ESSAY: http://Luminousdharma.org/awakening-alchemy/ PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_GUvwlg8bHI DESCRIPTION Awakening Alchemy is a system of body, breath, energy, and spirit practices that cultivate and transform our being on multiple levels. Its concepts and approach are rooted in principles found within East Asian medicine, Taoist cultivation, and Buddhism. In this discussion we establish the principles and working points that serve as the foundation for this style of practice. As with all techniques, these practices affect each person differently. If you experience problematic symptoms or stress while trying them, please discontinue the practice and consult a skilled practitioner of traditional East Asian medicine as needed. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/. BIO Jason Bartlett teaches a practical, cross-traditional approach to Buddha Dharma centered on "returning to nature" — a method of releasing the sense of self by entrusting whatever arises spontaneously and uncontrolled to nature itself, drawing on prajñāpāramitā, tathāgatagarbha, and early Taoist teachings. He began meditating in 1993 at age 17, and his practice expanded over the years to include Chan, Korean Seon, and Theravāda traditions, along with study of the Pāli suttas and Mahāyāna sūtras. Following his brother's death in 2019, he founded Luminous Dharma to offer teachings freely. His mentors include Venerable Sucitta Mahātherī, Santikaro Upāsaka, Leigh Brasington, and Venerable Wu Kai Shīfù. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and guest biography 01:59 How did the Awakening Alchemy approach develop? 05:35 What are the Three Treasures (jing, qi, shen)? 09:29 How do the Three Treasures map onto satipatthana and the four jhanas? 11:58 How do heaven, earth, person and fire and water map onto the body? 16:26 How do we practically work with the Three Treasures? 18:44 Phase one: how do we settle into yin until yang is born? 26:06 How do you find the dantian by feel? 32:40 What is bellows breathing and how is it practiced? 35:33 Phase three: what happens when we "steam the medicine"? 41:10 What are the microcosmic orbit and the magpie bridge? 44:27 How do the three phases cycle together (the firing cycle)? 48:51 How do we use dantian awareness with difficult emotions in daily life? 51:29 What are warrior fire and scholar fire? 53:21 How do the three dantians wire together? 58:52 What is the postural shift that opens the heart center? 1:03:08 Which phase does the wiring of the dantians belong to? 1:04:34 What happens when the dantians connect into an "antenna"? 1:09:41 How would one know they've touched this antenna phase? 1:11:04 What is the "ball of medicine" that gathers with practice? 1:16:05 How should practitioners handle setbacks, timelines, and support? 1:21:00 Can you demonstrate the opening and closing practices? 1:28:19 What about standing meditation (zhan zhuang) and shaking practice? 1:32:21 Why does ethical restraint (sila) matter for this practice? 1:38:05 How does this system map onto the Anapanasati Sutta's 16 steps? 1:44:33 Where does jhana fit into this framework? 1:51:16 How do the jhana similes describe these body experiences? 1:54:03 What is the nada sound (the "sound of silence") and how do you find it? 1:56:17 How does this practice fuel metta and the Brahmaviharas? 2:00:16 How do capacity and merit affect spiritual development? We are especially grateful for the work of Chetan Raj in filming and editing, and of Alex Haynes in creating the instructive imagery. Sadhu! ---- Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom) - Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!
