AcuLand (as described by a lapsed parageographer)

The question - “What or where is AcuLand?” - was posed recently here. After pondering on this for a while, I came to the conclusion that AcuLand is a personal experience for us all consisting of many shared, generic components that are further overlaid with details supplied by everyone’s individual subconscious.

AcuLand is the space I retire to when under the needle; it allows me to participate in my healing process by getting out of the way and becoming a passive observer. AcuLand is the space I endeavour to help my patients discover.

My AcuLand is called Wan Nian Si. Physically, it exists on the side of Emei Mountain in Sichuan province; energetically, it is available within all who have passed time there. It is a construct consisting of physical beauty, serenity, qi of such density that it is visible to the naked eye, and purity and clarity of thought and spirit.

Embraced by tall, ancient pine trees and overseeing acres of tea planted on the steep slopes below, the 10,000 Year Temple is approached via a broad, steep stairway. Heavy quiet is punctuated only by the efforts of roving bands of monkeys intent on waylaying pilgrims and lightening their loads by removing any non-essential comestibles. By turns playful and threatening, these highwaymen are well rewarded; the greater part of their focus is not on their victims, but rather on rival gangs. Carry-chair bearers observe the gauntlet, silently smoking, detached.

Time’s rhythmic circular flow is Wan Nian Si’s determinant. Well before sunrise the monks move wraithlike through utter darkness and stillness to congregate in the temple housing golden statues, immense drums and gongs, small bells of crystalline tones capable of carrying vast distances. To one side pillows on the floor await observant pilgrims. Some mornings the bells and drums begin and are soon accompanied by chanting. On other days chanting predominates as the monks shuffle reverently around the enclosed, golden statuary. Vibration first builds and fills the temple then overflows and permeates the surrounding courtyards and buildings until they too are filled and send the signal radiating further outward. Mountain temples no longer in existence are honored and the remaining memory of their destruction is purged. Muted golden light soon illuminates the temple complex as the monks’ music comes to its end. Electric lighting comes on in the Indian temple wherein the massive statue of Puxian Bodhisattva, positioned astride a white elephant, resides; the artificial illumination manages a timeless quality. Visitors nourish their tai qi and qi gong practices on terraces gazing down on the clouded hillsides below. The sound of distant waterfalls is heard and appears to grow in volume as Wan Nian Si – Emei’s lower dan-tien, if you will – is now replenished, filled with golden vibration.

Mid-day finds startling variations in light throughout the complex. The temples housing Puxian Bodhisattva and the three golden statues seem always to be wreathed in gray light and mist, allowing the clear illumination within to prevail. At the same moment, neighboring courtyards filled with flowering plants may be bathed in bright sunlight; within minutes the degree of illumination ebbs and flows among the various areas comprising Wan Nian Si. Plants and trees, whether in shade or sun, continuously feed their surroundings: when enveloped in mist and subdued light, the plants may be felt to emit faintly a deep, slow, pulsing; when in full sun, their colors are so bright and iridescent as to almost disturb the eye. Music from the temple store is perceived in all four corners.

At sunset the waning orange glow is gradually subsumed by enveloping cobalt. Smoke billows forth from the kitchen as mist descends on Wan Nian Si from the higher elevations. Unseen waterfalls seem to recede into the distance. Laughter and conversation brighten the dining hall as full darkness falls. Soon the monks and pilgrims retire to their respective quarters in the fog under a diffuse moonglow. Quiet governs until the monks begin their songs of praise and faith come morning.

So this, in brief, is my own personal AcuLand. It is my hope that my patients may find theirs while reclining in our clinic, and that this area within becomes more accessible and more present in their lives.

Here is a link to some nice photos of Emei Shan and Wan Nian Si; most of the photos on the first page were taken at Wan Nian Si.

http://www.pbase.com/mahaparamita/china_sichuan_emei_shan&page=1