The 7th Divine Fist Bo Yi Xiao, a chaotic performance on the somersault cloud
The Wind Gentleman saw that I did not respond and continued, "Speaking of which, your situation is one of self-initiated cultivation. There are many ways to verify the Sakura Serenity realm, and your self-initiated approach was already within my expectations."
After listening, Yun Fei furrowed his brows and said thoughtfully: "Shiye, I truly did not expect you to have made such progress. According to your description, you have entered the 'Initial Meditation, Yet Not Reached the Ground of Stability.' In this state, there are often eight sensations referred to as 'Eight Touches': movement, itch, coolness, warmth, lightness, heaviness, roughness, and smoothness. Among these eight touches, the one that is most easily activated is 'Movement Touch.' While spontaneous movement is generally normal, your description of it starting from the shoulders and continuing unabated likely indicates 'Erroneous Touch.' There are many misguided paths in the world, such as the practice of 'Divine Fist' and 'Jumping God,' which arise from this (it turns out Yun Fei is also aware of 'Divine Fist'). Fortunately, your possession is not deep, so do not worry. Tonight, if it is still like this, do not pay it any mind; I will assist you."
Following the words of Master Feng, I attempted to practice the Five Animal Frolics taught by Old Master Gao. At the beginning, each movement was performed by me consciously, but as my mind became increasingly tranquil, I found that these movements transformed into involuntary actions, propelled by an invisible force within me. This time, however, I did not flail about wildly; instead, I completed the entire set of Five Animal Frolics in a disciplined manner, moving from one segment to the next until all five segments were finished, concluding with a standing posture. Although I did not exert myself, my body moved spontaneously, and after finishing, I found a light sheen of sweat covering me. Standing there, I experienced an indescribable sense of exhilaration.
The Wind Gentleman smiled again: "It was just a joke. From Sakura Ning to Sitting Forgetting, you must pass this test. When stillness reaches its peak, vitality emerges; from agitation back to tranquility, the adjustment of the mind is nearly complete. In fact, what I want to teach you is the Way of Alchemy. Do not be anxious; when the time comes, you will naturally enter the door. Transitioning from movement to stillness is more difficult than transitioning from stillness to movement. The gathering of vital energy from disorder to order is the first step. Your self-initiated movements are too intense, almost akin to performing the Divine Fist, which is abnormal. If Yun Fei were here, he would definitely say you have strayed into the wrong path."
Not normal! What should we do?
I excitedly said to the Wind Gentleman: "Gao Lao told me that there is no need to forcefully memorize the pathways of meridian guidance; when the skills are mastered, the flow of Qi will naturally activate. I just found the sensation of Qi activation, can I also cultivate the innate primordial Qi now?"
As my heart follows my breath, the breath has become so subtle that it seems almost nonexistent. My thoughts are both absent and omnipresent. In stillness, movement arises, and my shoulders involuntarily engage, causing my entire body to sway incessantly, difficult to restrain. This was my experience during meditation that night. Suddenly, a faint chanting sound emerged from behind me. I was sitting with my back against the wall, and behind the wall was the dormitory of Yunfei. The sound was clearly emanating from him. This deep chanting was exceptionally clear in my ears; although I could not understand a single word, it felt like a celestial sound, bringing an unparalleled tranquility to my heart. In this tranquility, my body's movements had quietly ceased, and I was enveloped in a layer of white light.
The Wind Gentleman told me to give him nineteen days, and indeed it was nineteen days. Throughout these nineteen days, although I did not experience what it means to "sit and forget," the Wind Gentleman inexplicably said that I had verified something akin to "initial meditation." It seems he was somewhat dissatisfied, yet still able to accept my current state, and finally decided to impart the teachings. The Wind Gentleman mentioned that in two days he would teach me the foundational techniques of alchemy and the skills of *Tu* and *Shu*, but plans do not change as quickly as circumstances. An unexpected situation has delayed the Wind Gentleman's plans. Moreover, this unexpected event has significantly shortened the time Liu Yiyi spent in the Qingming Mirror.
The Wind Gentleman sighed: "You probably won't believe it when I tell you, but this is the legendary Cloud of Transformation, no doubt about it. The notion of traveling tens of thousands of miles is nonsense; if that were true, you would almost circle the Earth one and a half times. Do you think you're a spaceship? The descriptions in novels are, of course, exaggerations by literati. And the Cloud of Transformation is not a mere fabrication; its real basis is the somersault you just performed. So, how is it? Did you find the feeling of the Monkey King?"
After listening, Feng Junzi surprisingly laughed. He smiled and asked me, "Shiye, have you practiced Qigong?"
On that day, both of us were late for the morning self-study session and were caught and scolded by Teacher Sima Zhibei, who was patrolling the classroom. During the lunch break, Yun Fei took the initiative to approach me and asked about my meditation practice the previous night. I recounted the situation of my meditation from last night to Yun Fei, but I did not mention that Feng Junzi had taught me the Divine Fist in the morning. I was being cautious, wanting to understand what different insights he might have compared to Feng Junzi. I recounted the situation of my meditation from last night to Yun Fei again, but I did not mention that Feng Junzi had taught me the Divine Fist in the morning. I was being cautious, wanting to understand what different insights he might have compared to Feng Junzi.
Feng Junzi: "Since you are so curious, I will let you experience it firsthand. Your current cultivation level is not suitable for standing in tranquility, but if you want to practice the Divine Fist, you can try standing. Just relax and stand properly; the mental method is the same. Do exactly what you did last night."
( Prologue: The so-called "Divine Fist" of the Boxers and the "Cloud-Somersault" from "Journey to the West"—do they truly exist in reality? Or are they merely the products of ignorant superstition and literary myth? These are neither superstition nor myth, but once the veil of mystery is lifted, many may feel disappointed. So this is how it really is! It would be better not to know! Therefore, for some matters in the world, it is preferable to retain a sense of mystery; legends are always more interesting than facts )
Of course, I would eagerly seek such an opportunity! The two prominent figures, Feng Junzi and Monk Yunfei, appear to me as mysterious existences. I still cannot discern the origins of Feng Junzi; I generally feel that he has a strong aura of the martial world, and the things he teaches me seem somewhat haphazard. In contrast, Yunfei is a well-known disciple of a revered living Buddha, which, in contemporary terms, means he has a legitimate professional background. If he is willing to offer guidance, it would certainly be far more beneficial than my own aimless exploration.
Yun Fei observed me struggling for a long time to cross my legs but was unable to do so. He shook his head and said, "Forget it, let's not try to cross them like that. Try placing your left foot on your right leg. Hmm, that’s somewhat acceptable. This position is called 'Vajra Seat,' while placing your right foot on your left leg is called 'Ruyi Seat.' Just sit like this for now. Be aware that some people, when they first start practicing meditation, may feel unbearable soreness in their legs after a while. It’s important to stretch and relax your legs to promote blood circulation before continuing to cross them. Many people find it difficult to cross their legs. When I was young, my master tied my legs together with a rope. I think you might need to be tied up a bit too... Be aware that some people, when they first start practicing meditation, may feel unbearable soreness in their legs after a while. It’s important to stretch and relax your legs to promote blood circulation before continuing to cross them. Many people find it difficult to cross their legs. When I was young, my master tied my legs together with a rope. I think you might need to be tied up a bit too...
The change in circumstances occurred on the night when Shang Yunfei taught me the "Seven Postures of Sitting" and "Calming the Mind with Breath." After adopting the "Seven Postures of Sitting" as instructed by Yunfei, I adjusted my breath and allowed my thoughts to follow my breath in and out, feeling as if it were both present and absent, and indeed found it much more "convenient." In this state of quiet sitting, I lost track of time, and suddenly entered a peculiar state: I felt as if the surrounding world was utterly tranquil, time seemed to have stopped, my breath had become so subtle it was almost imperceptible, and my wandering thoughts seemed to have no place to rest. Just as I was on the verge of forgetting the existence of my body, a warm, tingling sensation quietly emerged, gradually spreading throughout my entire being. In this state of quiet sitting, I lost track of time, and suddenly entered a peculiar state: I felt as if the surrounding world was utterly tranquil, time seemed to have stopped, my breath had become so subtle it was almost imperceptible, and my wandering thoughts seemed to have no place to rest. Just as I was on the verge of forgetting the existence of my body, a warm, tingling sensation quietly emerged, gradually spreading throughout my entire being
The Wind Gentleman nodded slightly: "It is indeed the Da Shen Quan. Have you heard of the Boxer Rebellion? It was a group that claimed to support the Qing Dynasty and eliminate foreign influence a hundred years ago. They referred to themselves as the Yi He Shen Quan, and the so-called divine power was this self-initiated technique, although they called it Da Shen Quan. Self-initiation is also a form of Qigong. If you decide to pursue this path, you can join the Boxer group."
"Feng Junzi, how did you know that Yun Fei intervened? Yun Fei told me not to tell you." Once Feng Junzi pointed it out, I felt embarrassed to keep it a secret.
The Wind Gentleman’s question puts me in a difficult position. Yunfei asked me not to tell the Wind Gentleman, yet the Wind Gentleman has seen through it. After a moment of hesitation, I replied: "Yunfei taught me 'Zhi Xin Sui Xi' and 'Qi Zhi Zuo Fa'. He told me that regulating the mind requires a combination of regulating the breath and the body."
"Ishino, you are being too exaggerated; even the somersault cloud has been summoned, you could perform a shamanic dance now." The Wind Gentleman spoke with a clear expression of surprise, yet there was also a hint of mockery in his astonishment
The so-called Seven Points of Sitting refers to the seven essential aspects of posture: (1) Both feet in the lotus position. (2) The spine is upright. (3) Both hands are placed below the abdomen, resting flat on the hips, palms facing upward, with the back of the right hand resting gently on the palm of the left hand, and the thumbs lightly touching. This is known as the Buddhist Samadhi Mudra (Dhyana Mudra). (4) Both shoulders are relaxed. (5) The head is upright, with the chin slightly tucked. (6) The eyes are half-open and half-closed. (7) The tip of the tongue lightly touches the upper palate. When sitting in meditation, one must relax the entire body and maintain a slight smile; one should not be overly full or hungry, nor should one sit in a draft; beginners should not force themselves to sit for too long.
Qigong? The late 1980s marked the beginning of the Qigong craze in mainland China. At that time, the promotion of Qigong was not as miraculous and exaggerated as it later became. In summary, there were Qigong practices for healing, Qigong for predictions, as well as performances of Qigong dance and Qigong calligraphy. I remember having seen a Qigong master perform Qigong calligraphy; he closed his eyes and randomly waved the brush on paper, claiming that the Qi flowed freely. Reflecting on my involuntary movements last night, I suddenly had an idea: if such movements could be controlled solely by the hand, could I also perform Qigong calligraphy?
... ...
... ...
My "movement" lasted for quite a while without stopping, until Huang Jianfeng from the upper bunk couldn't help but knock on the bed board and said to me, "Shiye, why are you tossing and turning instead of sleeping? You've woken me up." It was only then that I ended that strange state and returned to reality. Is this what Yun Fei referred to as "the realm of desire"? To be honest, that feeling was truly wonderful, but the subsequent uncontrollable movements of my body were unexpected. After coming out of that state, I realized that my legs had completely gone numb from sitting cross-legged for too long. I had to stretch them out and massage them for a long time before they recovered, and after recovery, I felt a great sense of comfort in my legs, truly very comfortable! To be honest, that feeling was really good, but the later uncontrollable movements of my body were unexpected. After coming out of that state, I found that my legs had completely gone numb from sitting cross-legged for too long. I had to stretch them out and massage them for a long time before they recovered, and after recovery, I felt a great sense of comfort in my legs, truly very comfortable!
What! Do you need to tie yourself up with a rope while meditating? This is the first time I have heard of such a thing. After Yunfei taught me the "Seven Postures of Sitting," he also taught me the mental method of "Calming the Mind and Following the Breath." Yunfei explained to me in detail the four aspects of meditation and breath regulation in Buddhism: Wind, Breath, Qi, and Breath. Wind aspect: there is sound in the inhalation and exhalation. Breath aspect: although there is no sound, there is awareness in the inhalation and exhalation. Qi aspect: there is no sound and no awareness, but the thoughts are coarse. Breath aspect: there is no sound, it does not become stagnant, it is not coarse or floating, the inhalation and exhalation are continuous, as if they exist and do not exist. Only in the Breath aspect can the spirit and body be stable, allowing one to enter a state of meditation.
The Wind Gentleman let out a cold snort: "Innate Vital Energy? Do you think it's that easy? I may not know about other sects, but if you want to learn the way of alchemy from me, you must at least wait until you have completed the foundation establishment and the circulation of the Zhou Tian. It is still a long way off... You may not understand it now, but in due time, you will know what true energy circulation is. ... Do not be discouraged; you have done remarkably well today. I truly did not expect that despite your seemingly dull appearance, your comprehension is quite good. Remember, if your body moves again during today's meditation, do not pay attention to it. Let it arise and cease naturally, and be sure not to use any external force. " Do not be discouraged; you have done remarkably well today. I truly did not expect that despite your seemingly dull appearance, your comprehension is quite good. Remember, if your body moves again during today's meditation, do not pay attention to it. Let it arise and cease naturally, and be sure not to use any external force.
The Wind Gentleman solemnly stated: "Do you think those shamans and witches who perform rituals are merely putting on a show? Let me tell you, many of them are genuinely engaged in their practices! Through their dances, they can invoke spirits. Invoking spirits is not particularly difficult; however, the entities summoned are either demons or ghosts, which is what contemporary scientific experts refer to as dissociative identity disorder. If you are determined to become a shaman or witch, I can teach you. With your innate abilities, you might become the most outstanding witch in history"
The Wind Gentleman retorted, "How would I know? The moment you mentioned it, I understood. What you referred to as 'fixed state' is not at all what Zhuangzi described as 'sitting and forgetting'; it is clearly the 'first meditation' of Buddhism. There are many states of calming the mind and entering tranquility, and to outsiders, they all appear to be sitting in meditation, yet the distinctions are vast. The first level of the four meditations and eight attainments is the joy and happiness born from concentration, which is the first meditation. I cannot believe that you verified this on your own; aside from that phony little lama Yunfei, who else could teach you? There are many states of calming the mind and entering tranquility, and to outsiders, they all appear to be sitting in meditation, yet the distinctions are vast. The first level of the four meditations and eight attainments is the joy and happiness born from concentration, which is the first meditation. I cannot believe that you verified this on your own; aside from that phony little lama Yunfei, who else could teach you? What has Shang Yunfei taught you? You had better explain it all in detail."
Feng Junzi: "The practices of meditation and contemplation in Buddhism are certainly different from the cultivation of life in Daoism. The entry into Daoism naturally has its own set of procedures, and it is not yet time to teach you. Alas—let it be, this is nothing much. The meditation in Buddhism is not considered a heretical path. Although I have not heard of anyone refining essence into qi or gathering herbs back to the furnace through meditation, I believe it is not impossible. In a couple of days, I will teach you the foundational skills of Daoism." Alas—let it be, this is nothing much. The meditation in Buddhism is not considered a heretical path. Although I have not heard of anyone refining essence into qi or gathering herbs back to the furnace through meditation, I believe it is not impossible. In a couple of days, I will teach you the foundational skills of Daoism."
How to conclude the practice? My body is almost out of control, how do I conclude? The Wind Gentleman has not taught me this! Perhaps the Wind Gentleman suddenly remembered that he had not taught me how to conclude, and hurriedly shouted again: "Calm your breath, drop your shoulders, open your eyes, exhale, conclude!" With his command, my movements came to a halt, and I opened my eyes to look at him
The Divine Fist
This white light gradually rises, like a harmonious sacred realm, enveloping me within it. In this state, my mind and spirit are incredibly tranquil, naturally giving rise to a feeling of joy and contentment, where I sense comfort and ease in every part of my being. Amidst this tranquility, a stream of joy flows from my heart, akin to summer's ice and winter's warm hearth, indescribable and inexpressible. Within the brilliance before me, the scenery becomes translucent. With my eyes slightly closed, everything in the dormitory is vividly present, and even the surrounding walls no longer serve as barriers; the entire dormitory building and campus are faintly visible, a delicate world... Amidst this tranquility, a stream of joy flows from my heart, akin to summer's ice and winter's warm hearth, indescribable and inexpressible. Within the brilliance before me, the scenery becomes translucent. With my eyes slightly closed, everything in the dormitory is vividly present, and even the surrounding walls no longer serve as barriers; the entire dormitory building and campus are faintly visible, a delicate world...
The next day, I wanted to ask Yunfei about what was going on, but unexpectedly, I ran into Feng Junzi at the stadium early in the morning. Feng Junzi had risen unusually early that day, seemingly waiting for me at the stadium. From a distance, upon seeing me enter the stadium, he walked over and asked, "Shiye, how has your meditation and calming of the mind been these past few days? It is already the eighteenth day, and you have one day left. Have you gained any insights?"
What is the matter with the Flying Nimbus? This is the first time I have heard of it! And what about the practice of jumping the gods?
The Wind Gentleman is truly amusing, as he even brought up the Boxer Rebellion. I asked somewhat perplexedly: "Are you saying I can also practice the Divine Fist? How does one practice the Divine Fist?"
The Wind Gentleman shook his head with a stern expression: "There is nothing wrong! I must congratulate you. However, Shiye, are you hiding something from me? When did that kid Shang Yunfei get involved? You haven't told me, have you?"
Pah! You are the witch. Can't you teach me something useful and noble
At that moment, I was still very excited and did not notice that when Feng Junzi mentioned the term "Heavenly Eye," he used "merit" instead of "supernatural power" to describe it. I elaborated to Feng Junzi about the joyful and harmonious feeling I experienced during meditation yesterday, a sensation I had never felt in my life, simply indescribable! As I spoke, I noticed that Feng Junzi's expression changed; his gaze became increasingly serious, and he frowned at me. I found it strange and stopped the conversation to ask, "What’s wrong? Is there something amiss?"
What Yun Fei taught me was also very simple, but it was much more detailed than what Feng Junzi taught. He taught me the "Seven Postures of Sitting" and "Calming the Mind and Following the Breath"
While I was sitting cross-legged, I moved spontaneously without feeling that my actions were exaggerated. However, now that I have released my body and am wandering around, I feel very light, almost as if I could fly. Just as I was dancing with my hands and feet, I suddenly heard the Wind Gentleman whispering in my ear: "Cloud of Somersault, rise!" At the sound of this command, I involuntarily rushed forward two steps, leaped into the air, and performed a somersault, landing lightly on the ground (it felt somewhat like the lightness in martial arts novels). After one somersault, I immediately did two more, actions that I usually cannot perform. At this moment, I heard the Wind Gentleman call out again: "Enough, stop playing, and conclude your practice!"
Light, joy, happiness, and the merits of the heavenly eye. You are quite impressive! Truly a natural talent. This was the evening of the following day, as Feng Junzi listened to me recount the extraordinary sensations I experienced during my meditation yesterday, he spoke in a neutral tone.
The Wind Gentleman smiled again: "When you were eight years old, your acupoints were sealed with a golden needle for ten years. Although I accidentally released it, your vital energy and blood circulation are still stagnant. In stillness, your energy will naturally flow, traversing and impacting all the meridians in your body. There is an eighty to ninety percent chance that it will move spontaneously. The so-called 'Sakura Tranquility' refers to the disturbance of the sakura followed by tranquility. You have now experienced what 'Sakura Disturbance' is; the next step is to seek tranquility within that disturbance. However, if you are always in a state of disturbance without achieving tranquility, you might as well go practice the Divine Fist!" You have now experienced what 'Sakura Disturbance' is; the next step is to seek tranquility within that disturbance. However, if you are always in a state of disturbance without achieving tranquility, you might as well go practice the Divine Fist!
Was it already within your expectations
... ...
The Wind Gentleman sneered: "I thought he would talk to you about the 'Stages of the Path to Enlightenment', but it turns out to be the core teachings of the Tiantai School. This kid, since he has intervened, still wants to keep it to himself!" As he spoke, he sat down cross-legged on the ground. The posture he assumed was surprisingly identical to the 'Seven Branches and Diagram Sitting Method' taught by Yun Fei.
This feeling does not arise from the limbs, but flows from the heart, making one feel extremely comfortable yet somewhat nostalgic, almost unwilling to rise and leave, just wanting to sit quietly like this. It turns out that meditation can also be a form of enjoyment? No wonder those monks and Taoists often engage in this practice! Just as I was immersed in this state, without any warning, my shoulders involuntarily twitched. Immediately after, from my shoulders down, my entire body began to tremble uncontrollably. This tremor started off very subtle, feeling quite pleasant; however, gradually, the situation began to feel a bit off. The movements of various parts of my body became increasingly pronounced, as if an invisible force was wandering freely within me, beyond my control. Fortunately, I am currently sitting cross-legged with my hands in a mudra; otherwise, I might have started flailing about.
I widened my eyes and asked, "Gentleman of the Wind, you also know these seven sitting postures. Why didn't you teach me earlier?"
Yun Fei finished explaining the seven sitting postures, and I also sat down beside him as he did, but I could not imitate him. My knee joints are too stiff, and I cannot cross my legs like he does. He places the sole of his right foot facing up on his left thigh, and then places the sole of his left foot facing up on his right thigh, with both legs intertwined like a knot.
It is manageable. Didn't that esteemed elder teach you a set of Five Animal Frolics? As far as I know, it requires entering stillness amidst movement, allowing the flow of energy to naturally initiate. This is practically tailored to your situation. You should practice this set of Five Animal Frolics. At the beginning, just treat it as if you are boxing; naturally enter stillness amidst movement, and the energy will naturally consolidate without going astray. If you haven't mastered the Five Animal Frolics, Tai Chi is also an option; give it a try.
I was taken aback: "The Cloud Somersault? Are you referring to Sun Wukong's Cloud Somersault? That covers a distance of 108,000 miles; I just did a few flips."
Yun Fei said to me: "Although walking, sitting, and lying down are all forms of practice, for beginners, sitting meditation is the first hurdle. If the body is not upright, how can the mind be? It is quite unreasonable for a gentleman of the wind not to teach you even the proper sitting posture." As he spoke, Yun Fei found a flat spot by the roadside, sat down cross-legged, and waved to me, saying: "Let me explain to you the most commonly used and also the most standard seven-point sitting posture."
It was only after the reminder from Feng Junzi that I realized how quickly time has passed; it has already been eighteen days since he gave me that copy of "Zhuangzi." I originally intended to ask Yunfei, since I had encountered Feng Junzi, it would not hurt to inquire with him as well. Therefore, I recounted my meditation experience from last night in its entirety to him. However, recalling Yunfei's admonition, I did not mention to him that Yunfei had taught me the techniques.
Yun Fei also mentioned that if my recent efforts in calming my mind have a solid foundation, I can verify the states of "the realm of desire" or "the initial meditation that has not yet reached stability" through stilling my heart and following my breath. After Yun Fei finished speaking, he reminded me not to tell Feng Junzi about tonight's matters. Since he is kindly helping me, I will keep it from Feng Junzi. After all, Feng Junzi said everything is fine, so I believe he wouldn't mind.
I have never tried standing meditation before, but since Master Feng suggested I give it a try, I will. As soon as I attempted it, issues arose. I still focused on calming my mind and breath, and once my thoughts settled, my shoulders almost immediately began to move. Following that, my hands started to wave involuntarily. At that moment, I had my eyes slightly closed, and as my hands moved, my legs also began to turn in circles, gradually increasing in movement, resembling a boxing routine.