What we’re about
Who am I?
Where did I come from?
Why am I here?
Where am I going?
Who do I want to become?
How can I meet my better self?
Have these questions ever whispered to you during quiet moments, leaving you searching for answers? If so, join us on a journey to the West!
Together, we’ll embark on a reading adventure inspired by the timeless classic Journey to the West. Like the characters in this epic tale, you’ll face 81 trials and tribulations—challenges designed to sharpen your mental clarity, test your determination, and guide you toward self-discovery, all while helping you realize your intrinsic potential.
Our club offers a unique blend of:
- The joy of reading a literary masterpiece
- The excitement of exchanging insights with fellow explorers
- The challenge of applying the book’s timeless lessons to everyday life
Who are we?
We are a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds—both Eastern and Western—aspiring to live in harmony by integrating traditional Eastern values with the modern Western world. Through mindful practice of self-awareness, mutual understanding, and self-care, we strive to cultivate a sustainable, healthy, and harmonious lifestyle centered on knowing, helping, and loving both ourselves and others.
What’s next?
After joining, you’ll be asked to complete a brief questionnaire so we can better understand your current knowledge and perspectives on the book.
Please note that this is a paid reading club, and details regarding membership fees will be provided upon enrollment.
Upcoming events
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•OnlineSession 57: Wukong Looks for the Formula to Rescue the Miraculous Tree
OnlineAfter reconciling with the Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, Wukong promises to find a way to revive the Miraculous Tree. He travels to seek help from the Three Stars of Longevity, Blessing, and Office, as well as the Lord Emperor of Eastern Glory. However, despite their high status and powers, none of them possesses the formula capable of reviving the tree.
Session Focus:
In this session, we will explore how Wukong’s ignorance of the hierarchy of immortals and the true nature of the Miraculous Tree, combined with his impatience, led to the disastrous act of pushing the tree over. Beyond impulsiveness, this chapter reveals the deeper consequences of acting without understanding the order, limits, and sacredness of the world.
Key Questions for contemplation:
When living in the world you must be forbearing;
Patience is essential when training oneself.
Although it's often said that violence is good business,
Think before you act, and never bully or be angry.
True gentlemen who never strive are famed for ever;
The virtue−loving sages are renowned to this day.
Strong men always meet stronger than themselves,
And end up as failures who are in the wrong.
Q1: What reflections arise for you when reading the opening verse of Chapter 26?
How does this verse foreshadow Wukong’s actions and the unfolding events in this chapter?
"Would you agree to release my master if I gave you back the tree alive?" Monkey asked.
"If your magic is strong enough to revive the tree," the Great Immortal replied, "I shall bow to you eight times and take you as my brother."
"That's easy then," said Monkey. "Release them and I guarantee to give you back your tree alive."
Trusting him not to escape, the Great Immortal ordered that Sanzang, Pig and Friar Sand be set free.
Q2: Why does the Great Immortal trust Wukong with such a grave responsibility?
What does it mean, symbolically and socially, for the Great Immortal to offer to take Wukong as his brother if the tree can be revived?
The one watching the game was the Star of Longevity, and the players were the Star of Blessings and the Star of Office.
Pig said: “…but you’re all slaves."
The Star of Blessing replied, "so how dare you call us slaves?"
"If you aren't slaves then," Pig retorted, "why do people always ask you to 'bring us long life,' 'bring us blessings,' and 'bring us a good job?'"
Q3: What are the respective roles of the Three Stars of Longevity, Blessing, and Office?
Why does Pigsy misunderstand them as “slaves”?
"You ape," the Three Stars said gloomily when they heard this. "You don't know who you're up against. That Master Zhen Yuan is the Patriarch of the Immortals of the earth, and we are the chiefs of the divine Immortals. Although you have become a heavenly Immortal, you are still only one of the irregulars of the Great Monad, not one of the elite. You'll never be able to escape his clutches…”
Q4: What did Wukong fail to understand about the Great Immortal Zhen Yuan?
What does it mean that Wukong is “one of the irregulars of the Great Monad, not one of the elite”?
Q5: What kinds of life can the Three Stars of Longevity, Blessing, and Office revive?
Why are they powerless to save the Miraculous Tree?
Q6: What kinds of life can the Lord Emperor of Eastern Glory revive?
Why is even his supreme pill ineffective in rescuing the Miraculous Tree?
“…Trees are lives compounded of the Wood and Earth elements and nurtured by Heaven and Earth. If it were an ordinary mortal tree I could bring it back to life, but the Mountain of Infinite Longevity is the blessed land of a former heaven, the Wuzhuang Temple is the Cave Paradise of the Western Continent of Cattle−gift, and the manfruit tree is the life−root from the time when Heaven and Earth were separated…”
Q7: Did Wukong understand the nature, rarity, or cosmic significance of the Miraculous Tree when he pushed it over?
How does ignorance, rather than malice, still lead to serious consequences?
Take your time with these questions. Bring your insights, personal reflections, and discoveries into our circle for shared contemplation.
📚 Self-Study & Preparation:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 26 (page 368 - 377).
💰 Participation Fee:
Pay-as-you-go: AUD $5 per session (via PayPal)
📝 Members’ Blogging Space:
Share your reflections and learnings:
https://www.hellosuliving.com/blog2 attendees
Past events
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