Spiritual Cultivation and Movement
Does spirit movement require divine service or founding a temple?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Not necessarily. Being able to do spirit movement does not mean that you must work for deities, much less open a temple immediately. When movements and perceptions first arise, understand the meaning of this period of practice before considering where you should go next.
In our method, spirit movement is understood as the soul’s innate capacity for rhythmic movement. Practice begins with foundational work on the body, mind and original spirit, and may gradually reveal connections with deities. But having an affinity with a deity is different from that deity necessarily descending through you, or from already being their spokesperson.
Early on, I met a fellow practitioner who felt connected with the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady during spirit movement. Later, he claimed that he was the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady herself and told everyone there was no need to worship a statue: they could worship him instead. This confused having a spiritual perception with actually being a deity. Our inner desires can also emerge during practice. When we begin to feel especially powerful, we need to examine ourselves all the more carefully.
For example, I studied chemical engineering but did not eventually follow a career in it. Learning something does not leave only one possible path afterwards. Spirit movement is the same. First establish the original spirit’s foundations, gradually understand your direction and mission, and then consider the next step. Why rush to push yourself into religious service right from the start?
I also explain matters separately to people who are easily disturbed by spiritual perceptions and want to improve their condition. Adjusting ourselves through practice is not intended to make us more sensitive every day. The hope is that we will no longer be continually pulled around by those perceptions. Whether to undertake work for deities is a separate choice. If there is interest and the appropriate opportunity, we can discuss it then. First take good care of yourself.