The Great Learning describes the six stages in the process of refining oneself. It is the refining and cultivating of one's True Self as adopted by Saints. The explanation is as follows:

1]Where to rest: The first stage is to know where to rest. To rest means to arrest one's innate ability at Oneness. When one knows where to rest, he holds fast to his True Self. When one knows when to rest, he acts properly. To rest is to return one's spirit to Oneness. To rest at Oneness is the ultimate rest. One should know the Truth first and then acts accordingly. He who knows the Truth knows where the point of perfection is. The true practitioner of Tao will not stray away from the point of perfection, and his actions are consistent with his True Self.

2]Direction is set: When the direction of practising Tao is set, one neither senses the thunder above him nor is frightened by a mountain that crumbles in front of him. He could not be allured by any temptations. Having the direction of practising Tao set allows one to understand the Truth and not be swayed by heresies. He has courage and can take on important missions. When one's heart rests, his heart is set. When one knows what matters to rest, his future is set. This way, one has a determination and a goal.

3]Be tranquil: When one is tranquil, his heart remains still. He can rid of his impatience and recklessness. He is perfectly tranquil like still water. When a person is tranquil, his True Self can light up the cosmos, just like still water can reflect perfect images. In calmness, wisdom can be revealed to oneself. One can then be inspired.

4]Reveal True Nature: Revealing the True Nature means to be natural. To be natural means to put away one's mind, or attain the state of no Human Nature. Then one can understand Tao without thinking, and stay in the center without effort. In motion or in stillness, he is natural. This is attaining what Confucius described as 'At seventy I can follow my heart without transgressing what is right.' To follow the heart is to put away the Human Nature.

5]Be pure: Knowing to rest, being set, being tranquil, and revealing the True Nature lead a person from motion to quiescence. He turns emotions away and fulfill his True Self, returning all into Oneness. Then he can be pure, or in other words, he is awakened. The Law governing all lives, matters, and the cosmos becomes clear to him. He realizes what the Truth is and what emotions and desires are. He purifies his behaviors to distinguish the right from wrong. When all is quiet, he is still. When matters arise, his response is always appropriate.

6]Attain Tao: When one attains Tao, he is united with God. This means the cosmos is within him, and he is within the cosmos. They are two of the same. Celestial bodies, wind, thunder, rain, electric storms, earth, and oceans all belong to him. He is united with the cosmos, or in other words, he returns to God's kingdom.

My Heavenly Master JiGong said, "The misty drizzle and the clouds have veiled the stars. The seven emotions, six desires and material desires have shaded the Spiritual Nature (Inner Being). When clouds are dispersed, stars regain their brilliance. When desires are expelled, one beholds the 'Xing' (sees one's inner being).

When one's mood and spirit is peaceful and balanced, it feels like walking under a bright sky with a radiant sun. When one's body of the mind is clear and transparent, it feels like being in the midst of a bright mirror of undisturbed water."

Body of the mind means a dot of spiritual light which nature is as clear and calm as unpolluted and undisturbed water, that is, the spirit, inner being, essential body, etc.

In the Great Learning of Tao, we are always reminded to keep a true heart, a sincere heart, a faithful heart, and a loving and compassionate heart. In this way we can rid of emotions and desires that have shaded our spiritual nature. We can bring out the true nature and reveal our divine wisdom so that the stars can regain their brilliance.

Author: T.A Chew