Shen (the spirit)

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Cultivating the spirit is not an easy task due to its close relationship with the mind. When the mind is not steady the spirit is scattered and therefore subdued to the impulsive nature of the emotional mind (Xin). Buddhists and Taoists train themselves to be free of emotions in order to build a strong "shen" which is completely under their control.

The way they do it is by activating the wisdom mind (Yi) which keeps the "shen" in its natural residence: the upper tantien (head in Western terminology). When the process of death has taken place the spirit abandons its vessel (physical body) and it is called Hun using Taoist terminology.


Buddhists and Taoists firmly believe that once the spirit reaches a higher and stronger state, resulting from your own karmic evolution as a being and the adoption of specific internal training exercises (already reviewed in this blog in previous entries), human beings are capable of sensing and feeling more sharply, and your mind is more clever and inspired. Besides, these highly evolved human beings are more in tune with the spiritual world, which is Yin in nature (as opposed to our Yang world). It is believed that when the spirit has has reached this higher, sensitive state it can trascend the mind's normal capacity, which is naturally and solely connected to the Yang side of reality. Ideas beyond the usual grasp can be understood and controlled, and these human beings can sense and communicate with the Yin world. Chinese call this level of spirit, Ling Shen or supernatural shen.

It is thought that when physical death has occurred this supernatural shen will not dissipate right away as it holds your energy together as a ghost (Gui). It is known as a Ling Gui. However, most sentient beings, unaware of their spiritual energy due to the barriers created by their minds and society as a large, do not live a spiritual life and their spirits grow weak, and a as a result they are in constant need of a physical vehicle during their wanderings in what Buddhists call Samsara or the eternal cycle of life and death. Although, if a sentient being has cultivated their spirit during their lives it will remain without a shell for a long time after the physical body is dead and have plenty of time to be reborn.

Few, on the other hand, are capable of breaking through the illusory state of the mind and achieve what is called spiritual enlightenment; in this case, the supernatural spirit is strong enough to live without the need of a vehicle and has overcome karma and the cycle of rebirth forever.

Unfortunately most humanity is unaware of these natural and subtle processes thinking that beyond life there is nothing that science cannot explain. It is quite popular to read online statementes like the following:

I am an atheist. I don't believe in God or an afterlife. I may not believe in life after death but I wholeheartedly believe in life before death.

This point of view is valid but they seem to forget that there is a reason for all of this. Let me ask you: What are the underlying processes that shape life itself? What is the creating mechanism that allows some humans to do evil and reap rich rewards in life? Why so many people live good lives, full of kindness and compassion, full of giving and love but they suffer, often worse than those who lead lives of cruelty and total self-gratification?

Buddhists and Taoists believe that when the human being is alive they have the power to use Jing and Qi to nourish Shen to make Ling strong. When this Ling Shen is built up to a high level, your will is able to lead it to separate it from the physical body even when you are alive. In the last meditation I attended in Asia, I came across with some Western spiritual meditators whose eyes where overflowing with life force, a clear sign that the spiritual alchemical processes were fully engaged, as well as witnessing spiritual experiences people would claim as supernatural but which really are a mere by-product of spiritual practice. Seeking them is not advisable either as they can easily deviate the practitioner from the ultimate goal reinforcing the social construction of the "I", ego.

The foundation of Buddhist and Taoist training is to strengthen the spirit, nourish it, and grow it until it is mature enough to separate it from the physical body. In order to accomplish this, one must know where the spirit resides and use the wisdom mind in order to keep the emotional mind under control to avoid the shen becoming restless.

In our modern times, often stressful and highly competitive, we must take action if we wish to cultivate our spirit, subject that seems to be a taboo according to the conventions set by mainstream society. A good method to break through all of this mental pollution is engaging ourselves in traditional eastern practices such as Qigong, meditation, Yoga and Internal Martial Arts. Practising in the local park is a bonus since the concentration of negative ions (the ones that are associated with the life force) is higher. Living in a quiet environment is also benefitial for the same reasons.

Let me finish with some wise words I found in the Tao Te Ching:

"Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations."