In three big religions of China: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, there were and still are, various forms of mystical practices by certain monks and priests. Such mysticism was designed to link-up with higher forces that operated within the universe and under certain instances have direct connections with human beings. These connections were basically either hidden at first or largely unknown, and when discovered from an understanding of the abilities of the mind and body, would be very limited in operation. But, through many centuries more and more information was learned, and various techniques were developed more and more to be in tune with these occult energies of the mind and body.
In mysticism, there is a belief that there physical energy throughout the earth that the Chinese “chi” (pronounced “chee”) This force was also a life giver since all living things breathe. Monks and priests would sit in and crossed leg meditation stance, and would practice rhythmic breathing. The clergy would breathe through the nose instead of the mouth. Why? Because nose breathing in can help filter out dust and other allergens, humidify the air, increase blood circulation, and lower blood pressure which mouth breathing in does not do. The practitioner would then breathe out through the nose. The only time mouth breathing is required is during intense exercise. or when your nasal passages are blocked. While nose breathing, the devote focuses his mind on the life giving power of the oxygen by thinking of its great aspect, and feeling its effects. In this way, the meditator becomes more attuned to the life energy stimulation.
Ancient textbooks on the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism would be read and studied. Such ancient books include, for Buddhism, examples as the Tipitaka, Abhidharma Pitaka, Dhammapada, and the Vimalakirti Sutra. For Taoism, some manuals of antiquity would include The Tao Te Ching, The Zhuangzi (Chuang Tz) , and The Dozang Canon. For Confucianism eons old scriptures would include The Analects of Confucius, The Mencius literary work, The Great Learning, The Book of Odes (Shi Jing), The Book of Rites (Li Ji) and The Xunzi. In their study, monks and priests would think carefully about they read-contemplation and then go through a meditation. The meditation was often thinking of their way of life, and if various adverse circumstances happened, thinking of how to revolve differences or problems according to the ethical standards of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
When trying to make major decisions in life, there was a special system used by some sages. They would think of all the major reasons for doing something, and then think of all the major reasons for not doing something. Then the wise man would image a basket above head with all the reasons of for and against written on sheets of paper and mixed thoroughly around. The person would wait for quite awhile and in the meantime go about his usual business. After a certain long enough passed by, a very logical decision would be revealed in accordance with the principles of the Tao.
In Chinese philosophy, there is the yin and yang. They are two forces that are both opposite and opposing each other. The yin represents the feminine while yang represents the masculine. Examples of yin include darkness, weakness, coldness, wetness, oldness, and such. Examples of yang include light, strength, heat, dryness, youth, and such. In Chinese mysticism, the mystic tries to balance the effects of yin and yang to beneficially to produce a balance and a harmony with nature. For instance, wetness is a good thing when dealing with water to drink and to wash with. After the body is wet with a wash and scrub down, dryness is employed to get the water off the skin and hair. In Chinese mysticism, sometimes the two opposite forces can combine into one. An example of such an occurrence is a man and a woman who have become husband and wife. Also,in Physics, similar charged particles or energies will repel each other, but opposite charged particles and energies, as positive and negative, will attract and form a combination. The yin and yang symbol, also known as the “Taijitsu”, is a circle made up of black and white tear drop halves, each containing a spot of the other, and predates Taoism, but for many years has been associated with Taoism.
In Chinese mysticism, there are many forms of meditation. One form of meditation is a relaxation technique. Here the mystic, whether in a resting flat body lying position or in an upright sitting position uses the power of meditation to relax the muscles of the body. The practitioner uses the power of the mind to concentrate on the various parts of the body to feel relaxed. Such a stimulation is soften used by devotees before engaging in a long bout of meditation for other things; other achievements.
At times, Buddhists will perform a meditation so their subconscious mind will reveal to them their past lives; past reincarnations. Belief in reincarnation is a major tenet in the religion of Buddhism. With their eyes closed while in a stationary position, Buddhist monks and priests would command their inner minds to show them who these holy men were in their other lives and even show scenes from long, long buried deep within the mind memories. These Buddhists knew that such information and imagery may take many hours or many days or even many weeks after employing a deep state of meditation. The subconscious mind would also be used to supply various details about their former lives. A deep mediation leads to a deep trance and to a deep entry into the subconscious mind. From there, normally hidden mental powers and information become released into the conscious mind.
There is another type of meditation practiced by mystics, especially by Chinese martial artists. This meditation is about thinking of filling the body with great strength, endurance, and general good health. The practitioner constantly thinks of fortifying the mind and body and commands the higher forces deep within the mind to unleash their powers. Some Chinese martial artists concentrate on making their bones much harder and their healing system much more efficient. Of course, there are limits, but these mystics strive for considerable improvements regarding their minds and bodies through their deep frequent meditations.
The extremely interesting study of mysticism in China today is very strong and widespread, and takes a lot of various cultural, philosophical, and spiritual forms.
