Secrets of Chinese Meditation: Self-Cultivation by Mind Control as Taught in the Ch'an, Mahayana and Taoist Schools in China — Mysticism

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Secrets of Chinese Meditation: Self-Cultivation by Mind Control as Taught in the Ch'an, Mahayana and Taoist Schools in China

Name: Secrets of Chinese Meditation: Self-Cultivation by Mind Control as Taught in the Ch'an, Mahayana and Taoist Schools in China
Price: 16.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780877280668

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$16.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A classic reference presenting traditional Chinese sources on mind control, meditation, and inner development.

Key Themes

Mind control and cultivation Chan and Taoist practice Ancient source meditation

Literary Context

The book gathers classical Chinese sources that serve as original foundations for modern studies of consciousness development.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Alan Watts · D.T. Suzuki · Carl Jung

🌌

Mysticism

🏛 Weiser Books 📅 1991 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780877280668

Fun Fact

Lu K'uan Yu’s 'Secrets of Chinese Meditation' is an indispensable resource for serious students of esoteric East Asian practices. It expertly unearths the original wellsprings of Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist methods, offering unparalleled depth. While not a casual read, those seeking a rigorous, academic yet spiritually enriching dive into authentic self-cultivation will find it profoundly rewarding. Beginners or those seeking superficial summaries might be overwhelmed, but its scholarship makes it a cornerstone for any dedicated spiritual library.

📝 Description: Secrets of Chinese Meditation: Self-Cultivation by Mind Control as Taught in the Ch'an, Mahayana and Taoist Schools in China

This volume offers direct access to early records on mental training and inner development in East Asia. Lu K'uan Yu gathers classic texts to reveal foundational practices that shaped historical perspectives on human awareness. By providing direct renderings of core works, the author allows readers to study the lineage of Eastern contemplative methods without reliance on secondary interpretations. The chapters guide readers through self-cultivation as taught in the Surangama Sutra, followed by procedures from the Ch'an school, the Pure Land tradition, the T'ien T'ai school, and Taoist lineages. Later sections feature reports on real experiments with Buddhist and Taoist practices, alongside material on physical and spiritual culture through Chinese yoga. Specific entries explore meditation on the six sense data, the five sense organs, the six consciousnesses, and the seven elements, as well as the Hua T'ou technique, the kung an device, and repetitions of Amitabha's name. Suitable for practitioners wanting authentic techniques from traditional Chinese sources, this text demands serious focus on self-control and practice. Those seeking light inspirational reading or modern simplified manuals will find its detailed structure difficult.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Lu K'uan Yu presents a meticulous exploration of Chinese meditation that appeals primarily to dedicated practitioners seeking authentic esoteric knowledge. The text offers a direct pathway to understanding inner cultivation through Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist schools. However, it does not suit casual readers looking for light self-help advice or those unfamiliar with Eastern philosophical terminology. Those expecting quick fixes or simplified psychological tricks will likely find the depth of 'mind control' techniques too rigorous. The work demands a serious commitment to spiritual inquiry and self-mastery, making it a challenging but rewarding resource for established occultists and meditators.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is designed for serious students of esoteric traditions who seek authentic source material rather than superficial summaries. It offers a direct pathway to understanding time-honored methods of inner cultivation, guiding practitioners through various 'mind control' techniques aimed at spiritual enlightenment. Readers seeking profound self-mastery and spiritual insight will find value in Lu K'uan Yu's meticulous exploration of foundational teachings. It is ideal for those wishing to delve into the bedrock of modern consciousness development through Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist practices. By unlocking ancient techniques, it provides a robust framework for self-awareness and personal transformation.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you seek genuine, unadulterated insights into historical Eastern meditative practices, this book is for you. Ideal for those who feel contemporary spiritual texts lack depth and wish to connect directly with the profound origins of self-cultivation and consciousness development.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Lu K'uan Yu presents a meticulous exploration of Chinese meditation that appeals primarily to dedicated practitioners seeking authentic esoteric knowledge. The text offers a direct pathway to understanding inner cultivation through Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist schools. However, it does not suit casual readers looking for light self-help advice or those unfamiliar with Eastern philosophical terminology. Those expecting quick fixes or simplified psychological tricks will likely find the depth of 'mind control' techniques too rigorous. The work demands a serious commitment to spiritual inquiry and self-mastery, making it a challenging but rewarding resource for established occultists and meditators.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While comprehensive, its focus on original sources and traditional 'mind control' techniques makes it more suitable for those with some foundational understanding of meditation or a serious dedication to rigorous study.

Unlike many modern texts, this volume delves deep into the specific historical techniques and philosophical underpinnings of ancient Chinese traditions, providing a detailed, source-based understanding rather than generalized contemporary applications.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Ancient Source Wisdom

This book serves as a direct conduit to the foundational texts of Chinese meditative traditions. It provides a rare opportunity to engage with the primary teachings of Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoism, bypassing contemporary interpretations to access the unadulterated wisdom that has guided seekers for centuries.

Mind Control & Cultivation

Explore the systematic methods for refining consciousness and achieving inner discipline. Yu meticulously outlines 'mind control' not as manipulation, but as a deliberate process of focusing attention and quieting internal dialogue, leading to deeper states of awareness and spiritual growth across diverse practices.

Cross-Tradition Synthesis

Uncover the interwoven threads connecting Ch'an (Zen), Mahayana Buddhism, and Taoist alchemical practices. The author skillfully presents how these distinct yet complementary paths converge in their pursuit of self-cultivation, offering a holistic perspective on the diverse spiritual landscape of ancient China.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from a rich tradition of scholarly translation and spiritual practice, this book situates itself as a crucial bridge. It draws directly from the classical Chinese meditative schools—Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoism—which have shaped East Asian spirituality for millennia, offering a rare window into their foundational methodologies before widespread Western adaptation.

📚 Glossary

Ch'an
Mahayana
Taoist

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a moment when you felt truly 'in control' of your mind. How does this compare to the book's concept of 'mind control'?
Considering the integration of Ch'an, Mahayana, and Taoist principles, how might combining different spiritual approaches enrich your own practice?
What specific 'secrets' or insights from ancient texts do you believe are most relevant for contemporary spiritual seekers?