Free Sample issue of The Empty Vessel - CommunityAwake

on his struggle to transform the ways of the ox!In meditation people may initially find it difficult tokeep their thoughts and mind quiet, since the heart-mindis easily drawn by objects and attractions outside itself.This can be likened to young schoolchildren who cannotremain silent or sit motionless (a requirement that,in the Chinese education system, reflects the behaviortraditionally expected of children in kindergarten orjunior schools!). For them it truly is agony since they areforced to comply).Most people know that it is difficult to tame a wildox, especially if, whip in hand, you mount on its backand order it to head east or west. In that situation, youknow that you risk falling from its back, or even falling toyour death, when the ox runs amok. Therefore, the bestsolution is to “cling fast to a rope that runs through thenose of the ox’’, thereby easily directing the ox to move inany direction you choose, and avoiding the risk of beingthrown from its back. In fact, from the standpoint of analchemist, such a rope denotes the breath. For a novicein meditation, it indicates that the heart-mind shouldrest upon the breathing. Yet, for most practitioners, it iscertain that they will encounter difficulties created bythe heart-mind that remains at large, and refuses to comeunder control.To facilitate the process, additional methods shouldbe introduced, such as counting the breath, or using reversebreathing (expanding the abdomen when exhaling,and contracting it when inhaling). This clarifies the wordsNow the ox-herd boy must bring his full abilities to bear onhis struggle to transform the ways of the ox!3. Beginning the Process of ModificationAll day long, still handling the rope with no less strength,The ox-herd boy grows accustomed tothe gradual forgetfulness, and tiredness.Start with counting the breath, and after some time, youmay find that the heart-mind has been gradually beenfreed of much of its delusional thinking, and begins tofollow the inhaling and exhaling of the breath withoutthe need for assistance. Even though stray ideas may attimes arise, the heart-mind will soon be back on trackwith the breath once again. Accordingly, the experiencearises of “wading across rivers or sailing through clouds,the ox begins to follow instinctively, one step at time.”However, from time to time, the attention of the heartmindmust be re-focused upon the breath, lest it shouldresume its former course, and again wander around withno constraints.At the beginning such intensity of effort maybe very tiring, but with time, practitioners slowlybecome accustomed to it, and the feeling of tirednessdisappears in a natural fashion. Here, we referto “The Ode to the Mythical Source and theGrand Tao,” written by Chao Wen Yee to elucidate:When, one day, attainment is achieved, it is a fully freeexcursion.Reflecting upon the process of refining and cooking, youwill sigh over the effort expendedThrough striving, even though, in truth, no diligencewas required,Since the work requires only the fostering of the primevalShen.It is regrettable that the mind prefers to be active.At this critical time, whether to hone, or be set free, all isheld within the palm of your hand!4. Looking backWith modifications and adjustments, he steadily tempersthe wildness of the ox,Winning its slow but sure submission.Wading across rivers or sailing through clouds, theox begins to follow instinctively, one step at a time.In the course of time, as meritorious endeavors successivelybear fruitLittle by little, it comes to pass that wildness reaches itsend,And, slowly, frenzied force becomes meek gentleness.14 Summer 2011