Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones — Internal Version¶
This version collects core source quotations from the Lifechanyuan corpus on xianfeng daogu (仙风道骨), organized thematically for deep study.
I. Definition and Poetic Image¶
"Celestial wind, immortal bones; pure as ice, flawless as jade; the sounds of zither and flute wind through the mountain valley. Zither, chess, calligraphy, painting; plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum; clear water flows sparkling to the horizon. A gentle breeze, a hundred flowers in fragrant bloom, hidden fragrance drifts in, the quiet courtyard bright as washed. Distant mountains cloaked in green-blue haze, nearby a carpet of jade-green, small birds rest, their bright songs ringing through mountain and valley. Lotus ponds and silver lakes, rippling blue waves, drifting a boat toward heaven in easy freedom. Composing poems, singing, dancing, wielding a sword like painting — elegant, refined, and free. In walking, standing, sitting, lying; in every lifted hand and every step — all is the flight of the phoenix..."
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
"Celestial Wind refers to the style, grace, presence, charm, and bearing of a celestial being.
Immortal Bones refers to the inner presence of one who has attained the Tao: their presence of mind, composure, courage, magnetism, and refined clarity.
To possess celestial wind and immortal bones, one must first transcend the ordinary, transcend the worldly, be outstanding in talent, graceful and light-footed; and further must possess refinement and elegance, purity as ice and jade, proficiency in the arts, quietude and refinement. Immortal bones is the substance; celestial wind is the appearance — neither can be absent. Without the substance, there is no way to express celestial bearing regardless of how one adorns oneself. Without the cultivation of outer expression, the inner attainment can never display its quality and resonance."
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
II. Eight Inner Qualities (Source Text)¶
"The eight inner qualities of celestial wind and immortal bones:
1. Mind without abiding 2. Transcending the ordinary 3. Transcending the worldly 4. Outstanding talent 5. Free and at ease 6. Clear, light, and still 7. Firm and gentle in balance 8. Perfect command of expansion and contraction"
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
III. Eight Outer Qualities (Source Text)¶
"The eight outer qualities of celestial wind and immortal bones:
1. Graceful bearing 2. Elegant manner 3. Rich in charm 4. Radiant presence 5. Clean and refined 6. Proficiency in the arts 7. Pure as ice and jade 8. Graceful and light-footed"
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
IV. Time Requirements and Environmental Conditions¶
"To cultivate the above sixteen qualities is not the work of a day or a month. The first eight are the work of inner cultivation; the latter eight are the work of outer cultivation. Without a dozen years or more of inner cultivation, the inner substance cannot be developed. Outer cultivation, beyond conscious self-discipline, must also have a suitable environmental space — for example: blue sky and white clouds, clear mountains and green water, scenic lakes and hills, a quiet courtyard, tree-shaded paths, birdsong and fragrant flowers, like-minded companions and kindred spirits, music and the arts, sufficient material provision, and rich singing and dancing."
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
"Why cultivate celestial wind and immortal bones? Because celestial wind and immortal bones is a necessary condition for entering the Thousand-Year World, Ten-Thousand-Year World, and the Elysium World Celestial Islands Continent."
— Xuefeng, Cultivating a Little Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-30)
V. The 64 Details (Complete Source Text)¶
"1. Act in accord with natural inclination, mind without abiding
2. Rest easy wherever circumstances lead, mind without clinging
3. Transform with the flow of karmic affinity, mind without fixed action
4. Respond spontaneously to each moment, mind without fixed thought
5. Not moved by money, power, fame, or desire
6. Not moved by any personal interest
7. Not moved by worldly matters and ordinary emotions
8. Not moved by glory and wealth
9. Not willing to die for any nation
10. Not willing to die for any religion
11. Not willing to die for any political party
12. Not willing to die for any family
13. When at leisure, read books and heavenly revelations
14. When working, be excellent — leave no regrets
15. When encountering matters, do not panic or rush
16. When acting, be decisive as lightning and thunder
17. Not confined by environment and emotions
18. Not confined by power and interests
19. Not confined by morality and ethics
20. Not confined by ideology and doctrine
21. Not troubled by food, clothing, shelter, movement, birth, aging, sickness, or death
22. Not seeking glory, luxury, or a name in history
23. Simple desires, stillness, non-action, at one with nature
24. Understated in possessions, elegant in bearing, pure and high in quality
25. Never bully or humiliate those weaker than oneself
26. Never oppress widowers, widows, orphans, or the solitary
27. Never flatter the powerful or bow and scrape
28. Never fear power or those who rely on force
29. Do not stir up trouble
30. Do not seek the company of those who are prominent and celebrated
31. Stay away from gossip and noisy social scenes
32. Do not grieve, regret, or shed tears over people, things, and events that have passed
33. Clothing clean and understated — do not wear garish red or green
34. Hairstyle and dress carry a quality of lightness — no impression of burden or dishevelment
35. The whole body clean and fresh with a subtle fragrance — avoid disheveled hair and dirty face, or heavy makeup
36. Living space clean and refined — no dust-covered surfaces, no clutter
37. Have books and an instrument at one's seat; hang calligraphy such as the Humble Room Inscription on the wall
38. Room bright — sunlight and moonlight can enter; window gauze simple and elegant; a clean breeze can blow through
39. Have a courtyard; plant plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum in the courtyard; there must be flowing water; a lotus pond is even better
40. Comportment dignified; every gesture measured and controlled
41. Few words; use gesture, expression, and the eyes to communicate
42. Men open and bold; women composed and collected — avoid crudeness or loss of composure
43. Cultured in speech; unhurried; varied in cadence, neither rushed nor sluggish
44. Listen deeply; never argue; never interrupt
45. Do not gossip; do not discuss worldly emotions; do not bring up private matters; do not speak coarsely
46. Do not talk about money, benefit, fame, power, or today's wealthy and famous
47. In all speech, do not curse, do not dishonor ancestors, do not dishonor rulers, do not dishonor the Greatest Creator, gods, Buddhas, celestials, or sages
48. Know one musical instrument; know one board game or strategy; know one dance or swordsmanship form; know one art of calligraphy or painting
49. Can appreciate wine, can sing and dance, can engage in witty conversation, can be playful
50. Can appreciate flowers, can go on nature walks, can enjoy entertainment, can be romantically playful
51. Can laugh, can be displeased, can shed tears, can be angry — but without loud clamor or sobbing
52. Do not complain; do not speak strangely; do not discuss the supernatural; do not reveal secrets; do not scheme in secret
53. Do not lament suffering; do not blame; do not resent; do not envy; do not compare
54. Do not speak of illness; do not speak of love; do not say you are hungry; do not call out about cold; do not complain of heat
55. Respect beggars; respect every person
56. Raise the hand like cloud and mist; let it fall clean and decisive
57. In all walking, standing, sitting, lying — carry the manner and bearing of a celestial; when directing great affairs, possess the grand strategy of a commander
58. Clear diction; expression accurate, concise, and complete — not a single wasted word
59. Always look straight ahead — neither always with the head down, nor always with the head raised
60. In handling affairs: decisive and swift, without any dragging or delay
61. In dealing with people: flexible and harmonious, always leaving room
62. Go when it's time to go; stop when it's time to stop; eat when it's time to eat; play when it's time to play
63. Cherish one kind of animal; keep company with rare flowers and unusual plants
64. Hundun"
— Xuefeng, 64 Details for Cultivating Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones (2016-1-31)
VI. Celestial Wind, Immortal Bones Within the Full Conditions System¶
"Without celestial endowment from the celestial realm; without extraordinary perseverance and determination; without remarkable courage and boldness; without high-frequency physiological and psychological vibrational conditions; without penetrating wisdom and learning; without a relatively perfect heart-mind state; without the graceful lightness of celestial wind and immortal bones — one cannot become a celestial being."
— Xuefeng, Standards for Becoming a Chanyuan Celestial Raised Again (2012-5-3)
VII. Act-As-If: The Shortcut¶
"If you feel somewhat vulgar, then act — put on the manner of celestial bearing and graceful lightness. Do this long enough, and the vulgarity will disappear without a trace."
— Xuefeng, Let's Play the Game of Acting-False-Until-True (2020-09-19)
VIII. Celestial Bearing as Cultivation Standard¶
"In walking, standing, sitting, lying — beautiful posture; in speech and exchange — unhurried; in facing good people — neither subservient nor arrogant; in all conduct and speech — celestial wind, immortal bones."
— Xuefeng, The Cultivation That Chanyuan Celestials Should Possess (2016-9-13)
IX. The Poetic Testimony¶
"We were free — a freedom with the quality of celestial wind and immortal bones. 'The road ahead is long and winding; I shall seek it high and low.' We have already created a beautiful myth. Chanyuan Celestials, rich in spiritual and heart-mind wealth, will continue to climb toward the highest peaks of life and existence — however many hardships and barriers lie ahead, however many upheavals of ocean and sky — our steps will not stop..."
— Xuefeng, Creating a Beautiful Myth — Commemorating the Eighth Anniversary of the Second Home (2017-4-18)
Related Entries¶
Celestial Nature (Xianxing) · Becoming a Celestial Being · Celestial Beings, Heavenly Celestials, and Buddhas · Mind Without Abiding · Mind Without Hindrance · Demonic Nature (Moxing) · Advanced Refinement · Second Home