of the other. This concept originally developed in
Confucianism. Compare with wu-chi and wang-chi.
tan-t'ien:
A human being's life force consists of three energies (generative, vital, and spiritual).
These energies are said to become impure through attachment and craving. Spiritual growth
corresponds to the purification of these three energies. This purification is said to
occur at
three different tan-t'ien (fields) within the human body. The lower tan-t'ien is one inch
below the navel. The middle tan-t'ien (also known as the Golden Palace) is centered at the
solar plexus. The upper tan-t'ien is centered between the eyebrows. The tan-t'ien are
thought of as cauldrons within which the three energies are refined until they have
acquired their original purity. Within the tan-tien, there is also a transmutation of
lower energy into higher energy (i.e.
from generative to vital to spiritual energy).
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U
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V
Valley Spirit:
On a physical level, refers to the ming-men. On a spiritual level, it is consciousness
emptied of sensations, emotions, and thoughts.
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W
wang-chi:
a state of polarization of the Tao into yin and yang, in which yin is completely distinct
from yang, and yang is completely distinct from yin. Compare with wu-chi and t'ai-chi.
wu-chi:
the origin or source of all things, the undifferentiated, primordial void; often used
interchangeably with the Tao and with Yao-chi. It is symbolized by the circle. Compare
with wang-chi and t'ai-chi.
wu wei:
Non-action, non-volitional living, obeying the Tao (p. 235, The Way of Chuang Tzu)
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X
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Y
yang:
movement; purity; spring; the sun; the sage; male; weightless
Compare with yin.
Yao Chi:
Used interchangeably with wu-chi.
yin:
stillness; impurity; autumn; the moon; the ordinary person; female; heavy
Compare with yang.
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Z
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