Quiet Sitting and Modern Life

According to studies by scientific experts, quiet sitting works to tap your

potential and nurture good health:
1) Psychologists point to improved reasoning ability, will power, creativity,
and learning ability due to quiet sitting. It effectively eases stress and does
away with unstable mental conditions.
2) Physiologists affirm that quiet sitting enhances metabolism and balances
internal secretions. It promotes circulation of blood, coordination of the
nervous system, and growth of new cells. It restores the body's natural
functions.

3) Biochemists find that quiet sitting reduces blood-borne lactic acid salts. It
lessens unhealthy phenomena due to insomnia, tension, and anxiety.
4) Ecologists claim that quiet sitting lets people achieve natural adjustment
with their environments. It raises work morale and increases effectiveness.
5) Sociologists maintain that quiet sitting improves relationship with others
and opens up space for life. To families it brings well-being; to society,
gentleness and advancement.

Training in Chinese Original Quiet Sitting

Chinese Original Quiet Sitting is the sole legacy, passed down 5,000 years
from Chinese ancestors, that strengthens bodies and genes, nurtures life,
gives longevity, and makes mankind unify with Heaven. For ancient Taoists it
was the prime practice for tempering soul and body, taking them beyond
constraints of the physical world to a marvelous integration of spirit and
flesh. In it they found everlasting life.

Chinese Original Quiet Sitting was personally

imparted by the First-Appointed Master Emissary of the T'ienti Teachings, Mr.
Lee Y-chieh(1901-1994), whose sobriquet is Han-ching Lao-jen [ The
Venerable Vessel of Stillness]. Its key is naturalness, and its method is to
take no forced action. Its prime principle is dual cultivation of self-nature and
body, not a focus on physiological states. This practice does not use the
slightest artificial effort, since it lies in bringing forth one's own yang ch'i to
blend with the Lord's spirit yang which is true cosmic ch'i. That is, one's own
ch'i connects with the primordial ch'i that is spoken of only in this religion.
Their workings are allowed to proceed naturally as they come into subtle
adjustment. This tempering process follows natural laws. With no effort to
gather ch'i, ch'i gathers of itself. Without taxing the spirit, the spirit returns
to emptiness. Once the light of spirit shines unbroken and myriad thoughts
are made void, then comes the realm where sacredness enters
transformation, and flesh is marvelously integrated with spirit. Thus
everlasting new life is achieved by the body beyond the body. (At present
Chinese Qriginal Quiet Sitting is imparted by the Second-Appointed Master
Emissary of the T'ienti Teachings, Mr. Lee Wei-sheng.)

An Expedient Means: Serene Quiet Sitting

Because Chinese Original Quiet Sitting is the supreme intuitive method of

the universe's highest heaven, it is not practiced only to cure illness and
promote a long, healthy life; its aim and function are profound and farreaching--the union of Heaven and mankind. To study Chinese Original Quiet
Sitting in our religion, fellow-strivers must possess righteous ch'i and a
striving spirit. After passing an initial interview, they undergo one hundred
days of training in quiet sitting. Ordinary people could probably not put aside
the miscellaneous affairs of worldly life to participate. Therefore, to suit the
needs of most people, we are introducing an expedient means which is
simple and easily learned: "Serene Quiet Sitting". This will benefit all persons

in society who are so motivated, so they may participate and study. This type
of quiet sitting is quite easy to grasp: everyone can master it.

These are the main benefits of study:

1) Freedom from illness; bodily health;
2) Clear-headedness; mental acuity;
3) Emotional stability; broad mental horizons;
4) Glowing spirits; vitality to spare; relief from daily stress; increasing work
effectiveness;
5) Nurture perfect ch'i; follow regular living habits;
6) Cultivation of self-nature; creating inner joy and tranquility.

Getting Started

Methods to follow when getting started are:

1) Sit with upper body straight and feet touching the floor. Place hands on
kneecaps and assume a natural, comfortable position, with buttocks
occupying one half of your seat.

2) Recite the "Twenty Words" silently or in a quiet

voice, imagining if possible that each word descends from above, down
through the body, to waist level. This is the key. The "Twenty Words" are
Guidelines for Life that we should observe as human beings. The Twenty
Words are: Chung [Loyalty]; Shu [Forgiveness]; Lien [Incorruptibility]; Ming
[Insight]; Teh [Virtue]; Cheng [Rectitude]; Yi [Justice]; Hsin [Trustworthiness]; Ren [Forbearance]; Kung [Fairness]; Po [Philanthropy]; Hsiao
[Filial Piety]; Jen [Benevolence]; Tz'u [Compassion]; Chueh [Awareness];
Chieh [Moderation or Fidelity]; Chien [Frugality]; Chen [Truthfulness]; Li
[Propriety]; and Ho [Harmony]. The Twenty Words are recited to make the
mind up-right, cultivate one's nature, examine one's conscience, and repent.
Attention is focussed on the descending words as a technique for taming
unruly ch'i.
3) Duration can be from ten minutes to several hours; know your own limits.

4) As ch'i descends to the navel, do not apply effort, let things happen as
they will. In this way, due to intervention of perfect ch'i from the nonphysical realm, illness can be cured and your body strengthened.

Serene Quiet Sitting is simple and easily practiced; its effects are rapid and
easily noticed. Everyone can learn it. It is a quiet sitting technique without
harmful effects, most suited to the present time.