Who Are We? Inspiration from Journey to the West, 1986

Journey to the West is a 1986 YV show that I find truly remarkable. Here’s why.

Journey to the West: A Path to Self-Discovery and Inner Peace

Journey to the West, a famous Chinese drama first released in 1986, has been aired countless times over the years. This captivating series isn’t just about adventure and fantasy; it offers a profound exploration of the human condition. Though it’s a classic tale of mystical journeys and legendary creatures, Journey to the West also invites us to look inward and focus on how we function as humans. It calls us to redirect our attention from the outside world to the inner world, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves. Through its lessons, we can find peace in our minds and give our bodies the chance to heal. Here is an English version.

However, in today’s fast-paced world, many of us forget to focus on our inner lives. Social pressures, family obligations, and work demands can lead us to forget our own well-being. Yet, as Journey to the West shows us, finding balance and peace starts from within.

The Spirit: Tang Seng and Our Eighth Sense

At the heart of Journey to the West is the character of Tang Seng (唐僧), the Buddhist monk who embarks on a pilgrimage to retrieve sacred scriptures from India. He is the embodiment of our Eighth Sense, the spirit. This concept is discussed in Xuanzang’s poem and further explored in the book Perfect Self-Relationship.

Xuanzang, the historical figure on whom Tang Seng is based, was deeply dedicated to understanding the nature of humanity. Legends say he had lived ten previous lives, engaging in good deeds to benefit humanity. Tang Seng’s character, soft, gentle, kind, and humble, reflects the spiritual qualities we should aspire to embody. Though he doesn’t take much action on the journey himself, he is cared for by his loyal disciples.

In our own lives, if we can discover what truly makes us happy—our calling and purpose—we find our spirit. If you’re unsure of what that is, there are ways to uncover it. Sit quietly and reflect on what brings you joy. Your heart, if you listen closely, will guide you to discover your purpose. When you follow your heart and align your actions with it, your spirit will naturally expand and lead you to better places. But just as a boat needs direction to sail, we need focus to move forward.

The Five Senses: Wujing and the Present Moment

Wujing (悟净), one of Tang Seng’s disciples, represents our Five Senses and the ability to live fully in the present. He is grounded and hardworking, carrying heavy supplies for the group. Wujing doesn’t complain and remains steadfast, representing the down-to-earth qualities we need to connect with our physical senses.

Wujing’s role is to protect the truth, and his humble demeanor reminds us of the importance of remaining grounded. The Five Senses allow us to experience the world directly—through sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing. By focusing on the present moment and appreciating the sensory world around us, we can better connect with reality and the truth within ourselves.

The Ego: Bajie and Our Sixth Sense

Bajie (八戒), another disciple of Tang Seng, represents the Sixth Sense, or the ego. With his large ears, big stomach, and rake, Bajie is a comical figure driven by desires and distractions. He represents the part of us that is attached to personal wants, self-centered cravings, and impulsive behavior.

Unlike the other disciples, who are aligned with the greater purpose of the journey, Bajie constantly wrestles with his desires. His character teaches us about the challenges posed by the ego. The ego is the part of us that seeks validation, fulfillment, and pleasure. While it can sometimes help us meet basic needs, an unchecked ego can lead us astray. Bajie, despite his flaws, eventually submits to the wisdom of his master and learns to control his desires.

The Heart: Wukong and Our Seventh Sense

Wukong (悟空), the Monkey King, represents our Seventh Sense, the heart. Known for his mischievous nature and boundless energy, Wukong is capable of incredible feats. His ability to travel vast distances in a single leap symbolizes the vast potential of the heart when harnessed properly. Wukong can be impulsive, fearless, and carefree, yet he also represents the heart’s transformative power.

Our heart, like Wukong, is full of potential. But to truly harness this power, we need to train our hearts, just as Wukong learns to use his abilities wisely. The heart, according to Chinese philosophy, is our Sixth Sense, a source of intuition and emotional intelligence. By training our heart to align with our higher purpose, we can achieve extraordinary results.

The heart is powerful and can lead us to great success when directed toward a positive goal. It is essential to learn to train our heart to work for us, rather than letting it lead us in random, unpredictable directions.

Training the Seventh Sense: Patience and Discipline

If you want to train your Seventh Sense—the heart—here are some practical tips:

Be Patient: The heart is often wild and unfocused, jumping from one desire to another. At first, it may be difficult to calm your heart, but with practice, you can learn to slow down and guide it.
Make Friends with Your Heart: Engage in a conversation with your heart. Listen attentively to what it says. It’s essential to understand the nature of your heart and recognize its needs.
Set Boundaries: Creating clear and unbreakable boundaries for your heart is key to training it. You must be firm with yourself, ensuring that you stick to your goals. When you stray, hold yourself accountable. Consistency will help your heart learn what is acceptable and what isn’t.

By training the heart to stay within these boundaries, you can align your desires with a greater purpose, ultimately leading to peace and fulfillment.

The Spirit’s Call: Living with Ease

Once we’ve trained our heart to behave in a calm, present, and loving way, we can experience a life of ease and grace. Happiness will no longer be something we chase—it will come to us. When our heart aligns with our spirit and ego, we no longer need to search for fulfillment. It will find us.

The actor who portrayed Tang Seng in the 1986 series, Chongrui Chi, is a living example of the harmony that comes when all senses are working together. His calm presence and alignment with his true self allowed him to attract a life of success and happiness. His wife, one of the wealthiest women in China, even asked him to marry her, and together, they live in happiness and peace.

Bonus: Training the Subconscious Mind

The “monkey” in Journey to the West can also be seen as a metaphor for our subconscious mind. To train it, we need to influence it with positive words, images, and visions. By doing so, we encourage our subconscious to support our desires and lead us toward a more harmonious life.

Our inner being holds far more power than what we do or have. By working with our Seven-Senses, we can cultivate qualities like calmness, joy, generosity, and serenity. When we align ourselves with this higher nature, life becomes effortless. Success, happiness, and fulfillment will find us as we flow with the life force, navigating our journey with ease and grace.

In Conclusion

Journey to the West is more than a tale of magical adventures. It’s a deep reflection on human nature, showing us the importance of aligning our spirit, mind, heart, and senses to achieve a balanced and fulfilled life. Just like Tang Seng and his disciples, we each have the potential to embark on our own journey within, discovering and training the aspects of ourselves that lead to true peace and happiness.

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