How does Taoist Talisman work?

When I travel around different countries to teach Chinese Metaphysics. Most of the time, I will encounter one or two students who are very keen to learn more about spiritual Taoism as some of them know about my background.

And their questions would often lead to this particular subject “How does a Taoist Talisman work?” Because coming from the Western culture perspective, it is often difficult if not impossible to comprehend, how does a piece of yellow paper makes a difference spiritually or towards a particular situation.

When a talisman is drawn, often times is from a lineage that already have the framework of the talisman that has been passed through generations of disciples. So in essence those frameworks, order of wordings are already understood in the spiritual dimension. So when the talisman is burn or being displayed, instantly the responsible deities or spirits would recognize the order or command that is drawn on the talisman.

Furthermore after the talisman is drawn, deities must be invited to imprint their energy signature on the talisman. And who can invite those deities? Only those that are officially being initiated into a particular Taoist lineage or Sect. Sometimes you can also see that in Taoist temples, they will have t deities seal either made of wood or stone. These seal will also serve as an energy imprint.

Therefore there is three layers of filter

1. The talisman must be recognize by the lineage

2. Talisman must have energy imprint of the deities

3. Only officially initiated Taoist lineage members would be able to invite the deities for talisman imprint.

There are also exceptions to point 1. Whereby the talisman is not found on the lineage records, either the situation is unique or through special circumstances.This is when the person has a direct clear link to their lineage deities, and are able to draw out the talisman as according to the instructions of the deities. It is also when you observe, some talisman does not have any Chinese recognizable character on it, just scribbles of red cinnabar or black ink. In this situation, the deities would usually link through a particular medium, and just do an energy imprint on the talisman paper.

Some common Q & A

What about those talisman that is mass printed?

It must have an energy imprint, after it has been printed. If there is no energy imprint, the talisman would not be able to function. When a person burn a talisman that does not have any energy imprint of the deities, then it is similar to sending spam mail to your JUNKMAIL BOX in the spiritual dimension.

Does it work?

As long as it is correctly imprinted, it will work 100% of the time. Talisman purpose is usually to have the fastest effect in the shortest time possible. However, it will only rectify the problem. If the problem is deeply rooted on some karmic influence, then it is similar to taking paraceptamol for a brain tumor. Such as burning and displaying talisman would help for the energy of a house, however if the Feng Shui is not suitable for the person, then all effects are only for a short period of time.

Would it help in generating better luck for me?

I have seen cases that when a person in not in such a good luck period or a bad year, talisman are able to help them boost their luck. When it is boost up, the person needs to do charitable activities for the money that they obtained. In the spiritual dimension, everything is in forms of energy. Money is also a form of energy. When the person obtain a sudden boost of energy, they need to release it back in a good cause to the world or surrounding people. Therefore that energy is able to multiply and flow back to the person. If they hoard the boost of energy, then they have put a dead stop to the flow. Which often times, after they boost their luck, they are either back to square one or worst.

Hope this article would provide you some insights into Taoist talisman.

To coincide with Jin Ying Zu Shi Celebration 金英祖师圣诞 this coming 20 December 2009, our Kam Dong San Temple 金洞山庙under the instructions of San Jiao Lao Zu Shi 三教老祖师 have instructed me to draw 2 types of benefactor talisman 贵人符 for members and public to request from deities. For more information, please visit the temple Facebook page.