Shungyism

Shungyism is a religion centered on the pursuit of the True and Eternal Body through spiritual attainment. Shungyism is deeply rooted in monastic traditions, with its practitioners renouncing worldly possessions and indulgences in favor of introspection, lucid dreaming, and ritual practices.

At the core of Shungyist belief is the idea that the material world is illusory and transient, and that true spiritual attainment can only be achieved by attaining a spiritual state of being. To this end, Shungyists value detachment from material possessions, the peaceful avoidance of conflict, and disciplined spiritual practice.

Shungyist monastic practitioners, live in secluded communities and devote their lives to the pursuit of spiritual wholeness and immortality. They spend their days in semi-dream states, performing elaborate rituals that are believed to bring them closer to the Eternal Realm. Shungyist lay adherents, on the other hand, do not renounce worldly possessions but instead focus on praying to the Shungyist saints, known as the Eternals.

Dreams are regarded as a powerful tool for spiritual wholeness in Shungyism. Shungyists believe that dreams offer a glimpse into the Eternal Realm and provide a means for communication with the divine. Dream interpretation and manipulation are therefore important practices for both monastic practitioners and lay adherents alike.

Shungyism places a strong emphasis on personal discipline and self-control. Hedonistic behavior and indulgence are seen as contaminating the spirit and hindering progress towards attaining True Form and the Eternal Realm. Shungyists strive to lead a simple and humble life, valuing inner peace and serenity above material gain.

Shungyism is a deeply spiritual and contemplative religion that emphasizes the pursuit of inner wholeness and the attainment of the True and Eternal Body also called one's True Form. Its followers believe that by renouncing worldly possessions and indulgences, practicing disciplined spiritual practices, and interpreting dreams, they can achieve a higher state of being and ultimately transcend the material world.

Monastic Dreamwork
One of the most distinctive and unique practices of Shungyism is the use of dreams as a tool for spiritual attainment. Higher practitioners of the religion, known as the Awakened Dreamers, undergo rigorous training to enter into their own dreams in a lucid manner. With practice and discipline, they also learn to enter into a semi-dream state while awake, which is akin to a trance state.

The term "Awakened Dreamer" (Jåḍede̊̃ Miṛiho) is derived from the Ulete language which is the language of the indigenous people of the region of southwestern Skephon where Shungyism originated. The term refers to the idea that through dreamwork, one can awaken to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

The goal of dreamwork in Shungyism is to struggle with one's sixteen souls, which are believed to be the various aspects of a person's being, including the physical, emotional, and spiritual. Each soul has its own distinct personality and is associated with a particular element or aspect of nature. By bringing together all sixteen souls, the Awakened Dreamer aims to create the True and Eternal Body, a state of being that transcends the limitations of the physical world.

To achieve this goal, Awakened Dreamers engage in a variety of practices within their dreams, including introspection, lucid dreaming, and ritualistic practices. They may also encounter and interact with various spiritual beings, including the Eternals, who guide them on their spiritual journey.

In addition to dreamwork, Shungyists also place great importance on physical practices that aid in spiritual attainment. These include various forms of trance, fasting, use of psychedelics, and running until passing out. By disciplining the body and mind, Shungyists seek to cultivate the inner strength and focus necessary to achieve spiritual wholeness.

Despite its emphasis on personal discipline and detachment, Shungyism also places great value on community and social harmony. Monastic practitioners often serve as spiritual leaders within their communities, offering guidance and support to lay adherents. The religion also places great emphasis on charity and helping those in need. Advanced practitioners attain a state in which the dream world and the physical world become aligned and they can see other people's dream-selves. This allows them to aid in others' spiritual growth as well as to diagnose conditions related to soul loss or possession.

Attainment of True Form
The ultimate goal of a Shungyist practitioner is to attain their True and Eternal Body, or True Form, through the practice of dreamwork and physical training. The term True Form (Chye̊̃lu Mĩji), and refers to a state of being that transcends the limitations of the physical world. It is believed that by attaining one's True Form, a practitioner gains entrance to the Eternal Realm, or Chye̊̃lu Je̊tå̃, where the deities are said to reside.

For Shungyists, gaining entrance to the Eternal Realm with one's True Form is considered the ultimate goal, as it is believed to be a form of godhood. This belief stems from the idea that the Eternal Realm is a place where the deities dwell and that by entering it with one's True Form, a practitioner becomes one with the divine. This state of being is seen as the highest form of spiritual attainment, and those who achieve it are revered as great spiritual leaders and guides.

However, not all Shungyists attain their True Form in their lifetime. Those who do not are believed to separate or disintegrate into separate souls when they die. This is seen as a less desirable outcome, as it means that the individual is unable to transcend the limitations of the physical world and enter the Eternal Realm.

Shungyist practitioners engage in a variety of spiritual practices throughout their lives, such as dreamwork, trancework, and physical training, all of which are aimed at struggling with their sixteen souls. By doing so, they seek to bring these souls together to attain their True Form and ultimately gain entrance to the Eternal Realm, where the deities are believed to reside.

Dreamwork is a particularly important aspect of this practice, as it is believed that dreams are windows into the Eternal Realm. Awakened Dreamers learn to enter into a semi-dream state while awake, in a sort of trance. They also enter into their own dreams in a lucid manner as their primary practice. Through discipline and practice, Awakened Dreamers learn to manipulate their dreams and interpret their symbolic messages. This practice is believed to help practitioners come to terms with their inner selves, including their sixteen souls.

The sixteen souls are believed to be separate aspects of the individual, each with its own desires, fears, and strengths. By struggling with these souls in the Dream Realm, Shungyist practitioners seek to integrate them into a cohesive whole, thus attaining their True Form. Once this form is attained, the individual gains entrance to the Eternal Realm, where they can join the deities in a state of oneness. This unique approach to spiritual attainment sets Shungyism apart from other religions and offers its practitioners a path towards ultimate completeness, immortality, and divine knowledge and powers.

Symbols of the sacred

 * The moon
 * Stars
 * Cats