«Zuo Ci, whose cognomen was Yuanfang, came from Lujiang. He had a deep knowledge of the Five Classics and was versed in astrology (xingqi). As he realized that the prosperity of the Han dynasty was declining, and that disorder would soon rise in the empire, . . . he devoted himself to the study of the Dao. He became an expert in divination according to the method of the Six Decades (liujia), and could command gods and demons; while sitting in meditation, he could summon the Traveling Cuisine (xingchu). While he was devoting himself to meditation practices on Mount Tianzhu, he found the scriptures on the Nine Elixirs and the Golden Liquor in a cave.» — el retrato de Zuo Ci que Pregadio traduce de las Shenxian zhuan: conocedor de los Cinco Clásicos y de la astrología, adivino por el método de los Seis Decenios, capaz de mandar a dioses y demonios y de convocar la Cocina Viajera, encuentra en una cueva del monte Tianzhu las escrituras de los Nueve Elixires y del Licor de Oro
Taiqing (Gran Claridad)
What does this tradition say about experience, knowledge and transformation? We approach these questions with consciousness as our centre, listening to the language of each source.
Gonzalo Olivares Velázquez · Spiritus Mundi
1 · Listen to the sources
How these passages were chosen: from the works assigned to this tradition, in alphabetical order, the first passage of each whose quoted words name consciousness, awareness, soul, spirit or knowledge (in English or Spanish); one per work, up to four. The choice is by vocabulary only: a passage may agree with our reading, disagree with it, or leave the question open.
2 · Ask what each source declares
Who knows, and what is transformed? Is the relationship between inner experience and the world declared, disputed, or left open? Let the passage determine the answer before bringing it into dialogue with our reading.
Explore documented argument maps →3 · Return to the centre
For us, these paths meet in consciousness. Which passage converses with that reading, and which qualifies or contradicts it? Save it with your own note.
Read the position of the house →Open your notebook →