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 (1)
See all- Session 44: Pigsy and Wukong Getting to Know Each OtherLink visible for attendeesAUD 5.00
After a few fights, Pigsy introduces himself and shares the story of his past — from his divine origins as Marshal Tian Peng to his fall and reincarnation into the “wrong womb.” Through his narrative, we catch a glimpse of how destiny unfolds in stages, shaped by choices, mistakes, and habitual tendencies. Pigsy’s confession invites us not only to understand his fate, but also to reflect on the shaping forces of our own lives.
Session Focus:
We will explore Pigsy’s self-introduction to understand what has shaped his destiny across different stages, and reflect on how these themes may mirror our own experiences of fate, flaws, and transformation.Key Questions for contemplation:
I was born stupid,
An idler and a slacker.
I never nourished my nature or cultivated the truth.
…For my sins I was reborn from the wrong womb,
And now I am known as Iron−haired Pig. (page 271 - 274)
Q1: What stages of destiny does Pigsy describe in his self-introduction?- What caused each stage of his destiny?
- Which stage resonates most with you, and why?
- In what ways do his stages mirror the shifts in our own lives?
”He’s no common or garden ghost, master," Monkey replied to Sanzang, "and he isn't an ordinary wild animal turned monster. He is Marshal Tian Peng, who was exiled to the mortal world. As he was placed in the wrong womb he has a face like a wild boar, but he's still kept his original divine nature.”
Q2: Why does Wukong emphasize that Pigsy “still keeps his original divine nature”?- What does this suggest about how we see ourselves or others, despite mistakes or appearances?
- How might this help us look deeper than external labels or judgments?
The monster (Pigsy) boasted of his weapon:
“This was refined from divine ice−iron,
Polished till it gleamed dazzling white,
Hammered by Lord Lao Zi himself,
…Even if you have an iron brain in a brazen head and a body of steel,
This rake will scatter your souls and send your spirit flying.” (page 277-278)
Q3: What makes Pigsy’s Nine-Toothed Rake so remarkable?
What is the weight of the weapon, and its embodied meaning?
Beyond its power, what might this weapon symbolize about Pigsy’s nature, strengths, or role in the journey?Take your time with these questions. Bring your insights, personal reflections, and discoveries into our circle for shared contemplation.
📝 Members’ Blogging Space:
Share your reflections and learnings:
https://www.hellosuliving.com/blog📚 Self-Study & Preparation:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 18 (page 271 - 279)💰 Participation Fee:
Pay-as-you-go: AUD $5 per session (via PayPal)
