The Hui Ming Ching: Exploring Carl Jung’s Depth Psychology and The Book of Consciousness and Life
Carl Jung, the distinguished Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is lauded for his monumental contributions to psychology, particularly for his exploration into the enigmatic depths of the human psyche. Within his extensive corpus, the Hui Ming Ching, known as “The Book of Consciousness and Life,” is a testament to his intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary approach. This article seeks to delve into the Hui Ming Ching, unraveling its profound implications in Carl Jung’s depth psychology and its enduring intellectual legacy.
You may also find pleasure in reading the article titled “The Secret of the Golden Flower.”
The Hui Ming Ching Unveiled
The Hui Ming Ching, a venerable Taoist text, greatly influenced Carl Jung, leading to its English translation in collaboration with Cary F. Baynes, following Richard Wilhelm’s initial rendition. This ancient scripture provides deep-seated insights into consciousness and life, offering a treasure trove of wisdom for those seeking to fathom the deeper strata of the human condition.
The Doctrine of Cessation of Outflowing
At its commencement, the Hui Ming Ching proclaims with authority: “If thou wouldst complete the diamond body with no outflowing, diligently heat the roots of consciousness and life.” This directive invites the reader to embark on an introspective journey, necessitating a steadfast commitment to nurturing the essence of one’s being. It implores us to ignite the latent light within, residing in an ever-present, albeit concealed, sanctified realm.
The illustrative accompaniment in the original Chinese version portrays the human form, with a discernible delineation between the gateway of life and the gateway of consciousness, marked by a germ cell. The outflow of vital fluids through an intermediary canal symbolizes the Tao’s most elusive secret — hsing-ming, the amalgamation of human nature and life. The scripture intimates that the cultivation of these elements involves their reintegration.
Ancient sages, through allegorical representations drawn from the natural world, communicated these profound ideas, safeguarding their wisdom in secrecy. Through his insightful translation and elucidation, Carl Jung brings to light these arcane teachings, emphasizing that consciousness and life are intrinsic, not extrinsic. This revelation serves as a beacon for those embarking on the divine journey of dual cultivation, leading to the maturation of the authentic self and the cessation of outflowing, culminating in the realization of the great Tao.
In the original text of the Hui Ming Ching, one encounters the following passage:
If thou wouldst complete the diamond body with no outflowing,
Diligently heat he roots of consciousness and life.
Kindle light in the blessed country ever close at hand,
And there hidden, let thy true self always dwell.
The Germinal Vesicle: A Sanctum of Truth
The text introduces the “germinal vesicle,” an ethereal enclave, formless and imageless within us. This vesicle is the repository of truth, the cradle of consciousness and life. It bears various monikers: the dragon castle in the ocean’s abyss, the frontier of snow-capped mountains, the primordial gateway, the realm of supreme bliss, and the boundless domain. Recognizing the germinal vesicle is crucial, as its ignorance results in an eternal rift between human nature and life across countless lifetimes. Human nature and life coalesce before our physical genesis within the germinal vesicle. This fusion, reminiscent of sparks in a smith’s furnace, blends primordial harmony with divine ordinance, echoing the adage, “In the pre-manifest state, there lies an inexhaustible breath.”
However, as the saga of life unfolds, the vesicle ruptures, epitomizing the disunion of human nature and life. This bifurcation sets the trajectory of our existence — from youth to senescence, culminating in inevitable decay. Yet, the Hui Ming Ching offers a beacon of hope through its esoteric teachings.
The Compassionate Revelation of the Julai
In his profound benevolence, the Julai (Tathagata) discloses the mystical process of reconstituting and nurturing the human essence and life force. This revelation mirrors the interaction between the spirit and the breath-energy (the soul), necessitating their inseparable amalgamation to produce the true fruit, akin to the confluence of paternal and maternal essences forming an embryo. The manuscript illuminates the presence of three fires within the germinal vesicle — the sovereign fire, the ministerial fire, and the communal fire. Their sequential manifestation fosters human development, whereas their reversal heralds the emergence of the Tao. The treatise accentuates that all sages embarked on their spiritual odyssey from the germinal vesicle, underscoring the futility of seeking the ruling principle of consciousness and life externally.
The Sextet of Circulatory Periods in Accordance with the Law
The Hui Ming Ching elucidates the six circulatory periods adhering to the law, hinting at the enlightened city of the West upon discerning the Buddha’s path’s inception. This path involves the upward redirection of energy during inhalation and its downward course during exhalation, in sync with defined intervals. From this rhythmic circulation, the grand Tao emerges. Crucially, the text warns against the external quest for the primordial seed. The scripture underscores the enduring nature of the Tao’s manifestations, emphasizing the importance of the path, rhythmic patterns, and temporal intervals. It encapsulates the entire doctrine, embodying the true spirit of the Western Buddha. It highlights that mere formulaic meditation in isolation, devoid of an understanding of consciousness and life, will not facilitate the internal emergence of the Julai.
In the original text of the Hui Ming Ching, you’ll discover the following passage:
If one discerns the beginning of the Buddha’s path,
There will be the blessed city of the West.
After the circulation in conformity with the law,
There is a turn upward towards heaven when the breath is drawn in.
When the breath flows out energy is directed towards the earth.
One time-period consists of six intervals (hou).
In two intervals one gathers Moni (Sakyamuni).
The great Tao comes forth from the center.
Do not seek the primordial seed outside!
The Dual Energy Paths of Function and Control
The manuscript expounds on two pivotal energy paths: the functional path (jen) in the vanguard and the regulatory path (tu) in the rear. Their convergence, when established in an unbroken connection, symbolizes the unification of all energy conduits within the body. It draws parallels with creatures like deer, cranes, and tortoises, which seal their energy paths to achieve extraordinary longevity. Similarly, individuals who engage in Tao cultivation, activating the circulatory mechanism in accordance with the law, can prolong their lifespan and complete their spiritual journey.
Within the original text of the Hui Ming Ching, one can find the following passage:
There appears the way of the in-breathing and out-breathing of the primordial pass.
Do not forget the white path below the circulation in conformity wit the law!
Always let the cave of eternal life be nourished through the fire!
Ah! Test the immortal place of the gleaming pearl!
The Embodiment of the Tao
The Hui Ming Ching introduces the enigmatic “embryo of the Tao,” a spiritual breath-energy residing within the self. It stresses the imperative for the spirit to permeate the breath energy, culminating in their unwavering union. The embryonic state is achieved when the spirit and breath energy coalesce and thoughts subside. This embryonic phase signifies the crystallization of breath energy and the activation of the spirit. Upon completion, it ascends from the crown, akin to the manifestation of the Buddha’s offspring.
The original text of the Hui Ming Ching contains the following passage:
According to the law, but without exertion, one must diligently fill oneself with light.
Forgetting appearance, look within and help the true spiritual power!
Ten months them embryo is under fire.
After a year the washing and baths become warm.
The Fruition of the Spiritual Journey
The text alludes to an external “Buddha image” and the metamorphosis of thought into Bodhi, depicted through the blossoming of the thousand-petalled lotus flower, animated by breath energy. It recounts the luminescence of precious light emanating from the world ruler’s hair knots, with the Julai seated within the lotus flower. This transformative process underscores the primacy of internal cultivation over mere repetitive meditations.
The Hui Ming Ching presents the following in its original text:
Outside the body there is a body called the Buddha image.
The thought which is powerful, the absence of thoughts, is Bodhi.
The thousand-petal lotus flower opens, transformed through breath-energy.
Because of the crystallization of the spirit, a hundred-fold splendor shines forth.
On Retaining the Transformed Essence
The Hui Ming Ching posits that every thought materializes, becoming perceptible in hue and structure. Spiritual power unfolds, transitioning into the void. Traversing the realms of existence and non-existence, one realizes the miraculous Tao. All distinct forms manifest as entities connected to an authentic source.
In the original text of the Hui Ming Ching, it is written as follows:
Every separate thought takes shape and becomes visible in color and form.
The total spiritual power unfolds its traces and transforms itself into emptiness.
Going out into being and going into non-being, one completes the miraculous Tao.
All separate shapes appear as bodies, united with a true source.
Contemplating the Eternal
The manuscript depicts the shapes fashioned by the spirit fire as vacuous colors and forms. The luminescence of our intrinsic nature reflects upon the primordial essence. The heart’s imprint drifts in the cosmos, unmarred, with the moon’s radiance aglow. This imagery encapsulates the life journey, culminating in its ultimate destination, where consciousness reverts to reflection, and the lunar orb rests in solitude.
The Hui Ming Ching originally states:
The shapes formed by the spirit-fire are only empty colors and forms.
The light of human nature [hsing] shines back on the primordial, the true.
The imprint of the heart floats in space; untarnished, the moonlight shines.
The boat of life has reached the shore; bright shines the sunlight.
The Vast Emptiness
The Hui Ming Ching concludes with a profound meditation on the nature of existence. It portrays a void state, transcending temporal and spatial constraints, bathed in a halo of illumination. Consciousness merges with this unadulterated void, mirroring the serene calmness of the sea reflecting the moon. Everything dissolves into the azure expanse, with clarity emanating forth.
The Hui Ming Ching contains a concluding passage adorned with a beautifully poetic verse:
Without beginning, without end,
Without past, without future.
A halo of light surrounds the world of the law.
We forget one another, quiet and pure, altogether powerful and empty.
The emptiness is irradiated by the light of the heart and of heaven.
The water of the sea is smooth and mirrors the on in its surface.
The clouds disappear in blue space; the mountains shine clear.
Consciousness reverts to contemplation; the moon disk rests alone.
In Conclusion
The Hui Ming Ching, with its sagacious teachings and intricate expositions, presents an extraordinary gateway into the depths of consciousness and life. Carl Jung’s translation and exploration of this Taoist scripture have significantly enriched the field of depth psychology, bridging Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.
As we ponder the profound doctrines encapsulated within the Hui Ming Ching, we are reminded of the timeless pursuit of self-discovery and the unification of being. It beckons us to embark on an introspective quest, diligently nurturing the roots of consciousness and life. In doing so, we navigate our unique pathways toward the diamond body, the cessation of outflowing, and the ultimate realization of the great Tao.
