The drawings that are shown here represent the steps that lead to spiritual illumination. These are modern versions and interpretations by Chinese Master Chino Kukuan, from the XII century and from other Taoist stories. We use the general words "He" and "Man" to mean any human being whether male or female.

These drawings and stories symbolize the combination of the sacred and the profane. The bull represents the animal nature in every human being; it is united to the spiritual nature. The struggle to harmonize the physical impulses and appetites is equivalent to also integrating those of the spirit.

This stage represents man when he still doesn't know his true nature, but one way or another, has already started his search. He wants to find it, though he doesn't even know what it is, nor is he sure of recognizing it when he finds it. Sometimes he experiments with the search as an escape from his present circumstances, which in general are not pleasant. Life as it is is a heavy load and he thinks surely there must be a better way of living. Most of those that have started the search; are at this stage.

At this stage, man finds indications, clues in one or more spiritual traditions, he is attracted by books of wisdom, he assists to conferences on the subject, he meets old-timers and masters and notices that there are others that have followed the same path, he is not the first person to have noticed that there is something subtle to attain. This stage, generally, starts with prayer, Church attendance, group meetings, meditation or other disciplines. Through these he experiences sensations related to the spirit. In the first stage man searches aimlessly, without direction wherease in the second stage his search is more focused and better directed.

This would be considered the first spiritual experience, where man gets to see his true self and feel the kundalai energy that awakens within him. It is equivalent to the first contact with the Higher Power that initiates him or transmits him his energy. Kundalai energy is both physical and spiritual in nature. The searcher's objective will be to elevate this energy towards his consciousness instead of repressing or eliminating the animal within. This first insight can also originate from religious experiences in the form of celestial visions. This first vision is any kind of unusual experience that motivates the individual to follow the path towards that which is transcendental.

Man has captured the animal but it is still stubborn and does not follow him. He has finally caught it but it is uncontrollable. It's energy and determination are relentless, at times it runs toward the hills, at other times it stays unmovable in deep impenetrable valleys. It symbolizes our struggle with our nature, something that can last a lifetime. At this stage a person must analyse if he is attaining a better understanding or simply stuck in protective and scared mode.

This represents the control of our physical or animal nature. Man is now directing the bull with the reins and controls it to the extent that the bull lets himself be guided. Little by little the man becomes the master. What he does at this stage is unite his conciousness with the animal nature. This is why many of the effective spiritual development formulas do not try to conquer, dominate, destroy or eliminate the ego, rather they teach you to live in harmony with it. Actually, it is the ego or the mind itself, that promotes the search of one's Self and it must go through all the stages.

In the Hindu culture, and also in Christian teachings, Gods and Goddesses or disciples and apostles are represented riding on animals as their vehicle. The animal symbolizes the inferior nature that the man dominates and with which he has a good relationship. One must feed and take care of the biological part of our being, without abusing nor relaxing too much. This way the physical vital force becomes an ally. In the drawing we can see how the man is riding the bull without reins, the bull knows where to go and that's where it goes without being directed. Man plays a musical instrument, or talks on his cell phone placidly on the back of the bull. The struggle is over, the man has attained the state of enlightment

Man is alone and happy, sitting by his house, the bull is no longer visible. The man has become one with the Higher Power. Instead of the former efforts, a state of peace and happiness reigns.

Trancendence is a recurring experience of unity, beyond dualities. It is an incredible state of conscience. When we live in a dual world, we always experience the opposites: inside - out, happiness - saddness, success - failure, etc. Duality starts with birth and ends with death. Actually, we live not only in duality, but rather multiplicity. Whereas transcendence implies a unity experience, not duality, not multiplicity, that shows us our true nature.

All has fused itself into nothingness. We can only observe a circle, with nothing inside, which means all opposites have disappeared. At this stage the man can't even say "I'm illuminated" or "I'm not illuminated", they don't exist for him, Unity and peace is all that exists.

In this stage we see nature in all its splendour, the sun, ocean, bay, bike path, moon, birds, river, mountains. It represents what happens after the trascendental experience. Outside the illuminated man, nothing has changed, only man himself has been transformed. He reenters life with different eyes, a new center with another focus guides him. Each time he so wishes he can go within himself and see life through it. Peace is attained.

Buddha, after attaining the state of illumination, almost didn't come out again and return to the world. His compassion for all beings finally took hold and the rest of his life he dedicated to intense social work that transformed culture and society in his time. In this stage the illuminated man now directs himself to other beings to help them. He puts all his wisdom to work for them.