INCREDIBLE TO MANY PEOPLE
Many people have not heard of chi
Question
Reading “The Magus of Java” was a difficult experience for me. I am not a religious person, but this does not make me lack spirituality, nor does it make me a hopeless skeptic. However, Sifu Chang's “discussion” with “God” and the examination of various “sentient beings” both put my suspension of disbelief to the test.
Phenomena such as the manifestation of Kosta's si-gung in “spirit” form are equally incredulous. The Taoist concept of “Hsien”, immortal “men of the mountains”, seems to have been taken much too far. I always read this concept allegorically in Chuang-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. I simply cannot come to terms with these claims after nineteen years of exposure to nothing but Western “science”.
-- Paul, USA
Answer
Just because you and other people have not experienced or understood some phenomena does not mean that the phenomena cannot be true. There are many things you and most Western people have not experienced, or even heard of. And some of these things are not even mystical.
Take chi for example. Many Westerners have never heard of chi, and some Taiji masters do not believe in chi, although chi actually forms the core of Taijiquan. Another example is using kungfu patterns for combat — something that kungfu exponents did for centuries. But many kungfu students and some kungfu masters today do not believe that kungfu patterns can be used for combat. This is ridiculous but true!
Actually what we at Shaolin Wahnam practice and experience everyday is incredible to many people. We generate energy flow, we spar for hours in Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Taijiquan without feeling tired, we enjoy our work and play, and we feel peaceful and happy with ourselves and with others. Sometimes, we see our Original Face. In Western terms we are with God, or whatever term one may use for the Supreme Reality. Make no mistakes about these statements. We are not under any illusion, and we mean what we say.
If you just read over the above paragraph, you may not fully realize the incrediable things we do. But if you compare them with what most people today do and experience, you may be surprised at the contrast. Most people have energy blockage (instead of energy flow), become tired and panting easily (instead of not feeling tired), dread their work and have no time to play (instead of enjoying them), are habitually stressful and depressed (instead of feeling peaceful and happy), and regard the mention of God or spirituality as queer (instead of being intuitively aware of cosmic reality).
Gods and immortals (hsien) are real — not allegorical. Some people may think I am crazy, but I have spoken with gods and immortals! They have helped me and have been very kind to me, for which I am forever grateful.
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