Taoism Books

Book SynopsisThis collection of fascinating short reads on Daoist thought, including Chinese medicine brings together some of the most popular articles from the Scholar Sage online magazine, alongside new material from Damo Mitchell. It includes:· How the teaching of the 'three worms' (Sanchong) demonstrates the way Daoism pulls together models of the physical, energetic, spiritual and psychological· A translation of and commentary on the Classic of Breath and Qi Consolidation, an important Daoist classical poem that discusses the relationship of Jing and Qi in the body· The importance of the pineal gland in Daoist alchemical thought· The internal alchemy of Fire, Water, Dragon and Tiger· The meaning behind the pairs of Fu Dogs often seen guarding the entrances of Chinese temples, government buildings and restaurants· How Fa Jin works· How increasing your 'excitement threshold' can help you to find contentment in states of perpetual centeredness· Understanding and using food energetics· And much more.Helping you to think about your practice in new ways, the book features contributions from senior students at the Lotus Nei Gong School of Daoist Arts, including Roni Edlund, Lauren Faithfull, Tino Faithfull, Donna Pinker and Dr Seb Smith.Table of ContentsPreface. Notes on Text. Acknowledgements. 1. The Ding and the Lu (Damo Mitchell). 2. Fire, Water, Dragon and Tiger (Damo Mitchell). 3. Worms (Damo Mitchell). 4. Talismanic Fu (Damo Mitchell). 5. Mastery of Form - Part 1 (Damo Mitchell). 6. Mastery of Form - Part 2 (Damo Mitchell). 7. Chinese Fu Dogs (Damo Mitchell). 8. Classic of Breath and Qi Consolidation (Damo Mitchell). 9. Ming Men (Damo Mitchell). 10. Becoming Christ (Damo Mitchell). 11. Excitement Killer (Damo Mitchell). 12. The Fa Jin Controversy (Damo Mitchell). 13. Qi Gong, Tantra and Ghosts (Damo Mitchell). 14. Taijiquan and Evolution (Paul Mitchell). 15. On Being a Miserable Bastard (Damo Mitchell). 16. Transcribed Lecture on Alchemy (Damo Mitchell). 17. Spinal Fires - Part 1 (Damo Mitchell). 18. Spinal Fires - Part 2 (Damo Mitchell). 19. Daoism and Politics (Damo Mitchell). 20. Martial Arts - Realm of the Insecure (Damo Mitchell). 21. The Pineal Gland and Daoism (Damo Mitchell). 22. Sung and Energetic Relaxation (Damo Mitchell). 23. Food Energetics (Damo Mitchell). 24. On Meditation and Freedom (Lauren Faithfull). 25. The Hun and Symbolism (Donna Pinker). 26. The Real Purpose of Training (Tino Faithfull). 27. Nature's Medicine (Dr Seb Smith). 28. The Five Spirits of Daoism (Roni Edlund). 29. Tantric Daoism and Internal Development (Linda Hallett). 30. Transcript of a Class on the Kidneys 1 (Damo Mitchell). 31. Transcript of a Class on the Kidneys 2 (Damo Mitchell). 32. What's Going On? (Ellie Talbot). 33. The Practice of Commitment (Kulsoom Shah). 34. Knee Pain in the Internal Arts (Richard Agnew). 35. Yang Sheng Fa - Part 1 (Robert Aspell). 36. Yang Sheng Fa - Part 2 (Robert Aspell). 37. Alchemy for Men - Part 1 (Tino Faithfull). 38. Alchemy for Men - Part 2 (Tino Faithfull). Glossary of Pinyin Terms. About the Contributors.

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Book SynopsisThis progressive handbook for Chinese medicine students and practitioners looks at gender, physiology, relationships and sexual attraction from the Chinese medicine perspective. Many standard diagnostic and treatment techniques are gender-based and do not work with clients who identify as LGBT or gender/sex/relationship fluid and so these communities are currently often underserved.Catherine Lumenello accesses the Daoist, Buddhist and Confucianist roots of the medicine and explores the energetic pathways, the Three Treasures and other theories in order to understand the emotional etiology and treatment concerns prevalent within these client groups. The topics covered in the book include transgender issues, asexuality, sex addiction, sexual realignment surgery and polyamory. Incorporating client examples, illustrations, and an assortment of treatment approaches, this book is a radical re-examination of the potential of Chinese medicine.Trade ReviewCatherine brings much needed information on gender and sexuality to the field of Chinese medicine in this comprehensive text. Blending classical theory and modern applications, she presents a text appropriate for both the beginning practitioner and the seasoned clinician. I look forward to utilizing her compassionate wisdom in my practice. -- CT Holman, author of Treating Emotional Trauma with Chinese MedicineCombining the sage wisdom of the Yellow Emperor with the street-wise savvy of Dr. Ruth, Lumenello applies her comprehensive scholarship to developing a profound understanding of sexuality through the lens of Chinese Medicine. Her work is a significant contribution to the literature and fills a void in our modern interpretation of the classics. -- Elizabeth Sommers PhD, MPH, LAcTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; Disclaimer; Notes on the Text; Preface; SECTION I:A PRACTICE OF LOVE - Terminology: Basic Definitions; 1. Healing from Within; 2. A Welcoming Practice; SECTION II: THE YIN-YANG OF GENDER - Terminology: Gender Identity & Gender Expression; 3. Negating the Binary; 4. A Spiritual Journey; 5. Special Topic: Transgender Health Concerns; SECTION III: THE SEXUAL JOURNEY - Terminology: Sex, Sexual Identity, & Relationship; 6. Energetic Physiology of Sex; 7. Special Topic: Sexual Health; 8. Attraction & Exploration; 9. Special Topic: Power Exchange; SECTION IV: The Emotional Landscape; 10. Standing Guard: Living in Chronic Fear; 11. Disintegration: The Impact of Emotional Trauma; 12. Being Judged: Guilt & Shame; 13. Tied in Knots: Secrecy & Repression ; 14. Scorching the Self: Desire & Craving; 15. Descent into Darkness: Self-Loathing & Suicide; Appendix I: Five Element Chart; Appendix II: Emotion Chart; Appendix III: Qigong Exercises; References

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Book SynopsisIn this Tang Classic text from the 9th Century, Daoist practitioner Shi Jianwu describes how through adapting our own breathing to the breath of the universe and daily meditation, one can develop an astral body and 'transcend earthly matters to walk in the divine'. Richard Bertschinger offers the first annotated English language translation of this text with practical guidance for Qigong, meditative practice and personal development. With elements of Daoist tradition and drawing on Mayahana Buddhist influences, this ancient guide aims to bring to the fore perceptions and focus on a natural form of breathing for pure meditation. Much of this Chinese practice has been misunderstood and lost over the years, until now. Richard's thoughtful translation and additional comments serve to distribute Shi Jianwu's original message with open interpretations for the individual reader.Trade ReviewIn ancient Chinese culture, the oral traditions and old practices of the Immortals played a major part - especially in the Taoist Dao Zang. Modern research into the Classics does not attach much importance to the study of these texts... Richard has made a truly precious contribution. -- Professor Dr Bo-Ying Ma MD, MA, PhD, Chairman of Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (UK)The teachings of this book are a true treasure trove for the Daoist practitioner. -- From the Foreword by Master Zhongxian Wu, lifelong Daoist practitioner and author of 12 books (5 in Chinese) on Chinese wisdom traditions.Table of ContentsForeword by Master Wu. Introduction to my Translation of the Xishan qunxian huizhen ji. PART I: THE KNOWLEDGE. 1. Knowing The Path. 2. Knowing The Method. 3. Knowing The Individual. 4. Knowing The Timing. 5. Knowing The Materials. PART II: THE SUSTENTATION. 6. Sustaining Life. 7. Sustaining the Body. 8. Sustaining the Breath. 9. Sustaining the Heart. 10. Sustaining Longevity. PART III: THE REBUILDING. 11. Rebuilding Within. 12. Rebuilding the Breath. 13. Rebuilding the Fluids. 14. Rebuilding a Surplus. 15. Rebuilding a Depletion. PART IV: THE VERIFICATION. 16. The True Water and Fire. 17. The True Dragon and Tiger. 18. The True Medicinal Elixir. 19. The True Lead and Mercury. 20. The True Yin and Yang. PART V: THE REFINEMENT. 21. Refining the Method, You Walk the Path. 22. Refining the Body, You Transform the Breath. 23. With a Refined Breath, You Can Fashion the Spirit. 24. With a Refined Spirit, You Join on the Path. 25. On the Refined Path, You May Walk in the Divine. Glossary. How to Meditate.

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Book SynopsisThe way of the Tao is one of peace – of serenity, meditation and inner contentment. For centuries the followers of the Tao have drawn strength from its great wisdom, its faith in the laws of the universe, and its rare gift of turning the negative into the positive. Although the origins of Taoism lie long ago in the mists of time, its philosophy of contemplative calm is more relevant, in today’s busy world, than ever before. Bringing the wisdom of the great Taoist thinkers into the twenty-first century, this exquisite little volume contains some of their most profound words, offering insight and advice on a wide variety of different areas.Table of ContentsPreface vii A Note About Transliteration xi The Scriptures of Taoism xii The Mystery of the Tao and its Power 17 Cosmic Reality, Life and Death 45 The Sage-Ruler 93 Mystical Sparkles 133 Taoist Moral Principles 165 Language, Dreams and Utopias 189 References 221 Index of Sources 223

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Book SynopsisWe all want long, healthy, happy, and productive lives. What are the spiritual principles and ancient wisdoms needed to achieve this? A Tao Grandmaster distills the essential knowledge from thousands of years of sages and introduces powerful new insights and accessible practices to help you achieve longevity and even move in the direction of immortality, while never losing sight of the true purpose of our existence. How can longevity be best attained? Is immortality possible? What is the true reason we should want longevity, and even to strive for immortality? How can we do it? The spiritual principles and practical techniques from thousands of years of ancient wisdom, together with powerful new insights and a "how to" practice that will actually yield results, are distilled into this book. Very few will actually attain immortality, but in following the principles and practices in this book, every aspect of life will benefit.Table of ContentsContents List of FiguresIntroductionPart I: Tao NaturesChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter FiveChapter SixChapter SevenChapter EightChapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenPart II: Tao BodyChapter TwelveChapter ThirteenPart III: Attain TaoChapter FourteenChapter FifteenChapter SixteenChapter SeventeenChapter EighteenChapter NineteenAppendix

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Book SynopsisWhat Is Taoism? traces, in nontechnical language, the history of the development of this often baffling doctrine. Creel shows that there has not been one Taoism, but at least three, in some respects incompatible and often antagonistic. In eight closely related papers, Creel explicates the widely used concepts he originally introduced of contemplative Taoism, purposive Taoism, and Hsien Taoism. He also discusses Shen Pu-hai, a political philosopher of the fourth century B.C.; the curious interplay between Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism in the second century B.C.; and the role of the horse in Chinese history.

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Book SynopsisA revolutionary archaeological discovery-considered by some to be as momentous as the revelation of the Dead Sea Scrolls-sheds fascinating new light on one of the most important texts of ancient Chinese civilization.Trade ReviewMeticulously researched...Very readable and enjoyable. Library JournalTable of Contents1. Issues of Dating and Authorship in Light of the Guodian Discovery 2. The Site: Location and Date of the Tomb 3. The Texts Found in the Tomb 4. Laozi A, B, and C 5. Punctuation and the Issue of Chapter Divisions 6. Interesting Cases: Chapters 19, 30, and 63 7. The Philosophy of the "Bamboo Slip Laozi" 8. Conclusion--What Is the "Bamboo Slip Laozi"?

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewVery few people can, as Ying-shih Yu has done, so thoroughly contribute to the study of China, whether ancient times or modern times, intellectual history, social history, cultural history, or any other number of disciplines. Despite the numerous topics, Yu's essays manage to be incredibly rich, groundbreaking, and enlightening. This truly is a superb collection of his most important scholarly works in the English language. -- Ge Zhaoguang, author of An Intellectual History of China: Knowledge, Thought, and Belief Before the Seventh Century C.E. The breadth and depth of knowledge presented in this collection of Ying-shih Yu essays and lectures is a treasure trove for readers interested in Chinese history. The topics range from early ideas about immortality to later ideas about the social standing of men of business. No other publication in English compares in terms of command of traditional Chinese sources and sensitivity to contemporary historiographical issues, all mobilized in the service of better understanding China's past in relation to China's present. -- Willard Peterson, Gordon Wu '58 Professor of Chinese Studies, Princeton University This anthology compiles Ying-shih Yu's many years of research on Chinese history and culture and features the most important topics and turning points in Chinese history. Yu's English publications and texts are the highlights and summaries of his best work in Chinese, and this book will allow scholars from the English-speaking world firsthand access to Yu's many accomplishments and open myriads of dialogue. -- Chin-shing Huang, Academia Sinica (Taipei) Highly recommended. CHOICETable of ContentsAuthor's Preface Editorial Note List of Abbreviations Chronology of Dynasties 1. Between the Heavenly and the Human 2. Life and Immortality in the Mind of Han China 3. "O Soul, Come Back!" A Study in the Changing Conceptions of the Soul and Afterlife in Pre-Buddhist China 4. New Evidence on the Early Chinese Conception of Afterlife 5. Food in Chinese Culture: The Han Period 6. The Seating Order at the Hong Men Banquet 7. Individualism and the Neo-Daoist Movement in Wei-Jin China 8. Intellectual Breakthroughs in the Tang-Song Transition 9. Morality and Knowledge in Zhu Xi's Philosophical System 10. Confucian Ethics and Capitalism 11. Business Culture and Chinese Traditions-Toward a Study of the Evolution of Merchant Culture in Chinese History 12. Reorientation of Confucian Social Thought in the Age of Wang Yangming 13. The Intellectual World of Jiao Hong Revisited 14. Toward an Interpretation of Intellectual Transition in the Seventeenth Century Acknowledgments Appendix. The John W. Kluge Prize Address and The Tang Prize for Sinology Acceptance Speech Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewVery few people can, as Ying-shih Yu has done, so thoroughly contribute to the study of China, whether ancient times or modern times, intellectual history, social history, cultural history, or any other number of disciplines. Despite the numerous topics, Yu's essays manage to be incredibly rich, groundbreaking, and enlightening. This truly is a superb collection of his most important scholarly works in the English language. -- Ge Zhaoguang, author of An Intellectual History of China: Knowledge, Thought, and Belief Before the Seventh Century C.E. The breadth and depth of knowledge presented in this collection of Ying-shih Yu essays and lectures is a treasure trove for readers interested in Chinese history. The topics range from early ideas about immortality to later ideas about the social standing of men of business. No other publication in English compares in terms of command of traditional Chinese sources and sensitivity to contemporary historiographical issues, all mobilized in the service of better understanding China's past in relation to China's present. -- Willard Peterson, Gordon Wu '58 Professor of Chinese Studies, Princeton University This anthology compiles Ying-shih Yu's many years of research on Chinese history and culture and features the most important topics and turning points in Chinese history. Yu's English publications and texts are the highlights and summaries of his best work in Chinese, and this book will allow scholars from the English-speaking world firsthand access to Yu's many accomplishments and open myriads of dialogue. -- Chin-shing Huang, Academia Sinica (Taipei)Table of ContentsAuthor's Preface Editorial Note List of Abbreviations Chronology of Dynasties 1. Some Preliminary Observations on the Rise of Qing Confucian Intellectualism 2. Dai Zhen and the Zhu Xi Tradition 3. Dai Zhen's Choice Between Philosophy and Philology 4. Zhang Xuecheng Versus Dai Zhen: A Study in Intellectual Challenge and Response in Eighteenth-Century China 5. Qing Confucianism 6. The Two Worlds of Honglou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber) 7. Sun Yat-sen's Doctrine and Traditional Chinese Culture 8. The Radicalization of China in the Twentieth Century 9. Neither Renaissance nor Enlightenment: A Historian's Reflections on the May Fourth Movement 10. Modernization Versus Fetishism of Revolution in Twentieth-Century China 11. The Idea of Democracy and the Twilight of the Elite Culture in Modern China 12. China's New Wave of Nationalism 13. Democracy, Human Rights and Confucian Culture 14. Changing Conceptions of National History in Twentieth-Century China 15. Reflections on Chinese Historical Thinking 16. Modern Chronological Biography and the Conception of Historical Scholarship 17. The Study of Chinese History: Retrospect and Prospect 18. Confucianism and China's Encounter with the West in Historical Perspective 19. Clio's New Cultural Turn and the Rediscovery of Tradition in Asia Acknowledgments Appendix. The John W. Kluge Prize Address and The Tang Prize for Sinology Acceptance Speech Index

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Book SynopsisTaming the Wild Horse examines Gao’s illustrated poems in terms of monasticism and contemplative practice, as well as the multivalent meaning of the “horse” in traditional Chinese culture and the consequences for both human and nonhuman animals.Trade ReviewFascinating and provocative on their own, the Daoist horse taming poems and pictures respond to a well-known Chan (Zen) Buddhist text called the Ox Herding Pictures. Komjathy's translation thus completes a conversation we have only seen half of for a long time. -- Suzanne Cahill, University of California, San Diego Komjathy provides a fascinating study with impeccable translations of the original Chinese text and commentaries on the Daoist Horse Taming Pictures, often thought of as parallel to the Chan Buddhist Ox Herding Pictures in providing a visual and literary template for understanding the stages of spiritual discipline and training. Taming the Wild Horse is a must-read for all scholars doing research in the fields of East Asian and comparative religion, philosophy, literature, and culture. -- Steven Heine, Florida International University With elegance and erudition Komjathy invites the reader into a journey through a medieval Chinese religious landscape that is strangely familiar, but deeply embedded in a historical and cultural context far removed from the modern world. Translated into English for the first time, the Horse Taming Pictures provide a heretofore unseen glimpse into the world of Daoist monastic training. Komjathy pioneers a new model for Daoist studies that is historically nuanced but reaches forward into issues of contemporary ethical and spiritual concern. -- James Miller, Queen's University Komjathy has uncovered a previously hidden gem of the Daoist contemplative path that was inspired by the famous Ox Herding Pictures. His translation is deft, his notes are meticulous, and the historical, philosophical, and zoological contextual materials he provides are thorough. This is essential reading for those interested in the history of Daoism, the Complete Perfection (Quanzhen) School, comparative mysticism, and the culture of the horse. -- Harold D. Roth, Brown University Rarely is the field of animal studies so fortunate as to have a leading area specialist give such substantial critical attention to animals. Komjathy's richly annotated translation makes this centuries-old set of prints and poems accessible for anyone interested in the intersection of animals and religion. The book's robust engagement with animal studies leads to stunning insights into the nature of Daoist contemplative practices and, ultimately, into the nature of religion. -- Aaron Gross, University of San DiegoTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments List of Illustrations and Tables List of Abbreviations Part I: Introduction 1. In Search of the Wild Horse 2. Of Stallions, Steppes, and Stables Part II: Translations Horse Taming Poems Commentary on the Horse Taming Poems Part III: Exegesis Being with Horses Appendix 1. Hagiography of Gao Daokuan (1195-1277) Appendix 2. Song of Pure Awakening Appendix 3. Horse-Related Technical Terminology in the Horse Taming Pictures Notes Character Glossary Bibliography Index

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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 SynopsisTrade Review"Fryklund's translation of the novel is erudite; Lewis and Baptandier provide a fascinating introduction; and the end matter is exemplary, comprising endnotes, bilingual glossaries of key personages and terms, and a detailed bibliography. Valuable for those interested in Asian humanities or religious studies." * Choice *"The expertise and care of all involved in this production speak from every page of this book. This is indeed an extremely welcome addition to the available body of renditions of truly popular literature. Its vivid contents will not only surprise many Western readers but also many of our Chinese students." * Journal of Chinese Studies *"The translation by Kristin Ingrid Fryklund is accessible and fluid...promises to be a fascinating read for anyone interested in magic and shapeshifting creatures, sexual passions and sisterhood, transmigration and reincarnation, and rewards and punishments, both in this life and in the afterlife. It is a most welcoming addition to the literature on Chinese legends and religious studies, representations of women and the making of female deities, and the impact of popular legends and popular religions on our everyday practices." * Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews *"The value of this text (and of its translation) lies in the tremendous amount of insight it provides into the world that produced it and into the expectations of its intended readers...[R]equired reading for anyone desiring an understanding of practical religions in Chinese communities in recent centuries." * Journal of the American Oriental Society *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Fryklund's translation of the novel is erudite; Lewis and Baptandier provide a fascinating introduction; and the end matter is exemplary, comprising endnotes, bilingual glossaries of key personages and terms, and a detailed bibliography. Valuable for those interested in Asian humanities or religious studies." * Choice *"The expertise and care of all involved in this production speak from every page of this book. This is indeed an extremely welcome addition to the available body of renditions of truly popular literature. Its vivid contents will not only surprise many Western readers but also many of our Chinese students." * Journal of Chinese Studies *"The translation by Kristin Ingrid Fryklund is accessible and fluid...promises to be a fascinating read for anyone interested in magic and shapeshifting creatures, sexual passions and sisterhood, transmigration and reincarnation, and rewards and punishments, both in this life and in the afterlife. It is a most welcoming addition to the literature on Chinese legends and religious studies, representations of women and the making of female deities, and the impact of popular legends and popular religions on our everyday practices." * Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews *"The value of this text (and of its translation) lies in the tremendous amount of insight it provides into the world that produced it and into the expectations of its intended readers...[R]equired reading for anyone desiring an understanding of practical religions in Chinese communities in recent centuries." * Journal of the American Oriental Society *

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Book SynopsisA philosopher and mother mines classic Daoist texts of Chinese philosophy for wisdom relevant to today’s parents.

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Book SynopsisMountains have always been integral components of China’s religious landscape. Early in Chinese history five mountains were co-opted into the imperial cult and declared sacred peaks—yue—demarcating and protecting the imperium’s boundaries. Here, Robson demonstrates the value of local and Buddho-Daoist studies in research on Chinese religion.Trade ReviewThis volume breaks new ground in the ever-growing body of scholarship on important mountains in China, and thus deserves the close attention of anyone interested in Chinese culture in general and Chinese religious history in particular. -- J. M. Hargett * Choice *

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Book SynopsisIn Dreaming and Self-Cultivation in China, 300 BCE800 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 SynopsisThis volume summarizes the history, doctrine, and practices of an ancient Chinese religion based on the harmonious interaction of Yin and Yang.Table of ContentsCONTENTS II III IV

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Book SynopsisThis work argues that the most profound and far-reaching effects of Buddhism on Chinese culture occurred at the level of practice, specifically in religious rituals designed to cure people of disease, demonic possession, and bad luck.Trade Review"Strickmann unearths the history, literature, and fundamental assumptions of Buddhist and Taoist religious rituals and offers a wealth of astute social and literary commentary. He combines the highest standards of philological and historical scholarship with an eye for the spiritually bizarre, the socially telling, and the psychologically gripping detail—all in a style that is elegant, entertaining, well-organized, and always accessible."—Stephen F. Teiser, Princeton University"Strickmann's love for his subject shines through in his sprightly and witty writing; his work also demonstrates impeccable scholarly authority."—J.W. Dippmann, Central Washington University"This fascinating book, amassing a wealth of scholarship on Daoism and Tantric Buddhism, expands our vision and draws attention to numerous important topics in the study of East Asian religions."—Daoist Studies"This thought-provoking book is an important contribution to the study of medicine and religion in medieval China... that looks critically at the mutual influences and intersections of Taoist and Buddhist practices..."—Journal of American Academy of Religion"As a guide to the jungle of curious elements in Chinese and Japanese medieval cultures, Chinese Magical Medicine is a highly fascinating study."—History of ReligionsTable of ContentsPreface 1. Disease and Taoist law 2. Demonology and epidemiology 3. The literature of spells 4. Ensigillation: a Buddho-Taoist technique of exorcism 5. The genealogy of possession 6. Tantrists, foxes and shamans.

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Book SynopsisOne of the basic classics of Taoist spiritual alchemy as practiced in the Complete Reality (Ch'uan-chen) school of Taoism.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA transformative new edition of Taoism's central text that overturns its reputation for calming, gnomic wisdom, revealing instead a work of philosophical dynamite

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Book SynopsisIn this thought-provoking Volume One of the series, Managing Responsibly for Sustainable Business Development in the VUCA World, We embark on a transformative journey towards sustainable and excellent management practices. As the world grapples with the complexities and uncertainties of the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) era, it has become imperative to explore new approaches that align with responsible management and Taoist principles. This volume serves as a comprehensive introduction to the 3C Model of Taoism - compassion, conservation, and compliance, which forms the foundation for sustainability and excellence. Through a deep exploration of the relationships among business, management, leadership, sustainability, and excellence, readers gain valuable insights into how these aspects intertwine to shape responsible management in today's dynamic landscape. Furthermore, Volume One explores the adaptive challenges and wicked problems that organizations face in the VUCA world. It provides guidance on shifting the management paradigm to adapt to these challenges and effectively address wicked problems within complex organizations. When adopting the 3C Model of Taoism, managers and leaders will discover how to manage people with compassion, embracing social responsibility; manage organizations with conservation, fostering ecological sustainability; and manage businesses with compliance, upholding strong business ethics. Volume One is an indispensable resource for managers, leaders, and scholars seeking innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of responsible management practices. Drawing from the profound wisdom of Taoism, this volume offers practical insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of the VUCA world while upholding values of compassion, conservation, and compliance. Volume One is one of a two-volume series. Volume Two, Transforming Management Education for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), explores the crucial role of transforming management education to meet the challenges and goals of sustainable development. Together, these volumes provide a comprehensive and enlightening exploration of responsible management, Taoism, and their impact on overcoming challenges in the VUCA era.Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I. The Trilogy of 3C Model of Taoism for Sustainability & Excellence: An Introduction Chapter 1. Why A Trilogy of Responsible Business, Responsible Management and Responsible Leadership? Chapter 2. The 3C Model of Taoism: The Foundation of the Trilogy of Responsible Business, Responsible Management and Responsible Leadership Chapter 3. Tao of Business, Management and Leadership: An Integrated Framework for Sustainability & Excellence Chapter 4. The Tao of the Reverse “U” Model for Sustainability & Excellence Part II. Why Responsible Management? The Adaptive Challenges and Wicked Problems in the VUCA Era Chapter 5. The Challenges in the 21st Century: Context for Designing New Model of Management Chapter 6. Management Shift in Complex Organizations Chapter 7. Overcoming Sustainability Challenges: The Role of Responsible Management and Leadership Part III. The 3C Model of Taoism and Responsible Management Chapter 8. 3C Model of Taoism vs. 3P Model of Sustainability Chapter 9. Managing People with Compassion: Social Responsibility Chapter 10. Managing Organizations with Conservation: Ecological Sustainability Chapter 11. Managing Business with Compliance: Business Ethics

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Book SynopsisThis second volume builds upon the core themes explored in volume one, which focused on 'Managing Responsibly for Sustainable Business Development in the VUCA World'. This volume explores the transformative power of management education. It delves into the crucial shift from knowledge-inquiry to wisdom-inquiry, advocating for a holistic and insightful approach in management education that transcends traditional boundaries. This volume further examines how the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in management education is essential for nurturing future leaders who are equipped to address the pressing challenges of our time. An integral part of responsible management education is its contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This volume discusses the profound impact that responsible management education can have on advancing the SDGs, highlighting the interconnectedness between education, responsible business practices, and sustainable development. It also explores the vision for a sustainable and inclusive world through the implementation of 'Our Common Agenda', a ground-breaking initiative spearheaded by the United Nations, which emphasizes the importance of a new social contract. When embracing the profound wisdom of Taoism and integrating responsible management education into the fabric of our educational systems, we can pave the way for a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous world for all. This volume is part of a two-volume series, together providing a comprehensive exploration of responsible management, Taoism, and their transformative potential in overcoming challenges in the VUCA era.Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I Taoist Principles in Responsible Management Education Chapter 1. Transforming Management Education: An Urgent Imperative for Sustainable Future Chapter 2. Philosophy and Management Education: A Global Agenda for Change Chapter 3. Responsible Management Education: From the Perspective of Taoism Chapter 4. PRME: A Framework for Responsible Management Education Part II Tao of Responsible Management and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Chapter 5. Taoism’s Wisdom: A Contribution to Realization of SDGs Chapter 6. From CSR to Sustainable Development: The Role of the United Nations Chapter 7. Pathways to A Sustainable & Inclusive World for All beyond the Year 2030 Chapter 8. Being Harmony with Nature: A Systemic View of Taoism Chapter 9. “Our Common Agenda”: A New Vision for a Better World

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Book SynopsisIn its rich evolution from antiquity to present times, Chinese religion has encompassed manifold religious expressions. Taoism is one facet of Chinese religion, and exemplifies particularly well the variety of beliefs and practices that humankind has adopted and experienced in the search for answers to both ultimate and proximate questions about life and death. This book explores the different pathways Taoism took in that search, touching at many points on the other interrelated facets of Chinese religion in Confucianism, Buddhism and popular religion. The mystical, philosophical traditions of Taoism are analysed, as well as the more colourful and overtly religious strands of Taoism.Trade Review"This is a balanced insight into a most difficult and complex subject. The author manages to present a vast wealth of factual information and academic study on subjects such as history, philosophy, religion and science, while remaining true to the inner mystical tradition. Performing such impossible feats is the essence of The Tao that cannot be spoken." -- Jim Pym is the author of a number of best-selling books, including Listening to the Light, You Dont Have to Sit on the Floor, and The Pure Principle. He is also the Editor of the Buddhist publication, Pure Land Notes.Table of ContentsContents include: The origins of Taoism: ancient China; The interconnected cosmos: the I Ching; Creative forces: yin and yang and the Five Agents; Tao and its early philosophers; Taoism in Imperial China; Alchemy; Life beyond Earth: ancestors, deities, immortals and sages; Religious Taoism; Taoism today.

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Book SynopsisIn its rich evolution from antiquity to present times, Chinese religion has encompassed manifold religious expressions. Taoism is one facet of Chinese religion, and exemplifies particularly well the variety of beliefs and practices that humankind has adopted and experienced in the search for answers to both ultimate and proximate questions about life and death. This book explores the different pathways Taoism took in that search, touching at many points on the other interrelated facets of Chinese religion in Confucianism, Buddhism and popular religion. The mystical, philosophical traditions of Taoism are analysed, as well as the more colourful and overtly religious strands of Taoism.Trade Review"This is a balanced insight into a most difficult and complex subject. The author manages to present a vast wealth of factual information and academic study on subjects such as history, philosophy, religion and science, while remaining true to the inner mystical tradition. Performing such impossible feats is the essence of The Tao that cannot be spoken." -- Jim Pym is the author of a number of best-selling books, including Listening to the Light, You Don't Have to Sit on the Floor, and The Pure Principle. He is also the Editor of the Buddhist publication, Pure Land Notes.Table of ContentsContents include: The origins of Taoism: ancient China; The interconnected cosmos: the I Ching; Creative forces: yin and yang and the Five Agents; Tao and its early philosophers; Taoism in Imperial China; Alchemy; Life beyond Earth: ancestors, deities, immortals and sages; Religious Taoism; Taoism today.

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Book SynopsisThis book brings together the studies of Jeaneane Fowler in Taoism, Chinese popular religion and the broader canvas of Chinese cosmogony, and those of Merv Fowler in Confucianism, Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism. 'Chinese Religions' requires no previous knowledge and thereby serves as an introduction to the religions of China, and places it in the wider context of Chinese history and philosophy. The facets of Chinese religions are as broad, multilayered and varied as the geographical vastness of China itself, yet so many Chinese beliefs have found their way into the West -- the theory of yin and yang, the I Ching, the Tao Te Ching are good examples. One of the greatest characteristics of Chinese religions is that they encompass virtually every avenue of religious thought throughout the long span of Chinese pre-historic and historical pathways.Table of ContentsContents include: Ancient China: The Three Dynasties; Religious Taoism; Rhythms of the Universe; Chan Buddhism; Confucianism; Pure Land Buddhism; Neo-Confucianism; Popular Religion; Classical Taoism; Chinese Religions Today.

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Book SynopsisA long-awaited textbook that introduces the major schools, teachings, and practices of Daoism, this work presents a chronological survey that is thematically divided into four parts: Ancient Thought, Religious Communities, Spiritual Practices, and Modernity.The work offers an integrated vision of the Daoist tradition in its historical and cultural context, establishing connections with relevant information on Confucianism, Chinese Buddhism, popular religion, and political developments.It also places Daoism into a larger theoretical and comparative framework, relating it to mysticism, millenarianism, forms of religious organization, ritual, meditation, and modernity. The book makes ample use of original materials and provides references to further readings and original sources in translation. It is a powerful resource for teaching and studying alike.Trade ReviewComprehensively covers all main topics and periods of Daoism. It does not stop after the Tang as earlier works tend to do, but goes all the way into the present and also to some extent discusses Daoism in non-Chinese cultures. It is clearly and lucidly written and addresses a broad audience - not necessarily of sinological background. - Stephan-Peter Bumbacher, Tubingen University

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Book SynopsisDaoism is the indigenous higher religion of traditional China. Growing from a philosophical root and developing through practices of longevity and immorality, it has found expression in communal organizations, ritual structures, and age-old lineages. A multifaceted tradition, Daoism in the 2,500 years of its history has related to women in a number of different ways matching the complexity of other religions, where the relationship to the female is often ambiguous and ambivalent. They commonly see motherhood, sexuality, fertility, esoteric knowledge, and secret powers as closely linked with the feminine and evaluate these aspects positively. But many religions also relegate women to inferior status, considering them of a lower nature, impure and irresponsible, and often suppressing them with greater or lesser severity.The complexity of women's positions is particularly poignant in the Daoist case, since the religion is caught between its ideal cosmological premise of the power of yin and the realities of a strongly patriarchal society following the Confucian model. That is to say, cosmologically Daoism sees women as expressions of the pure cosmic force of yin, necessary for the working of the universe, equal and for some schools even superior to yang. Daoism also links the Dao itself, the force of creation at the foundation of the cosmos, to the female and describes it as the mother of all beings. Within the religion there is a widespread attitude of veneration and respect for the feminine, honouring the cosmic connection as well as the productive and nurturing nature of women.Trade ReviewThis book is awesome. It reads clearly and fluently. The topics of the chapters make sense; the arguments are convincing and well-supported. The authors are thoroughly conversant with the fields of Daoist studies, Chinese history, and women's studies.... This book has no rival. It should instantly become a standard. - Susan Cahill, University of California, San Diego

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Book SynopsisThis book is an expansion of Seven Steps to the Dao (1987). It outlines the history and intricacies of zuowang, an essential form of Daoist meditation. It divides into two parts. ""Discussion"" begins by placing the practice in the larger context of the phenomenology of meditation and Chinese religious history. It then has eight chapters, discussing historical forerunners in pre-Han and Twofold Mystery texts, Tang masters and main works, the theory and practice of Tang Daoist meditation, and its relation to Buddhism and modern science. ""Translation"" presents eight core texts, some translated here for the first time and all with ample annotation.Drawing on decades of Daoist scholarship and meditation experience, this book is the culmination of Kohn’s extensive, path-breaking work. It makes difficult materials accessible and greatly enhances our understanding of the complex methods and conceptualizations involved in attaining Dao.

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Book SynopsisLiving Authentically brings together classical scholars of Daoism, professors of psychology, practising psychologists, medical doctors, and alternative practitioners to explore different Daoist concepts of the mind and its transformations in relation to various schools of modern psychology. The books explores how Daoism can help us live in the world, sustain relationships, and educate children, in a stress-free, authentic way.

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Book SynopsisTraveling in China today and walking about in various cities, it is easy to observe the continued unbridled construction of huge, megalithic high-rise complexes in vast stretches of the country, complete with the untrammeled despoiling of nature and intensification of pollution, as well as the ever increasing vibrancy of the Chinese people, glued to their cell phones and actively connected online, always moving about and hustling for yet another deal.At the same time, using the internet without a VPN and talking to academics at various universities, it becomes obvious that there is a massive increase in repressive measures by the state, the tightening of the intellectual control of both content and expression, the fluctuating inaccessibility of information sources that used to be perfectly fine. What, the question arises, is going on here? Where China stands today and where is it headed from here? And what, in all of this, is the role and place of Daoism? These sixty vignettes on “Daoist China” present different aspects of life in China, in each case describing the current situation and connecting it to the role and changing facets of Daoism today, focusing in turn on dimensions of governance, economics, and culture.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores ancient Daoist philosophy and argues against interpretations that paint the early Daoist philosophers as mystics or cosmologists. It claims that Dao is best understood as awareness and that Daoist concerns are primarily with the nature of human experience, meditation, and our relation to the world. The Dao of Awareness starts by placing Daoist philosophy within the context of ancient Chinese thought. It then proceeds by critically engaging each of the major Daoist thinkers, works, or schools: Laozi, Yang Zhu, Zhuangzi, the Inward Training, Liezi, and Neo-Daoism. It concludes by pointing to ways in which Daoist thought can offer insights into contemporary Western philosophy. Throughout the book, comparisons are drawn with Western thinkers, psychological research, and Buddhist thought. The book is both a scholarly examination of Chinese and cross-cultural philosophy as well as an original work on ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind.Trade ReviewThe Way of Awareness in Daoist Philosophy provides a detailed and superbly skillful gloss on key texts of Daoist philosophy, making them part of the global conversation. The book begins with a survey of early Chinese philosophy, then discusses various thinkers at length, culminating with Neo-Daoism. Throughout, the work makes many references to Western philosophers and argues common problems. It is a brilliant and profound extension of the global philosophical palette to include a variety of Daoist positions. Besides engaging specialists with its revolutionary vision, the book is well tailored to the general reader and highly suitable for undergraduate courses in philosophy. This reader-friendly book not simply engages us in a better understanding of Daoist philosophy as awareness, the way of both generating and developing the mind. It also opens up a philosophical horizon for gaining perceptual clarity and furthering the contemporary discussion of consciousness, action, and free will. A must for all interested in deepening their understanding of Daoist thought! Dr Giles guides the reader along a fascinating and quite bold journey through early Daoist and Daoist related teachings, thinkers, texts and commentators. Throughout this journey a single thread is woven which indicates that the Dao or Way is awareness. Intertwined within this awareness is emptiness, a back and forth of stillness and constant flow which he calls the double return, and wuwei or non-action. Dr Giles argues that these early Daoist teachings regarding awareness and how it relates to the world can enhance and inform contemporary Western philosophy. It also may be seen as beneficial to simply living life. His book provides a clear path where one can make the first step. It is now time to make that first step!

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Book SynopsisTime, and in particular timelessness, plays a key role in Daoism, both in its more speculative and practical dimensions. This book explores this in comparison with other philosophies and religions. It alternates presentations of a more theoretical, speculative nature with those that focus on concrete life situations, examining the psychological potentials of time perception, the nature of situations, Daoism’s holistic worldview, similarities between Laozi and Plotinus, and Daoist versus Greek geometric models of the cosmos. They further study the role of Daoist notions in New Wave Taiwanese cinema, relate Daoist ideas to modern thinkers and its cultivation techniques to Zen Buddhism, trace the relevance of the Yijing to the Jungian concept of synchronicity, and explore the problem of boredom and predictability in prolongevity and immortality.The book offers a wide range of topics and perspectives, engaging with new materials while stimulating innovative insights and opening new avenues of exploration. A must for all interested in the nature of Daoism, issues of time, and comparative philosophy.

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Book SynopsisRediscovering the Roots of Chinese Thought: Laozi’s Philosophy is an English translation of one of the most influential Chinese texts on Daoism of the past century, written by Guying Chen, one of China’s foremost scholars of Daoist thought and the author of annotated classical commentaries that serve as standard resources in many Chinese universities.This book offers a unique discussion of the Laozi, arguing—in contrast to standard Western scholarship—that the text goes back to a single author and identifying him as an older contemporary, and even teacher, of Confucius. This places the Confucian Analects after the Laozi and makes the text the most fundamental work of ancient Chinese thought.Chen explores these debates regarding these points, providing evidence based on materials excavated from Mawangdui and Guodian. His book is fascinating documentation of contemporary Chinese arguments and debates previously unavailable in English. It is nothing less than a complete revision of the history of Chinese thought with Daoism as its major focus.

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Book SynopsisThe Huangting jing (Yellow Court Scripture) is a central classic of Daoist meditation. It comes in two major versions, an "outer" and an "inner" text, that are both revealed by senior deities and written in lines of seven characters. Going back to the early middle period, with major commentaries from the Tang dynasty, they are rather mysterious and poetic in diction, presenting the human body in terms of energies and spirits, towers and chambers. Without giving specific instructions, they suggest visualization, energy circulation, and alignment with the celestial bodies to maintain and control these internal powers in order to enhance life, increase longevity, and reach for immortality. Both texts, moreover, carry celestial potency in themselves and have been chanted since they first appeared. This book, after a historical introduction, translates both versions with their main commentaries, prefaces, and recitation instructions. Allowing the sources to speak for themselves, it opens a new vista on Daoist meditation, traditional cosmology, and the Chinese understanding of body and mind.

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Book SynopsisDeclarations of the Perfected is the first complete, annotated translation of Zhen'gao, Tao Hongjing's (456-536) masterful compilation of the Shangqing or Higher Clarity revelations, setting the stage for the heyday of medieval Daoism. The present volume presents the Declarations' second part (fasc. 5-8), which focuses on the various difficulties that Daoist practitioners are likely to encounter in a dangerous world, and how to overcome them. It begins with instructions of a more general nature, before moving on to problems faced specifically by Xu Mi (303-376) and his family and fellow officials. This volume also sheds much light on the history of its time-the kinds of moral and philosophical issues that were being debated, as well political intrigues in the Eastern Jin court.Trade ReviewThe Zhen’gao or Declarations of the Perfected offers the unique opportunity to look over the shoulders of the "founder" of a new religious tradition. The text collects notes taken by the medium Yang Xi and his adherents, dealing with questions addressed to the immortals and their answers and admonitions. Chapters 5-8, which are translated in this volume, contain information on the otherworldly destiny of deceased members of the Xu family as well as of their acquaintances and their sepulchral plaints. They present a firsthand insight into the religious ideas and concepts that became the fashion of a southern Chinese elite from the third through the sixth centuries CE. Both the author’s translation and copious comments together with helpful contextualizations are praiseworthy. Not only Daoist specialists but anybody having an interest in comparative religion and Chinese history is well advised to peruse this work.

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Book SynopsisAt its most basic, philosophy is about learning how to think about the world around us. It should come as no surprise, then, that children make excellent philosophers! Naturally inquisitive, pint-size scholars need little prompting before being willing to consider life’s big questions, however strange or impractical. Plato & Co. introduces children—and curious grown-ups—to the lives and work of famous philosophers, from Socrates to Descartes, Einstein, Marx, Freud, and Wittgenstein. Each book in the series features an engaging—and often funny—story that presents basic tenets of philosophical thought alongside vibrant color illustrations. In Lao-Tzu, or the Way of The Dragon, we follow the ancient Chinese philosopher who founded Taoism, from the comet that announced his birth up to his inspired composition, more than fifty years later, of the Tao Te Ching, the Book of the Way. In body and mind an old sage from birth, Lao-Tzu devotes his life to deciphering the endless book of the world. But he soon becomes frustrated with the silliness of human order, impatient kings, and greedy people, and rides off on the back of a water buffalo in search of the Way. He encounters clouds that solidify under his feet, a cave guarded by a golden monkey, and the venerable Confucius himself, and ultimately finds the wisdom of the dragon already residing deep in his own heart.

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Book SynopsisAn internationally recognized authority on Chinese history and a leading innovator in its telling, Cho-yun Hsu constructs an original portrait of Chinese culture. Unlike most historians, Hsu resists centering his narrative on China's political evolution, focusing instead on the country's cultural sphere and its encounters with successive waves of globalization. Beginning long before China's written history and extending through the twentieth century, Hsu follows the content and expansion of Chinese culture, describing the daily lives of commoners, their spiritual beliefs and practices, the changing character of their social and popular thought, and their advances in material culture and technology. In addition to listing the achievements of emperors, generals, ministers, and sages, Hsu builds detailed accounts of these events and their everyday implications. Dynastic change, the rise and fall of national ambitions, and the growth and decline of institutional systems take on new significance through Hsu's careful research, which captures the multiple strands that gave rise to China's pluralistic society. Paying particular attention to influential relationships occurring outside of Chinese cultural boundaries, he demonstrates the impact of foreign influences on Chinese culture and identity and identifies similarities between China's cultural developments and those of other nations.Trade ReviewAn important and original book on a permanently important topic by one of the world's leading historians of China. The writing is lucid, often elegant, and has been beautifully translated into English." —William C. Kirby, director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University"Nothing quite like this exists in the modern literature, and it is especially valuable for readers interested in world/global history." —James L. Watson, Harvard University"Hsu's book is unique in the field, and makes a distinct contribution above the many other grand narratives of Chinese history. Impeccably researched and consistently insightful, this is precisely the sort of book that every serious scholar of China should keep within arm's reach." —Thomas David DuBois, China Journal

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