Taoism Books

Book SynopsisFirst published over twenty years ago, this classic book distills the basics of the art of Tai Ji, lovingly presented in eloquent writing, and accompanied by splendid full colour photography and beautiful calligraphy.Master dancer, brush calligrapher, bamboo flute player and philosopher Chungliang Al Huang shares the basic movements of Tai Ji - and its relationships with nature, space and time - alongside stunning, inspirational photography by Si Chi Ko. The book promotes strength, relaxation and clarity, as Master Huang teaches how to unify mind and body, achieving a healthier and more fulfilling state of being. In doing so, he touches on everything from the origins and meanings if Tai Ji to the vocabulary, basic moves, practice, and the Tai Ji dance. This beautiful and inspiring book has an essential place in any Tai Ji library, and will be of interest to students, scholars, academics, professionals, and the general reader.Trade ReviewFirst published over 20 years ago, this classic book distils the basic art of Tai Ji, which are lovingly presented in eloquent writing, and accompanied by splendid photography and beautiful calligraphy. Chungliang Al Huang shares the basic movements of Tai Ji and it's relationship with nature, space and time. The book promotes strength, relaxation and clarity. -- OM Yoga & LifestyleWhat a lovely little book, beautifully produced with glossy pages, word of wisdom and wonderful photographs. -- Tai Chi UKTable of Contents1. Introduction. 2. The Origin of Tai Ji. 3. The Meaning of Tai Ji. 4. The Vocabulary of Tai Ji. 5. The Form of Tai Ji: Some Basic Moves. 6. The Tai Ji Dance: The Fire Moving Forces. 7. The Practice. 8. Summary

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Book SynopsisNei Gong has been a well-kept secret within the Daoist sects of China for centuries. Based upon the original teachings of the great sage Laozi, it has only ever been taught to close students of the masters chosen as the heads of the ancient orders. This book provides a breakdown of the entire Nei Gong process, and explains in plain English the philosophy which underpins Nei Gong practice, and which is based on the original teachings of the ancient Daoist priests. The methodology of Sung breathing, an advanced meditative practice which has until now been reserved for 'inner-door' students is described, and the book contains an entire set of Qigong exercises accompanied by instructional photographs and drawings. This book will be of interest to all practitioners of Qi Gong, martial arts and meditation, and will be a rewarding read for anyone interested in Eastern philosophy.Trade ReviewThe author suggests that the "Dao is accessible by everyone in one way or another. The form it takes only depends upon how much you are willing to put in." As with any worthwhile goal in life, it takes patience, diligent practice, good teaching and persistence to get the maximum benefits. So it is with Nei Gong. This book will give the reader enough insights to persue the study of Nei Gong further. The practices of Sung breathing and the Ji Ben Qigong set are bound to be of value to all who read this book. -- Yang-Sheng Online JournalThis book drills down into the golden core of the ancient Chinese art and science of internal self-cultivation known as "Chi Gung" or "energy work", and after reading it, you'll understand why Chi Gung is the best way on earth to protect your health, prolong your life, and clarify your awareness of both aspects of the "Three Treasures" of life - mortal body, breath, and mind; and immortal essence, energy, and spirit. Known simply as "Nei Gung", or "internal work", this inner alchemy may be learned and practiced by anyone. Written by a dedicated practitioner who verifies scholarly research with personal experience and illustrates ancient theory with contemporary practice, this book provides the Western mind with a clear-cut introduction to Chi Gung that informs as well as inspires the reader to practice. -- Daniel ReidThis is one of the best if not the best book on Daoist internal arts that I've ever read... Many books give practices but you don't understand the principles and reasons for doing them. This book is written so that you can understand the principles behind the practices. It is soundly based on the simple teachings of Lao Tze... I would recommend anyone interested in qigong and nei gong to get this book. -- Qigong Healing.co.ukTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Notes on Romanization of Pinyin. Disclaimer. Foreword by Author. 1. Introduction to Nei Gong. 2. The Three Bodies of Man. 3. Sung Breathing. 4. The Ji Ben Qi Gong. 5. Nei Gong Preparation. 6. Lower Dan Tien Work. 7. Going Deeper into Nei Gong. 8. Advanced Nei Gong Practice. Conclusion. Appendix I. Glossary of Terms. Recommended Reading. About the Author. Index.

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Book SynopsisTranquil Sitting is the Taoist Master Yin Shi Zi's practical guide and inspirational testament to the healing power and spiritual benefits of meditation and Chinese medical Qigong.The book explores the theory and physiological aspects of meditation and offers practical instruction in traditional meditation techniques. It also documents Yin Shi Zi's personal experiences with meditation, his own self-healing which he attributes to his Taoist practice, and his initiation into the Tibetan tantric practice of opening the crown of the head. Thus giving the reader an idea of the long-term process of meditation practice and the deep healing that can result from it.Faithfully translated from the Chinese, this is an influential text that belongs on the bookshelves of everyone with an interest in Taoist practice and meditation.Trade ReviewI can wholeheartedly recommend this book as an fascinating record of someone's personal experiences with Taoist and Buddhist meditation methods. In my experience it's rare for someone to go into the level of details about their personal experiences that Yin Shi Zi does. He gives a very precise account of how energy meridians opened for him over a period of time. A lot of valuable lessons can be drawn from his experiences and from his instructions in the first part of the book. -- Qigong HealingThe book itself is not a guide on how to do meditation but - as the title says - a detailed description of the experiences that Yin Shi Zi had through meditation. Not only is it a very interesting read but it is also a point of inspiration in many ways. Yin Shi Zi goes through the many challenges meditation offers. -- Path to Wisdom blogMaster Yin Shi Zi's book so enthralled me that I read it in a single sitting. His training in classical Chinese medicine and as a professor of physiology enables him to express both his own experiences and his guide to cultivating a practice of these methods in a language easily comprehensible to the modern reader. His book is a wonderful contribution to our understanding of the nature of Taoist/Buddhist yoga, meditation, and inner science. -- Glenn H. Mullin, author of Selected Works of the Dalai Lama and Death and DyingThe reader can really better understand the mental and physical phenomena encountered when progressing through meditation. If anyone ever wondered what changes may occur during intense study of meditation, this book helps to provide answers. -- Master Tsung Hwa Jou, author of The Dao of Taijiquan and The Tao of MeditationThis wonderful book has been very influential in my own practice and I was elated to find that Shifu Hwang and Cheney Crow have completed such a clear translation. Tranquil Sitting provides inspiration for all those who want to practice meditation, but may feel that their life contradicts or obstructs that practice. Yin Shi Zi is deservedly considered one of China's most celebrated meditation practitioners. -- Stuart Alve Olson, author of Cultivating the Ch'i[Yin Shi Zi's book] is widely considered to be a modern classic Qigong self-healing book. There are countless individuals who have recovered from all manner of illness and disease by studying and practicing methods from his book'. -- From the foreword by Master Zhongxian Wu, lineage holder of four schools of qigong and martial arts, and author of Vital Breath of the Dao, Seeking the Spirit of the Book of Change, Chinese Shamanic Cosmic Orbit Qigong, and Fire Dragon Meridian QigongTable of ContentsForeword by Master Zhongxian Wu. Foreword by Glenn H. Mullin. About the Translation. Translator's Introduction. A Taoist Journal: On the Theory, Practice, and Benefits of Meditation by Yin Shi Zi. Part I. Preface. 1. The Theory of Tranquil Sitting. 2. The Physiological Features of Meditation. 3. How to Meditate. 4. The Principle of Chih Kuan. 5. The Six Mystical Steps. 6. The Relationship Between Meditation Theory and Practice. Part II. 7. My Experience. 8. My Study and Practice of Tibetan Tantra and Mahamudra. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe art of connecting with, feeling and adjusting the energy body using the consciousness is a key aspect of Nei Gong and Qi Gong. It sits somewhere between Qi Gong, meditation and the lesser-known art of Shen Gong, and although it is known in China it has never before been written about in an accessible way in the West. Damo Mitchell provides step-by-step instructions on how to experience the various elements which make up the energy body, explaining how to identify and feel these, and how to diagnose imbalances and restore harmony. He describes the nature of the five elements, the meridians and the meridian points, inviting the reader to experience them through guided internal exercises using the body, breath and mind. Instructional drawings and photographs are included throughout the book. Connecting the fundamentals of Chinese medicine with the lesser-known spiritual and esoteric aspects of practice, this book will be of great interest to intermediate and advanced practitioners of Qi Gong, Nei Gong, Taijiquan and Chinese medicine.Trade ReviewThis book should be studied by students and practitioners of Chinese internal martial arts, Chinese medicine, and all others using Meridians in their practices... This is one of the few books that gives a Qigong practice which allows you to feel or sense your own Meridians and Acupoints. It also teaches you how to inject Qi into Acupoints. -- Marty Eisen, PhD, Yang Sheng MagazineThis new work is a treasure trove of information about Chinese medicine and Nei Gong... I found this a fascinating book and would highly recommend it to any qigong practitioner or Chinese medicine practitioner/student. -- qigong.co.ukDamo's explanations and insights are indispensable. Whether you are just beginning your journey of personal development with an interest inphilosophical and spiritual thought, or even if you are a fully qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine, Heavenly Streams will certainly enrichyour practice. -- from the foreword by Rob Aspell, Practitioner of Chinese Medicine and the Daoist ArtsLike all the ancient Daoist traditions, the art of classical Chinese medicine is one rooted in experiential learning. In Heavenly Streams, Damo Mitchell shares an inner method to access our meridians and points. It is a valuable guidebook for those interested in practicing with the subtle energies of their own bodies. -- Master Zhongxian Wu, a lifelong Daoist practitioner, is the author of numerous books on Daoist traditions, including Vital Breath of the Dao and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches - TianGan DiZhiHeavenly Streams not only provides a truly comprehensive introduction to Nei Gong and Chinese medicine from the point of view of Daoism but offers the reader an effective way to understand this information within themselves. -- Nick Lowe, practitioner of Chinese Medicine and Daoist Qigong InstructorDelivered with an informal familiarity that has already sparked so many imaginations at Damo's course lectures across Europe and the United States, Heavenly Streams peels away Daoism's persistently obscure mystical dogma to put today's practitioners in touch with internal arts and the energetic realm. -- Steve Galloway, Taiji Teacher and Owner of the Taiji Online websiteTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Foreword by Rob Aspell. Preface. Introduction to the Heavenly Streams. 1. The Dao of Understanding. 2. The Five Lights. 3. Heavenly Streams. 4. The Movements of Heaven. 5. Entering the Stream. 6. Further Exploration. 7. The Earthly Fruit. 8. Disruption of Heaven and Earth. 9. The Celestial Pillar. 10. Building a Picture. 11. Meridian Points. 12. Conclusion and Going Further. Glossary of Pinyin Terms. Recommended Reading. About the Author. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis exceptional translation of the Tao Tê Ching by Chinese scholar Chung-yuan Chang reveals the true wisdom and beauty of this ancient Chinese text. Traditionally attributed to Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu, the Tao Tê Ching remains relevant worldwide today, more than two thousand years after it was written. This translation of the Taoist text, with Chang's accompanying commentaries, illuminates the real meaning of the Tao Tê Ching and makes this Chinese classic both accessible and relevant to modern ways of thinking, without any reduction of the complex thought within its pages. Chang Chung-yuan is unique in his approach and his introduction and commentaries place the Taoist text in the context of Western metaphysics, making reference to Heidegger, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Jung, Plato, Kant and Nietzsche, as well as capturing the context within which Taoism came to the West. Tao: A New Way of Thinking will be fascinating to anyone with an interest in Taoism and will be particularly appealing to those interested in comparative philosophy.Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Meaning of Tao and Its Reflection in Western Thought. Note on the Text. Translation and Commentaries of the Tao Tê Ching. Bibliography of Works in English. Chronological Bibliography of Works in Chinese.

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Book SynopsisEssential reading for serious students of Chinese practical arts, including medicine, martial arts and FengShui, Master Zhongxian Wu and Dr Karin Taylor Wu provide a detailed explanation of the 22 GanZhi symbols in this book, outlining the characteristics of each, and their interactions and relationships. TianGan (Heavenly Stems) and DiZhi (Earthly Branches), commonly abbreviated to GanZhi, originated in the ancient Chinese cosmological sciences and is a complex calendrical system which was created to codify the patterns of life and of the universe itself. The ten symbols of Gan express the Yin or Yang perspective of Five Elements and embody the Way of Heaven. The 12 symbols of Zhi, made manifest in the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, hold the root of each Element and embrace the Way of Earth. Poetic summaries from the Song dynasty give the reader a deep understanding of the nature of each Stem and their relationship to each other. Offering an unprecedented insight into the subtleties and far-reaching influence of this ancient system, this book will be invaluable for the study or practice of Chinese medicine, FengShui, Chinese astrology, traditional Chinese cosmology, Qigong, Taiji, and other inner cultivation practices. A set of study cards (9781848191501), also published by Singing Dragon, are available to accompany this book.Trade ReviewZhongxian Wu and Karin Taylor Wu have accomplished the feat of producing a readable account of Gan-Zhi, one of the most complex subjects among the gnostic sciences of ancient China: the detailed calculation of how, exactly, the Above and the Below interweave and create qualitative differences in our space-time environment. A must read for every serious student of classical Chinese medicine and ancient cosmology. -- Heiner Fruehauf, PhD, Founding Professor, School of Classical Chinese Medicine, National College of Natural MedicineThe subject of Stems and Branches is a real challenge for everyone who studies or works in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine. This wonderful book, based on authentic classical texts, is of great importance for those who seek deeper understanding for the sake of the health and peace of their patients and themselves. I am grateful to Master Wu and Dr. Karin Taylor Wu for their inspiration and for opening gateways into the hidden knowledge of the fundamentals of Chinese Medicine. -- Joan Duveen M.Ac., practitioner and teacher of acupuncture according to the heavenly stems and earthly branchesI hope this book, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches-TianGan DiZhi: The Heart of Chinese Wisdom Traditions, will help you master the secrets of the GanZhi and unravel the truth of life and of the universe itself. -- from the foreword by Professor Fei BingXun, president of ZhongGou YiXueYuan (Chinese Yijing College) and professor of XiBei DaXue (Northwest University)Master Wu and Dr. Taylor Wu's outstanding new book introduces the basic principles, key applications, imagery, poetry and philosophy of the ancient science of TianGan DiZhi. The study of 'Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches' is an important gateway opening to a deeper understanding of applied Chinese Philosophy, and especially the inner aspects of Traditional Medicine, Geomancy, Pugilism, Music Theory and Taoist Internal Alchemy. Written with a distinctive flair for Chinese scholarship, this book cuts deep into the heart of the matter. If you strive to achieve a better understanding of your Chinese art, this book will certainly guide you towards the correct path. -- Ioannis Solos, Chinese Medicine practitioner, researcher and author, Beijing, ChinaThis is an excellent portrayal of the philosophy of the Stems and Branches - TianGan DiZhi! It brings a fuller context to the subject for experienced practitioners by investigating each of the 22 characters of the GanZhi through calligraphy, poems from various sources in Chinese literature and cultural artefacts. It also introduces those new to this area of Chinese culture and medicine to exciting concepts that will help to take clinical practice to another dimension. -- Sam Patel, Joint Principal, The International College of Oriental MedicineThis book offers an unprecedented contribution to Daoism, the Yijing, traditional medicine, internal alchemy and Qigong practice to the English speaking world. My wish is for this offering to bring great benefits to people throughout the world. May it flourish and prosper! -- Grandmaster Ren FaRong, former abbot of LouGuanTai, President of ZhongGuoDaoJiaoXieHui (Chinese Daoist Association)This beautiful and timely book re-establishes Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches as a central tenet of Chinese philosophy and an intimate part of Chinese medicine, not an optional extra. Liberally illustrated with diagrams and backed by classical quotations, quietly authoritative writers Zhongxian Wu and Karin Taylor Wu share their deep knowledge to produce a kaleidoscopic presentation, bridging the ancient Chinese traditions of medicine, yin yang five phase theory, Yijing studies, cosmology, music and internal alchemy. From star pattern etymology for Chinese characters to practical seasonal advice, from discussion of the application of hidden stems to the complexities of alchemical transformation, this book serves as an essential primer that will be of use to beginner and advanced practitioner alike in the study of the pulsing rhythms of unfolding time. -- Peter Firebrace, Past Principal of the International College of Oriental Medicine, co-founder of Monkey Press, acupuncturist, author and teacherFrom, to, and for the Great Oneness comes a soul size gift in the form of a book - Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. -- Dianne M. Connelly, Ph.D., M.Ac. (UK), co-founder of Tai Sophia Institute (now Maryland University of Integrative Health), author, and Chinese medicine practitionerTable of ContentsForeword by Fei BingXun. Preface. Author Notes. 1. TongTianShenShu. 1.1. The Way of Heaven and Earth. 1.2. The Origin of GanZhi. 1.3. The Magic Tree. 1.4. Celestial Connection of Ganzhi. 1.5. GanZhi YinYang. 1.6. GanZhi WuXing. 1.7. QiYun – The Rhythm of Qi. 2. TianGan XiangShu. 2.1. Jia. 2.2. Yi. 2.3. Bing. 2.4. Ding. 2.5. Wu. 2.6. Ji. 2.7. Geng. 2.8. Xin. 2.9. Ren. 2.10. Gui. 3. DiZhi XiangShu. 3.1. Zi. 3.2. Chou. 3.3. Yin. 3.4. Mao. 3.5. Chen. 3.6. Si. 3.7. Wu. 3.8. Wei. 3.9. Shen. 3.10. You. 3.11. Xu. 3.12. Hai. 4. GanZhi HeHua. 4.1. WuXingXiangSheng – Birth Principle. 4.2. WuXingXiangKe – Control Principle. 4.3. WuShiWuXingHuaTu – Wu Family Five Elements Transformation Diagram. 4.4. TianGanHeHua – Heavenly Stems Transformation Principle. 4.5. WuYun – Five Cosmological Energies. 4.6 DiZhiLiuHe – Earthly Branches Six Unions Principle. 4.7. DiZhiSanHui – Earthly Branches Tri-gathering Principle. 4.8. DiZhiSanHe – Earthly Branches Tri-combination Principle (Triangle Relationship). 4.9. DiZhiLiuChong – Earthly Branches Six-Repellings Principle. 4.10. LiuQi – Six Cosmological Qi. 4.11. DiZhiLiuHai – Earthly Branches Six-Harmings Principle. 4.12. LiuShiHuaJia – Sixty Stem Branch Combinations. 5. GanZhi JingShen. 5.1. JiaMu. 5.2. YiMu. 5.3. BingHuo. 5.4. DingHuo. 5.5. WuTu. 5.6. JiTu. 5.7. GengJin. 5.8. XinJin. 5.9. RenShui. 5.10. GuiShui. Afterword. Appendices. Dynasties of China. Symbolic Meanings of the Heavenly Stems Reference Table. Symbolic Meaning of the Earthly Branches Reference Table. TianGan DiZhi Internal Alchemy Practice Reference Table.

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Book SynopsisMaster Cherng's translation of Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting, an 8th century classic text on meditation by Si Ma Cheng Zhen, is accompanied by his extensive explanatory commentary, unique in its ability to make this complex text accessible to the Western reader.In the introduction to the text, Master Cherng explains how to practice the Purification of the Heart method of meditation and photographs clearly illustrate the correct postures. He deciphers the Chinese metaphors and abstract language of Si Ma Cheng Zhen to give a clear explanation of the processes involved and the resulting changes to mind, spirit and body. His translation and explanatory commentary present the classic text in a way that can be easily understood and applied, allowing Western students of Daoism, and anyone with an interest in meditation, direct access to the meaning of this text in practice.Trade ReviewIn Daoist Meditation, Master Wu Jyh Cherng guides us through the Seven Steps of Obtaining the Dao as taught by Master SiMa ChengZhen (647–735 CE), renowned ancestral master of the Daoist TianTai ShangQing tradition. Master SiMa's pivotal work, ZuoWangLun, is one of the most important Daoist internal alchemy classics ever written. It is our great fortune that Master Wu Jyh Cherng's translation and insightful commentary of this historical work - the one that marked the shift away from external alchemy and towards internal alchemical processes – has brought this practice back to life. Daoist Meditation is an essential addition to the library of any serious student of authentic Daoist internal cultivation practices. -- Master Zhongxian Wu, lifelong Daoist practitioner, lineage holder of four schools of qigong and martial arts, and author of 12 books on Chinese wisdom traditionsIt has been a true pleasure to read this book on the arts of 'sitting and forgetting' and 'emptying the heart'. Though not an easy practice, perseverance and diligence can help a person to enrich every aspect of their life. Any assistance whilst walking this path is always welcome and I am sure that the guidance in Daoist Meditation will help many in their training. -- Damo Mitchell, author of Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change and Heavenly Streams: Meridian Theory in Nei GongTable of ContentsPreface by Eva Wong. Foreword. Part 1. Xîn Zhâi Fa, The Purification of the Heart Method. 1. Introduction. 2. Fundamentals of the Method. 3. Theoretical Considerations. 4. Practicing Meditation. 5. Illustrations. Part 2. Zuò Wàng Lùn, Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting, with Comments by Wu Jyh Cherng. About the Author. Preface. 1. Trust and Respect. 2. Breaking the Ties. 3. Gathering the Mind. 4. Simplifying the Activities. 5. Authentic Contemplation. 6. Peaceful Fixation. 7. Possessing the Path. Afterword. Glossary.

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Book SynopsisDiscussion of Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun) and contemporary texts of ancient China form the bedrock of modern Chinese medicine practice, yet these classic texts contain many concepts that are either hard to understand or confusing. Based on over thirty years' medical practice, and study of the texts, this book explains the concepts involved so that the clinical applications of the ancient texts can be better understood and put into practice. The author looks at the larger context of ancient Chinese culture and philosophy in terms of theoretical knowledge, scholarly approach, and mindset in order to explain the basis for the medical texts. He also discusses the work of later Chinese medical scholars in elucidating the texts. He then goes on to look at more specific issues, such as the six conformations, zang-fu organ theory, the theory of qi and blood, the theory of qi transformation, and how these are understood in the ancient texts. He also discusses shao yang and tai yang theory; the element of time, and its place in understanding six conformations diseases.This remarkable work of scholarship will clarify many questions about the interpretation of the ancient texts for modern use, and will find a place on the bookshelf of every practitioner of Chinese medicine, as well as on those of scholars of Chinese medicine.Trade ReviewLiu has excavated important historical, sociological and lineal knowledge about the development of Shang Han Lun and other important ancient texts. A scholarly and critical analysis rises from the pages in a way which is inspiring... The depth of insight provided here will enhance the skills of any serious practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine, and especially those who follow the great saint of medicine, Zhang Zhong-Jing. -- William Morris, PhD, Co-author of Li Shi-zhen Pulse Studies: An Illustrated GuideTo hold an informed position... requires that we have a proper overview of the complexities of scholarly literature over the past thousand years, the insiders understanding of Shanghan theory that professor Guohui Liu provides here. So, by explicating the story for us, and presenting his personal scholarly interpretation, he allows us to more properly understand the issues. Liu is our forester offering guidance through the dense Shanghan literature forest. -- from the foreword by Charles Buck, practitioner and teacher in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, and Chair, British Acupuncture CouncilTable of ContentsForeword. Preface. 1. Concept of Shang Han. 2. Brief Introduction for Zhang Ji and His Works. 3. Explore Culture Background for Writing Discussion of Cold Damage. 4. School of Cold Damage and School of Studying Discussion of Cold Damage. 5. Six Conformations, Six Conformations Diseases and Six Conformations Differentiation. 6. The Theory of Qi Transformation in Six Conformations in Discussion of Cold Damage. 7. Half Exterior and Half Interior, Harmony and Shao Yang. 8. The Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi, Tai Yang Qi and Their Treatments. 9. The Exploration of the Resolving Time for Diseases in Six Conformations. Bibliography. Appendix 1. Chinese Dynasties and Historical Periods. Appendix 2. Table of Authors. Index.

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Book SynopsisChinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong is a uniquely classical practice designed to bolster our health, activate our inner life power, and deepen our spiritual connection to universal energy. This book illustrates the philosophy and cultivating method of the Tiger Qigong form and unlocks the mysterious internal alchemy principle of LaoHu (Shamanic Tiger) Gong. By delving further into Xiang (Daoist symbolism) of Tiger, practitioners will receive greater benefits from studying this book and their own Tiger Qigong practice. Master Wu also shares how each movement in the Tiger Qigong practice relates to the eight extraordinary meridians, twelve organ meridians and twenty four JieQi (seasons). This knowledge will help seasoned practitioners experience new dimensions of their cultivation and sharpen their healing tools.Trade ReviewThis highly accessible text not only provides coherent instructions in the practice of tiger qi gong, it also expounds concepts that are fundamental to qi gong and the philosophy that it is rooted in. The book is therefore relevant not only for practitioners of qi gong, but also acupuncturists, fengshui specialists and anyone with an interest in ancient Chinese wisdom. -- Nigel Ching, author of “The Fundamentals of Acupuncture” and The Art and Practice of Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine”In this revised edition of the practice section in his first book, Vital Breath of the Tao: Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong, Master Wu presents an expanded view and practical approach to an esoteric system of energy work practiced in China for thousands of years to cultivate health, longevity, and spiritual awareness, a system Master Wu has adapted to fit the needs of contemporary readers looking for effective ways to deal with the complex challenges to human health in the world today.Since the publication of his first, groundbreaking book twelve years ago, Wu Zhongxian has become an important voice for the Tao in the western world, renowned for the clarity and practicality of his approach to teaching western students the ancient Taoist art and science of energy work, one of China's greatest gifts to the world. His writing clearly conveys the essence of the ancient precepts handed down to him from the masters of age-old lineages of which he is a direct descendant. His books not only teach the right way to practice the forms, they also show the way to integrate the teachings with daily life in the modern world.There is nothing mysterious about the Tao. It's as simple and natural as breathing. But it takes a true master to teach a world that's lost its Way--even the right way to breathe--how to get back on track again. This is a guidebook that shows you the way. -- Daniel Reid, bestselling author and leading expert on Eastern philsophy/holistic medicineTable of ContentsDedication; Acknowledgements; HuZhou ?? - Tiger Incantation; Introduction ; 1. Men ?- the Entrance; 2. Yao ? - The Greatest Medicine; 3. Gen ? - The Root; 4. Wu ? - Inner Dancing and Drumming; 5. Fa ? - The Way of Shamanic Tiger Qigong; A. Spring Tiger; B. Summer Tiger; C. Autumn Tiger; D. Winter Tiger; Afterword

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Book SynopsisThe explosion of spiritual teachings in recent times has offered countless paths to clairvoyant and metaphysical states of consciousness. This spiritual renaissance, including a renewed interest in Taoism, can be seen as a reflection of the modern individual's need to become aware of spiritual modes of perception and knowledge. However, many of these teachings lead to an ancient form of hazy, indistinct clairvoyance, argues Meyer, in direct opposition to clear, rational but spiritualised thought. Between Goethe's Taoism and Capra's Tao of Physics Meyer guides the reader to the most modern form of Taoism inherent in Rudolf Steiner's work, particularly his Philosophy of Spiritual Activity. Meyer traces the evolution of human consciousness, from the dreamy clairvoyance of Atlantis to the modern ability for clear abstract thought, and through to humanity's newly unfolding clairvoyant faculties.Trade Review'My appreciation increased steadily as I read on...' - Owen Barfield 'The Tao ... is something which was considered as a distant goal of the world and of humanity, the highest element which man carried as a germ within him, which would one day develop into a fully opened blossom from the innermost depths of human nature...' - Rudolf Steiner

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Book SynopsisThe Daily Tao is an invitation to choose peace over distraction, flexibility over fear, and wisdom over turmoil. Written in 400 BCE by the Chinese sage Laozi, the Tao Te Ching is a potent source of wisdom that speaks to spiritual seekers across faith traditions and secular lines. Inside the Daily Tao, you''ll find a reading from the Tao Te Ching for every day of the year, along with a reflection to lead you to deeper understanding, and an intention for the day. Whether you begin your morning with the Tao or snatch a spare moment of calm in the hurry of the day, The Daily Tao will create a practice of reflection that will echo through your life. The word Tao literally translates to the way and the Daily Tao is the perfect companion on that journey, step by step and day by day. Author William Martin''s extensive work on the Tao has been embraced by countless readers and praised by the likes of Oprah and Alice Walker. Drawing on work first shared in his beloved book A Path and a Practice, this original translation of the Tao maintains the lyrical poeticism of the text while making its wisdom accessible for all. The Daily Tao is part of The Day by Day series, a collection of books designed to help readers infuse the rhythms of their lives with meaning and intention. Our lives are built by small choices, tiny moments, and quiet thoughts-The Day by Day series is a gentle way to choose those moments and begin to build a life you love.

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Book SynopsisThe Taoist spirit comes to life, made vibrant and contemporary through the Chinese ideograms whose images and stories speak of living in harmony with the Tao. Everyday Tao revives an ancient approach to meditation and reflection by using these stories as sources of insight for spiritual growth.Tao is a person running along a pathA companion volume to the bestselling 365 Tao, Everyday Tao offers clear, specific directions on bringing the Taoist spirit into our work, our relationships, and other aspects of our everyday lives. Each ideogram provides the starting point for a Taoist lesson. The narrative that follows shows how we can achieve an intimate relationship with nature, others, and our natural selves.

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Book SynopsisDespite its enduring popularity both in China and worldwide, the Yijing is often poorly understood. As a divinatory text, it has a devoted following in the western hemisphere, even as it represents a foundational text of both Confucianism and Daoism. A fascination with the Yijing has been evident among western scholars since the Enlightenment, as well as in notable modern literary and artistic figures. This book provides an introduction for the general reader to this classic sacred text. Joseph A. Adler explains its multi-layered structure, its origins, its history of interpretation from the early first millennium BCE up to the present day, its function of divination, its significance in the history of Chinese thought, and its modern transformations. He explores why the Yijing has been considered the most profound expression of traditional Chinese thought and what meaning it can have for contemporary readers.Trade ReviewAn invaluable book for college classes related to Chinese studies, as well as comparative religion, anthropology, philosophy, and literature. Students of allied arts such as Chinese medicine and martial arts will appreciate Adler's treating theory and practice as being equally important; the Yijing is not just an academic pursuit. * Contemplating the I Ching *This is the best summary in any Western language of the origins, structure, evolution, cultural significance, and transnational travels of the Yijing (Scripture of Change), one of the most important texts in all of Chinese history. * Richard J. Smith, Rice University *Taking a culturally comparative perspective, Adler does a superb job of demonstrating how "The Yijing represents the 'essence' of Chinese culture". * Choice *Table of Contents1. What is the Yijing? 2. Layers of Change 3. Yijing Divination 4. The Early History of Yijing Interpretation 5. Early Modern Views of the Yi 6. The Yijing in Modern China and the West 7. Why the Yijing? Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThe Dao De Jingis one of the richest, most suggestive, and most popular works of philosophy and literature. Composed in China between the sixth and fourth centuries B.C., its enigmatic verses have inspired artists, philosophers, poets, religious thinkers, and general readers past and present. This new translation captures the beauty and nuance of the original work. In addition, the extensive and accessible commentary by Moss Roberts sheds light on the work's historical and philosophical contexts and shows how the Dao De Jing addresses topics of relevance to our own times, such as politics, statecraft, cosmology, aesthetics, and ethics. Trade Review"Roberts should be commended for paying close attention to the history of the text and the names, titles, and terms that are often used too carelessly." * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsIntroduction Dao De Jing Afterword Notes Selected Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis book uncovers the history of imperial ordinations through a detailed examination of the Ordination Scroll of Empress Zhang (1493), an important Ming Dynasty Daoist artifact—its transcriptions and meticulously-painted images of celestial beings, as well as the influences of the Daoist leaders known as the Zhengyi Heavenly Masters.

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Book SynopsisTHE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIVING IN A FLOW What if you could live your life in flow? Being in flow is when you are ‘in the zone’, ‘on your game’, or even ‘on fire’. This is both a mental state and a physical one. You have a feeling of complete focus, full involvement and deep enjoyment in whatever you are doing. You feel the activity takes no energy from you – indeed you feel that it is giving you energy. You barely notice the passage of time. You feel calm but almost ecstatic. Most of us have glimpsed being in this state. But what if you could be in your zone not just for a moment of flow, nor merely for a day, but always and forever? Max Landsberg, best-selling author whose previous titles have sold more than a million copies, reveals how we can live in a state of flow all the time. He shows how to achieve this, based on the enduring wisdom of Daoist principles and practice.

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Book SynopsisIn Dreaming and Self-Cultivation in China, 300 BCE–800 CE, Robert Ford Campany examines how dreaming was addressed in texts produced and circulated by practitioners of Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and other self-cultivational disciplines. He uncovers paradigms by which dreams are viewed and shows how they underlay diverse religious texts.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A]n ideal introduction . . . Tsai's layout is elegant."---Chris Gavaler, PopMatters"The English translation of C. C. Tsai’s comic version of the Zhuangzi is such a special thing. . . . [this comic version] with the visual dimension that brings the reader directly into the world of the ancients, is both for the sinologist and for the lay reader alike, [is] a very enjoyable book – and that is what is should be."---Bart Dessein, Journal of the European Association for Chinese Studies

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Book SynopsisThe Tao of S is an engaging study of American racialization of Chinese and Asians, Asian American writing, and contemporary Chinese cultural production, stretching from the nineteenth century to the present. Sheng-mei Ma examines the work of nineteenth-century "Sinophobic" American writers, such as Bret Harte, Jack London, and Frank Norris, and twentieth-century "Sinophiliac" authors, such as John Steinbeck and Philip K. Dick, as well as the movies Crazy Rich Asians and Disney's Mulan and a host of contemporary Chinese authors, to illuminate how cultural stereotypes have swung from fearmongering to an overcompensating exultation of everything Asian. Within this framework Ma employs the Taoist principle of yin and yang to illuminate how roles of the once-dominant American hegemony—the yang—and the once-declining Asian civilization—the yin—are now, in the twenty-first century, turned upside down as China rises to write its side of the story, particularly through the soft power of television and media streamed worldwide.

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Book SynopsisThis volume first explores the transformation of Chinese Daoism in late imperial period through the writings of prominent literati scholars of the period. In such a cultural context it then launches an in-depth investigation into the Daoist dimensions of the Chinese narrative masterpiece, The Story of the Stone: the inscriptions of Quanzhen Daoism in the infrastructure of its religious framework, the ideological ramifications of the Daoist concepts of chaos, purity, and the natural, as well as the Daoist images of the gourd, fish, and bird. The author demonstrates in an insightful manner the central position of Daoist philosophy both in the ideological structure of the Stone and the literati culture that spawns it.

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Book SynopsisThe Western concept of massage primarily concerns muscle manipulation. In the practice of Chi Massage, internal energy, or Chi, is manipulated to strengthen and rejuvenate the sense organs--eyes, ears, nose, tongue, teeth, and skin--and the internal organs. The Taoist techniques in this practice are more than 5,000 years old and, until very recently, were closely guarded secrets passed down from master to student with each master often knowing only a small part of the complete method. In Chi Self-MassageMaster Mantak Chia pieces together the entire system of Chi Massage into a logical routine, revealing the methods used by Taoist masters to maintain their youthfulness. He explains the energetic theory behind Chi Massage and how negative emotions affect the organs and nervous system. By practicing the exercises outlined and following the daily routine that requires only 5 to 10 minutes to complete, readers can strengthen their senses--most notably vision, hearing, and taste--detoxify their internal organs and glands, help control negative emotions, relieve stress and constipation, and improve their complexion, teeth and gums, and overall stamina.Trade Review"Written with clarity and purpose, these pages offer readers a solid introduction to the principles of chi self-massage. . . . [Chia's] logical progression of ideas allows readers to quickly grasp this new information and to build on it as the pages turn. . . . For such a short book, the overall explanation of this system is explicit, providing a most impressive view of these techniques. Chi Self-Massage presents a wealth of information that can positively impact the health of readers." * Curled up with a Good Book, Aug 2006 *"Master Mantak Chia pieces this system into a logical routine any can duplicate, using methods used by the masters to explore the theory and purposes behind Chi Self-Massage. Spirituality blends with practical application in an easily-followed guide." * Diane C. Donovan, California Bookwatch, Oct 2006 *"Spirituality blends with practical application in an easily-followed guide." * The Midwest Book Review, Oct 2006 *"If you have any recurring pain in your day-to-day life I recommend getting this book, I've found it very helpful." * Amanda Bugeaud, Timeless Spirit Magazine, July 2007 *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPutting Chi Self-Massage Into PracticeIntroduction: The Rejuvenating Power of Chi Self-Massage 1 Preparing for Chi Self-Massage Raising the Chi: Perineum Power 2 Healing Hands The Palms and the Pericardium Point Correspondence Points on the Hands Hand Massage 3 Head, Neck, and Shoulders Skull Massage Face Massage Eye Massage Eyeball Exercise Staring Practice Nose Massage Ear Massage Eardrum Exercises Mouth Massage Gums, Tongue, and Teeth Massage and Exercises Neck Massage 4 Detoxifying Organs and Glands Massage of the Thymus Gland Slapping Massage of the Internal Organs Massaging the Small and Large Intestines Kidney Massage Sacrum Massage5 Relieving Constipation: A Major Cause of Illness Abdominal Massage: Wonder of Healing6 Knees and Feet Knee Massage Massage for the Feet, Roots of the Body 7 The Daily Practice of Taoist Rejuvenation Cleaning the Nine Openings Using the Mirror Clean Water: Whole System Cleanser Tao Rejuvenation throughout the Day Ending the Day “Oh, No! Not another Obligation!”Appendix: Energetic Preparations for Tai Chi Chi Kung Inner Smile Microscopic Orbit MeditationAbout the Author The Universal Tao System and Training Center The Universal Tao System The Universal Tao Training CenterIndex

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Book SynopsisIn a widely praised translation, Stephen Mitchell provides an accessible understanding of a classic guide for living, now in an attractive, pocket-size trim designed to fit in a purse, briefcase, backpack, or pocket. "The English, as 'fluid as meling ice, ' is a joy to read throughout".--New Republic.

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Book SynopsisRevolutionizing received opinion of Taoism's origins in light of historic new discoveries, Harold D. Roth has uncovered China's oldest mystical text-the original expression of Taoist philosophy-and presents it here with a complete translation and commentary.Trade ReviewIn his rigorous scholarship of textual archaeology and mystical hermeneutics, Harold Roth has given us invaluable insights, the analytical tools and a perspective to examine the religious traditions of not only China, but of the rest of the world as well. -- Franklin J. Woo China Review International Searching for the origins of things remains a perennial favorite of Western scholars. For millennia, this quest has been at the core of innumerable scholarly projects... Harold Roth'sOriginal Tao: Inward Training and the Foundations of Taoist Mysticism continues this time-honored investigation, applying it to Taoist mystical writings, in a search for what Roth calls 'the original tao.' -- John A. Tucker Philosophy East & West Here is a work that does justice to the beauty of this long poem, for so long neglected to the virtually exclusive benefit of Zhuangzi and Laozi... The reader will find in the quality of the textual edition, in the numerous translation discoveries, and in the willingness to provide maximum coherence to this text, a profound and original effort. -- Romain Graziani T'oung Pao An estimable achievement by one of the foremost scholars of early Taoism in North America... powerful and original. -- Paul Rakita Goldin Sino-Platonic PapersTable of ContentsIntroduction A Textual Revolution "Textual Archaeology" A "Mystical Hermeneutic" The Significance of Inward Training Beyond "Lao-Chuang" Chapter 1: The Text of Inward Training The Literary Genre of Inward Training The Nature and Filiation of the Kuan Tzu Collection The Formation of the Kuan Tzu Collection The Dating and Authorship of Inward Training A Confucian Inward Training? Chapter 2: A Critical Edition and Translation of Inward Training The Critical Edition of Inward Training Technical Terminology Translation of Inward Training Chapter 3: The Teachings of Inward Training A Thematic Overview of Inward Training The Philosophical Foundations of Inward Training Cosmology: Vital Essence and the Way Psychological Dimensions: Tranquility Inner Power, and the Numinous Mind The Practice of Inner Cultivation in Inward Training The Fourfold Aligning The Cultivated Mind The One The Holistic Benefits of Inner Cultivation Chapter 4: Inward Training in the Context of Early Taoist Mysticism What Is Mysticism? The Mysticism of Inward Training Mystical Practice in Inward Training Mystical Experience in Inward Training Mystical Philosophy in Inward Training Inward Training and the Lao Tzu Inward Training and the Chuang Tzu The Stages of Meditation in Inner Cultivation Practice Inner Cultivation and Physical Hygiene Chapter 5: Inward Training in the Context of Early Taoism Towards a Definition of Early Taoism The Six Schools of Ssu-ma T'an The "Techniques of the Way" Inward Training and the Lao Tzu Inward Training and the "Lore of the Way" A New Approach to the Evolution of Early Taoism Inward Training and Early Taoism Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisImmortal Sisters presents life stories and teachings of distinguished female Taoist adepts who lived from the third to twelfth centuries. Among them is the poet and mystic Sun Bu-er, who passed into folklore as one of the famous Seven Immortals and appears as a character in countless popular novels of China. These accomplished women, renowned in their own day and in history, represent a uniquely female heritage of spiritual mastery. Through poems, stories, teachings, and commentaries, Immortal Sisters sheds light on the spiritual methods taught and practiced by these women and illustrates the importance of the feminine in Taoism.

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Book SynopsisIn this vivid, contemporary translation, Victor Mair captures the quintessential life and spirit of Chuang Tzu while remaining faithful to the original text.

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Book SynopsisThe teaching and practices of the ancient Daoist tradition of Da Xuan have been kept secret for generations. In this ground-breaking book, Serge Augier, the current inheritor of the Da Xuan system, presents this unique approach to Daoism and reveals the basic principles and theory behind the practice of Da Xuan. Weaving a masterful presentation of both astonishing depth and refreshing simplicity, Serge Augier covers the Daoist practices for developing mind, emotions and internal energy and provides specific exercises for cultivating and transforming the Jing (body energy), Qi (life force) and Shen (mind or spirit) on the path to enlightenment. He explains theory and practice in clear, easy-to-understand terms and explores the deeper reaches of Daoist internal alchemy in a way that gives access to practitioners of all levels to the necessary knowledge.Trade ReviewThe study of the human mind became a science 200 years ago in the Occident and most of the theories contradict each other. Psychology is looking for unifying models, but it is still in progress and rarely fits with clinical reality. 4000 years ago, the Daxuan system developed a clear view of the mind and its functions, with a clinical and practical reality. This book is about this incredible system. -- Cyril Joannes, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and teacher at Paris University, Paris XIIIWith my grasp of the French language being rather poor I was very happy to see that Singing Dragon had published Serge Augier's first book on the Da Xuan tradition in English. It is a real skill to be able to present ancient teachings in a modern way without losing their essence; Serge Augier more than accomplishes this and gifts the world with a great introduction to a complete and authentic tradition. -- Damo Mitchell, author of The Four Dragons: Clearing the Meridians and Awakening the Spine in Nei Gong, Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change and Heavenly Streams: Meridian Theory in Nei GongTable of ContentsPart 1. Basic Principles and Theory. Introduction. The Mountain Practice and the Fine Arts. 1. Fundamental Principles. Part 2. Introduction to Shen Gong (Mind Training). 2. Important Principles. 3. Exercises. 4. Achieving Happiness by Calming the Mind. 5. Achieving Happiness by Occupying the Mind. 6. Achieving Happiness by Focusing the Mind. Part 3. Introduction to Nei Dan (Internal Alchemy). 7. Lacking Energy and Building Energy. 8. Breathing Techniques and Exercises. Part 4. Introduction to Xin Yi Dao Yin Fa (Cultivating Emotional Energy). 9. What Can Be Said Without a Teacher. Part 5. Deepening Our Practice (Revealing the Complete Map of Da Xuan Daoism). 10. The Eighteen Methods Leading to the Gates of Madness. 11. The Nine Words of Guidance. Part 6. Deep Nei Dan Practice. 12. The Way of Nei Dan. Part 7. Wai Gong (Theory and Exercises for Training the Body). 13. How to Train the Qualities Developed through Physical Training. Part 8. Some Final Words. Conclusion. Questions and Answers. Case Studies.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the Daoist encounter with modernity through the activities of Chen Yingning (1880–1969), a famous lay Daoist master, and his group in early twentieth-century Shanghai. In contrast to the usual narrative of Daoist decay, this study tells a story of Daoist resilience, reinvigoration, and revival.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents an innovative reading of Daoist philosophy that highlights the critical and therapeutic functions of satire and humor. Moeller and D’Ambrosio show how the Zhuangzi expounds the Daoist art of “genuine pretending”: the paradoxical skill of enacting social roles without submitting to them or letting them define one’s identity.Trade Review[The book's] scholarship is first rate and the contribution original and timely. The authors offer genuinely illuminating and original readings of many of the widely discussed parts of the Zhuangzi. -- Barry Allen, McMaster University A highly insightful new reading of the Zhuangzi that is exceptionally sensitive to both philosophical and textual subtleties, highlighting the key theme of genuine pretending-the adoption of multiple roles while maintaining a form of radical flexibility that prevents full identification, thereby allowing all roles to be at once fulfilled and transcended. -- Brook Ziporyn, University of Chicago Divinity SchoolTable of ContentsForeword by Chen GuyingPrefaceIntroduction: A Joker in the Fold1. Sincerity, Authenticity, and Ancient Chinese Philosophy2. The Confucian Regime of Sincerity3. Philosophical Humor and Incongruity in the Zhuangzi4. Smooth Operators: The Arts of Genuine PretendingConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisHistory and legend are interwoven in this classic folk novel that both entertains and explores the philosophy and practices of Taoism Written by an unknown author, Seven Taoist Masters is the story of six men and one woman who overcome tremendous hardships on the journey to self-mastery. These characters and their teacher, Wang Ch''ung-yang, are all historical figures who lived in the Southern Sung (1127–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties. Wang is regarded as the greatest patriarch of the Complete Reality school, a highly purified branch of Taoism having a strong affinity with Zen Buddhism. At once an entertaining novel and a Taoist training manual, Seven Taoist Masters brings to life the essentials of Taoist philosophy and practice, both through the instructions offered by Wang—on topics such as the cultivation of mind and body, meditation techniques, and overcoming the obstacles to enlightenment—and through the experiences of its unforgettable characters.

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Book SynopsisIn the West today, Laozi -- who lived sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC -- is one of the best known ancient Chinese philosophers, owing to numerous modern renderings of his Daodejing (or Tao Te Ching). Eric Cunningham relates the substance of Laozi's classic work to modern philosophers and thinkers, in particular the work of Rudolf Steiner. Cunningham draws significant and surprising parallels and contrasts about Steiner's modern path of inner development and aspects of popular culture. In doing so, he also sheds light on the evolution of consciousness and the universality of Laozi's ancient wisdom.The Luciferic Verses offers fresh perspectives on Laozi's classic guide to life and inner development, describing its relevance and meaning for today’s cultural milieu and modern esoteric thought.

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Book SynopsisThe origins of modern Daoism can be traced to the Church of the Heavenly Master (Tianshidao), reputedly established by the formidable Zhang Daoling. In 142 CE, according to Daoist tradition, Zhang was visited by the Lord on High, who named him his vicar on Earth with the title Heavenly Master. The dispensation articulated an eschatological vision of saving initiates—the pure, those destined to become immortals— by enforcing a strict moral code. Under evolving forms, Tianshidao has remained central to Chinese society, and Daoist priests have upheld their spiritual allegiance to Zhang, their now divinized founder. This book tells the story of the longue durée evolution of the Heavenly Master leadership and institution.Later hagiography credits Zhang Daoling's great?grandson, putatively the fourth Heavenly Master, with settling the family at Longhushan (Dragon and Tiger Mountain); in time his descendants—down to the present contested sixty?fifth Heavenly Master living in Taiwan— made the extraordinary claim of being able to transmit hereditarily the function of the Heavenly Master and the power to grant salvation. Over the next twelve centuries, the Zhangs turned Longhushan into a major holy site and a household name in the Chinese world, and constructed a large administrative center for the bureaucratic management of Chinese society. They gradually built the Heavenly Master institution, which included a sacred site; a patriarchal line of successive Heavenly Masters wielding vast monopolistic powers to ordain humans and gods; a Zhang lineage that nurtured talent and accumulated wealth; and a bureaucratic apparatus comprised of temples, training centers, and a clerical hierarchy. So well?designed was this institution that it remained stable for more than a millennium, far outlasting the longest dynasties, and had ramifications for every city and village in imperial China.In this ambitious work, Vincent Goossaert traces the Heavenly Master bureaucracy from medieval times to the modern Chinese nation?state as well as its expansion. His in?depth portraits of influential Heavenly Masters are skillfully embedded in a large?scale analysis of the institution and its rules, ideology, and vision of society.Trade ReviewAlthough the Heavenly Masters' claim to represent an unbroken tradition almost as old as the papacy is open to question, the Zhangs of Longhushan certainly are heirs to a family legacy comparable to that of the best noble lineages of Europe, and they have exercised a distinctive religious office for more than a millennium. Fragments of their remarkable story have been told before, but now Vincent Goossaert has pieced together the entire narrative, adding another extraordinary first to his many achievements. He has already done much to illuminate change in the history of Chinese religion; in this volume he spectacularly demonstrates its simultaneous capacity for continuity." —T. H. Barrett, SOAS, University of London "This book is a tour de force, providing the first synthesis in any Western language of the rise of the institution of the Heavenly Master, its many interactions with the Chinese state, its role in the performance of ordination and the distribution of registers, and its economic basis. It makes use of a wide range of primary sources, including manuscripts, gazetteers, notebooks, and archival material. It also carefully includes the best and most recent secondary research in Chinese, Japanese, and Western languages. By reasserting the primacy of the Heavenly Master tradition, this path?breaking work will set a new standard for the study of Daoism in Late Imperial China." —Terry Kleeman, University of Colorado, BoulderTable of Contents Series Editors' Preface ix Acknowledgments xi Abbreviations xiii Introduction 1 Chapter One Inventing the Founding Ancestor: The Lives of Zhang Daoling 13 Chapter Two The Rise of Longhushan 33 Chapter Three The Heavenly Masters in the History of Daoist Ordinations 53 Chapter Four New Rituals and the Longhushan Synthesis of Modern Daoism 91 Chapter Five The Mature Institution: Longhushan during the Song?Yuan Period 129 Chapter Six The Most Powerful Heavenly Master Ever? The Lives of Zhang Yuchu 157 Chapter Seven The Institution under the Ming and the Qing 185 Chapter Eight The Heavenly Masters and Late Imperial Chinese Society 219 Chapter Nine The Predicaments of Modernity: The Heavenly Masters since the 1850s 265 Conclusion 289 Appendix 1: List of the Heavenly Masters 299 Appendix 2: The Different Versions of the Tiantan yuge 303 Notes 305 Bibliography 375 Index 409

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Book SynopsisThe most important classical text of Chinese Medicine, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Chinese Medicine is often seen as daunting by students who are faced with a variety of different translations, of which some may not be reliable. This introductory guide makes it accessible to all, providing a summary of each chapter which emphasises the clinical relevance of the text.The author draws out how the text can be used to inform and improve clinical practice. It avoids overly scholarly discussions, and does not dwell on the minutiae of translation, making this book an easy and enlightening read.Trade ReviewAlthough the Neijing is arguably the most influential text in the history of Chinese medicine, it is one often unread and unexamined by modern clinicians. As a teacher of the Neijing, what I've found lacking is a book that summarizes the text - a book that draws out the marrow of the contents and presents it in a user-friendly way. Dr. Chang's book will fill this gap in providing readers an overview of each of the chapters in the Neijing Suwen. By providing a focused look at the chapters' key aspects, Chang provides newcomers with an easy entry into study, and experienced readers of the Neijing a quick reference to the essentials. -- Dr. Henry McCann, Doctoral Faculty for the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Director for the Institute for Classical Asian MedicineTable of ContentsTBC

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