Oriental Mind Secrets – Geoffrey Interview with James Brown #2 December 24, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Interview Transcripts , add a commentORIENTAL MIND SECRETS
‘From the Top’
2nd Interview between Geoffrey Wilson and James Brown
Geoffrey Wilson (Copyright September 2007)
INT. OFFICE — CONTINUOUS
(JB to listeners)
JB
Hello everybody and welcome to oriental mind secrets, an audio series designed to provide you the listener with access to the amazing work of Geoffrey Wilson – author of a remarkable distance learning course on oriental
psychology.
(JB to Geoff)
JB (CONT’D)
And hello to you, Geoff. What’s happening down under?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
We’re in the middle of spring now, probably the best time of the year in Sydney. Beautiful weather. The beach. Wouldn’t be dead for quids.
JB LAUGHS.
(JB to audience)
JB
That’s an Australian phrase which means it’s good to be alive! ‘Wouldn’t be dead for quids.’
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Do the Japanese have something similar?
(JB to Geoff)
JB
I’m not sure. I don’t know enough of the language. But I’ll ask my wife and get back to you on that one.
HE CHUCKLES.
JB (CONT’D)
On a more serious note then Geoff, I’m absolutely intrigued by the material you’ve put together on
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2.
JB (CONT’D)
spiritual alchemy. It makes sense that alchemy would have a spiritual side to it. Some people might know that material alchemy is the transmutation of base metals into gold. If not gold, a process of transmutation where the nature of something is transformed from one state into another. What does this mean when applied to the human mind? Better still, what is spiritual alchemy? Can you explain it to the layperson?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Sure. Spiritual alchemy is a spiritual practice that basically helps people transform themselves by learning how to overcome their limitations and dump their excess baggage.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What are the practical benefits?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
If personal limitations are overcome and excess baggage is discarded, then people can form more meaningful, loving and nurturing relationships. And of course, this allows for a deep healing to take place on the inside. We all want that, don’t we?
(JB to Geoff)
JB
I would think so. At least that has been my experience. On another level Geoff, I’ve often heard references to the
‘philosopher’s stone’ whenever the subject of spiritual alchemy has been raised. What is that about, if you wouldn’t mind explaining? I think it’s quite interesting.
3.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
It is indeed, JB. One could even go so far as to say in fact that possession of the elusive philosopher’s stone has been the goal of serious spiritual seekers since the dawn of time! Doctor John Dee, who was one of Queen
Elizabeth’s advisor’s on subjects as diverse as astronomy and mathematics, as well as alchemy, in the 16th century – is a good example.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Doctor Dee – yes – the famous Doctor Dee. Did he not also go by the name of the queen’s conjuror?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
He did. And then a chap by the name of Edward Kelley, entered Dee’s life in 1582. He was a medium who claimed to be able to contact angels and spirits. Dee longed to understand the ultimate truth about the universe which he
had failed to discover by other means. So Kelley and Dee collaborated. The two companions whose link was gold, on whatever level it manifested, went to Bohemia and Germany, creating a great stir. As the story goes, Kelly came upon a manuscript and a white ball. He went to London to visit Dee who immediately realised that the manuscript dealt with the philosopher’s stone. He opened the white ball and found a white powder inside it that was
none other than the projection powder of the alchemists! With Dee’s help, Kelly was able to experiment and actually make gold.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Didn’t Kelly go to prison and die there?
(Geoff to JB)
4.
GEOFF
He did. But there’s more to the story. You see, Kelly realised that the ability to make gold was only the first stage in understanding the alchemist’s great secret. There were actually three accomplishments – or magisteriums – as they were called.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Magisteriums?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The alchemists of the west believed that ultimate success came in three broad stages that were called magisteriums. They subsequently gave a name to each stage – and then related each of them to a stone.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Hence, the philosopher’s stone!
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Correct. The first magisterium is associated with the lunar stone. It represents gaining control over the body so that every cell is purified and relaxed, free of knots and constrained emotional energy. The second magisterium is
associated with the solar stone. When fear and the ego-identity cease to influence or interfere, the mind is ontrolled through willpower. Now, when the lunar and solar stones unite, a cosmic presence is created and this gives rise to the stellar stone. The third magisterium therefore is said to be the true atonement with the mind of God – and it allows you to see how small you really are!
(JB to Geoff)
JB
So basically, the secret of the philosopher’s stone enabled a
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5.
JB (CONT’D)
man’s soul to attain unity with divine spirit.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
You got it! And this unity reveals the great secret of spiritual growth – that you can only accept, forgive, and love other people, everything in creation – to the extent that you are willing to accept, forgive, and love yourself.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Wise words indeed! Hmm.
BRIEF PAUSE.
JB (CONT’D)
Ok, so what about spiritual alchemy?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
In a spiritual sense, alchemy is basically the nullification of negative emotional states so that they do not cause harm to oneself or others.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Would you mind going into negative emotional states for us? What are they and what happens?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
All emotions, JB, are strictly speaking, negative. Let me explain.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Please do, this is very interesting.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Let’s use the Chinese model because I think it is a very good one.
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6.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
According to the praxis of Chinese medicine then, anger corrupts the energy of the liver – a most volatile and unstable energy – that disrupts the ability of the liver to regulate the free flowing movement of Qi throughout the
body.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Do all of the organs of the body then, have an association to an emotional state?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
They do. Excitement, for example, scatters the movement of Qi to such an extent that the heart energy becomes chaotic and this unsettles the mind causing the spirit to wander. Buddhists might well call this an aspect of the
monkey mind! Worry brings about stagnation of the spleen energy and this has the effect of damaging the processes of digestion and assimilation – on a physical as well as psycho-emotional level. Grief causes the energy of the lung to contract which is why those who are sad or disappointed suffer from deficiencies of energy – it literally falls away. And perhaps the most debilitating and destructive of emotional energies is fear – which engulfs the kidneys and severs the source of yin and yang in the body – with the result that there is no longer an anchor
for the body/mind and this also means, inadvertently I might add, the strengthening of insecurity – our great nemesis, as it were.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
So, before we get too far ahead of ourselves – you are saying that anger, excitement, worry, grief, and fear, have a negative impact on the body/mind – a crippling effect, as it were.
(Geoff to JB)
7.
GEOFF
Correct. And the Chinese alchemists called these crippling energies the ‘five thieves’. In fact, if we were to give a
definition of spiritual alchemy from the Chinese perspective, it would go something along the lines of – ‘to govern the five thieves by the five virtues’.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Wow. That’s great. Can I quote you on that?
LAUGHS.
JB (CONT’D)
So, what are the virtues then?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Probably the best way to put this in perspective is to align the virtues with the organs of the body, in the same way that we looked at the thieves. If anger corrupts the liver energy, for example, benevolence restores it.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
I don’t know about you Geoff, but I reckon benevolence is very difficult to define. Would you agree?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
I would. But that’s why words are so interesting – especially etymology – the study of words. By the time we’ve pulled benevolence apart, we come to learn that it has something to do with goodness. And goodness is related to the function that soul performs when it’s purpose is awakened truly.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
That makes complete sense – it fits beautifully – when soul is
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8.
JB (CONT’D)
aligned, the liver is harmonious. What about the heart?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
As we have already stated, the heart energy is scattered by excitement. It functions best when it is fed on a diet of
compassion.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Compassion is also difficult to define, in my opinion. And it is quite different to sympathy.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Yes. Sympathy is emotional whereas compassion is free from emotion. When you look into the word, you find that it really means coming together with someone’s suffering. When I come together with your suffering, then I don’t try and fix it or change it – I don’t judge it as bad or uncomfortable – compassion allows me to sit in whatever you are sitting in – I am with you. And this is the root of love, I think. The source of love – where it is possible to swim in the ocean of love and mercy – as it were.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Compassion is at the heart of Buddhism – so that makes sense. We plan to talk about spiritual practices in a later program so I won’t go into it now, but the heart sutra is really the practical expression of compassion, isn’t it?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Yes it is. As too is the diamond sutra. But we can go into that when we explore meditation.
(JB to Geoff)
9.
JB
That would be terrific. I can’t wait. But coming back now to our discussion of virtue, you have covered the liver and heart. What virtue is associated with the spleen?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The spleen functions best when it is regulated by sincerity. By sincerity, I mean genuineness. In the same way that you can tell when someone is insincere by the way the words and deeds just don’t match, genuineness represents
intention – and intention that is sincere, can cut through most obstacles. When you stop looking for a reward in the giving, you’ll know the giving is genuine.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
The lung is associated with the virtue of justice. This can easily be misinterpreted, don’t you think?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
I do. Most people have their own version of what is fair and just – usually based on their highly prejudiced sense of morality and ethics.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
How are morality and ethics prejudiced?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
There is man’s law and there is God’s law. Man’s law is an invention of the mind. God’s law is a spiritual reality. The mind is a generator of illusion. Spiritual reality is governed by cause and effect. Surely justice belongs in the domain of cause and effect – in a word karma. You reap what you sow – is how saint paul put it.
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10.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
If you mess with someone in some way, you can be sure you’ll get missed with at some point as well. There’s also the question of time. We tend to think in linear terms, so that there is a logical progression from one action to
another. But it doesn’t always work like that. Which is why, I suppose, the soul game involves coming back, time and time again – to work out the unresolved karma.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
That’s certainly an interesting way to put it, Geoff. I like it. Justice is regulated by karma. And if that’s the case, there is no such thing as injustice – in the grand scheme of things. Wow.
BRIEF PAUSE.
JB (CONT’D)
Ok. Let’s get this straight. If an awareness of true justice precludes the lung from being bowled over by regret or an attachment to the ideal, respiration is unobstructed. What about the kidney then? What virtue maintains the vital energy stored in the kidneys?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The kidneys are nourished by wisdom. To understand this, consider how energy depletion occurs rapidly in people who push themselves to the limits of adrenal capacity – only to break down like a horse at the track. When the mind is programmed to fuel ambition and achievement there is never a moment’s rest. Obviously this is not wise. So we can understand a lot about what wisdom is by establishing what it is not. Consequently, wisdom is not based on experience or knowledge. To be wise is to understand the mechanism of the mind and resonate with the virtue of the spiritual reality and its essence within.
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11.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
One aspect of wisdom therefore, is the ability to see through the things of they world and not get seduced by them.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Cool. Se we have covered the virtues. In terms of history then Geoff, whereabouts is the Chinese alchemical tradition placed?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Spiritual alchemy belongs to the inner teachings of Taoism – a combination of Confucian, Buddhist
and Taoist philosophies – established by the sages and disseminated through their classics. The origin of spiritual
alchemy in China can most likely be traced back to the development of the Complete reality school of Taoism – a movement that flourished somewhere between the 11th and 12th centuries. To put it in perspective, around the time of the Norman invasion of Great Britain – when Harold lost his eye at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Harold could well have done with some spiritual alchemy, one would imagine!
THEY LAUGH.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
I reckon. He might have kept his eye!
LAUGHS.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What was the purpose of the complete reality school?
(Geoff to JB)
12.
GEOFF
To learn about and practice spiritual sublimation – the art of blending the rational and intuitive aspects of human
mentation – the left and right sides of the brain – the fluid and crystal functions of thinking – in order to bring about inner transformation and balance.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
In your work Geoff, you’ve stated that the purpose of alchemy is to transform and refine the crude. In terms of a human being, what is the crude exactly?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The crude represents the dross of temporal conditioning.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
The dross of temporal conditioning?
LAUGHS.
JB (CONT’D)
What is that, for God’s sake? Don’t go too technical on me!
LAUGHS.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Deeply ingrained mind habits that obscure reality. Conditioned patterns of thinking. You know, Pavlov’s dog!
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Pavlov’s dog? You’ve lost me. Please explain.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Ivan Pavlov was a scientist who developed theories of conditioned responses. You know, the dog salivated when food was on the way.
13.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
So that’s where it comes from!
GEOFF
Anyway JB, my point in bringing up Pavlov’s dog – was to emphasise the point that people are conditioned by their environment – by what someone else thinks, by what someone else feels, says, or does. In fact, I would go so far
as to suggest the term second hand person – it’s not my term actually – Jiddu Krishnamurti came up with it – but when you think about it, he’s right. We are for the most part, second hand people – shaped by how others think and
feel. And at the root of this conditioning, you will find that emotion is the trigger. Emotion drives how we think and feel.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
So back to the aim of spiritual alchemy.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The aim of spiritual alchemy therefore is to transform this second hand person.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
How?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Through burning away acquired habits of conditioning – and destroying negative and destructive behaviours. The principles of this firing process are not difficult to learn, but nonetheless they do require diligent application and expert supervision.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
How does it work?
(Geoff to JB)
14.
GEOFF
The firing process is essentially the management of emotional disturbance. Eventually, one becomes proficient in the art and cultivates profound inner strength. After a while, nothing on the outside is remotely bothersome. Your peace of mind could not be affected by the dropping of a bomb.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Are there any straight forward
tips?
GEOFF
Sure. Number one, acknowledge an emotional disturbance once it arises. Number two, don’t indulge in it. Withdraw it immediately. Number three, honour God on a daily basis. To not increase conscious awareness of this on a daily basis is to indulge in the destructive energy of self-absorption. Number four, confirm that the disturbance you are
experiencing is unbeneficial. For example, jealousy. Then talk it through with someone who understands – someone who is intelligent and not subject to emotional overtones. Number five, read anything that expands on the negative ramifications of indulging in the disturbance. Number six, put pen to paper and identify the negatives – see them clearly as they are – unbeneficial. Number seven, only then relax – only when you are undisturbed.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What are some measures of psychological and emotional stability, Geoff?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The ability to sleep well indicates a settled mind. An appetite for food and sex is a gauge of vitality. A clean body is a good sign. So too is a clean mind.
15.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What is a clean mind?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
A clean mind is free from distractions that otherwise lead to trouble. A distracted mind is not focused and a lack of focus produces fragmentation. I would also say that stability is reflected by an ability to just be.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
In terms of yin and yang, what is the ideal aggregate for a human being to embody?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
According to oriental philosophy, there are four possible destinies for a human being. The first one is where someone is yin on the inside and yin on the outside. What will happen to such a person JB?
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Without yang, I suppose such a person will get lost in a sinking inertia.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Very good. In fact, this person will get trodden on! Soft on the inside and soft on the outside. Emotional and weak, this type will get crushed. The second type is the opposite. Yang on the inside and yang on the outside. A recipe for cruelty. Hard on the inside and hard on the outside. The third type is yin on the inside and yang on the outside. What kind of destiny is this for someone?
(JB to Geoff)
16.
JB
Soft on the inside and hard on the outside is the make-up of a celebrity, isn’t it?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Excellent, JB. Which leaves us with the fourth type.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Yang on the inside and yin on the outside.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
This is the destiny of someone who will develop endlessly!
FADE OUT:
Oriental Mind Secrets – Geoffrey Interview with James Brown #1 December 22, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Health Tips, Interview Transcripts, Personal Freedom, Philosophy, Psychology, Wisdom Notes , 1 comment so farORIENTAL MIND SECRETS
‘From the Top’
1st Interview between Geoffrey Wilson and James Brown
Geoffrey Wilson (Copyright September 2007)
INT. OFFICE — CONTINUOUS
(JB to listeners)
JB
Hello everybody and welcome to oriental mind secrets, an audio series designed to provide you the listener with access to the amazing work of Geoffrey Wilson – author of a remarkable distance learning course on oriental
psychology.
(JB to Geoff)
JB (CONT’D)
And hello to you, Geoff. What’s happening down under?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The weather here in Sydney is gorgeous at the moment – but we’re not here for the weather, are we JB? We’re here to talk about oriental mind secrets.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
I miss the Sydney weather to be honest, Geoff. You can’t tell me morning meditations followed by a walk on the beach aren’t to die for?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
You’ve got a point JB. That’s how my days start when the sun is out. I’m a lucky man.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Some people say we make our luck, Geoff. What’s your take on luck?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Good question. I think there are two aspects to luck really. One aspect is staying true to your vision.
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2.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
When you stay true to your vision and your spiritual plan, your heart energy aligns with your higher soul purpose. Amazing things happen as a result. The second aspect of luck is that good fortune seems to smile on those who are favoured by the grace of God – that little piece of serendipity that comes the way of people who consciously live in
such a way that the laws of cause and effect are respected and followed. Living in this way, the interval between cause and effect never gets too wide – which means there are fewer messes to clean up – unnecessary time is
therefore not spent on doing things that are not productive.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
So what you are saying is that everybody is capable of receiving their fair share of luck as long as they abide by the spiritual rules.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Precisely. Another way of saying much the same thing is to suggest the term ‘creative living’. When we live creatively, fear is removed as a response to the challenges we face – and in its place, we discover that the vision is everything. When you live in your vision, your heart automatically governs proceedings – in other words, your thoughts and feelings are elevated to perform a more spiritually aligned function in keeping with a higher purpose.
When this purpose is shared, we discover we aren’t alone.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
On that note then Geoff, how do you see your purpose?
(Geoff to JB)
3.
GEOFF
It has evolved over time I think, JB. Initially, I was immersed in the process of learning what oriental medicine actually is – how it operates, the principles, the art. Once, I became comfortable with my relationship to it, I began to explore outside of the box. I discovered that oriental medicine provides a template for the cultivation and refinement of the complete human being – and that within its structure, it is possible to bring the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects together holistically. I tested this out in the clinic, in the classroom, in every conceivable way. And I learned that in general, people are not aware of the mind,body,spirit connection on a
deep level – that is, as far as it determines their experience of health, balance, and harmony. So as far as purpose goes now, I see myself expanding on playing an educational role. One of the avenues for presenting material
is through seminars and classes. Another avenue that I’m becoming increasingly more interested in is television – presenting holistic medicine in a stimulating and visual way. And of course, distance education is the way of
the future.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
I think you are right, Geoff. The indications certainly are that ‘e learning’ is gaining in popularity. What was it like to design the oriental psychology course? What factors did you have to consider?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
I’ve been involved in curriculum development since 1988. The technical aspects of writing curriculum are straight forward. What I really wanted to do with writing an e course though, was to design the program in such a
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4.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
way that students would be able to get as close as possible to a classroom situation. To do that it was necessary to include stimulating and exciting learning activities that supported their reading. The most important element however, was the selection of the material to be used. The fields of oriental philosophy and medicine are huge – they are literally worlds within worlds. I wanted to make sure there was plenty of reference to the classics -
especially the I-Ching, the Chuang Tzu, the Wu Chen Pi’en, the Huinanzi, and the Art of War.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What is it about those classics in particular that led to them being included in the course? Let’s start with the I-Ching.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The I-Ching is a book of ancient Chinese wisdom and contains the secrets of 64 spiritual principles – keys to successful living – as it were. And successful living depends on self-mastery.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
The Chuang Tzu is a mysterious book thought by some to contain nothing but riddles. Is this true?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The Chuang Tzu is one of my absolute favourites. In a sense, it is a book of riddles and quite difficult to comprehend without a background in oriental thinking or spiritual practices. It exposes the human condition, sets aside illusions, and does this through storytelling. The book is full of brilliant anecdotes, tales, and stories that are as relevant today as
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5.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
they were when they were written, several thousand years ago. Some of the stories in fact are used in modern psychology as a reference – the famous butterfly dream being a good example.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What is the significance of the butterfly dream?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Chuang Tzu has a dream. He wakes up in the morning startled to find he is Chou. He doesn’t know whether Chou has dreamt he is a butterfly or if a butterfly has been dreaming it is Chou. The point of the story is to contemplate the nature of psychological transformation – the butterfly does this instinctively. It simply emerges from they cocoon to discover the joy of flight. A human emerges from the darkness of obscurity at some stage to discover
enlightenment, it is not a simple task and it certainly is not easy. The process of transformation is a struggle because the human has a mind and a mind is something that goes astray! It, the mind, can never be whole – it cannot see the front and back simultaneously – hence, the problem of division. So the journey of transformation for the human is to discover the ending of separateness. This can only be done when distinctions between this and that cease.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Wow! What about Wu Chen Pi’en?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The Wu Chen Pi’en is a classic text of spiritual alchemy.
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6.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
It is basically a spiritual guide to penetrate the mysteries of the inner teachings of Taoism – and these are primarily concerned with eliminating the negative and destructive influences of temporal conditioning – so that the mind becomes empty.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
There is also the Huainanzi – the teachings of the masters of Huainan – sometimes called the book of leadership and strategy. It’s an incredible book.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Yes. Anyone genuinely interested in the arts of leadership should become familiar with this collection of sayings. The king of Huainan was a ruler of a small principality within the empire of Han dynasty China – second century
BC. He was already quite a distinguished patron of learning when a group of traveling Taoist masters appeared at court. The teachings follow the ancient tradition of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu and reflect the distillation of the essence of Taoist wisdom and the arts of living using a variety of techniques. Written in a period of reconstruction
following centuries of civil wars, the teachings emphasise the deleterious effects of habitual desires, the negative impact of greed and aggression on human psychology, and the importance of self-knowledge.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Finally Geoff, there is the Art of War, compiled by a mysterious warrior-philosopher, it remains one of the most influential books on strategy in the world today. In essence, what do you think the book is about?
(Geoff to JB)
7.
GEOFF
When viewed in the light of the spiritual tradition of Taoism, the art of war is a study in the psychology of conflict. By understanding conflict, one develops the skills to diffuse or avoid it entirely.
(JB to Geoff
JB
How does that work in a practical
sense?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The beauty of the art of war as a philosophical treatise on avoiding conflict is that it can be applied to business as readily as it can be applied to the running of a household or a medical practice. Let’s take an example. The famous
general Jia Lin said, ‘The strength or weakness of a country depends on its generals. If the generals help the leadership and are thoroughly capable, then the country will be strong. If the generals do not help the leadership, and harbour duplicity in their hearts, then the country will be weak. Therefore it is imperative to be careful in
choosing people for positions of responsibility.’
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Excellent! I’ve also noticed that you place a lot of emphasis on finding a way for students to reconnect with their purpose.
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Without an awareness of purpose, life can seem like an endless struggle and sometimes this can lead to the experience of negative thoughts and feelings that inhibit and obstruct spiritual growth and development.
(JB to Geoff)
8.
JB
What do you think gets in the way of connecting with purpose? Are there warning signs that we might be able to recognise?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
There are many. Usually the warning is one of these: You either hate your job or see it as going nowhere fast. Your relationship is either in a rut or you both are going your own separate ways and too afraid to address it. Unresolved issues with mother and father or brother and sister guarantee resentment and blame, and strengthen a case for separation – which is counterproductive. You have money problems that don’t seem to ever go away despite your best attempts to do the right thing. You suffer from chronic health problems that are getting worse and you want to get fixed – as opposed to participating in the process and doing the inner work. Your circle of friends is exclusive and rarely expands to invite now experiences and a welcoming of fresh attitudes. Creativity suffers a loss because you don’t allow for recreation of any kind – and perhaps you have forgotten how to play. You have no relationship to your own sacred space and cannot find a point of sanctuary within that serves as a spiritual refuge. You think with your mind instead of your heart – sentimentality triumphs over love – the connection is therefore cut.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Your students insist that your contribution to the development of oriental medicine in the west has been to design a metaphysical approach that makes it possible to understand how the medicine works and involves the participant
directly. It is quite unique. How would you define this approach?
(Geoff to JB)
9.
GEOFF
There are three kinds of doctor. The first treats the symptoms. The second treats the cause. The third teaches the way of life – governed by the principles of balance and harmony. When something is wrong in the body and mind, it is because these principles have been neglected. Make the corrections and health can be restored.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Can you give some examples of how this works?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Sure. Unfulfilled desires lead to depression. This upsets the energy of the liver. When the energy of the liver is unbalanced, the ethereal soul suffers from neglect and this disconnects the sufferer from living the vision and supporting the life purpose. The medicine therefore consists of reconnecting the sufferer with vision and purpose. Once this is done, the depression lifts. This can be achieved through acupuncture, herbal medicine, effective strategy, and spiritual practice. In other words, to connect with vision, there has to be a sense of higher purpose.
Without this, most people get frustrated, become angry, and look for ways to engage the emotional volcano. The bottom line is that all physical disorders are spiritual disorders. All disorders have a relationship to the internal organs, and each of the organs stores an aspect of the mental-spiritual dynamic.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Wow. So what you’re saying is that psychology drives the body.
(Geoff to JB)
10.
GEOFF
Correct. And there are five aspects of psychology to consider in relation to the body-mind dynamic. Theses are: the ethereal soul stored in the liver, the spirit stored in the heart, the intellect stored in the spleen, the corporeal soul stored in the lung, and the willpower stored in the kidneys.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
What functions do each of them perform?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
The ethereal soul stored in the liver is to the psyche what the corporeal soul is to the body. Psychologically, the corporeal soul stored in the lung is the realm of the body unconscious – with its storehouse of sensations, emotions, passions, and feelings that represent the neurological intelligence of human beings.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Fine, that’s the ethereal soul and the corporeal soul. What about the heart spirit?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Psychologically, human beings are assaulted by a lack of intimacy in relationships that is exacerbated by the modern lifestyle and the ramifications of responding to it in a state of de-sensitisation. Many people in fact, use the technique of rationalising themselves into insensitivity, as Robert Aitken puts it, because the levels of shock experienced while living in the world are too intense – and numbing out is an effective, if not dangerous and ultimately destructive, coping mechanism. In simple terms, numbing out is a protective mechanism.
(MORE)
11.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
Unfortunately, activation of the rationalising policy inhibits the capacity for the heart spirit to be satisfactorily nourished.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
It would seem so. And the intellect? How does that work?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Psychologically, disturbances of the intellect stored in the spleen are caused by self-absorption. Worry and obsession are close relatives. Consequently, life experience cannot be transformed into ideas and intentions that
otherwise would become profound expressions of the heart spirit.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Willpower is a curious phenomenon. Where does it come into the equation in terms of oriental medicine?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
Psychologically, the most recognisable disturbance of the willpower stored in the kidneys is the person who is either caught up in compulsive activity or locked into the inertia of a stagnant lethargy. Without acknowledging
the existence and relevance of the ethereal soul, the corporeal soul, the intellect, the heart spirit, one is distracted by the illusion of self-importance. Drained by life instead of empowered by it, the strong urge to control the world because of fear dissipates any possibility for a sense of trust in the process of life to develop. The willpower is usually disturbed because most people push themselves to the brink of adrenal exhaustion. Without connecting to the source of vitality, artificial measures are relied on to sustain lifestyle
(MORE)
12.
GEOFF (CONT’D)
and along the way, people get lost in the traffic of competition and ambition.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
How amazing. What a model, Geoff. How many practitioners of oriental medicine do you think understand the mind in this way?
(Geoff to JB)
GEOFF
It depends on their training for the most part, I think. Those who have studied and trained in an environment dominated by the pursuit of academic objectives, tend to miss out on getting a taste for the spiritual tradition
that is the source of the real medicine. Certainly in terms of oriental medicine, Buddhism and Taoism play a big part in the successful and artful expression of diagnosis and treatment. At the end of the day, the quality of spiritual practice will determine the effectiveness of any interaction that takes place between the practitioner and the patient. This is why my favourite teacher told me, there are three kinds of doctor. The first treats the symptoms. He is an ordinary doctor. The second treats the cause. He is thinking bigger but still not getting it. The third teaches the way of life. He is solid as a rock on the inside and as flexible as mercury on the outside. Therefore he can develop endlessly.
(JB to Geoff)
JB
Perhaps this is something we could all aspire to. Thank you so much for the interview Geoff. We have covered much territory and there is certainly plenty of food for thought.
(JB to listeners)
13.
JB (CONT’D)
You heard it from the horse’s mouth folks. I think what we have discussed today provides a platform for deep contemplation. Till we meet again, this is James Brown signing off and fare ye well!
FADE OUT:
8 Lost Secrets To Live Your Life By December 21, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Health Tips, Meditations, Personal Freedom, Philosophy, Psychology, Wisdom Notes , add a commentLost Secret #1
Each of us is a soul animated by spirit and comes to earth in order to cultivate enlightenment. Once upon a time as the story goes, the floor of heaven opened and all souls went tumbling down through the worlds. Many came to earth of course and formed the consciousness of homo sapiens… housed in the flesh and bones of the human body.
Without knowledge of this secret, the purpose of your life may become confused and as a result you may get distracted and lose your focus.
Lost Secret #2
Soul moves through the endless ages accompanied by the karma acquired from birth to birth. There are several different kinds of karma and each must be worked off (eliminated) before a human being can leave this life permanently.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may fail to reconcile cause and effect in which case you will continue to be the effect rather than the cause of your life.
Lost Secret #3
The opposite is implied in everything. Therefore, it is better to avoid developing preferences for either this or that. In order to see the truth then, one must hold no opinions for or against anything.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may develop bad habits such as the strengthening of prejudices in which case you will experience the conflict of the opposites.
Lost Secret #4
Problems are nothing more than our reactions to things. We become unhappy because we react instead of responding without judgment.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may never experience freedom from judgement in which case peace and harmony will elude you.
Lost Secret #5
We get attached to our feelings, especially when we’re flying high, and we hope it lasts forever. It doesn’t of course, and this is what makes us feel miserable. It is better to see through the things of the world and accept impermanence for what it is without wanting to argue about it.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may find it difficult to adapt to change and consequently get fixated about things. The world is impermanent. Soul is not.
Lost Secret #6
Anger, passion, anxiety, sorrow, and fear, are just reactions to what is going on externally – that is to say, on the outside. In ancient times, they were called the five thieves and the sages made it a point to restrict their influence by cultivating the five virtues of benevolence, compassion, sincerity, true sense, and wisdom.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may become a victim of emotional excess and lose your relationship to personal stability.
Lost Secret #7
The soma/psyche (body/mind) relationship can be understood easily by likening it to a coin. On one side of the coin, are thoughts and emotions arising in our minds. On the other side of the coin, are the respirations (breath) and sensations (pleasures, aches and pains) associated with our bodies.
By observing these carefully, as front and back, we can actually observe the nature of our mental impurities. This is called insight meditation and was discovered by Gautama Sakyamuni (a.k.a. the Buddha).
Without knowledge of this secret, you will not see that whatever has a front also has a back and that the bigger the front, the bigger the back.
Lost Secret #8
You must be able to sink your breath to the lower belly. That’s where the power is. Vital force comes from the waist… the waist is everything! That is why it is important to use the mind instead of force so that the vital energy will follow in the wake of the mind and circulate over the body. This is what is called being lithe in appearance and powerful in essence.
Without knowledge of this secret, you may find it difficult to maintain balance because if the vital force doesn’t follow the mind, chaos ensues and the body becomes confused.
Daily Spiritual Message
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : I-Ching Spiritual Message , add a commentfrom Geoffrey Wilson’s Tao Cards for the 21st Century
Hexagram #54 Embracing Essence
“Turning a blind eye to the pursuit of pleasure and indulging the senses without paying attention to the cause and effect of one’s actions, will produce misery and much suffering.”
Personal Freedom Seminars 2008 December 20, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Announcements , add a commentComing in 2008!
Personal Freedom Seminar Series –
One Day ‘Face-to-Face’ Workshops in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide
‘The 5 Spirits of Healing – Restoring Essence’
‘Cure Your Disease – Secrets of Oriental Nutrition’
‘Oriental Spiritual Practices – Secrets of Rejuvenation’
‘Philosopher’s Trail – Secrets of Wisdom, Leadership & Strategy’
Video Recordings will also be available for those who can’t make it.
Daily Spiritual Message
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : I-Ching Spiritual Message , add a commentfrom Geoffrey Wilson’s Tao Cards for the 21st Century
Hexagram #53 – The Path
“Talent without the correct approach is destined for the graveyard of potential. Only the flexible have the discipline to remain open.”
Daily Spiritual Message December 19, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : I-Ching Spiritual Message , 3 commentsfrom TAO CARDS for the 21st Century by Geoffrey Wilson
Hexagram 23 – Giving Encouragement
“In order to overcome the negativity that supports taking a beating from life, it is necessary to first of all stop and correctly identify what is actually happening.”
Oriental Nutritional Medicine Practitioner Course Approved by NCCAOM December 17, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Feng Shui , 1 comment so farMore good news!
The NCCAOM (national certification commission for acupuncture and oriental medicine) has approved Art of Health Education’s other distance learning course in Oriental Nutritional Medicine.
Effectively, this means that graduates will receive points from the NCCAOM for post-graduate study and those without an Oriental Medicine qualification will receive the kudos that goes with the course’s approval by this leading governing body in certification world-wide.
There will be more good news early in the new year! So stay tuned!
Daily Spiritual Message December 16, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : I-Ching Spiritual Message , add a commentfrom Geoffrey Wilson’s ‘TAO CARDS FOR THE 21st CENTURY’
Hexagram 2 – Earthly Submission
“The capacity to adapt to changing circumstances without hesitation predicates whether or not a human being’s journey through the cycles of life will be difficult or smooth”.
Return from Japan December 14, 2007
Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Diary , 1 comment so farJust got back from a two week visit to Japan. Wow!
Highlights?
Plunging into the ambience of an Onsen (steaming hot volcanic sulphur baths) and experiencing the Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with Jaime, JB and Mari. Nightfall. Psychedelic Mist. Extreme heat. Penetrating cold. Snow flakes. Healing. Meal over the hearth. Sake. Sleep like no other.
Discovering the spirit of a waterfall in the depths of the forest with Pete. The mountain. The walk. Pure water at a pit stop.
Chowing down with Mari’s mother who cooks a feast for us to eat – and finding out about our mutual interest in Takemitsu. Hijiki. Kiriboshi daikon. Mountain potato. Nabe.
The Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo. New York on acid. Cocktails on the 52nd floor of the Hyatt and we also get delightfully lost in translation.
Nanzenji and the living spirit of rejuvenation. Vermillion, red ochre, yellow and green trees. Futons and Shochu. The nightlife of Gion and the hunt for a geisha in the floating world.
SOS:
9 hours of video film supporting the above references that I can’t download because the HDC SD5 camcorder that I buy in Fukushima is fuelled by Japanese software that apparently (so I am told in Australia) does not have an English counterpart. In other words, I can’t read the disc and some of the file extensions are unknown. If anyone who reads this knows of a solution I would be grateful to hear it.