The 100 Days
T
he Hundred Days is a term used to designate a sustained and concentrated effort. In the same way that Chinese culture, through the Tao Te Ching, describes all phenomena as the ten thousand things, one hundred days is a metaphor for the extended period of time necessary to practice a form in order to beneficially transform. The lessons are described as the inner teachings of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu in this context is the ancient one. The source of the teachings is ancient and is beyond rational conception of lineage and disciple.
Ancient teachings applied to our everyday life
The teachings have a Taoist flavour. Taoist in this context means the way. It is not aligned with any group or particular traditional methodology or practice. These are essential teachings: they come from essence and concern being and virtue. Virtue will be variously encountered during the work. Anonymous selfless service for the benefit of others is virtuous. How we understand and practise virtue will vary enormously. We will encounter virtue in circumstances where it was perhaps not conceived. While individually and collectively we work towards transformation, this work is for the benefit of others. If our ability to give is limited, so is our ability to receive.
The 100 days is a rare opportunity to learn and practise
Taoist teachings through the experience of our everyday lives, to
deepen our understanding of the conditions necessary for transformation
and, perhaps, to move a little closer. It is undoubtedly life-changing
This is fourth way work. Taoists have often, but not always, worked in ordinary life. We shall work exactly where we are, as we are, in our daily lives. This is the most profound meditation — to hold the universal mind in daily life, as much as possible, within the context of practical teachings. This is the way towards freedom, towards realisation. When the realisation takes place cannot be known. It requires discipline and practice. The realisation takes but an instant. That instant is all around us all the time. If we can glimpse this we begin to grow the fruits of realisation within us. That realisation directed for the benefit of others, transforms a personal realisation into a universal event.
What the work involves
From a practical point of view, each individual will undertake a continuous flow of special exercises inspired from different traditions that can be carried out in everyday life. These exercises focus our awareness and allow energy to move away from the habitual patterns of thinking and behaving and more towards the feeling centre, the heart. Through gradual and continuous efforts of observation and self-cultivation we discover the potential of loosening the mask or the veil that denies us the opportunity of true clarity.
Participants will be supported by the collective energy of the group and will be able to share their experiences via an online community and regular meetings. Pause for a moment and ponder the potential of that energy: a group of people spread across a small portion of the world, dedicated to living their ordinary lives and at the same time undertaking to make efforts every day, every moment. Such structures are rare in the world of ordinary people.
The first 100 days course began in September 2006 and includes two core groups working in unison, one in France and the other in the UK. The work is gathering momentum and there is a growing community of seekers. A new group is likely to form in the first half of 2008. Newcomers are most welcome to join at any time and are invited to attend an introductory meeting before embarking on the course.
Next 100 days introductory meeting in London:
Whispered Teachings Class, Sunday 11 May 2008
Please contact us directly if you would like to find out more about the group and how to join.
For other bookings and workshop pricing information
For more workshops in Toltec Shamanism, G.I. Gurdjieff, The Fourth Way and Taoist Chi Gung and meditation please click here
