Regarding the Mountain

Pangai-Noon Master Shushiwa's title as "the Taoist of the mountain" suggests that he was likely an alchemist. In ancient times, a mountain was often used as a metaphor for a man due to their height and strength. The analogy between men and mountains can be seen in various ancient texts, including the Bible.

In alchemy, the mountain is a symbol for the process of spiritual transformation that the alchemist undergoes. Thomas Vaughan's allegory of the mountain illustrates this idea, where the alchemist climbs a mountain, encountering various obstacles and terrible beasts along the way. These obstacles represent the challenges and trials that the alchemist must overcome in order to reach the peak of spiritual enlightenment.

This allegory of the mountain is relevant to Uechi-Ryu's three animals - the tiger, the crane, and the dragon. These animals are used to represent different aspects of the Mortification processes in the art, these three animals can be seen as the "terrible beasts" that the alchemist must overcome on their journey up the mountain.

Given Master Shushiwa's title as the Taoist of the mountain, it is likely that he was an alchemist who saw the process of spiritual transformation as a journey up a mountain. The use of the mountain metaphor is a common theme in alchemy and spiritual traditions, and it suggests that Master Shushiwa may have seen himself as an alchemist on a quest for spiritual enlightenment.

In the Bible, the word "mountain" is often used as a metaphor for a spiritual or divine experience, representing a place where people encounter God or receive divine revelation. This esoteric meaning of the word mountain is significant in the biblical narrative, as many of the most important events in the Bible take place on mountains or involve mountain imagery.

For example, in the Book of Exodus, God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. The mountain is depicted as a place of divine revelation, where Moses encounters God and receives the tablets of the law.

In the New Testament, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, a discourse that has become one of the most famous and influential teachings in Christian history. The mountain in this case represents a place of spiritual elevation, where Jesus teaches his followers about the kingdom of God and how to live a righteous life.

In both of these examples, the mountain is used to represent a spiritual journey or ascent, a process of rising above the mundane world to encounter the divine. This esoteric meaning of the word mountain is further reinforced by the fact that many biblical figures are depicted as going up mountains to encounter God or receive divine instruction, such as Abraham on Mount Moriah, Elijah on Mount Horeb, and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.

The 36 Peaks in Fujian, China are a series of towering peaks located in the Wuyi Mountains. These peaks have been famous since ancient times for their stunning beauty and natural wonder, and have inspired numerous poets and artists throughout Chinese history. There is an old saying that goes "nothing but 36 peaks and a hole to heaven", which reflects the awe-inspiring nature of these peaks. The "hole to heaven" mentioned in the saying refers to a gap in the clouds that appears above the Wuyi Mountains on clear days. This opening in the sky is seen as a portal to the heavens, and is believed to be a place where the gods and spirits of the Taoist pantheon reside. Together, the phrase "nothing but 36 mountain peaks and a hole to heaven" thus represents a connection between the natural world and the spiritual realm, with the peaks of the Wuyi Mountains serving as a gateway to the heavens. This connection between the physical and spiritual worlds is a central tenet of Taoism, which emphasises the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.