What are the Ten Deluded Minds in Taoism 什么是十迷心
Paul PengWhat are the Ten Deluded Minds in Taoism什么是十迷心
"Shi Mi Xin" (十迷心, "The Ten Deluded Minds") is a term from Zhou Gupu's Dadao Lun (Treatise on the Great Dao), written in the late The Tang Dynasty and Five Dynasties period. It refers to ten forms of delusion in the minds of sentient beings.
The ten are as follows. ① The mind deluded by affairs: regarding all conditioned affairs — whether good or evil — one is unable to discern and comprehend them clearly, giving rise to a mind of inversion, stagnation, and confusion; lacking wisdom, one uses the nature to select and reject, resulting in the cycle of birth and death, never reaching the true source. ② The mind deluded by principle: having no perception, understanding, awakening, cultivation, realization, or comprehension of the self-so true nature of the supremely empty and wondrous substance. ③ The mind deluded by teaching: not having encountered a true teacher or wise friend, not knowing how to seek the "mind of liberation" from the various teachings, not understanding the relationship between principle and teaching, and not comprehending the meaning of "the sage practices the teaching of non-words." ④ The mind deluded by realm: on one hand, deluded away from the true realm of "the self-so nature-substance of the wondrous body of the Great Dao," severing the true source; on the other hand, deluded into the afflictions of the six sense-roots. ⑤ The mind deluded by Qi: being deluded away from "the primal harmonious true nature," unable to nourish the spirit and cherish the Qi. ⑥ The mind deluded by the body: not knowing that "the mind in its emptiness draws the harmonious Qi to return," not understanding that emptying the body is the method of nourishing the body. ⑦ The mind deluded by spirit: "the spirit and consciousness within the body of sentient beings" unable to refine the spirit to merge with the Dao and ascend to sagehood. ⑧ The mind deluded by immortality: not cultivating the conduct of immortals. ⑨ The mind deluded by the true: not cultivating the conduct of the realized person. ⑩ The mind deluded by sagehood: not cultivating the conduct of sages. The Dadao Lun holds that only by removing the Ten Deluded Minds can one awaken the mind, and only then can one verify, realize, and cultivate the mind.
Historical Context
The concepts discussed in this article are deeply rooted in centuries of Taoist wisdom and Chinese cultural heritage. These teachings have been passed down through generations, offering profound insights into human consciousness and spiritual cultivation.
Practical Application
In today's fast-paced world, these ancient Taoist teachings remain remarkably relevant. By understanding and practicing these principles, modern practitioners can achieve greater mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual fulfillment in their daily lives.
Connection to Taoist Philosophy
The exploration of these mental states aligns with the core Taoist principles of simplicity, naturalness, and harmony with the Dao. These concepts are not isolated theories but interconnected aspects of a comprehensive philosophical system.
Further Study
For those interested in deepening their understanding, we recommend exploring related topics such as Taoist meditation practices, internal alchemy, and the study of classical Taoist texts like the Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi.
What are the Ten Deluded Minds in Taoism
