I n t e g r a l

W a y

S o c i e t y

Integral Voyager
Quarterly Newsletter of the IWS Spring 2009 Volume 17, Number 1 $2.50

2009 New Year Message

by Hua-Ching Ni (OmNi) student asked, In what should we have confidence? OmNi responded with the following article. He recommends that all sisters and brothers of the Integral Way use the affirmations written here for their daily selfconfirmation. Confirming a Healthy Confidence in Life I have strong confidence in my life and confirm this by my healthy activities. My body is sound. I take good care of the physical aspects of my life and remedy any lack of care immediately and effectively. My mind is sound. I value and respect my life and the lives of others, equally. I do not listen to negative advice given to myself, or to others, by myself or others, nor seek any direction that harms life. If I am inadequate, I will improve for the sake of a healthy world. My spirit is sound. Though hidden deep in my life, my spirit supports my life with harmony, poise, calmness, balance and symmetry, just as the Mother of the Universe supports the development of the universe. Since I also possess the great universal life, I am inspired to realize the inadequacy of upholding the small emotional mind as the sense of myself. My bossy emotional mind works feverishly to operate my life, and the more it does this the more seriously unbalanced my life becomes. However as long as the need exists, I am willing to correct this inadequacy by continual spiritual cultivation.

My relationships with all people are sound. By yielding to conflict, I discover a bigger world than when I choose confrontation. I enjoy the bigger world and maintain it as my private interest. My friends know how to connect with me by doing the same. My financial life is sound. I am able to provide for my own life as well as give support to those who sustain me physically and emotionally. I seek financial self-sufficiency without any intention of causing insufficiency to others. I respect the creative force in life when it is used constructively, and I do not allow my concern for squeezing the world to obstruct my natural creativity. Living with the Five Healths, I live a sound life and am receptive to all those who live a healthy life and who help shape the world to be a better place. I can then say, I am a sound citizen of the Mother Universe and choose to be part of her great soul. I will expand this soundness in my life to my fellow humans by guiding them to practice the Five Healths in their lives. This is how I fulfill the spiritual duty of my humble life, which I received from the Mother Universe. I am blessed by the Mother Universe, as is everyone who learns how to live a healthy, constructive life. Those who seek world health through the well-being of their own lives form the fellowship of the universal spiritual Integral Way. #

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The Path of Constructive Life

by Steven Sharkey "The art of life is a matter of how, like a good sailor, you can use the wind from any direction to keep your ship on the course of health and positive spiritual development. (from the book, The New Universal Morality by Hua-Ching Ni) iving the Way of constructive life should be easy. It is simply living with the timeless nature of Mother Earth and the universal energy. In modern times, however, people have become confused about the source and nature of their life. Spiritual life now appears mysterious and beyond the range of ordinary people. Many even seek advice about the very basics of life and everyday affairs. This reflects a misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of life. In order to meet the needs and challenges of the modern conditioned mind, the Ni family have combined the useful teachings of their spiritual heritage of the Integral Way with other healthy spiritual teachings and established the Path of Constructive Life, or PCL. It is composed of The Five Healths. The PCL is a guide to happy, healthy and prosperous living. It teaches that the

source and path of a peaceful, healthy life of universal harmony lies in the constructive engagement of each person with Mother Nature. Natural conditions provide for the health of all people. Those who wish to enjoy a peaceful and bountiful life may choose to pursue the Five Healths of a balanced life: Physical A person shall be actively responsible for their own health by engaging in longevity and wellness practices. They shall live a constructive lifestyle and refrain from indulging in negative habits or interests. Mental A person shall manage and refine their thoughts and emotions in order to develop a clear and open consciousness. They shall enjoy an educated but unprejudiced mind that does not engage in destructive emotions and negative attitudes. Spiritual A person shall purify and strengthen their spirit through continual self-development and by performing service to the world. Moral A person shall practice universal morality and nurture constructive relationships. They shall treat and serve all people equally, positively and kindly.

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Financial A person shall enjoy a bountiful financial life through the application of sound fiscal practices that do no harm to others. They shall live within their means and share their abundance with the less fortunate. These Five Healths summarize the way to live a good life, fulfill personal duty and become socially responsible. A person who attains the Five Healths lives in tune with the constructive nature of the Mother Universe. Such a life offers hope for every person and for the world. It is not a free gift, however. It grows from a life of continual spiritual improvement, where the simplest approach is to embrace the benign origin of Mother Nature. It seems to me that the bigger purpose of the Path of Constructive Life is to return the world to universal virtue through the attainment of the Five Healths. When this is achieved, Tao, or the Integral Way, is at hand. It is similar to learning Tai Chi movement. First, one must learn the different postures of a form or structure in preparation for removing the framework so that one may be moved as nature, rather than moving forcefully through it. From this perspective it seems that Integralness is most essential; on one hand it is the Mother, on the other hand, the Destination. However one chooses to look at it, the Integral Way is that from which all things flow and eventually return. #

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In This Issue:
2009 New Year Message The Path of Constructive Life Integration of the PCL and the IWS The Importance of Regular Practice Receiving the Tao Studying the I Ching Internals and Externals of Individual Life Integral Way Resources 1 2 4 5 6 8 10

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Integration of the PCL and the IWS

by Steve Sharkey t seems apparent to me that the essence of the PCL is exquisitely represented in the prelude to Path of Constructive Life by Hua-Ching Ni and Maoshing Ni. Within its simple prose it guides us thus, in part: What is the correct principle for us to choose? Accomplish the big life through our small personal lives. In the world, Heaven is the biggest. In the sky, life is the most precious. We should treasure our small lives, while accomplishing the big life of the universe. Homage to the Universal Life in Our Small Human Lives The small life is ours. The big life is Heavens Through our small lives, we can accomplish the great life of the universe. The way in which I understand the relationship between the IWS and the PCL is similar. If we consider this union to be a Tai Chi, then we can see that the IWS is represented by the unapparent or inexpressible Yang sphere and the PCL represented by the apparent or expressible truth of the Yin sphere. In this way the

large is accomplished by the small and the small accomplished by the large. Thus the unapparent may flow freely to become the apparent and the apparent can flow likewise to be the unapparent. As a student of the Integral Way should I not seek the truth of wholeness so that I may myself flow freely from the inexpressible to the expressible truth without boundary or separation? As I see it, when all of humanity has integrated the Five Healths, then all distinctions will blur and there will be nothing that can be called the PCL or the IWS. #

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The Importance of Regular Practice

by Jono Howard rior to discovering the Integral Way and the teachings of the Ni family, I spent a lot of time learning White Crane Kung Fu. Several days a week I worked out in a dank basement gym, under the guidance of my Kung Fu Sifu. A gruff and no-nonsense man, he taught me Kung Fu the old fashioned way: via constant repetition. I spent hours repeating a series of kicks, twisting punches, grabs, and blocks. One hundred repetitions for each punch and kick, over and over again, day after day, until the movements were burned into the muscle memory. Over time, the constant repetition built up my body. I put on muscle mass and people noticed. My friends commented. My reflexes were sharpened. After two years of training, it was obvious that this approach really worked. And I was not alone. In untold numbers of gyms across the world, martial arts students were kicking and punching the air, learning through repetition. For this is the primary teaching method of the martial arts. Why? The answer is simple: Repetition builds power. Eventually, my Sifu found out that I had begun learning Tai Chi and was studying with Omni. He was not happy and gave me a choice: Kung Fu or Tai Chi. One of his senior students told me, In the old days, you could be killed for studying with another

You are

building efficacy

spiritual

teacher. Well, I didnt want to disrespect my Sifu, because I had a lot of respect for him, but my choice was clear...I never returned to the gym. Now, I practice Harmony Tai Chi and, through it, I have discovered a deeper meaning to the primary teaching method of the martial arts. I do not punch and kick the air anymore. What I repeat over and over again is my Tai Chi form, on a daily basis, over and over again throughout the year. In Kung Fu, if you are lazy with your punches and you do not do them with consistent regularity, you will be a bad fighter. You will not progress. Although the movements of Kung Fu and Tai Chi are different, the results depend on the same thing. By doing a spiritual practice regularly like Tai Chi or Chi Gong, you are building refined Chi power. It is just like Kung Fu, except you are not building striking power, you are building spiritual efficacy. You are building your own divinity. The method is the same. Without regular practice you hit a developmental wall that you cannot surpass. Regularity of practice is the way to break through all internal obstacles. You dont even need to think about breaking through obstacles. If you practice regularly, the obstacles naturally fall away because of the intention built into the practice. Its like ocean waves beating against a big rock on the shore. How can something as soft as water destroy something as hard as stone? Only through repetition. This is how the waves beat the stone into nothingness. #

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There were quite a number of disciples or students present at the event, all wearing a type of uniform, and there is by Phillip Christman a real system in place designed to capture all visitors information. In fact, when you ecently, a friend and I went to a come in you are pretty much required to Dao Service in which we give a monetary donation that is then used received the Tao from a Heavenly in the ceremony with your name and this is Master. I will sometimes go to these types apparently necessary for there to be a of things to broaden my experience, to proper response. While the ceremony is challenge my knowledge or confirm my taking place (about 2 hours plus) someone path. Since I aspire to teach and help the is creating a laminated card for you that world through sharing the Tao, I feel it has your name and information on it, is important to have experience along with the number and with other models for people sponsor for you in the to pursue. ceremony. I am further We have adopted the During the ceremony the Five Healths of a women and men are lined strengthened in our Constructive Life as the up on opposite sides of main way to the room and alternate approach to helping communicate the Tao-doing the various or more specifically the postures and repeating the world with the Integral Way--to the Chinese verses. After the world. I favor this ceremony a long-time Five Healths approach for several student gave a talk about reasons, the main one being what happened and, in my that it is very broad and is opinion, proceeded to put on a based mostly on attaining a healthy pretty hard sell about how fortunate we life, rather than following any kind of rigid were to receive the Tao, and that it must be protocol. I think this is very important so because of something positive in my life or people with an existing belief system may past lives. He also spent a good deal find value in our offering. selling the teacher or leader on how The Dao service we attended was virtuous he was. I learned many things interesting. It was done completely in from attending this event, and one of them Chinese and I found it to be enjoyable is that I too try to sell too much, so this because the Chinese language when was a good reflection for me. chanted can be really beautiful. This was During the ceremony the teacher held in a persons home, and conducted by touched my third eye, which for him was a Chinese gentleman who lives in exactly on the bridge of my nose between California. He travels the country all year the pupils, not slightly higher between the giving these and other ceremonies. brows. We are supposed to feel different

Receiving the Tao

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and start to notice that life becomes less difficult after receiving this Dao. In fact, now that it has been about a month I can reflect and tell you the essence of what they said is that I am now saved! They went to great lengths to say this was above all religions and was the destination of all religions, but was not a religion itself. But, from where I stand their whole set up was about getting something. They do say that we dont really receive anything but that simply our true nature is essentially awakened and can now be realized, yet they make it pretty clear that it wouldnt be happening without going through this ceremony and receiving by this Heavenly Master. The gentleman conducting the event was quite nice, and in general the people there had nice energy--pretty calm. My initial reaction, and now my firm belief, is that most if not all of them are somewhat hypnotized. In other words the calm is more a belief of thats how to be, versus true attainment. I know for myself, even living with a true Master does not make one achieved or calm. If anything it underscores the areas one needs to work on. Even if someone can waive the magic wand and make me achieved, do I truly benefit from it if I have not worked things out for myself? I must say I would like the opportunity to share the Five Healths with all those students and get their feedback around the idea that one must work on

these areas versus receiving the Dao. I must be fair and say Im sure there is much more to their program than this initial ceremony, where they work on themselves. At least I hope so for their sake. One thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is that when it appeared the event was over, my friend and I headed toward the door and a student there blocked my way. My initial thought was to confront him and have a real martial arts exposition like in the Jet Li movies, but I thought better of it and realized there was a one thing left to do in the ceremony--but it did not sit well with me or my friend. When I got home I could not go to sleep without washing my face. I had the very strong urge to clean myself. So, they do have some systems worthy of contemplation for growing a center, and Ill have to reflect on those a bit more. However, I am further strengthened in our approach to helping the world with the Five Healths. It is a difficult thing to not religious-ize our path, yet build enough structure to be able to gather people and have them stick around. I think this is a very important discussion point for us to consider and make some decisions about for the future. #

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Studying the I Ching

from The Centermost Way by Hua-Ching Ni he I Ching is based on the subtle observation of the natural patterns of nature, society, and one's own life. This body of knowledge enables a person to cope with the changing circumstances of life. This kind of wisdom is not like the wisdom of Solomon, which is relative wisdom. The I Ching reveals the relative nature of the world, yet at the same time it touches the deep integral nature of the universe. As students of the natural wisdom of the I Ching, we accept the self-contradictory nature of the world. We also respect harmony and cooperation, which bring about opportunities in life. By knowing the subtle patterns of nature, we can know what will happen, what will cause trouble, and what we cannot be troubled by. This profound knowledge is different from blind faith or belief, totally different. Learning from the I Ching is a matter of discovering the law of alternating yin and yang, it is not a matter of divination. If you expect things to always be smooth and beautiful, you are wrong. If you accept that there is yang, there must be yin, then you will also accept the fact that changes in your life circumstances are

natural. When you suffer from a low cycle, you should not think that there is anything wrong. Why? Because external situations always change from yin to yang, and yang to yin. When you are in a yin stage, sooner or later it will turn out to be yang. Sometimes you do very well in your life, and sometimes you do not. The art of life is not a matter of what you do or experience, it is the matter of how, like a good sailor, you can use wind from any direction to keep your ship on course. This is the teaching of the I Ching. Each person needs to discover the natural patterns within oneself, one's family, and each situation of one's life in order to manage themselves better. If you do not manage your life well, it is because you are ignorant of the subtle law. If you understand the subtle law, you do not panic, but always find a better way. When you make money, don't become excited about it. When you lose money, don't feel bad about it; you will make it back again. The important thing is to follow good principles for managing your money and your life. With the law of balance, you can manage everything. The I Ching can bring about a balanced view that can be applied to all aspects of daily life. Being overly positive will lead to negativity, and being overly negative will lead to self-destruction. Similarly, being too rich will lead to less enjoyment, and being overly powerful leads to darkness.

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Many of you have consulted the I obstacles created by your own thought. Ching. When your question is clear, you The more you are able to control your receive a clear answer. If you understand thoughts and your mind, the better able you that the conscious mind is energy, you are to affect a situation. When you can realize that your question is the projection quiet your mind, you are able to perceive a of your conscious energy. The answer situation more clearly, and the situation comes from the subconscious mind, which becomes easier to control. is deeper and broader than the conscious All matters have two possibilities; mind. Both conscious and subconscious one is positive, one is negative. When you energy are contained in your mind. are positive, you are happy to be a hero or The I Ching teaches three things: the winner. If something is negative, The law of change, the unchanging truth, however, are you ready for it? If you and how to use simplicity to govern always look for the positive aspect complexity. You may ask of any negative situation, you what simplicity means. The will make yourself The I Ching ancient sages thought the undefeatable. You will no universe, nature and longer encounter failure, teaches three things: human society were so because you have The law of change, vast that you had to changed the situation find something as by changing your the unchanging truth, simple as one of your attitude. If you fail, so fingers to control them. what? and how to use simplicity trimmedYou can be of Using one principle or like branches thing to govern many is a tree, but your root is to govern complexity called simplicity. Such unharmed. This state of oneness can govern yin and mind is called staying with yang, and yin and yang can the simple essence. govern the multiple forms, which are Many times I tell my friends to all stages of stronger yang, lesser yin, simplify their minds, their emotion, their stronger yin and lesser yang. The four thoughts and their relationships. I don't stages develop into the eight hexagrams, need to know what specific situation they which are also called the Eight Great face, however, to know that they need to Manifestations. These can be developed simplify themselves, especially those who further, but their endless development are never satisfied with one man or one basically has just two keys: 0 and 1. woman. At different stages of life people Studying the I Ching can produce an enjoy different things. It is not a matter of understanding of all types of human how many; it is a matter of whether they activity, including the binary system used can enjoy themselves without harming in computer languages. others. When you are confused or don't # know what to do, it is because of the

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Internals and Externals of Individual Life

(From The Foundation of a Happy Life by Hua-Ching Ni)

Pride and arrogance are unhealthy emotions that need to be subdued. When this happens, the mind can experience healthy emotions without attachment. When you are angry, your mind fumes. It suffocates the light. When you are calm, your mind is clear. Its light illuminates. The one who faces a situation usually doesn't see it; only the bystander has a clear picture. Do not let situations confuse you; you can be objective and effective if your mind remains uninvolved in circumstances. In your mind, you should remember that there are still books which you have not read and achievements that you have not yet attained. In your mind, you should never harbor personal secrets such as conspiracy, schemes, mischief, or immoral thoughts that cannot be revealed to your friends or colleagues. In this way, you will keep your mind clear, free, and motivated. Your mind should be like a cloud, enjoying its freedom while flying through a mountain valley. The moon hangs like a mirror high in the sky. Its light reflects across the earth beneath it. Moonlight does not discriminate between beautiful and ordinary people. It lights the way for one and all. Your mind should also reflect evenly on all it sees. Extend your heart to situations beyond your personal life. Your mind should remain aware of your physical health. When a utensil is full, it breaks. Do not over-occupy your mind with worldly things. #

When you open the windows of your home, the light of the sun and moon enters. There are also windows and doors that let light into your mind. This allows your mind to become bright and see many things. The world around you may be rushing about, but do not allow your mind to be buried and scattered. Let your hands be hard at work, but do not allow your mind to be busy. If you are always in a hurry, you may make a mistake. When your mind is picky, everything and everyone is wrong. Your mind should be as bright as a clear sky. Your wisdom should be deep like jade buried in the ground, or a pearl at the bottom of the ocean. If you have a crystal clear mind, you do not need to boast. Great people who have great minds are not offended by trivial matters. A person with consideration and tolerance has found freedom and is not easily offended. Possession, desire, and random activities belong to the false mind that is externally conditioned. Once the false mind is rendered inactive, the true mind appears.

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Integral Way Society Council

Dr. Maoshing Ni Joe Miller ~ ChiHealth John Barber ~ Advanced Traditional Practices Barbara Wolff ~ Sisters of the Integral Way Arnold Tayam ~ InfiniChi Jodie Stege ~ Membership/Mentorship Neil Malley ~ Finances Rick Baudino ~ Newsletter & Website

Resources for Learning the Integral Way of Life

Books, Videos, Audiotapes SevenStar Communications 13315 Washington Blvd, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90066 USA Phone: 1-310-302-1207, Fax: 1-310-302-1208 Email: taostar@taostar.com, Website: www.sevenstarcom.com Traditions of Tao Herbal Products 13315 Washington Blvd, 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90066 USA Phone: 1-310-302-1206, Fax: 1-310-302-1208 Order Line: 1-800-772-0222 Email: taostar@taostar.com, Website: www.traditionsoftao.com Masters Degree and Seminars in Traditional Chinese Medicine Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 13315 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA Phone: 1-310-577-3000, Fax: 1-310-577-3033 Email: info@yosan.edu, Website: www.yosan.edu Chi Healing Instruction & Healer Certification InfiniChi Institute International PO Box 26712, San Jose, CA 95159-6712 USA Phone: 1-408-374-3686
Email: info@longevity-center.com, Website: www.longevity-center.com

Membership Program, Newsletter, Annual Retreat Integral Way Society PO Box 1530, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1530 USA Voice Mail: 1-310-535-0636
Email: contact@usiw.org, Website: www.integralwaysociety.org

Chi Movement Arts Instruction & Teacher Certification Chi Health Institute PO Box 2035, Santa Monica, CA 90406-2035 USA Email: info@chihealth.org Integral Wisdom Instruction & Teacher Certification Integral Living Institute 1131 Wilshire Blvd, #300, Santa Monica, CA 90401 USA Self-Challenge Program PO Box 7459, Santa Monica, CA 90406-7459 USA Email: johnbarber@mindspring.com

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Copyright 2009 IWS. All rights reserved. Integral Way Society PO Box 1530, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1530 USA Voice Mail: 1-310-535-0636 Email: contact@usiw.org, Website: www.integralwaysociety.org
The Integral Voyager newsletter is published quarterly by the Integral Way Society, around the times of the Spring Equinox, the Summer Solstice, the Fall Equinox, and the Winter Solstice. Complimentary subscription to Integral Voyager is included as part of IWS mentorship and membership. Subscriptions are also available separately for $10 annually in the US, and $17 annually other places. IWS membership and/or subscription to the Integral Voyager newsletter is open to all, using the form inside the back cover. Please contact the IWS at the above address for information on IWS mentorship or other questions. All articles, announcements, notices, poetry, quotes, humor, letters, ads, etc. are welcome, and may be submitted to the IWS using the methods indicated above.

The Integral Way Society serves the modern world through sharing the natural wisdom of the tradition of Lao Tzu and the ancient Taoist sages, as transmitted by Hua-Ching Ni. We cultivate balance, health, harmony and virtue within our lives and all society.

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