Dear Friend,
The information that you’re reading here comes both from my 32 years of working in actual Taoist practice and from the Taoist tradition known as the 4 Ascendant Sphere Purity Adept School of the Tao.
Taoist practice traditions are called schools, mansions, or sects.
If we use Christianity as a comparison, Baptist, Adventist, Lutheran, Catholic would be called schools. Different Taoist schools have different practices and different goals. Most modern Taoist schools are hybrids of Taoism and some other religion. Most typical are Taoism and Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, or Taoism and Christianity.
The 4 Ascendant is a pure (i.e. not combined with Buddhism, Confucianism or other religions) Taoist sect in the mystery school tradition.
It is approximately 1,500 years old. It originated on the Chinese mainland, near the peninsula portion of Korea.
The 4 Ascendant Tradition emphasizes spiritual enlightenment and the principles of becoming happy, known as the art of living.
The 4 Ascendant Tradition is named after the 4 Spheres of Power, a principle for effectively organizing life and Taoist practice.
Warm Regards,
Master Mikel Steenrod
Keeper of the Gate of Man and Heaven
Lineage Holder of the 4 Ascendant Tradition
www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com
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2 Responses
Hello,
Thanks for your question. Essentially, a practitioner is able to directly perceive the portion of the Social Mind that is immediately in view, which can be an unpleasant experience. Second, one’s own personal history also loses its varnish. The lack of varnish reveals a gradually clearer view of the self. Without practices like positive power, the perception can be overwhelming.
It’s important to do as much internal work as possible before reaching this juncture to reduce the burden.
Master Mike,
You have mentioned the difficulty (or misery) of Enlightenment after “Mind of Clarity”. Would you please further explain, with examples, what it is like.
Or is that not possible?
I want to know because my goal is Enlightenment, and I’d like an idea of what it’s going to be like.
This won’t deter me from my goal. It’s just that I am both curious, and thinking it will help me to go in with open eyes.