The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice - CommunityAwake
The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice - CommunityAwake
The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice - CommunityAwake
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> <strong>Philosophy</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Practice</strong><br />
SUMMER 2011 $5.95 U.S. Canada $6.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ox Herding Chart <strong>of</strong><br />
Chan Buddhism<br />
Global Warming<br />
A Meta-Physical Perspective<br />
Cloud W<strong>and</strong>erers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel China<br />
Tour<br />
<strong>The</strong> Master on the Mountain<br />
A Conversation with Master<br />
Zhong Yunlong<br />
<strong>and</strong> more!<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 1
HEAVEN AND EARTH QIGONG:<br />
REVITALIZE AND TRANSFORM WITH NATURE’S HEALING POWER<br />
With Qigong Master Kenne! Cohen<br />
in beautiful<br />
Kailua - Kona, Hawai’i<br />
February 10-12, 2012<br />
RARE HAWK, SNAKE & WHALE QIGONG<br />
Cultivate a deeper connection with Nature’s healing forces!<br />
Heaven (Hawk), Earth (Snake), <strong>and</strong> Water (Whale) are three primary forces in<br />
Taoism. You will learn dynamic Hawk Flying Methods that imitate the soaring <strong>and</strong><br />
swooping motions <strong>of</strong> the hawk <strong>and</strong> that open your spiritual eyes to see from a<br />
higher, broader perspective. Hawk is complemented by the Snake: slow, gentle,<br />
coiling movements that dissolve tension, increase the body’s supply <strong>of</strong> qi (healing<br />
energy), <strong>and</strong> sharpen awareness <strong>and</strong> intuition. Finally, learn the graceful Whale,<br />
created by Ken Cohen after more than 10 years <strong>of</strong> whale observation. Develop<br />
extraordinary strength as you swim with the currents <strong>of</strong> life force. No previous<br />
experience needed, beginners welcome.<br />
Join us at the magnificent Keauhou Beach Resort, a first-class hotel, famous for<br />
its crystalline waters frequented by swimmers, snorkelers, <strong>and</strong> honu (sea turtles).<br />
<strong>The</strong> Resort grounds also include a Spa <strong>and</strong> Hawaiian cultural center, with classes in<br />
Hula, lei making, chanting, <strong>and</strong> other cultural arts, free for hotel guests. Pre- <strong>and</strong><br />
post-workshop excursions can be arranged by the Hotel’s expert travel desk. Ocean<br />
view rooms will be available to workshop students at an extraordinary discount!<br />
Schedule: Fri, Sat, Sun 9AM-12, 3-6 each day<br />
Tuition: $395 early registration discount.<br />
$425 after August 1, 2011; $450, after October 10.<br />
Travel <strong>and</strong> lodging not included. Reserve with $100<br />
non-refundable deposit by U.S. check (payable to<br />
Kenneth Cohen) or credit card.<br />
Ken Cohen, M.A.<br />
Winner <strong>of</strong> the Alyce <strong>and</strong> Elmer<br />
Green Award for Innovation <strong>and</strong><br />
Lifetime Achievement in Energy<br />
Medicine, is a renowned Qigong<br />
<strong>and</strong> Tai Chi Master with more<br />
than 40 years experience.<br />
Ken’s work has been sponsored<br />
by the American Cancer Society,<br />
the Canadian Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health,<br />
the Mayo Clinic, <strong>and</strong> numerous<br />
universities. He is the author <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Qigong <strong>and</strong><br />
Honoring the Medicine, as well<br />
as the best-selling Sounds True<br />
audio <strong>and</strong> DVD courses.<br />
Ken Cohen with his wife Grace Sesma<br />
Registration call 303-258-0971 or<br />
email info@qigonghealing.com<br />
www.qigonghealing.com<br />
EARLY REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED!<br />
2 Summer 2011
Meld with Tao<br />
Master Zhi Gang Sha<br />
World-Renowned Spiritual Healer <strong>and</strong> Tao Gr<strong>and</strong>master<br />
Tao Year 1 Teleclass<br />
Saturday, 9-10:30am PDT, Free<br />
Study Tao Knowledge, Wisdom & <strong>Practice</strong>s<br />
Tao <strong>Practice</strong> to Serve<br />
Humanity Teleclass<br />
Monday-Friday, 5x/day, Saturday <strong>and</strong><br />
Sunday 1x/day, Teleconference, Free<br />
Tao Weekly Chanting <strong>Practice</strong><br />
Tuesday, 6-7pm PDT, Free<br />
Master the Tao Jing & Immortal Tao Texts<br />
Tao Song Tao Dance<br />
Workshops<br />
July 23-24 & August 27-28, $150<br />
Live in Toronto or via webcast<br />
New York Times Bestsellers<br />
Tao is <strong>The</strong> Way. Tao is the source <strong>of</strong> all universes. Tao is the universal principles <strong>and</strong> laws.<br />
– Master Zhi Gang Sha<br />
www.DrSha.com • 888.3396815 • Institute <strong>of</strong> Soul Healing <strong>and</strong> Enlightenment<br />
Facebook.com/<strong>The</strong>Power<strong>of</strong>Soul/ • Twitter.com/ZhiGangSha • www.ZhiGangSha.com (Blog)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 3
Contents<br />
Summer 2011 Volume 18 Number 4<br />
Features<br />
6 Conduit or Container<br />
by Francesco Garripolli<br />
7 <strong>The</strong> Ox Herding Chart <strong>of</strong> Chan Buddhism<br />
by Hu Xueshi<br />
17 Global Warming<br />
A Meta-Physical Perspective<br />
by Stephen Elliott<br />
21 Cloud W<strong>and</strong>erers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel China Tour<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
26 <strong>The</strong> Master on the Mountain<br />
A Conversation with<br />
Master Zhong Yunlong<br />
30 Tao Is the Source <strong>of</strong> All Universes<br />
by Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha<br />
34 "Be Here Now"<br />
Perfecting the <strong>Practice</strong> <strong>of</strong> Presence<br />
by Daniel Reid<br />
Our cover: <strong>Daoist</strong> qigong<br />
instructor Jiang Wei in<br />
Wudang Mountains.<br />
Photo by Anya Ishtara<br />
Departments<br />
Along the Way 5<br />
Directory 46<br />
4 Summer 2011
What is Daoism<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Dao that can be described is not the eternal Dao.”<br />
So begins the Daodejing <strong>of</strong> Laozi written some 2,500 years ago.<br />
How then, to describe the indescribable How to fit into words<br />
that which is beyond words <strong>The</strong> Dao can only be pointed to,<br />
or referred to, say the ancient sages. It cannot be held, only<br />
experienced. It cannot be touched, only felt. It cannot be seen,<br />
only glimpsed with the inner eye.<br />
Dao, then, is the Way, as in direction, as in manner, source,<br />
destination, purpose <strong>and</strong> process. In discovering <strong>and</strong> exploring<br />
Dao the process <strong>and</strong> the destination are one <strong>and</strong> the same.<br />
Laozi describes a <strong>Daoist</strong> as the one who sees simplicity in the<br />
complicated <strong>and</strong> achieves greatness in little things. He or she<br />
is dedicated to discovering the dance <strong>of</strong> the cosmos in the<br />
passing <strong>of</strong> each season as well as the passing <strong>of</strong> each precious<br />
moment in our lives.<br />
Daoism was already long established when Laozi wrote the<br />
Daodejing. It originated in the ancient shamanic roots <strong>of</strong> Chinese<br />
civilization. Many <strong>of</strong> the practices <strong>and</strong> attitudes toward life were<br />
already established before Laozi’s time. For many centuries<br />
Daoism was an informal way <strong>of</strong> life, a way followed by peasant,<br />
farmer, gentleman philosopher <strong>and</strong> artist. It was a way <strong>of</strong> deep<br />
reflection <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> learning from Nature, considered the highest<br />
teacher. Followers <strong>of</strong> the Way studied the stars in the heavens<br />
<strong>and</strong> the energy that lies deep within the earth. <strong>The</strong>y meditated<br />
upon the energy flow within their own bodies <strong>and</strong> mapped out<br />
the roads <strong>and</strong> paths it traveled upon.<br />
It is a belief in life, a belief in the glorious procession <strong>of</strong><br />
each unfolding moment. It is a deeply spiritual life, involving<br />
introspection, balance, emotional <strong>and</strong> spiritual independence<br />
<strong>and</strong> responsibility <strong>and</strong> a deep awareness <strong>and</strong> connection to the<br />
earth <strong>and</strong> all other life forms. It requires an underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong><br />
how energy works in the body <strong>and</strong> how to treat illness in a safe,<br />
non-invasive way while teaching practical ways <strong>of</strong> maintaining<br />
health <strong>and</strong> avoiding disease <strong>and</strong> discomfort. <strong>Daoist</strong> meditation<br />
techniques help the practitioner enter deeper or more expansive<br />
levels <strong>of</strong> wakefulness <strong>and</strong> inner strength. But most <strong>of</strong> all, it is<br />
a simple, natural, practical way <strong>of</strong> being in our bodies <strong>and</strong> our<br />
psyches <strong>and</strong> sharing that way <strong>of</strong> being with all other life forms<br />
we come into contact with.<br />
Today in China <strong>and</strong> in the West, Daoism is sometimes<br />
divided into two forms, dao jio <strong>and</strong> dao jia; or religious Daoism<br />
<strong>and</strong> philosophical Daoism. Many scholars argue that there are<br />
not two distinct forms <strong>of</strong> Daoism <strong>and</strong> in many ways they are<br />
right. <strong>The</strong>re is really a great intermingling <strong>of</strong> the religious form<br />
<strong>of</strong> Daoism <strong>and</strong> its various sects <strong>and</strong> the philosophical Daoism<br />
<strong>of</strong> Laozi <strong>and</strong> Zhuangzi. But many people who follow the Dao<br />
do not consider themselves religious people <strong>and</strong> do not go to<br />
temples <strong>and</strong> are not ordained as priests. Rather these two forms<br />
exist both side by side <strong>and</strong> within each other.<br />
As it says in the opening lines <strong>of</strong> the Daodejing: “Dao or<br />
Way that can be spoken <strong>of</strong> or described in words is not eternal<br />
Dao.” It is up to each <strong>of</strong> us to find the way to the Way in our<br />
own way. What we try to do with <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel is <strong>of</strong>fer articles<br />
<strong>and</strong> information to help you, our dear readers, to do that.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel<br />
A <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> <strong>Philosophy</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Practice</strong><br />
Publisher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao<br />
Editor <strong>and</strong> design<br />
Solala Towler<br />
Pro<strong>of</strong>reading<br />
Jack Woltz<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel: A <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> Contemporary Daoism is<br />
published quarterly by <strong>The</strong> Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao,<br />
1991 Garfield Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405.<br />
E-Mail address: solala@abodetao.com.<br />
Web site: www.abodetao.com.<br />
Subscriptions are $20 per year (U.S. funds).<br />
Please send address changes to: <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 1991<br />
Garfield Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405.<br />
©2011 by <strong>The</strong> Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao, all rights<br />
reserved. <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel is not responsible for opinions<br />
or statements expressed by authors or for advertisers'<br />
claims.<br />
Advertising rates are available by writing to <strong>The</strong> Empty<br />
Vessel, 1991 Garfield Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405,<br />
calling 800-574-5118 or emailing solala@abodetao.com.<br />
Statement <strong>of</strong> Purpose<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel is dedicated to the exploration <strong>and</strong><br />
dissemination <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> philosophy <strong>and</strong> practice. It is<br />
open to sharing the various traditional <strong>and</strong> contemporary<br />
teachings in a nondiscriminatory manner. We<br />
at <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel believe that it is in using these<br />
practices <strong>and</strong> attitudes <strong>of</strong> the ancient achieved ones in<br />
a timely <strong>and</strong> contemporary manner that we can best<br />
benefit from them <strong>and</strong> in doing so, be able to effect<br />
change in the world around us.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 5
To our readers:<br />
With this issue it has been 19 years since we first launched <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel. Through the<br />
many ups <strong>and</strong> downs <strong>of</strong> the economy, we have kept going, striving to bring the many aspects<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> practice to you, our readers.<br />
Now it is time to move on to the new incarnation <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel. <strong>The</strong> price <strong>of</strong> postage<br />
<strong>and</strong> printing <strong>and</strong> the fact that many book stores are closing has gotten to the point that we can<br />
no longer afford to print <strong>and</strong> sell magazines through distributors.<br />
But as they say, "When one door is closed, another is opened." We will be going into a new<br />
incarnation <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel <strong>and</strong>, quite possibly, reach even more people!<br />
Beginning with the Winter 2012 issue, we will only be available on-line at our new website<br />
community at EnergyArtsGlobal.com. This new website will actually be more <strong>of</strong> a portal into<br />
a whole world <strong>of</strong> Dao <strong>and</strong> our "Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Dao Community" will be the premier<br />
place to immerse yourself in the Dao <strong>and</strong> learn about the global community <strong>of</strong> like-minded<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong>s. We will include each issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel (for the first time in full color),<br />
which will be available to not only download to your computer but also to your ipad, iphone<br />
or other digital device.<br />
You will be able to download it, print the whole issue or selected articles. In addition, our<br />
website portal will also contain a wealth <strong>of</strong> information such as video from China, streaming<br />
material such as guided meditations <strong>and</strong> interviews with masters <strong>of</strong> qigong <strong>and</strong> Daoism<br />
<strong>and</strong> online classes. <strong>The</strong>re will also be downloadable music tracks <strong>and</strong> ebooks on topics like<br />
Women's <strong>Practice</strong>s, <strong>Daoist</strong> Mysticism, Chinese Medicine, Qigong <strong>Practice</strong> <strong>and</strong> more. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
will also be an archive <strong>of</strong> back issues <strong>and</strong> special topics.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> this will be available to our subscribers. <strong>The</strong>re will also be a free section as well for<br />
anyone looking for an introduction to <strong>Daoist</strong> philosophy <strong>and</strong> practice. Being part <strong>of</strong> the Abode<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Eternal Dao Community will also <strong>of</strong>fer you interactive options to participate in online<br />
discussions, information sharing, social networking, coaching, meditations, <strong>and</strong> a lot more<br />
that we have planned with experts in Daoism from around the globe in the months to come.<br />
<strong>The</strong> price for the new subscriptions to the Abode portal will be a bit higher than our old one<br />
but instead <strong>of</strong> merely receiving a magazine you will be able to access a whole world! <strong>The</strong><br />
new cost $29 per year. For existing readers we are <strong>of</strong>fering a special introductory price <strong>of</strong> just<br />
$25. Just go to www.EnergyArtsGlobal.com, click on the image for the Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal<br />
Dao, click on Apply <strong>and</strong> then type in "WUWEI" in the Promo Code box to get your discount.<br />
Thank you for your support all <strong>of</strong> these years <strong>and</strong> may be all grow <strong>and</strong> prosper together!<br />
6 Summer 2011
Along the Way<br />
As you can see by the information on the last<br />
page, we are up to new things with <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel. It<br />
has been 19 years now that we first started publishing.<br />
We have struggled for all <strong>of</strong> these years to produce an<br />
interesting, relevance <strong>and</strong> inspiring journal. Some <strong>of</strong><br />
you have stuck with us for all <strong>of</strong> these years!<br />
Now it is time for us to evolve <strong>and</strong> grow <strong>and</strong> move<br />
into an even more interesting format. As <strong>Daoist</strong>s we are<br />
dedicated to growing <strong>and</strong> staying flexible. As the Old<br />
Boy says:<br />
When we are born we are supple <strong>and</strong> tender<br />
like a young plant.<br />
When we die we become rigid <strong>and</strong> unyielding.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ten thous<strong>and</strong> beings,<br />
including plants <strong>and</strong> grasses,<br />
when young are s<strong>of</strong>t <strong>and</strong> pliable.<br />
At their death they are dry <strong>and</strong> brittle.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore we say that the stiff <strong>and</strong> unyielding<br />
are the companions <strong>of</strong> death.<br />
<strong>The</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t <strong>and</strong> yielding are the followers <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
In this way, an army may be strong<br />
but it will be defeated.<br />
A mighty tree will be cut down.<br />
<strong>The</strong> great <strong>and</strong> mighty will fall<br />
while the s<strong>of</strong>t <strong>and</strong> yielding will overcome.<br />
(76)<br />
So this is what we are doing here at the Abode –<br />
remaining flexible, open to new experiences, new ways<br />
<strong>of</strong> looking at the world, new ways <strong>of</strong> being <strong>and</strong> doing. I<br />
feel excited <strong>and</strong> exhilarated as well as more than a little<br />
uneasy as the ground that I have known for so many<br />
years shifts under me. But I feel that I am being led <strong>and</strong><br />
that this change will actually bring <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Dao to another level!<br />
I am also deeply indebted to my good friend Francesco<br />
Garripolli who is the founder <strong>of</strong> the EnergyArts-<br />
Global project. It is with his guidance <strong>and</strong> belief in a<br />
magical <strong>and</strong> abundant universe that I am able to make<br />
the changes that it will take to move the Abode into<br />
a whole new world! (See his article on page 6 to see<br />
what I mean). I would also like to thank the wonderful<br />
Naoka Chindo who is also doing a great deal to make<br />
this happen! Mahalo to you both!<br />
I hope to see some <strong>of</strong> you at the NQA national<br />
conference in August in King <strong>of</strong> Prussia, PA See their<br />
website at NQA.org for info on this fun, fulfilling <strong>and</strong><br />
fantastic event!<br />
Solala Towler, editor<br />
Subscribe to<br />
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•Insightful <strong>and</strong> stimulating<br />
interviews with contemporary <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
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• Informative <strong>and</strong> inspirational<br />
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practice.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 7
Conduit or Container<br />
Francesco Garripolli<br />
8 Summer 2011
To see yourself as a Container is to live in a world <strong>of</strong> limits <strong>and</strong><br />
scarcity. To see yourself as a Conduit is to live in a world <strong>of</strong> abundance.<br />
believe that the underlying concepts <strong>and</strong> belief<br />
I systems that we hold about life affect everything<br />
from the way a technique works to the actual physics<br />
involved in any action. <strong>The</strong> things we do in life do not<br />
st<strong>and</strong> alone. <strong>The</strong>re are no fixed rules that allow something<br />
to simple “happen” in an independent way. How<br />
<strong>and</strong> what we feel, think, <strong>and</strong> believe about something<br />
totally affects the outcome.<br />
That said, I see that many people hold a certain belief<br />
that can curtail their development <strong>and</strong> self-healing as<br />
it relates to Qigong. This belief system revolves around<br />
how we “see” ourselves…Whether it was taught to you<br />
by a teacher or whether you simply found yourself accepting<br />
it, you hold the belief that “you” (energetically<br />
<strong>and</strong> physically) are either a “Container” or a “Conduit.”<br />
This may sound funny, but answer the following<br />
four questions <strong>and</strong> please just answer with the first<br />
response that come to your mind:<br />
1) When I practice Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki or<br />
other energy art, I feel…<br />
a. I am gathering energy <strong>and</strong> storing it.<br />
b. I am channeling energy <strong>and</strong> being recycled by it.<br />
2) When I breathe during my personal practice…<br />
a. I fill up with air <strong>and</strong> hold it.<br />
b. I fill up with air <strong>and</strong> let it go simultaneously.<br />
3) When my body feels sick or uncomfortable…<br />
a. I feel my Qi is low.<br />
b. I feel my Qi flow is blocked.<br />
4) When I am feeling tired or exhausted…<br />
a. I feel I have run out <strong>of</strong> Qi.<br />
b. I feel my Qi is stagnant.<br />
Ok, not how you answered either “a” or “b” (you<br />
need to commit to one <strong>of</strong> the other, whichever feels the<br />
strongest pull).<br />
If you answered with even one “a” you are living<br />
with a belief system that you are in the Container<br />
category.<br />
If you only answered with one “a” then we may be<br />
dealing only with semantics.<br />
If you answered with two or three “a” answered,<br />
then we need to play with these concepts for a bit.<br />
If you answered with all “b” answers then you are a<br />
full-fledged Qi Conduit so please pass “Go” <strong>and</strong> collect<br />
your 200 dan tians…<br />
Now granted, we can get into some philosophical<br />
discussion here <strong>and</strong> split hairs over the details <strong>and</strong> words,<br />
but I have a simple goal here in sharing this exercise. My<br />
hope is to get you to rethink the way you see your body/<br />
mind/spirit.<br />
To see yourself as a Container is to live in a world <strong>of</strong><br />
limits <strong>and</strong> scarcity. You will always be concerned with<br />
making sure you are “full” <strong>and</strong> you will begin to worry<br />
when you are less than full. A Container can only hold<br />
so much. You will always “want” more. <strong>The</strong> Container<br />
compares itself in capacity to other Containers, always externally<br />
referencing, looking outside to be satisfied. This<br />
is the way <strong>of</strong> the ego, driven by fear. You will be happy<br />
when you are full <strong>and</strong> sad when you are empty. This is<br />
the roller coaster world <strong>of</strong> the ego/fear/belief system for<br />
the Container category <strong>of</strong> Qigong practitioners.<br />
To see yourself as a Conduit is to live in a world <strong>of</strong><br />
abundance. You will embrace the infinite nature <strong>of</strong> our<br />
Universe <strong>and</strong> sense your immersion in boundless Qi. A<br />
Conduit can channel the whole <strong>of</strong> the Universe while<br />
holding onto nothing. Every breath you take will pass<br />
through you <strong>and</strong> you will receive exactly what you<br />
require. Your inhales are as fulfilling as your exhales,<br />
knowing that each release is a cleansing <strong>and</strong> an <strong>of</strong>fering to<br />
the world. <strong>The</strong> Conduit is focused on living self-reflection<br />
<strong>and</strong> inner flow…infinite connection to every atom in the<br />
Universe <strong>and</strong> you see everything as a reflection <strong>of</strong> self,<br />
as the infinitude <strong>of</strong> existence, our Dreaming, constantly<br />
passes through us. <strong>The</strong> Conduit doesn’t need to store Qi…<br />
the Conduit knows she is Qi <strong>and</strong> immersed in an infinite<br />
field <strong>of</strong> Qi. Access is implicit in the Way <strong>of</strong> the Conduit.<br />
I suggest you revisit these four questions above now<br />
that you’ve read this…see if any <strong>of</strong> your “a” answers have<br />
changed…<strong>and</strong> if they haven’t maybe this has inspired<br />
you to question a little deeper <strong>and</strong> embrace the Way <strong>of</strong><br />
the Conduit. Peace…<br />
Francesco Garri Garripoli is the author <strong>of</strong> Qigong – Essence<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Healing Dance <strong>and</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> the Ride. He teaches<br />
worldwide <strong>and</strong> through a series <strong>of</strong> Qigong instructional<br />
DVDs with Daisy Lee. <strong>The</strong> director <strong>and</strong> producer <strong>of</strong> the PBS<br />
documentary, Qigong – Ancient Healing for the 21st Century,<br />
Francesco works to support families <strong>and</strong> youth through his<br />
non-pr<strong>of</strong>it www.KahunaValley.org. His newest venture, www.<br />
WujiTech.com, <strong>of</strong>fers powerful online s<strong>of</strong>tware solutions<br />
for coaching, mentoring, health tracking, consulting, <strong>and</strong><br />
personal development. For more on his <strong>and</strong> Daisy’s work<br />
with Qigong, visit www.WujiProductions.com.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 9
10 Summer 2011
<strong>The</strong> Ox-herding Chart <strong>of</strong> Chan Buddhism<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Enlightenment Process It Tells<br />
Rewritten <strong>and</strong> translation by Hu Xuezhi<br />
edited by Muriel Kirton<br />
Editor's note: This article, by our Wudang friend Hu<br />
Xuezhi, may list Chan Buddhism in the title, but we felt that<br />
there was such a lot that was real Daoism in the article that it<br />
would be <strong>of</strong> interest to our readers.<br />
For many years, the English translation <strong>of</strong> the Oxherding<br />
Chart <strong>of</strong> the Chan Sect <strong>of</strong> Buddhism has attracted<br />
a great deal <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>and</strong> attention, <strong>and</strong> has been the<br />
subject <strong>of</strong> intensive study by Western readers. <strong>The</strong> illustrated<br />
poem was composed in classical Chinese, which<br />
unfortunately means that, for many readers in mainl<strong>and</strong><br />
China today, the meaning can be difficult to grasp, since<br />
the opportunities to study classical Chinese literature<br />
are limited. As things st<strong>and</strong>, the Chart seems to have<br />
gained much more popularity in America <strong>and</strong> Japan<br />
than in mainl<strong>and</strong> China where people nowadays would<br />
rarely hear <strong>of</strong> it being used or referred to by mainl<strong>and</strong><br />
Chan Buddhists.<br />
Several years ago, I read a martial arts novel by<br />
Huang Yi, which had a title along the lines <strong>of</strong> “Shatter<br />
the Emptiness into Many Pieces”, He made liberal use<br />
<strong>of</strong> the poem from the Ox-herding Chart to describe how,<br />
in the course <strong>of</strong> his study <strong>and</strong> practice, the hero <strong>of</strong> the<br />
novel progressed step by step towards the attainment<br />
<strong>of</strong> immortality. However, as regards the tangible nature<br />
<strong>of</strong> his achievements, we are merely <strong>of</strong>fered descriptive<br />
words <strong>and</strong> phrases about the nature <strong>of</strong> the mind<br />
<strong>and</strong> the hero’s diligent advancement towards ‘sudden<br />
enlightenment’. We are in no sense given descriptive<br />
details or an explanation regarding the regulation <strong>of</strong><br />
the breath or the deployment <strong>of</strong> Chi. In the practice <strong>of</strong><br />
inner alchemy (immortality study), it would be characterized<br />
as ‘talk concerning only mercury, as yet without<br />
lead.” You can easily deduce from this that the author<br />
is simply a poet or literary scholar <strong>of</strong> the Wei <strong>and</strong> Jin<br />
Dynasty, whose interest lay in crafting metaphysical<br />
<strong>and</strong> mythical stories compiled from a mix <strong>of</strong> different<br />
elements <strong>and</strong> components lifted from Chan literature.<br />
However, after a detailed/careful reading <strong>and</strong> contemplation<br />
<strong>of</strong> both the Chart <strong>and</strong> the accompanying poems, I was<br />
suddenly struck by the realization that the Ox–herding<br />
Chart reveals many <strong>of</strong> the features that define the practical<br />
process <strong>of</strong> inner alchemy practice (immortality study).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re may be some Buddhists or scholars from the Chan<br />
Sect who would refute my observation, but after many<br />
days <strong>of</strong> meditation, it seems that I feel more certitude<br />
about my assertion.<br />
Let me explain. I had a sudden insight that the<br />
chart can be understood as an illustration that depicts<br />
the sequence <strong>of</strong> progressive stages leading to the attainment<br />
<strong>of</strong> immortality, with each stage being described<br />
<strong>and</strong> characterized by different symbols, each holding a<br />
specific meaning. As we know, for the Chan sect, there is<br />
Chan poetry, <strong>and</strong> for immortality practice there is NeiDan<br />
(inner alchemy) poetry. Chan poetry is <strong>of</strong>ten characterized<br />
by the subtlety <strong>of</strong> a full moon located far beyond<br />
the pointing finger, whereas NeiDan poems most <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
feature highly metaphorical, artistic concepts which lie<br />
somewhere between that which can be perceived, <strong>and</strong><br />
that which is totally beyond any perception whatsoever.<br />
Immortality teaching does not talk about ‘immediate<br />
or sudden enlightenment’, nor does it make assertions<br />
such as “All things created by cause <strong>and</strong> its accessory<br />
conditions have no reality.” Similarly, it does not promote<br />
concepts such as “immediately become an immortal.’’ Yet<br />
its gradual <strong>and</strong> progressive approach can lead to success,<br />
when followed systematically from the beginning, <strong>and</strong><br />
pursued without the omission <strong>of</strong> any necessary steps.<br />
Nonetheless it seems to hold little attraction for practitioners<br />
from the Chan sect, even though it truly leads<br />
upwards, like a super-straight ladder.<br />
Although the Chan sect <strong>of</strong>ten talks about immediate,<br />
or sudden, enlightenment <strong>and</strong> the realization <strong>of</strong> full attainment<br />
free from all hindrance, we should not take that<br />
to mean that we are freed from the need to apply effort,<br />
either prior to, or subsequent to, reaching that attainment.<br />
Otherwise, Huineng (the sixth patriarch) would not have<br />
been required to toil over the grindstone for nine months<br />
before reaching his attainment, nor would he have been<br />
required to run to join a hunting team, <strong>and</strong> thereafter<br />
embark on practices that lasted for nineteen years. Later<br />
on, when he began to teach, what did he teach In the<br />
beginning he taught the chant “Prajna Paramita’’ (Reaching<br />
the Other Shore). To speak truthfully, the goal <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Chan Sect is to arrive at a state <strong>of</strong> mutual affinity between<br />
teacher <strong>and</strong> disciple, while for the study <strong>of</strong> immortality<br />
the goal rests on the infusion <strong>of</strong> varying levels <strong>of</strong> Yang<br />
Qi. In essence, both lie well beyond the descriptive faculty<br />
<strong>of</strong> either spoken or written language, as regards the<br />
authentic aptitude, ability <strong>and</strong> skills involved.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 11
<strong>The</strong> study <strong>of</strong> Chan <strong>and</strong> its subtlety, lies in Chan’s<br />
allegoric connotations, or ‘the underst<strong>and</strong>ing which is<br />
gained in an instant’. This incorporates a rational element,<br />
but leaves no opening for any form <strong>of</strong> speculation.<br />
Only mutual affinity can prompt the sudden perception<br />
<strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the allegorical meaning, which<br />
primarily arises from the attained idea that “all things<br />
that are produced by cause <strong>and</strong> associated conditions<br />
have no reality,” <strong>and</strong> “the mind remains unimpeded, no<br />
matter what.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> subtlety <strong>of</strong> immortality study however, lies in<br />
the Mysterious Pass, which serves as the only channel<br />
<strong>of</strong> communication connecting both the Pre-heaven <strong>and</strong><br />
Post-heaven domains. <strong>The</strong> Mysterious Pass lies neither<br />
within nor outside the corporeal body <strong>and</strong> neither within<br />
the interior nor the exterior. It presents itself only when<br />
the interior resonates with the exterior, so allowing the<br />
natural to concur with the artificial, with the prerequisite<br />
that both Shen <strong>and</strong> Chi are already sufficient for the process.<br />
We can use the analogy <strong>of</strong> love to illustrate the state<br />
<strong>of</strong> being: the feeling <strong>of</strong> love between a woman <strong>and</strong> a man<br />
arises spontaneously, <strong>and</strong> the majority <strong>of</strong> people know<br />
that love cannot be forced. Similarly, both emptiness <strong>and</strong><br />
naturalness begin to meet in harmony <strong>and</strong> communicate<br />
with each other, though both vary in the degree to which<br />
they become apparent.<br />
You may perhaps wonder whether it is possible for<br />
immortality study/internal alchemy <strong>and</strong> the study <strong>of</strong><br />
Chan to meet up with each other in one place, or on one<br />
thoroughfare, without there being obstacles between<br />
them Let us read the following passage which is an<br />
excerpt from Chuang Tzu, entitled “<strong>The</strong> Fasting <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Mind”, translated by Victor H. Mair<br />
“I have nothing further to propose,” said Yen Hui. “I<br />
venture to ask you for a method.”<br />
“Fasting,” said Confucius. “I shall explain it for you. If<br />
you do things with your mind, do you think it will be easy<br />
Bright heaven will not approve one who thinks it will be easy.”<br />
“My family is poor,” said Yen Hui, “<strong>and</strong> it’s been several<br />
months since I’ve drunk wine or tasted meat. May this be<br />
considered fasting”<br />
“This is fasting suitable for sacrifices, but it is not fasting<br />
<strong>of</strong> the mind.”<br />
“I venture to ask what ‘fasting <strong>of</strong> the mind’ is,” said Hui.<br />
“Concentrate your mind-will. Hear not with your ears,<br />
but with your mind; not with your mind, but with your Chi.<br />
Let your hearing stop with the ears, <strong>and</strong> let your mind stop<br />
with natural concordance. Chi, however, is vacuous <strong>and</strong> empty,<br />
accommodating all. <strong>The</strong>re is none but Tao who dwells in the<br />
empty vacuity. And becoming empty <strong>and</strong> vacuous is the fasting<br />
<strong>of</strong> the mind.”<br />
“Before I am able to exercise fasting <strong>of</strong> the mind,” said Yen<br />
Hui, “I truly have an identity. But after I am able to exercise it,<br />
I will no longer have an identity. Can this be called emptiness<br />
“Exactly so!” replied the master. “Let me tell you. Enter <strong>and</strong><br />
roam about this realm, but without any awareness <strong>of</strong> what the<br />
realm is. In the event <strong>of</strong> arrival in it sing in concert with it; in<br />
case <strong>of</strong> no arrival in it stop at the cessation. Let the door open<br />
<strong>and</strong> close, by its own course. House all as an undivided whole<br />
<strong>and</strong> lodge in that which takes the course all in its natural way.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n you are close to it. To leave no footprints is easy; to walk<br />
on no ground is difficult.<br />
“If you are impelled by human feelings, it is easy to be<br />
false; if you are impelled by nature, it is hard to be false. I’ve<br />
only heard <strong>of</strong> creatures that fly with wings, never <strong>of</strong> creatures<br />
that fly with nonwings. I’ve only heard <strong>of</strong> people knowing<br />
things through awareness, never <strong>of</strong> people knowing things<br />
through unawareness. Observe the void – the empty room<br />
emits a pure light. Good fortune lies in stopping when it<br />
is time to stop. If you do not stop, this is called ‘galloping<br />
while sitting.’ Let your senses communicate within <strong>and</strong> rid<br />
yourself <strong>of</strong> the machinations <strong>of</strong> the mind. <strong>The</strong>n even myriad<br />
things are transformed. It is that to which Yao <strong>and</strong> Shun<br />
bound themselves, <strong>and</strong> that which Fuhsi <strong>and</strong> Chich’u exercised<br />
all their lives. All the more is it suited for the masses.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> famous inner alchemist Chen Yingning<br />
once wrote 24 stanzas <strong>of</strong> NeiDan poetry. Below,<br />
we have selected two for your appreciation:<br />
<strong>The</strong> first poem<br />
Ultimate reality shines forth, illuminating the grains <strong>of</strong> s<strong>and</strong><br />
which line the banks <strong>of</strong> the river Ganges<br />
Those <strong>of</strong> the world, the sages, the enlightened, all, at their<br />
origin, sharing one common source.<br />
Each, when free <strong>of</strong> thoughts arising, converging in stillness<br />
towards complete expression,<br />
Yet, when moved by just one single sense, is already eclipsed<br />
by clouds.<br />
Ridding oneself <strong>of</strong> all affliction. And to what end <strong>The</strong> addition<br />
<strong>of</strong> illness!<br />
Drawing near to true thusness. And to what end <strong>The</strong> emergence<br />
<strong>of</strong> a diverging path!<br />
Meekly following the predestined relationship as it arises <strong>and</strong><br />
keeping the mind free <strong>of</strong> hindrance. And to what end<br />
Nirvāna, birth <strong>and</strong> death, do but compare to hollow flowers<br />
floating in the air.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second poem<br />
Overcome emptiness, free yourself <strong>of</strong> accumulated kalpa<br />
<strong>and</strong> endure for a billion years,<br />
Bid farewell to the canoe that ferried us to the far shore.<br />
End your endless search for the countless tomes written on<br />
immortality, even though you know the final words have not<br />
yet been composed.<br />
So what is meant by ‘the final words’ Are they<br />
words that could not be uttered, or words that the author<br />
did not wish to voice <strong>The</strong> answer, provided by Chen<br />
12 Summer 2011
Yingning, is that the author did not dare not to voice the<br />
words, since it may have alarmed the readers. So exactly<br />
what words were they To find the answer let us turn<br />
to the illustrations <strong>and</strong> consult the poems <strong>of</strong> the chart.<br />
Ode to the Ox-herding Chart<br />
1. <strong>The</strong> untamed Ox outside the herd<br />
Ferociously, the ox bellows <strong>and</strong>, free <strong>of</strong> all constraints,<br />
Thrusts about with its crooked horns,<br />
Racing wildly round the mountain<br />
To where the river turns away, <strong>and</strong> the road stretches<br />
<strong>of</strong>f into the far distance.<br />
A bank <strong>of</strong> black cloud hangs over the opening to the valley,<br />
And who can tell how much destruction is wrought to<br />
the young seedlings<br />
Trampled underfoot in the farmer’s field!<br />
Here the ox is a metaphor for the heart-mind, which<br />
has not been reined in or subjected to any form <strong>of</strong> discipline.<br />
It prefers to be free <strong>and</strong> uncurbed, chasing after<br />
whatever it finds desirable or congenial, pleasing or<br />
compelling, even at the expense <strong>of</strong> physical <strong>and</strong> emotional<br />
wellbeing. Accordingly, all possible means should<br />
be employed to tame it <strong>and</strong> take it in h<strong>and</strong>. This concept<br />
seems to correlate more closely to the methods <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Taoist alchemist than the practitioner <strong>of</strong> Chan Buddhism.<br />
A propos, Lao Tzu said in chapter 12 <strong>of</strong> the Tao Te<br />
Ching:<br />
<strong>The</strong> five colours make the eyes blind;<br />
<strong>The</strong> five notes make the ears deaf;<br />
<strong>The</strong> five flavors rob the mouth <strong>of</strong> taste.<br />
Riding <strong>and</strong> hunting make the mind wild;<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore, <strong>The</strong> Yellow Emperor went to see Master<br />
Kuang Ch’eng, to ask about the administration <strong>of</strong> the<br />
body:<br />
Master Kuang Ch’eng sat up with a start. “It is excellent,<br />
this question <strong>of</strong> yours! Come, I will tell you about the Perfect<br />
Tao. <strong>The</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> the Perfect Tao is pr<strong>of</strong>oundly obscure <strong>and</strong><br />
vague; the subtlety <strong>of</strong> the Perfect Tao is pr<strong>of</strong>oundly elusive <strong>and</strong><br />
still. See nothing, hear nothing, enfold Shen in quietude <strong>and</strong><br />
the body will go right , <strong>of</strong> its own accord. Be still, be pure, do<br />
not labor your body, do not churn up your Jing, <strong>and</strong> then you<br />
can live a long life. <strong>The</strong>re is nothing to be beheld by the eyes,<br />
nothing to be heard by the ears, nothing to be known by the<br />
heart, thus your Shen shall guard the body, <strong>and</strong> the body will<br />
thereby enjoy a long life. Cherish that which is within you, block<br />
<strong>of</strong>f what is outside you, too much knowledge will do you harm.<br />
If the poem was intended to characterize the teachings <strong>of</strong><br />
the Chan sect, it would not talk about the unruliness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
heart-mind (ox) when the heart-mind is the main issue under<br />
consideration. Otherwise, slaughtering the ox with a sharp<br />
sword would not be the answer to the problem (Particularly<br />
since Zen Buddhism is opposed to killing). Similarly, if it is<br />
intended to characterize (the teachings <strong>of</strong>) the six patriarchs <strong>of</strong><br />
the Chan sect, we might expect to be given the directive “keep<br />
dusting it to prevent it from incurring the least speck <strong>of</strong> dust.”<br />
So, why then does the word “forgetfulness” appear in later<br />
poems <strong>The</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> “forgetfulness” reflects the approach<br />
<strong>of</strong> Huang Tzu where you readily find passages such as “To be<br />
forgetful in sitting meditation”, which advocates combining the<br />
heart-mind with the breathing (listening to the breath), <strong>and</strong><br />
allowing the heart mind <strong>and</strong> breath to harmonize <strong>and</strong> become<br />
at one with each other. <strong>The</strong>reafter, falling into forgetfulness <strong>of</strong><br />
both breath <strong>and</strong> heart-mind, forgetting about everything, in<br />
complete oblivion <strong>and</strong> without intervention, following whatever<br />
arises or fades away.<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> Initial Taming <strong>of</strong> the Ox<br />
Taking a rope, I run it through the nose <strong>of</strong> the ox, <strong>and</strong><br />
cling fast!<br />
His first attempt to go haring <strong>of</strong>f is well rewarded with burning<br />
pain from the lash <strong>of</strong> the whip !<br />
But, with the determined strength <strong>of</strong> ingrained, wild inclinations,<br />
He struggles against all change <strong>and</strong> modification.<br />
Now the ox-herd boy must bring his full abilities to bear<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 13
on his struggle to transform the ways <strong>of</strong> the ox!<br />
In meditation people may initially find it difficult to<br />
keep their thoughts <strong>and</strong> mind quiet, since the heart-mind<br />
is easily drawn by objects <strong>and</strong> attractions outside itself.<br />
This can be likened to young schoolchildren who cannot<br />
remain silent or sit motionless (a requirement that,<br />
in the Chinese education system, reflects the behavior<br />
traditionally expected <strong>of</strong> children in kindergarten or<br />
junior schools!). For them it truly is agony since they are<br />
forced to comply).<br />
Most people know that it is difficult to tame a wild<br />
ox, especially if, whip in h<strong>and</strong>, you mount on its back<br />
<strong>and</strong> order it to head east or west. In that situation, you<br />
know that you risk falling from its back, or even falling to<br />
your death, when the ox runs amok. <strong>The</strong>refore, the best<br />
solution is to “cling fast to a rope that runs through the<br />
nose <strong>of</strong> the ox’’, thereby easily directing the ox to move in<br />
any direction you choose, <strong>and</strong> avoiding the risk <strong>of</strong> being<br />
thrown from its back. In fact, from the st<strong>and</strong>point <strong>of</strong> an<br />
alchemist, such a rope denotes the breath. For a novice<br />
in meditation, it indicates that the heart-mind should<br />
rest upon the breathing. Yet, for most practitioners, it is<br />
certain that they will encounter difficulties created by<br />
the heart-mind that remains at large, <strong>and</strong> refuses to come<br />
under control.<br />
To facilitate the process, additional methods should<br />
be introduced, such as counting the breath, or using reverse<br />
breathing (exp<strong>and</strong>ing the abdomen when exhaling,<br />
<strong>and</strong> contracting it when inhaling). This clarifies the words<br />
Now the ox-herd boy must bring his full abilities to bear on<br />
his struggle to transform the ways <strong>of</strong> the ox!<br />
3. Beginning the Process <strong>of</strong> Modification<br />
All day long, still h<strong>and</strong>ling the rope with no less strength,<br />
<strong>The</strong> ox-herd boy grows accustomed to<br />
the gradual forgetfulness, <strong>and</strong> tiredness.<br />
Start with counting the breath, <strong>and</strong> after some time, you<br />
may find that the heart-mind has been gradually been<br />
freed <strong>of</strong> much <strong>of</strong> its delusional thinking, <strong>and</strong> begins to<br />
follow the inhaling <strong>and</strong> exhaling <strong>of</strong> the breath without<br />
the need for assistance. Even though stray ideas may at<br />
times arise, the heart-mind will soon be back on track<br />
with the breath once again. Accordingly, the experience<br />
arises <strong>of</strong> “wading across rivers or sailing through clouds,<br />
the ox begins to follow instinctively, one step at time.”<br />
However, from time to time, the attention <strong>of</strong> the heartmind<br />
must be re-focused upon the breath, lest it should<br />
resume its former course, <strong>and</strong> again w<strong>and</strong>er around with<br />
no constraints.<br />
At the beginning such intensity <strong>of</strong> effort may<br />
be very tiring, but with time, practitioners slowly<br />
become accustomed to it, <strong>and</strong> the feeling <strong>of</strong> tiredness<br />
disappears in a natural fashion. Here, we refer<br />
to “<strong>The</strong> Ode to the Mythical Source <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong> Tao,” written by Chao Wen Yee to elucidate:<br />
When, one day, attainment is achieved, it is a fully free<br />
excursion.<br />
Reflecting upon the process <strong>of</strong> refining <strong>and</strong> cooking, you<br />
will sigh over the effort expended<br />
Through striving, even though, in truth, no diligence<br />
was required,<br />
Since the work requires only the fostering <strong>of</strong> the primeval<br />
Shen.<br />
It is regrettable that the mind prefers to be active.<br />
At this critical time, whether to hone, or be set free, all is<br />
held within the palm <strong>of</strong> your h<strong>and</strong>!<br />
4. Looking back<br />
With modifications <strong>and</strong> adjustments, he steadily tempers<br />
the wildness <strong>of</strong> the ox,<br />
Winning its slow but sure submission.<br />
Wading across rivers or sailing through clouds, the<br />
ox begins to follow instinctively, one step at a time.<br />
In the course <strong>of</strong> time, as meritorious endeavors successively<br />
bear fruit<br />
Little by little, it comes to pass that wildness reaches its<br />
end,<br />
And, slowly, frenzied force becomes meek gentleness.<br />
14 Summer 2011
Yet, being not yet sure this will remain constant <strong>and</strong><br />
unchanged<br />
<strong>The</strong> mountain boy still holds the rope tethered within<br />
his h<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
After the practice <strong>of</strong> counting the breath, together with<br />
listening to the breathing, it is less difficult to tame<br />
the heart-mind than before. Its unruliness begins to be<br />
worn down, <strong>and</strong>, unconsciously, it begins to cleave to<br />
the breath. However, this is still not the right time to<br />
enter the second phase, which is “to listen with Chi”,<br />
since the heart-mind <strong>and</strong> breath have not yet been fully<br />
unified. Taoist inner alchemy books prefer to use metaphor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> heart-mind is likened to women, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
breath to men, <strong>and</strong> the combining <strong>of</strong> the two is signified<br />
through the symbol <strong>of</strong> sexual intercourse. This has<br />
led to considerable confusion, resulting in the theory<br />
<strong>of</strong> dual cultivation between men <strong>and</strong> women, which<br />
continues to be a popularly held concept in the western<br />
world. It should be understood to be but metaphor,<br />
<strong>and</strong> should not be interpreted as one <strong>of</strong> the paths to<br />
enlightenment, as most false masters claim.<br />
Although, at this stage, the heart-mind <strong>and</strong> breath<br />
begin to attach to each other, it is necessary to ‘set the<br />
intent’ to keep them conjoined, in order for them to hold<br />
together. Thus, “<strong>The</strong> mountain boy still holds the rope<br />
tethered within his h<strong>and</strong>s.”<br />
together has simply become a prolongation <strong>of</strong> excess<br />
‘attachment’ , which is unnecessary, since the two have<br />
gradually united to form a ‘oneness’ that cannot readily<br />
be split apart. This state is known as “to listen with Chi.”<br />
Even though there may occasionally be moments when<br />
the senses become active, <strong>and</strong> dispassionately enter the<br />
non-conscious domain, it will have no effect due to the<br />
fact that the heart-mind, for no one knows how long a<br />
period <strong>of</strong> time, has entered into a state <strong>of</strong> ‘being in love’<br />
with the breath. <strong>The</strong>refore, there is no longer any need<br />
to deliberately listen to, or continue to count the breath.<br />
6. Free <strong>of</strong> hindrance<br />
5. Tamed<br />
Completely at ease, dozing or falling asleep, at will, on<br />
the open ground ,<br />
No longer driven onwards by the whip, free as the air.<br />
Happy under the green pines, the ox-herd boy sits<br />
steadily<br />
And peacefully plays a gentle tune<br />
that tells <strong>of</strong> more than any happiness.<br />
Beside the old stream, under the shade <strong>of</strong> green poplar trees,<br />
Allowing the rope to drop from his h<strong>and</strong>s, or tightening<br />
it up,<br />
All has been accomplished in its own way.<br />
By nightfall, green clouds roam high above the meadow,<br />
<strong>The</strong> ox-herd boy is returning, yet the rope hangs loose.<br />
At this point, the condition <strong>of</strong> “the heart-mind <strong>and</strong><br />
breathing depending upon each other” has already<br />
been attained. Any further intention to hold them joined<br />
<strong>The</strong> stage attained at this point should be termed the<br />
stage where both Shen <strong>and</strong> Chi are unified to form a<br />
oneness, which lies well beyond the phase <strong>of</strong> “the heartmind<br />
<strong>and</strong> breathing depending upon each other,” since<br />
the consciousness has gradually blurred, leaving only a<br />
very small percentage <strong>of</strong> lucid awareness, <strong>and</strong> even this<br />
is almost unconscious <strong>of</strong> any breathing. It is, however, not<br />
the emptiness <strong>of</strong> nothingness as described by Buddhism,<br />
but an intimation <strong>of</strong> spontaneous circulation in operation,<br />
in which the senses <strong>and</strong> breath are both transformed<br />
into two different types <strong>of</strong> energy. One is Shen <strong>and</strong> the<br />
other is Chi. <strong>The</strong> former enters the latter while the latter<br />
embraces the former. So, you can see the changes that<br />
have taken place throughout the process: firstly listen to<br />
the breath, then ‘enjoy <strong>and</strong> engage with its company’,<br />
<strong>and</strong> ‘get along with’ the breath, then become closer <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 15
merge with it to “feel” the manifestation initiated by the<br />
transforming force <strong>of</strong> great nature — the spontaneous<br />
circulation. One famous Taoist scripture, called the 100-<br />
Word Monument, reads “sit to listen to non-chord song,<br />
run unimpeded into the core mechanism <strong>of</strong> Creation by<br />
ridding yourself <strong>of</strong> the obscurity <strong>of</strong> illusion. Peacefully<br />
playing a gentle tune that tells <strong>of</strong> more than any happiness.”<br />
Up to now, can you perceive something from these<br />
words or something beyond these words<br />
For illustration, let us consider the poem “Admonition<br />
on Regulating Breathing” by Zhu Shih (a great<br />
philosopher in the Ming Dynasty).<br />
Nose white, I have sight <strong>of</strong> it;<br />
Relaxed, <strong>and</strong> at ease, come join with it <strong>and</strong> enjoy the accord.<br />
Becoming quieter <strong>and</strong> quieter, it seems it spreads widely,<br />
exp<strong>and</strong>ing out like the spring marsh where fish roam;<br />
For a long time immersed in constant motion, whereupon<br />
all then seems to converg , like insects gathering together<br />
to sleep through winter.<br />
In diffusion, opening to accommodate all, <strong>and</strong> in turn,<br />
closing to hibernate,<br />
<strong>The</strong> wonder <strong>of</strong> it is beyond words!<br />
Who, then, is the master <strong>of</strong> it all<br />
Only the dominance <strong>of</strong> non-mastery is worthy <strong>of</strong> such greatness.<br />
At this time the dominance <strong>of</strong> non-mastery begins to<br />
play its part <strong>and</strong>, <strong>of</strong> its own accord, the situation arises<br />
<strong>of</strong> being “No longer driven onwards by the whip, free<br />
as the air.”<br />
7. Following the natural course<br />
Willow bank <strong>and</strong> green ripples dissolve into the sunset,<br />
Leisurely fingers <strong>of</strong> gray fog stretch out, grass spreads in<br />
velvet green .<br />
Hunger is served with food, thirst quenched with drink,<br />
at all times true to the manner <strong>and</strong> affinity <strong>of</strong> their occurance.<br />
Stretched out on the stone, the ox-herd boy lies soundly asleep.<br />
Here, “sleeping” lies at the core <strong>of</strong> the meaning behind<br />
the words, which in turn, correlate with the main<br />
characteristics <strong>of</strong> immortality study. From the perceptions<br />
<strong>of</strong> the initial stage, to the later state <strong>of</strong> oblivion,<br />
from the combination <strong>of</strong> Shen <strong>and</strong> Chi to the involvement<br />
in the spontaneous motion <strong>of</strong> ‘unified oneness’,<br />
success lies upon the precept which directs us “to<br />
follow the natural course,” without any intervention.<br />
Eventually, this brings about “natural evaporation,<br />
natural convergence <strong>and</strong> natural cessation.” (if there<br />
is nothing at all, what is left for us to follow around)<br />
At this point, the practitioner has reached the stage<br />
where the heart-mind stops at the natural concordance,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the listening stops at the ears. Accordingly, we can<br />
say that all perception <strong>and</strong> consciousness gradually<br />
come to an enduring st<strong>and</strong>still, or reach a state which<br />
is dominated by ‘constant st<strong>and</strong>still’. You may construe<br />
this to mean a state <strong>of</strong> sleep. However, the fact is that<br />
when ordinary people sleep, they are in the company<br />
<strong>of</strong> dreams; when practitioners sleep, they are completely<br />
free <strong>of</strong> dreams, since all consciousness comes<br />
to a st<strong>and</strong>still. It rests, or “is deprived <strong>of</strong> all functionality”.<br />
Or, to express it in other words, the difference<br />
between the awakened state <strong>and</strong> the sleeping state<br />
disappears. So, the ox-herd boy falls soundly asleep.<br />
Here we borrow a passage from Chuang Tzu for better<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing (translated by Victor H. Mair)<br />
“How do I know that love <strong>of</strong> life is not a delusion How do<br />
I know that fear <strong>of</strong> death is not like being a homeless waif who<br />
does not know the way back home When the state <strong>of</strong> Chin first<br />
got Pretty Li, the daughter <strong>of</strong> the border warden <strong>of</strong> Ai, she wept<br />
till her robe was soaked with tears. But after she arrived at the<br />
king’s residence, shared his fine bed, <strong>and</strong> could eat the tender<br />
meats <strong>of</strong> his table, she regretted that she had ever wept. How do<br />
I know that the dead may not regret their former lust for life<br />
“Someone who dreams <strong>of</strong> drinking wine at a cheerful<br />
banquet may wake up crying the next morning. Someone who<br />
dreams <strong>of</strong> crying may go <strong>of</strong>f the next morning to enjoy the sport<br />
<strong>of</strong> the hunt. When we are in the midst <strong>of</strong> a dream, we do not<br />
know it’s a dream. Sometimes we may even try to interpret our<br />
dreams while we are dreaming, but then we awake <strong>and</strong> realize<br />
it was a dream. Only after one is greatly awakened does one<br />
realize that it was all a great dream, while the fool thinks that<br />
he is awake <strong>and</strong> presumptuously aware. ‘My excellent lord!’<br />
‘Oh, thou humble shepherd!’ How perverse they are!<br />
“Both Confucius <strong>and</strong> you are dreaming, <strong>and</strong> I too am<br />
dreaming when I say that you are dreaming. This sort <strong>of</strong><br />
language may be called enigmatic, but after myriad generations<br />
there may appear a great sage who will know how<br />
to explain it <strong>and</strong> he will appear as though overnight!”<br />
16 Summer 2011
8. Reciprocal forgetfulness<br />
White ox in white clouds,<br />
Free <strong>of</strong> intention, the man remains liberated from his<br />
mind, as does the ox.<br />
White clouds make a shadow <strong>of</strong> the moon above , <strong>and</strong> a<br />
shadow <strong>of</strong> white clouds is cast by the moon below.<br />
White clouds, full moon in brightness, all things are as they<br />
are, each following their own path to east or west, just as they are.<br />
In the Chan sect, white clouds is a metaphor <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
used to illustrate the state free <strong>of</strong> hindrance, which<br />
is gained by ridding the self <strong>of</strong> attachment (to ego,<br />
to dharmas). This is reflected in the white ox. People<br />
are advised to pay more attention to how the ox<br />
changes its color from black to white, <strong>and</strong> how the<br />
words ‘white clouds’, ‘full moon’ or ‘free as the air’<br />
are used in the poems which accompany the pictures.<br />
At this stage, we should describe the state as ‘a reciprocal<br />
forgetfulness <strong>of</strong> both Shen <strong>and</strong> Chi’. All phenomena<br />
that fall within the realm <strong>of</strong> our conscious mind begin<br />
to crumble <strong>and</strong> the reciprocal binding, or the bonds<br />
<strong>and</strong> attachments that connect all phenomena, begin<br />
to unravel. Everything seems to come to rest at the<br />
same root, on the same footing, <strong>and</strong> all things become<br />
transparent to each other. Or, to put it another way,<br />
the barrier between all phenomena begins to collapse.<br />
Yes, man forgets about the ox, <strong>and</strong> the ox forgets about<br />
man. Man forgets about his cognizing objects (objects<br />
<strong>of</strong> cognition) <strong>and</strong> the cognizing objects forget about<br />
man---the binding between the faculty <strong>of</strong> cognition <strong>and</strong><br />
the cognizing objects (cognition <strong>of</strong> objects) begins to<br />
fade away. Thus reciprocal forgetfulness manifests. In<br />
the words <strong>of</strong> Buddhism, reciprocal forgetfulness is the<br />
disappearance <strong>of</strong> the attachment to ego <strong>and</strong> to dharma<br />
– <strong>and</strong> the cognition that everything has inherent nature.<br />
Chuang-Tzu said, “Both fish <strong>and</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> river <strong>and</strong><br />
lake reciprocally forget about each other; both people<br />
<strong>and</strong> all the means (measures, processes <strong>and</strong> methodologies,<br />
etc) they reciprocally hold on to, forget about each<br />
other.” <strong>The</strong>refore, you can see the importance <strong>of</strong> forgetfulness<br />
during the process <strong>of</strong> enlightenment! It should<br />
be noted that unilateral forgetfulness merits no reward<br />
whatsoever at this point. A state <strong>of</strong> reciprocal forgetfulness<br />
must manifest simultaneously.<br />
Once this stage has been attained, we might ask<br />
where the heart-mind now resides Where are the measures,<br />
processes <strong>and</strong> methodologies you should adhere<br />
to Where is the ego Where are all phenomena “White<br />
clouds, full moon in brightness, all things are as they<br />
are, each following their own path to east or west, just<br />
as they are”.<br />
Chuang-tzu said: “Undo the Jing <strong>and</strong> the Shen to<br />
transcend life’s state <strong>of</strong> existence.” This attainment is<br />
a great liberation, when compared to the former state<br />
<strong>of</strong> bondage within which people cocoon themselves<br />
through their attachments.<br />
In this context, most people prefer to use the term<br />
“forget” to replace “undo.” But, in fact, by this stage, ‘forgetfulness’<br />
has already lost both its meaning <strong>and</strong> its function.<br />
9. Shining in independence<br />
<strong>The</strong> ox is nowhere to be found,<br />
Thus the ox-herd boy has nothing in which to engage<br />
himself.<br />
Nothing is there, save a lonely wisp <strong>of</strong> cloud suspended<br />
between green peaked cliffs.<br />
Clapping his h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> singing in a high pitched<br />
voice, he beckons down the moon,<br />
Only to find on his return that yet another mountain<br />
ridge awaits him!<br />
Here we borrow a passage from Chuang Tzu for<br />
clarification.<br />
Nan-po Tse-kuei said to Nu-Yu, “You are advanced in<br />
years, <strong>and</strong> yet your complexion is that <strong>of</strong> a virgin. How can<br />
this be” Nu-Yu replied, “I have obtained Tao.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 17
“Could I obtain Tao by studying it” asked Nan-po Tsekuei.<br />
“No! How can you” said Nu-Yu. “You are not that type<br />
<strong>of</strong> person. I rememberPuliang-I. He had all the talent to become<br />
a sage, but not the way to become a sage, whereas I had the way<br />
to become a sage but without the talents <strong>of</strong> a sage. But do you<br />
think I was indeed able to teach him to become a sage Had<br />
things not been thus, in seeking the way to accomplish the sage’s<br />
Tao, it would have been an easy matter to identify someone with<br />
a sage’s talents. I patiently kept watch over him, <strong>and</strong> talked<br />
to him. In three days, he could put the world outside himself.<br />
Again I kept watch over things for seven more days, <strong>and</strong>, at<br />
that point, then he could leave all concerns outside himself. I<br />
waited for another nine days, after which he could put all beings<br />
outside himself. After putting all beings outside himself,<br />
he was able to achieve the thorough awakening <strong>of</strong> the dawn.<br />
After he could achieve the thorough awakening <strong>of</strong> the dawn,<br />
he then had a clear vision <strong>of</strong> absolute independence, <strong>and</strong> after<br />
that, he could do away with past <strong>and</strong> present. After he could<br />
do away with past <strong>and</strong> present he was able to enter the domain<br />
where life <strong>and</strong> death are no more. That which causes life to die<br />
does not itself die; that which gives life to life does not itself live.<br />
This is the kind <strong>of</strong> thing it is: there is nothing it does not let go,<br />
<strong>and</strong> nothing it does not greet with welcome. <strong>The</strong>re is nothing<br />
it does not destroy, <strong>and</strong> nothing it does not completely fulfill.<br />
This is the meaning <strong>of</strong> ‘attaining peace amidst confusion <strong>and</strong><br />
strife.’ After the confusion <strong>and</strong> strife, completion is attained.<br />
Here let us pay attention to the following sentence:<br />
”After he could achieve the thorough awakening <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dawn, he then had a clear vision <strong>of</strong> absolute independence’.<br />
<strong>The</strong> meaning in this context is ‘shining in independence’<br />
or ‘independent shining’. In Chinese Pin Yin it<br />
is called “Shen Du.” This is a thing <strong>of</strong> subtlety, which is<br />
subject to neither increase nor decrease, shining over<br />
all <strong>of</strong> heaven <strong>and</strong> earth <strong>and</strong> composed <strong>of</strong> one complete<br />
ball <strong>of</strong> brightness. When a single full moon rises high<br />
in a clear sky, an unlimited number <strong>of</strong> moons shine in<br />
the rivers <strong>and</strong> lakes. If we talk about its exterior- it is<br />
infinite, if we talk about its interior - nothing can be held<br />
within it. Thus we see that the barrier between interior<br />
<strong>and</strong> exterior disappears, indicating the absoluteness, or<br />
total independence, which is attained once the realm <strong>of</strong><br />
relativity, where all things remain relative to each other,<br />
has been transcended. Yet, it is still not the end since ‘a<br />
state <strong>of</strong> being’ continues to exist, albeit in a completely<br />
different realm. Accordingly, that state <strong>of</strong> being continues<br />
to operate as a barrier, or an illusion, based upon the<br />
remains, or the corpses, <strong>of</strong> the deceased.<br />
Those who have some knowledge <strong>of</strong> Buddhism<br />
theory will underst<strong>and</strong> that this stage denotes several<br />
stages within the process called ‘Cultivating-Way’, the<br />
fourth <strong>of</strong> five enlightenment phases (accumulation stage,<br />
beneficial practice stage, seeing-path stage, cultivating-<br />
Way stage <strong>and</strong> gaining-fruit-<strong>of</strong>-Buddhahood stage<br />
10. Double annihilation<br />
Both man <strong>and</strong> ox are nowhere, free <strong>of</strong> any footprints<br />
that can be traced!<br />
<strong>The</strong> light <strong>of</strong> a bright full moon shines over all, penetrating<br />
everything without exception.<br />
If, in the end, you enquire about the workings <strong>and</strong><br />
methods <strong>of</strong> it all,<br />
Wild flowers <strong>and</strong> fragrant grass all nod as the breeze<br />
comes on.<br />
Here we see all that all traces <strong>and</strong> deceased corpses<br />
have been disposed <strong>of</strong>. You may ask about the meaning<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ‘traces <strong>and</strong> deceased corpses’. In fact, it signifies<br />
the traces or corpses <strong>of</strong> deceased, sullied habituation <strong>and</strong><br />
both afflictive hindrance <strong>and</strong> noetic hindrance. <strong>The</strong>se are<br />
so insubstantial <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> such a degree <strong>of</strong> subtlety, that<br />
any attempt to divest ourselves <strong>of</strong> them is such a truly<br />
challenging undertaking, that many people fail in their<br />
endeavour, or only partially complete the task.<br />
Let us borrow a few words from Chuang Tzu: “This is<br />
the kind <strong>of</strong> thing it is: there is nothing it does not release<br />
<strong>and</strong> let go, <strong>and</strong> nothing it does not greet with welcome.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nothing it does not destroy, <strong>and</strong> nothing it does<br />
not conclude. This is the meaning <strong>of</strong> ‘attaining peace<br />
amidst confusion <strong>and</strong> strife.’ After the confusion <strong>and</strong><br />
strife, the completion is attained.<br />
Thus you can well underst<strong>and</strong> the words. If, in the<br />
end, you enquire about the workings <strong>and</strong> methods <strong>of</strong><br />
it all, Wild flowers <strong>and</strong> fragrant grass all nod as the<br />
breeze comes on.<br />
Why Because the mountain still is the mountain,<br />
the river still is the river. So you may therefore ask<br />
whether anything has changed. No! <strong>The</strong> wild flowers<br />
<strong>and</strong> fragrant grass are all shaking their heads!<br />
From the times <strong>of</strong> Zhang Ziyang, there have been<br />
instances where fellow students from both immortality<br />
study <strong>and</strong> the Chan sect have met together. Some students<br />
<strong>of</strong> immortality study had failed to gain practical<br />
progress because <strong>of</strong> their attachment to the so-called<br />
“being”, “elixir pill”, “small water wheel”, “large water<br />
18 Summer 2011
wheel”, “medicinal substance”, “firing process” <strong>and</strong> As NEW a long-term FROM Taoist SOLALA embracer, TOWLER Master Hu began his study<br />
so on. <strong>The</strong>refore, they turned to the Chan sect to seek <strong>of</strong> Taoism from 19 years old when China still hesitated at<br />
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CHA<br />
<strong>and</strong><br />
DAO: the THE door WAY <strong>of</strong> opening OF TEA, up TEA to the AS outside A WAY world. OF Due LIFE to a weak<br />
concepts typical <strong>of</strong> immortality study into Chan. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
constitution he got ill <strong>of</strong>ten so various medicines had always<br />
In China, the art <strong>and</strong> been practice his close <strong>of</strong> drinking friend since tea is 12 rooted years in old. Daoism; To discharge it emerged the harassment<br />
that honored by illness a life he <strong>of</strong> tried grace Kungfu <strong>and</strong> gratitude, bare-h<strong>and</strong>ed balance form <strong>and</strong> sets,<br />
little to be found concerning wind, fire, water, <strong>and</strong> earth in<br />
from a philosophy<br />
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34<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 19
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20 Summer 2011
Global Warming<br />
A Meta-Physical Perspective<br />
Stephen Elliott<br />
In 1979, <strong>The</strong> National Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences estimated<br />
that a doubling <strong>of</strong> carbon dioxide levels from that <strong>of</strong><br />
pre-industrial times will result in a global temperature<br />
increase <strong>of</strong> between 1.5 <strong>and</strong> 4.5 degrees Celsius. In 1985,<br />
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the<br />
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), <strong>and</strong><br />
the International Council <strong>of</strong> Scientific Unions (ICSU) affirmed<br />
these estimates.<br />
In a December 1989 report to Congress, EPA estimated<br />
that by 2100 sea level will rise by .5 to 2 meters<br />
due to melting glaciers <strong>and</strong> icecaps. Also, that a 1 meter<br />
rise in sea level will result in a loss <strong>of</strong> about 10,000<br />
square miles <strong>of</strong> US coastal area.<br />
<strong>The</strong> report also projects changes in global climate<br />
patterns. <strong>The</strong>se include increasing temperatures, changing<br />
rainfall, <strong>and</strong> other weather phenomena. Some models<br />
forecast hotter dryer weather for parts <strong>of</strong> the planet that<br />
are already hot <strong>and</strong> dry, increasing the expanse <strong>of</strong> existing<br />
deserts. Other areas may experience dramatically<br />
increased rainfall <strong>and</strong> tidal inundation.<br />
Increased carbon dioxide <strong>and</strong> the resultant “greenhouse<br />
effect” is credited with global warming, the primary<br />
source <strong>of</strong> the CO2 increase being the combustion<br />
<strong>of</strong> fossil fuels. CO2 levels have increased 35% since<br />
their pre-industrial revolution levels, contributing to a<br />
global temperature increase <strong>of</strong> about 0.74°C since the<br />
late 19 th century. <strong>The</strong> linear trend for the past 50 years is<br />
0.13°C per decade, nearly twice that for the past 100 years.<br />
On the current path, by the end <strong>of</strong> the 21st century,<br />
carbon dioxide levels can be expected to be 75 to 350%<br />
above preindustrial levels. (Source: www.ncdc.noaa.<br />
gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html) Population<br />
growth <strong>and</strong> industrialization <strong>of</strong> the planet are driving<br />
the numbers ever upward.<br />
Carbon dioxide is the present focus <strong>of</strong> global warming<br />
science – but is CO2 the problem or a symptom For<br />
that matter, is global warming itself the problem or a<br />
symptom <strong>of</strong> some larger planetary change<br />
Western science has a fascination with symptoms<br />
<strong>and</strong> a penchant for focusing on the symptom as opposed<br />
to underst<strong>and</strong>ing the root cause. We know this<br />
orientation to be rooted in the pr<strong>of</strong>it motive that now<br />
dominates much <strong>of</strong> the global paradigm. Nowhere is this<br />
more evident than in the practice <strong>of</strong> Western medicine<br />
where entire branches <strong>of</strong> medicine have been dedicated<br />
to the treatment <strong>of</strong> symptoms as opposed to a focus on<br />
the underlying etiology.<br />
Of course, the danger <strong>of</strong> focusing on the symptom<br />
is that it results in an incomplete diagnosis, <strong>and</strong> in the<br />
end, while the symptom may be altered or alleviated, if<br />
the root cause is not apprehended <strong>and</strong> addressed, the patient’s<br />
underlying condition will continue to deteriorate.<br />
In this case the patient is the planet.<br />
As it relates to Earth, science describes the problem<br />
as a “high fever”, <strong>and</strong> it <strong>of</strong>fers that this high fever is<br />
due to a “specific pathogen” – excess CO2. <strong>The</strong>refore,<br />
by addressing the matter <strong>of</strong> CO2 production, the “crisis”<br />
is addressed. Certainly, there is truth to CO2 <strong>and</strong><br />
the greenhouse affect but is this the whole story Is the<br />
diagnosis complete Is it possible that there is a greater<br />
meta-physics at work, one that involves the essential<br />
balance <strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang on planet Earth<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fu Xi Bagua<br />
To explore this possibility we need to turn to the<br />
7000 year old Bagua– the 8 Trigrams at the heart <strong>of</strong> the Yi<br />
Jing. <strong>The</strong> Bagua is thought to have been created by Fu Xi,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> China’s three legendary Emperor Immortals, circa<br />
5000 B.C.E. It holds many meanings <strong>and</strong> secrets. A central<br />
animus <strong>of</strong> the Bagua is an essential, complete metaphysical<br />
model <strong>of</strong> nature – its manifestation, <strong>and</strong> mechanics.<br />
Suspended between Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang, the Bagua is<br />
comprised to varying degree <strong>of</strong> the 4 primordial elements<br />
Heaven, Earth, Fire, <strong>and</strong> Water, these 4 occupying<br />
the cardinal positions. All worldly phenomena emanate<br />
from <strong>and</strong> in time return to “wuji”, the center, this being<br />
“the process” <strong>of</strong> manifestation <strong>and</strong> de-manifestation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 21
surrogates that are capable <strong>of</strong> action to do their bidding<br />
in the world. For this reason, they create Fire <strong>and</strong> Water,<br />
which they conceive through their union.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Universe Suspended Between Yin<br />
And Yang And Composed Of <strong>The</strong><br />
Four Elements<br />
Wind, Lake, Mountain, <strong>and</strong> Thunder are quintessential<br />
examples <strong>of</strong> phenomena that arise via the interaction<br />
<strong>of</strong> Heaven, Earth, Fire, <strong>and</strong> Water. Via the union <strong>of</strong> each<br />
<strong>of</strong> the trigrams with each other, the 4 become 8. Via the<br />
combination <strong>of</strong> the 8 with each other, the 8 become the<br />
64 hexagrams <strong>of</strong> the Yi Jing. Via the combination <strong>of</strong> the<br />
64 with each other, Lao Tzu’s "10,000 things” come into<br />
being.<br />
But our interest is in exploring the “mechanics” underlying<br />
the process – the essential workings by which<br />
Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth work to affect <strong>and</strong> maintain the balance<br />
<strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang <strong>and</strong> to nurture <strong>and</strong> perpetuate life on<br />
planet Earth. To this end, we must underst<strong>and</strong> the role<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Four Elements.<br />
Due to their purity, Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth are themselves<br />
inert. <strong>The</strong>y exert a “force” but are incapable <strong>of</strong> action.<br />
Heaven is Yang, Yang, Yang, <strong>and</strong> Earth is Yin, Yin, Yin,<br />
<strong>and</strong> that’s it. <strong>The</strong>y are like the two poles <strong>of</strong> a magnet.<br />
Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth Produce Fire And<br />
Water Via <strong>The</strong>ir Union<br />
Fire is Heaven’s agent – Fire is 2/3 Heaven <strong>and</strong> 1/3<br />
Earth. Water is Earth’s agent – Water is 2/3 Earth <strong>and</strong><br />
1/3 Heaven. <strong>The</strong>ir impurity endows them with their<br />
characteristic nature <strong>and</strong> dynamism. For this reason<br />
Fire <strong>and</strong> Water are able to move, adapt, <strong>and</strong> change. Fire<br />
<strong>and</strong> Water give the tai ji diagram “dynamism.” In a pure<br />
meta-physical sense, they are “alive.”<br />
Fire’s essential “role” is that <strong>of</strong> converting Yin (Earth<br />
– matter with substance, for example “wood”) into<br />
Yang – Heaven, the ethereal, “gas.” It does this through<br />
the act <strong>of</strong> “burning”, a process by which the Yin <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Yang are “recycled”, Yang ascending to Heaven <strong>and</strong> Yin<br />
returning to Earth.<br />
Water’s role is that <strong>of</strong> converting Heaven into Earth.<br />
This action can be seen in the growth <strong>of</strong> flora <strong>and</strong> fauna,<br />
which as they grow, amass Earth (elements) <strong>and</strong> reach<br />
toward Heaven. <strong>The</strong> process <strong>of</strong> birth <strong>and</strong> growth (life as<br />
we know it) depends on Water – specifically “precipitation.”<br />
Precipitation brings Yang essence from Heaven,<br />
inseminating life with Yang force.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Four Primordial Elements Describe <strong>The</strong><br />
Wheel Of Life<br />
Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth Represent<br />
<strong>The</strong> Forces Of Yin And Yang<br />
Because <strong>of</strong> their inertness, they need the “agents” or<br />
Together, the 4 Primordial elements describe the<br />
wheel <strong>of</strong> life, birth (germination), growth, maturation,<br />
<strong>and</strong> death. <strong>The</strong> cycle applies to flora <strong>and</strong> fauna alike, both<br />
kingdoms having examples <strong>of</strong> annuals <strong>and</strong> perennials.<br />
Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth manage the planet via their judicious<br />
use <strong>of</strong> Fire <strong>and</strong> Water (where “rain” is the form) to<br />
promote life <strong>and</strong> maintain the balance <strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang,<br />
which in the greater scheme <strong>of</strong> things must remain equal.<br />
Because Fire <strong>and</strong> Water are the meta-physical embodiments<br />
<strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang they must also ultimately exist<br />
22 Summer 2011
in equal measure.<br />
With the dawn <strong>of</strong> humankind’s ability to “make<br />
Fire”, Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth lost their proprietorship over<br />
the 4 elements, for many thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years humankind<br />
making Fire as we’ve seen fit. But, while we’ve made<br />
Fire, we don’t possess the ability to makes its complement,<br />
“Water”. While Fire <strong>and</strong> its fuel – Earth, ultimately<br />
depend on Water, for practical purposes Water is finite.<br />
Fire is not. Consequently, by making Fire humankind has<br />
contributed to the gradual diminishment <strong>of</strong> Yin (Earth)<br />
<strong>and</strong> the excess <strong>of</strong> Yang (Heaven).<br />
Without Fire civilization as we know it would never<br />
have gotten <strong>of</strong>f the ground, no metal, no machines, no<br />
electricity – no civilization. Virtually every aspect <strong>of</strong> civilized<br />
life literally depends on “electrical energy”, most<br />
<strong>of</strong> it coming from the “burning <strong>of</strong> Yin” in one form or<br />
another, thus creating a global Yin deficiency <strong>and</strong> Yang<br />
excess. This “burning” includes all burning from the<br />
flame <strong>of</strong> a c<strong>and</strong>le to the coal fired power plant.<br />
It’s hard for us to comprehend the volume <strong>of</strong> Earth<br />
that has been burned over the millennia. It is estimated<br />
that in 2007 alone, 7 billion tons <strong>of</strong> coal were burned, <strong>and</strong><br />
this number is increasing rapidly. Annual oil consumption,<br />
currently estimated at 1000 barrels per second, has<br />
similarly mind boggling numbers which are also increasing<br />
rapidly.<br />
Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth have the imperative <strong>and</strong> the power<br />
to restore Yin by creating Water (rain), which only they<br />
can do. <strong>The</strong>y accomplish this by increasing the amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> Water carried by the clouds. <strong>The</strong>y accomplish this by<br />
increasing the area <strong>of</strong> the Earth’s surface that is covered<br />
by Water, hence increasing evaporation.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y accomplish this by taking Water out <strong>of</strong> reserve,<br />
i.e. glaciers <strong>and</strong> icecaps, thereby raising sea levels<br />
<strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong>ing the area <strong>of</strong> the planet covered by Water,<br />
increased evaporation resulting in increased water borne<br />
by the clouds <strong>and</strong> increased rainfall upon the l<strong>and</strong>. Under<br />
natural conditions, increased rainfall would result in increased<br />
organic growth which over time would restore<br />
Earth’s Yin essence, coal, oil, etc., but man is clearing this<br />
new growth, again for purposes <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>it.<br />
It is clear that fossil fuels contribute to global warming<br />
but what <strong>of</strong> nuclear power <strong>The</strong> prevailing view<br />
is that it does not contribute to CO2 production <strong>and</strong> is<br />
therefore without global warming risk. But, in the context<br />
<strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang, the burning <strong>of</strong> uranium may be far more<br />
detrimental than coal or oil relative to its contribution<br />
to Earth’s Yin deficiency – as uranium is the rarest <strong>and</strong><br />
most Yin <strong>of</strong> Earth’s elements <strong>and</strong> cannot be refreshed<br />
even via Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth’s restorative processes. This<br />
is because uranium is <strong>of</strong> cosmic origin <strong>and</strong> is not created<br />
via Earthly processes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proliferation <strong>of</strong> nuclear power plants during the<br />
latter half <strong>of</strong> the 20 th century may have something to do<br />
with the steep rise in temperature (a Yang indication) over<br />
the last 50 years as opposed to the last 100 – burning <strong>of</strong><br />
uranium may be many times more detrimental in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> disrupting the balance <strong>of</strong> Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang.<br />
Summery<br />
This article <strong>of</strong>fers a hypothesis that man’s “burning”<br />
<strong>of</strong> Earth is creating a global Yin deficiency, <strong>and</strong> as long as<br />
man continues to “burn Earth”, we can expect Heaven<br />
<strong>and</strong> Earth to counter our actions with increasing sea<br />
levels, <strong>and</strong> resultant “rainfall”. This suggests that unless<br />
“burning” ceases, sea levels will continue to rise <strong>and</strong> all<br />
<strong>of</strong> the planet’s ice will be brought to bear on the problem.<br />
In 2004, a team <strong>of</strong> scientists from the US Geological<br />
Survey estimated that if all <strong>of</strong> Earth’s ice were to melt it<br />
would raise sea level by 215 feet or about 65 meters above<br />
today’s sea level. This would reduce the l<strong>and</strong> surface area<br />
to a mere fraction <strong>of</strong> what it is today.<br />
If correct, mankind must ultimately develop <strong>and</strong> rely<br />
on non-burning forms <strong>of</strong> energy, which are presently limited<br />
to harnessing the natural phenomena <strong>of</strong> Water, wind,<br />
<strong>and</strong> solar, Water <strong>and</strong> wind being in increasing supply as<br />
global warming continues.<br />
Is CO2 then not responsible for global warming Yes,<br />
it is certainly a contributing “pathogen”, one that science<br />
can detect <strong>and</strong> measure – but it may be folly to consider<br />
it the problem.<br />
Stephen Elliott is a long time student <strong>and</strong> teacher <strong>of</strong> Taoist<br />
arts. He is the author <strong>of</strong> Wuji Qi Gong And <strong>The</strong> Secret Of<br />
Immortality <strong>and</strong> <strong>The</strong> New Science Of Breath. He resides with<br />
his family in north Texas. To find out more about Stephen,<br />
visit www.chiarts.net <strong>and</strong> www.coherence.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 23
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<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 25
Cloud W<strong>and</strong>erers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel China Tour 2011<br />
Solala Towler<br />
This year's China tour began with a wonderful flight<br />
on a new-to-me airline – Korean Air. <strong>The</strong> service, even<br />
on the coach section, was superb. From the ergonomic<br />
seats to the screen on the back <strong>of</strong> the seat in front <strong>of</strong> you,<br />
(with your own remote to scroll through the many films,<br />
documentaries <strong>and</strong> music cd's) to the free slippers to wear<br />
on the flight – it was all quite wonderful. And they bow<br />
to you when you leave the plane!<br />
We l<strong>and</strong>ed in Beijing after a long flight (12.5 hours to<br />
Seoul, two hour layover there then two more to Beijing).<br />
After a night's rest <strong>and</strong> refreshment (much too short) we<br />
flew to Hangzhou, where we were met by our guide/<br />
translator extraordinare, Dana Xu.<br />
We spent the morning getting cash <strong>and</strong> traveler's<br />
checks cashed at the bank, which too way too long (note<br />
to self, never bring traveler's checks to China, they don't<br />
knew what to do with them!). Finally we were done <strong>and</strong><br />
after lunch went to the tea farm where they grow the<br />
delicious Dragon Well (Lung Jing) tea! This is the tea I<br />
drink every morning at home <strong>and</strong> it is always a thrill to<br />
be able to buy the fresh tea (first pick even) here where it<br />
is grown. After drinking much tea <strong>and</strong> buying <strong>of</strong> much<br />
tea our group went through the gift shop where I got my<br />
favorite green tea c<strong>and</strong>y <strong>and</strong> a green tea pillow!<br />
That night we went to an amazing <strong>and</strong> mind blowing<br />
show on West Lake, directed by the famous Chinese<br />
filmmaker Zhang Yimou. (If you haven't seen the opening<br />
to the Beijing Olympics get a copy. It is way over the<br />
top, with 1,000 people in white silk doing taiji, 2000<br />
drummers etc.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> stage is just under the waterline so it looks as<br />
though all the many many participants are walking on<br />
water. <strong>The</strong> lights, the music (by Kitaro) <strong>and</strong> the ancient<br />
costumes made for a truly breathtaking experience!<br />
We stayed in a sort <strong>of</strong> bed <strong>and</strong> breakfast (only with<br />
the breakfast in the restaurant a few doors down). It was<br />
a big house with each room having its own very special<br />
ambience/decoration. I volunteered to lug my bag to the<br />
top floor <strong>and</strong> was rewarded with a huge room with its<br />
own tea table <strong>and</strong> beautiful beamed ceiling!<br />
One afternoon we went to the Chinese Medicine<br />
museum, which is a nice sort <strong>of</strong> old musty place covering<br />
the long history <strong>of</strong> Chinese medicine, with a huge<br />
pharmacy that smelled so good (love that Chinese herb<br />
smell!).<br />
On our last afternoon in Hangzhou Dana threw us<br />
a party! She invited two wonderful musicians, one on<br />
dizi (flute) <strong>and</strong> the other on hammer dulcimer (the<br />
name <strong>of</strong> this instrument is escaping me right now). My<br />
old friend Feipeng came by with his wife (who brought<br />
a whole bunch <strong>of</strong> really yummy Chinese snacks). <strong>The</strong><br />
musicians played, we ate, Dana sang us some lovely<br />
songs (including one in Tibetan!), we ate some more, I<br />
played a very short piece on the dizi, we snacked some<br />
more, some calligraphers were there to do calligraphy<br />
for us (including one for me that says Cha Dao), we<br />
snacked a little more <strong>and</strong> then Dana's cousin sang for<br />
us (including one <strong>of</strong> his favorite songs, the theme from<br />
Titanic, which is a very hard to song to sing acapella but<br />
he did a great job!).<br />
After a few days sightseeing, eating, strolling around<br />
the lake, eating, shopping, eating etc. we flew to Wuhan<br />
where we caught one <strong>of</strong> the new "fast trains" to our<br />
destination <strong>of</strong> Wudang. <strong>The</strong> time went by so pleasantly,<br />
chatting with each other, eating various strange Chinese<br />
snack foods <strong>and</strong> watching the countryside fly by outside<br />
our windows (the train goes about 170 miles per hour).<br />
Once we got to the bottom <strong>of</strong> Wudang we lugged our<br />
baggage up a few flights <strong>of</strong> stairs <strong>and</strong> caught the bus to<br />
the top, where we would be staying. (No private cars are<br />
allowed on the mountain, a World Heritage Site).<br />
That night we met with Master Hu Xuezhi, a local<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> <strong>and</strong> Buddhist teacher I had met last year. (See<br />
his article on the famous Ox Herding chart page page<br />
7). While having dinner my friend Richard asked him<br />
about studying nei dan <strong>and</strong> the first thing he said was.<br />
"You have to become a farmer."<br />
What he told us later is that this was a metaphor for the<br />
idea that it is very difficult to do serious nei dan practice<br />
until you are old enough to retire from responsibilities. He<br />
emphased, over <strong>and</strong> over again, that one must learn to be<br />
still to clarify the mind. We must also be able to become<br />
"unresponsive to outside stimulation." (A real problem<br />
in the West as well as in the New China where so many<br />
things are clamoring for our attention 24 hours a day.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> next morning we met our teacher, Jiang Wei,<br />
who came up the one hour bus ride from the bottom <strong>of</strong><br />
the mountain where he lives, to meet with us. H ewas a<br />
very warm <strong>and</strong> friendly <strong>Daoist</strong> who studies with Master<br />
Zhong Yunlong (see interview with Master Zhong<br />
following this article.) It was a very simple yet elegant<br />
style he taught us, short enough to learn in the small<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> time we have with him.<br />
In the afternoon we went to the Purple Heavenly<br />
Temple <strong>and</strong> had lunch with the <strong>Daoist</strong> students there.<br />
(When the cook saw a bunch <strong>of</strong> mei guo ren (Americans)<br />
26 Summer 2011
Photo by Solala Towler<br />
eating there he was very puzzled <strong>and</strong><br />
asked Dana why we were interested<br />
in eating such simple food!) <strong>The</strong> fare<br />
was simple yet very tasty.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the nights on our stay in<br />
Wudang was a full moon so we all<br />
trouped up to the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> our hotel<br />
<strong>and</strong> Richard let us on a lovely full<br />
moon meditation where we got to<br />
swallow "moon cream" while I played<br />
my "magical mystical medicine flute."<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day we went on a three<br />
hour hike to Nanyue Temple, an<br />
ancient temple built into the side <strong>of</strong><br />
a mountain (see photo right). <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have a wonderful teahouse at the top<br />
where several <strong>of</strong> us sat drinking cup<br />
after tiny cup <strong>of</strong> wonderful tea. (One<br />
called <strong>Daoist</strong> tea is made up <strong>of</strong> wild green tea<br />
<strong>and</strong> wild ginseng <strong>and</strong> another that changed the<br />
taste <strong>of</strong> plain water when drunk after three tiny<br />
cups <strong>of</strong> tea!)<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day we went to see my old friend Jiaye<br />
who lives in a cave up behind one <strong>of</strong> the temples.<br />
He was happy to see us (basically he is happy<br />
to see anyone he is so friendly <strong>and</strong> kind). While<br />
we were visiting with him a Chinese film crew<br />
came by <strong>and</strong> shot some footage <strong>of</strong> us interacting<br />
with the hermit. <strong>The</strong>y were thrilled to see some<br />
Westerners there as not many know about this old<br />
hermit they called Old Gr<strong>and</strong>father. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />
making a documentary for Chinese television<br />
about the masters in Wudang <strong>and</strong> were filming<br />
in all four seasons, including winter, which can<br />
get very cold up there!<br />
Nanyue Templein Wudang (Photo by Jennifer Dorosz)<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the wonderful food in China! (Photo by Sarah Braat)<br />
It was sometime in this day that I christened our<br />
group <strong>The</strong> Cloud W<strong>and</strong>erers, an old term for <strong>Daoist</strong>s,<br />
who <strong>of</strong>ten traveled from one temple or mountain or<br />
master to another, in what is called "free <strong>and</strong> easy<br />
w<strong>and</strong>ering" in the Zhuangzi. In our free time various<br />
members <strong>of</strong> our group would w<strong>and</strong>er <strong>of</strong>f all over<br />
the mountain. (Once you get there you can take the<br />
public buses anywhere for free.)<br />
At one point we went to Happy Valley to see the<br />
wushu show there. It had to be the best one yet as<br />
there were so many young people up there jumping<br />
<strong>and</strong> leaping <strong>and</strong> br<strong>and</strong>ishing all kinds <strong>of</strong> weapons<br />
yet no one lost their head (or even an arm). At the<br />
end a guy in his eighties comes out <strong>and</strong> leaps about<br />
with a large broadsword!<br />
<strong>The</strong>n we hiked down to Monkey Valley <strong>and</strong> saw<br />
monkeys! (<strong>The</strong>re is a funny sign there that says "Don't<br />
stroke the macaques" as well as one down by the<br />
creek that says "Don't catch the crabs."<br />
Wudang is just such a magical place for me.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 27
Group practice (Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
Our qigong teacher in Wudang, Jiang<br />
Fei (Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
<strong>The</strong> group with our qigong teacher<br />
(Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
28 Summer 2011
Monkeys! (Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
mountain where we were to meet with Master Zhong at<br />
his school. That's when a very curious thing happened.<br />
We got caught in the dreaded "Chinese people do not<br />
respect lines whatsoever."<br />
It is so interesting to me that as nice <strong>and</strong> polite <strong>and</strong><br />
friendly Chinese people are, when it comes to st<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
in line or getting on a bus or train in an orderly manner<br />
it's every person for themselves! I have been elbowed<br />
in the ribs by elderly Chinese ladies <strong>and</strong> if you don't<br />
watch your step you will get stepped on!<br />
We were st<strong>and</strong>ing here in the rain, covered in our<br />
mismatched ponchos when a whole group <strong>of</strong> Chinese<br />
tourists, all decked out in identical purple ponchos<br />
came up behind us. <strong>The</strong>n, once the bus arrived it was<br />
every purple poncho for themselves as they swarmed<br />
in front <strong>of</strong> us <strong>and</strong> we had to fight to get on the bus.<br />
Fortunately one <strong>of</strong> our members staked out a section<br />
Hiking its many many trails <strong>and</strong> visiting ancient<br />
temples where people have been cultivating<br />
for hundreds <strong>of</strong> years fills me with excitement<br />
<strong>and</strong> helps me to reestablish my own practice.<br />
Whenever a <strong>Daoist</strong> walks by with their topknot<br />
<strong>and</strong> ancient style <strong>of</strong> dress, there seems to be a<br />
tangible power field around them, they are so<br />
grounded <strong>and</strong> strong in their practice <strong>and</strong> in<br />
their being!<br />
<strong>The</strong> weather gods were smiling on us for most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the trip <strong>and</strong> we had wonderfully warm <strong>and</strong><br />
sunny days. <strong>The</strong> day to go to the Golden Summit<br />
was pretty foggy (no one could see a thing when<br />
they reached the top) but it was fun anyway.<br />
<strong>The</strong> last day we were there it was really raining<br />
<strong>and</strong> we had to gather with all <strong>of</strong> our luggage by<br />
the side <strong>of</strong> the road to catch the bus down the<br />
Our friend Jiaye, the Bee <strong>Daoist</strong> with his<br />
bee friends (Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
Full moon meditation with Richard<br />
Lieherer (Photo by Solala Towler)<br />
<strong>of</strong> the bus for us <strong>and</strong> another member, a very<br />
strong massage therapist, grabbed everyone's<br />
luggage <strong>and</strong> heaved it up into the bus so we<br />
could get on!<br />
Once our bus made it to the bottom <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mountains we walked to the Wudang San<br />
Feng Academy to meet the gr<strong>and</strong>master <strong>of</strong><br />
Wudang mountains, Master Zhong we spent a<br />
delightful hour or so drinking tea <strong>and</strong> visiting.<br />
After we took the train to Wuhan again we<br />
spent the night in a hotel by the train station<br />
(where we had a memorable lunch the first<br />
time we took the train where they served us<br />
Szechuan french fries!) <strong>The</strong> next morning we<br />
flew to Beijing for the last few days <strong>of</strong> our<br />
journey.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the high points <strong>of</strong> the trip came in<br />
Bejing where I was able to end a three-year<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 29
Tea time in the Wudang Mountains (Photo by Jennifer Dorosz))<br />
My three-year quest finished at last! (Photo by<br />
Sarah Braat)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Long Wall (Photo by Dahlia Gordon)<br />
quest for Moonlight Tea! My friend Wu Zhongxian<br />
had told me about a special tea grown in the<br />
southl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Yunan province by a tribal people called<br />
the Yi. <strong>The</strong>y are still very connected to their shamanic<br />
traditions <strong>and</strong> they pick this tea according to their<br />
shaman's instructions when the moon is in certain<br />
signs. <strong>The</strong>n they dry it under the full moon so that<br />
it draws in the yin energy <strong>of</strong> the moon. <strong>The</strong> result is<br />
a sort <strong>of</strong> light puer type <strong>of</strong> tea with many yin, relaxing<br />
qualities. He told me to go to the famous Tea Market<br />
in Bejing but I had been told the last two years that the<br />
Tea Market was only for wholesalers. This year though,<br />
when some <strong>of</strong> the group went to the "Long Wall" four <strong>of</strong><br />
us ventured to the tea market. It turned out to be a whole<br />
neighborhood <strong>of</strong> tea shops! Fortunately Wu had given me<br />
the phone number <strong>and</strong> booth number <strong>of</strong> his friend who<br />
carries the Moonlight Tea <strong>and</strong> I was able to find it <strong>and</strong> lo<br />
<strong>and</strong> behold, I got the Moonlight Tea! (See photo above).<br />
Now that I am home I am enjoying drinking tis tea <strong>and</strong><br />
tasting the flavor <strong>of</strong> China!<br />
And so another journey to the Middle Kingdom has<br />
ended <strong>and</strong> as usual, Dana Xu did a magnificent job hosting<br />
us. She is not just our tour guide but our China friend!<br />
While it is not required that everyone interested in<br />
Daoism <strong>and</strong> qigong travel to China it is always such a joy<br />
to travel to the areas where people have been cultivating<br />
for hundreds if not thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years! China has changed<br />
so much since I first started going there in 1993, much <strong>of</strong><br />
it for the better, (except <strong>of</strong> the unbelievable traffic in all<br />
the cities) but it is still a very different culture indeed that<br />
the West.<br />
I am so grateful to all the wonderful people who took<br />
the time to welcome us to China <strong>and</strong> to the teachers who<br />
took the time to share some <strong>of</strong> their knowledge with us.<br />
Now that I am home <strong>and</strong> have caught up on my sleep, I can<br />
drink my Moonlight Tea, lay my head back on my green<br />
tea pillow <strong>and</strong> remember the wonderful sights <strong>and</strong> soudns<br />
<strong>of</strong> China as well as the taste <strong>of</strong> Szechuan french fries!<br />
To learn about future travels to China see our website<br />
at www.abodetao.com.<br />
30 Summer 2011
YOU ARE INVITED TO<br />
THE EIGHTH ANNUAL TAOIST GATHERING:<br />
Dr. Alex Feng <strong>and</strong> Charlene Ossler <strong>of</strong> Zhi Dao Guan,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist Center, in Oakl<strong>and</strong>, CA<br />
invite you to participate in<br />
the Eighth Annual Taoist Gathering<br />
October 21-23, 2011<br />
at Samuel Merritt University Health Education Center, Oakl<strong>and</strong>, CA –<br />
a weekend devoted to the study, practice, <strong>and</strong> Community <strong>of</strong> Taoism.<br />
<strong>The</strong>me <strong>of</strong> "Immortality from a <strong>Daoist</strong> Perspective."<br />
Keynote by Dr. Hirsh Diamant:<br />
"Lao Zi’s 14 Characters – Reflections on Immortality."<br />
Panel Discussion on Immortality <strong>Practice</strong>s by Practitioners, Scholars, Teachers<br />
Friday evening Taoist Class <strong>and</strong> Meditation followed by<br />
two days <strong>of</strong> provocative Taoist presentations, meditation, qi gong,<br />
<strong>and</strong> other forms <strong>of</strong> practice, ritual <strong>and</strong> exploration.<br />
$125 Early Bird registration for the full weekend –<br />
$100 if you mention this Empty Vessel Ad!<br />
(if registering via the web site simply enter “Empty Vessel” when you are asked for a coupon)<br />
$175 after September 15th<br />
Information at www.thetaoistcenter.com<br />
or write/call Zhi Dao Guan at 3824 MacArthur Blvd.,<br />
Oakl<strong>and</strong> CA 94619. 510-336-0129; info@thetaoistcenter.com<br />
Attendees praise this unique annual event:<br />
“ For A Taoist, this Gathering is like coming home!”<br />
“Energizing! Inspirational!” Join us as we continue this adventure in <strong>The</strong> Dao!)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 31
Spring 2012 Empty Vessel China Tour<br />
Beijing • Hangzhou • Wudang Mountains<br />
May 10-25, 2012<br />
Join us next May as we explore the aesthetics <strong>of</strong> traditional<br />
Chinese culture <strong>and</strong> study qigong <strong>and</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
internal alchemy in the sacred Wudang Mountains.<br />
In China there has long been a saying, "Heaven above,<br />
Hangzhou <strong>and</strong> Suzhou below." Hangzhou, circling<br />
round the beautiful West Lake, has long been revered<br />
for their beauty<br />
<strong>and</strong> culture.<br />
16-day China Tour<br />
Per person: $4300<br />
Single supplent:$400<br />
Credit card payment available<br />
(Price may be subject to change.)<br />
What's included:<br />
• Roundtrip airfare from U.S. to China <strong>and</strong> back<br />
• All hotel double occupancy accommodation<br />
• Study tuition<br />
• Excurison <strong>and</strong> sightseeing<br />
• Translation<br />
• All bus, train <strong>and</strong> air transportion within China<br />
• All daily meals<br />
• Admisison fees to temples <strong>and</strong> tourist sites<br />
While we are there we will explore the world <strong>of</strong> the<br />
traditional Chinese arts—poetry, calligraphy, painting<br />
<strong>and</strong> tea. We will do simple qigong exercises by the<br />
shore <strong>of</strong> West Lake, visit artists <strong>and</strong> listen to local musicians.<br />
We will visit traditional tea houses as well as<br />
the tea museum <strong>and</strong> tea plantation, where the famous<br />
Dragon Well tea is grown.<br />
In the second half <strong>of</strong> the tour we will travel to the fabled<br />
mountains <strong>of</strong> Wudang, the home <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> taiji,<br />
qigong <strong>and</strong> martial arts. <strong>The</strong>re we will work with a<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> master, learning Wudang qigong <strong>and</strong> meditation<br />
as well as visit temples in the area.<br />
At the end <strong>of</strong> the tour we will spend a few days in<br />
Beijing, visiting the Great Wall, the Tibetan Temple<br />
<strong>and</strong> the White Cloud Temple.<br />
For for more information<br />
or to register call or write:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao<br />
1991 Garfield St Eugene, OR 97405<br />
541.345.8854<br />
or see our website at<br />
www.abodetao.com.<br />
32 Summer 2011
20 years.<br />
Day 14.Train back to Wuhan after morning qigong class.<br />
Spend night in Wuhan.<br />
Day 15-16. Fly to Bejing. Spend two days there visiting<br />
the Great Wall, the tea market <strong>and</strong> last minute shopping.<br />
Visit the Tibetan Lama Temple as well as the <strong>Daoist</strong> White<br />
Cloud Temple.<br />
Day 16. Fly home to Mei Guo (the Beautiful Country).<br />
All along the way there will be time for reflection, sharing,<br />
exploring, eat incredible food, learning, practicing<br />
qigong <strong>and</strong> making new friends! We will be learning a<br />
special form <strong>of</strong> qigong in the mountains <strong>of</strong> Wudang, home<br />
for centuries for <strong>Daoist</strong> martial arts <strong>and</strong> qigong masters.<br />
Our Itinerary<br />
Day 1. Fly to Beijing from San Fransisco on May 10, arrive<br />
in China on the 11th.<br />
Day 2. Fly to Hangzhou<br />
Days 3-6. Visit large Buddhist LinYin (Soul's Retreat)<br />
Temple with its many stone carvings <strong>and</strong> enjoy tea at the<br />
tea plantation where the famous Dragon Well (Long Jing)<br />
tea is grown. We will visit local teahouses as well as the<br />
tea museum where we will discuss the Way <strong>of</strong> Tea (Cha<br />
Dao). We will also visit the Chinese medicine museum<br />
<strong>and</strong> spend time with a local calligraphy master, where<br />
we will learn about the Way <strong>of</strong> the Brush. We will also<br />
attend the fabulous theatrical musical by Zhang Yimou<br />
on West Lake <strong>and</strong> do daily qigong practice.<br />
Day 7. Fly to Wuhan <strong>and</strong> take train (3 hours) through<br />
countryside to Wudang Mountains<br />
Day 8-13. Hotel in mountains close to temples. Study<br />
Wudang qigong in mornings with local <strong>Daoist</strong> masters<br />
then in the afternoon spend time hiking <strong>and</strong> visiting some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the many <strong>Daoist</strong> temples in this beautiful mountain<br />
range as well as attend wushu (martial arts) demonstration/show<br />
in Monkey Valley. While we are there we will<br />
also visit Jiaye, an old hermit who has lived in a cave for<br />
Our Guide<br />
We will be working with Dana (Xu Shu Xin), a delightful<br />
<strong>and</strong> experienced guide. She will travel with us for the<br />
whole trip <strong>and</strong> be our guide, translator <strong>and</strong> confident in<br />
the Middle Kingdom.<br />
Tour Leader<br />
Solala Towler has been a student <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Daoist</strong> arts for<br />
over 23 years <strong>and</strong> has written 12 books on qigong <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> philosophy. He a founding board member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
National Qigong Association <strong>and</strong> served as its president.<br />
He has been publishing <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel since 1993 <strong>and</strong><br />
has led seven tours to China <strong>and</strong> Tibet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 33
<strong>The</strong> Master on the Mountain<br />
A Conversation with Master Zhong Yunlong<br />
Can you give us some advice on how to integrate Daoism<br />
with a very busy, modern<br />
lifestyle<br />
(Photo by Sarah Braat)<br />
On the last day <strong>of</strong> our sojourn in Wudang we met<br />
with Master Zhong Yunlong at his school, the Wudang<br />
San Feng Academy, named after the famous <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
master Zhang San Feng. Master Zhong took some time<br />
out <strong>of</strong> his busy schedule to sit <strong>and</strong> have some tea with<br />
our group <strong>and</strong> answer questions. Master Zhong, known<br />
as the Gr<strong>and</strong>master <strong>of</strong> Wudang has been practicing the<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> arts for many years <strong>and</strong> he exudes a warm <strong>and</strong><br />
deeply rooted presence.<br />
Thanks to our indefatigable guide <strong>and</strong> translator<br />
Dana Xu, we were able to ask many questions <strong>and</strong> receive<br />
answers that reflected his years <strong>of</strong> cultivation in<br />
this magical realm <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> China.<br />
Master Zhong (Dana translating). Since you are here we<br />
call it yin yuan. It’s like fate that has brought us together.<br />
So if you have questions please feel free to ask <strong>and</strong> he<br />
will try to answer them.<br />
It’s also a big problem in China! To<br />
always be nervous is very bad for<br />
your health. <strong>Daoist</strong> health practices<br />
are very popular for people<br />
who have neck problems as well<br />
as neck <strong>and</strong> spine. So we have lots<br />
<strong>of</strong> organizations to help people to<br />
cure those problems.<br />
It’s good to have a little spare<br />
time each day to work on yourself<br />
<strong>and</strong> to read some books on Daoism<br />
<strong>and</strong> allow your mind to become<br />
calmer.<br />
You can see a lot <strong>of</strong> people up<br />
on the mountain with long hair <strong>and</strong><br />
the <strong>Daoist</strong> clothing but many <strong>of</strong><br />
them are not real <strong>Daoist</strong>s. Some <strong>of</strong><br />
them are interested in Daoism <strong>and</strong><br />
Buddhism but they still have their<br />
own common people’s life. But<br />
they respect Daoism. <strong>The</strong>y don’t<br />
live in temples but some <strong>of</strong> them<br />
still live at home with their families. <strong>The</strong>y spend time<br />
practicing <strong>and</strong> reading about Daoism.<br />
Others live in the temple <strong>and</strong> have a master there<br />
that they learn from. But still they are not real <strong>Daoist</strong>s.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are called ju shi. Ju shi is a really popular term<br />
since ancient times for great poets who were interested<br />
in Buddhism <strong>and</strong> Daoism. (Editor’s note: <strong>The</strong>se people<br />
were <strong>of</strong>ten called the literati <strong>Daoist</strong>s.)<br />
You must cultivate for along time to become a real<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong>. <strong>The</strong>re are a lot <strong>of</strong> rules. <strong>The</strong>y are very strict. So<br />
many <strong>of</strong> the people on this mountain (Wudang) they are<br />
not real <strong>Daoist</strong>s.<br />
What do you consider to be a real <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
Daoism has a long history <strong>and</strong> during this long history<br />
there were lots <strong>of</strong> generations <strong>and</strong> different masters. To<br />
be a real <strong>Daoist</strong> you must know all the history <strong>of</strong> your<br />
generation or linage. That’s very important.<br />
Secondly, you must have a very good underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
about Daoism <strong>and</strong> you must have long hair. You must<br />
grow it for at least three years!<br />
Why do they grow their hair long <strong>and</strong> what is the sig-<br />
34 Summer 2011
nificance <strong>of</strong> their topknot<br />
First, to be natural. And topknot here is a double loop,<br />
representing taiji – yin <strong>and</strong> yang. It takes time for them<br />
to make that. It is not the usual one. This is a special way<br />
they do here on Wudang. <strong>The</strong>y call it taiji hair. He says<br />
that to become a student <strong>of</strong> Daoism you must begin from<br />
your head!<br />
Is there any significance to where the topknot is placed<br />
on the head<br />
Yes, it is on the top <strong>of</strong> the head on the bai hui point,<br />
where yin <strong>and</strong> yang meet. This is a very important point<br />
in TCM as well as in qigong <strong>and</strong> taiji.<br />
How does he feel about the rebirth <strong>of</strong> Daoism in modern<br />
China<br />
He said that Daoism does not develop well in China<br />
now. <strong>The</strong>re are very few people who really underst<strong>and</strong><br />
Daoism. Daoism is very different from Buddhism. Buddhism<br />
incorporates lots <strong>of</strong> themes to grow the religion<br />
bigger <strong>and</strong> bigger. But Daoism is different. <strong>The</strong>y never<br />
tell you to be a <strong>Daoist</strong> (proselytize). <strong>The</strong>y never say that.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y believe in letting things go a natural way.<br />
He says that in ancient times a real <strong>Daoist</strong> was a<br />
natural scientist. He must be very knowledgable about<br />
lots <strong>of</strong> things. And Daoism does not connect to politics<br />
at all. Daoism influenced TCM a lot. <strong>The</strong>y have a very<br />
deep connection. TCM is very different from Western<br />
medicine. In Western medicine if you have a pain here<br />
<strong>and</strong> it gets worse <strong>and</strong> worse then they will cut it. But<br />
(Photo by Sarah Braat)<br />
TCM will never use that way. <strong>The</strong>y use acupuncture to<br />
help the person to recover.<br />
He also says that the computer, one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
popular things these days, has the earliest knowledge<br />
from Daoism. (Editor’s note: I believe what he is referring<br />
to here is the binary system, originating with the Yijing<br />
(I Ching), which was used in the original computer code<br />
language.)<br />
So Daoism is different from many other religions.<br />
Many other religions have been used as tools by the politicians.<br />
Daoism is really a natural science <strong>and</strong> its reach<br />
into many subjects is very broad.<br />
<strong>The</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> Daoism is very deep <strong>and</strong> not everyone<br />
can underst<strong>and</strong> it. This is one <strong>of</strong> the reasons that,<br />
historically, Daoism has not developed very well. But<br />
now <strong>and</strong> in the future he <strong>and</strong> his friends will do a better<br />
job to develop Daoism.<br />
In the West we talk about two different kinds <strong>of</strong> Daoism.<br />
Dao Jia or what is sometimes called HuangLao or<br />
philosophical Daoism <strong>and</strong> Dao Jio or religious Daoism.<br />
About Dao Jia, you know that jia means family right<br />
Dao Jia means a people who have an idea about a kind <strong>of</strong><br />
religion. This goes back to thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years ago. Many<br />
<strong>of</strong> these people were connected with wu (shamanism).<br />
According to historical records, a thous<strong>and</strong> years ago<br />
there were these Dao Jia, which has a much longer history<br />
than Dao Jio, which is the <strong>Daoist</strong> religion. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
religion was founded two thous<strong>and</strong> years ago by Zhang<br />
Dao Ling (Tianshi or Heavenly Masters sect).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were lots <strong>of</strong> masters then that they called Dao<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 35
Jia but they were not organized. From the time <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) to the time <strong>of</strong> Laozi, all these<br />
can be called Dao Jia. <strong>The</strong>n from the time <strong>of</strong> Zhang Dao<br />
Ling there has been the <strong>Daoist</strong> religion. One <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
famous writers in modern China once said that Chinese<br />
culture is rooted in Daoism.<br />
So now is a very special period. Today everything<br />
is too modern, too scientific! Many people are getting<br />
depressed. Most children today are near sighted because<br />
they watch too much TV <strong>and</strong> computers. So in this special<br />
period maybe Daoism can have a very good effect on lots<br />
<strong>of</strong> health problems. So that is what the <strong>Daoist</strong>s are going<br />
to do to have more contribution to people’s health.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is nei dan <strong>and</strong> wei dan in Daoism. Wei dan is about<br />
external alchemy. That was very popular in the past but<br />
now, because the country has so many pr<strong>of</strong>essional organizations<br />
to study that but there is less interest in that.<br />
Nei dan is the most important part <strong>of</strong> Daoism, to cultivate<br />
inside – things like qigong, tai ji. When you practice<br />
those breath is very important.<br />
Do you have any advice for people who want to study<br />
nei dan in the West<br />
Several <strong>of</strong> his students now live in America <strong>and</strong> they are<br />
not only pr<strong>of</strong>icient in martial arts but in nei dan. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have their own students there <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong> them come<br />
here to learn nei dan also.<br />
Do you feel that you need to have a teacher, instead <strong>of</strong><br />
a book or something like that to practice nei dan<br />
Nei dan is a very complicated <strong>and</strong> even dangerous thing.<br />
So it’s better to have an experienced master. If you practice<br />
nei dan well it can not only be good for health but<br />
good for your wisdom. But if you practice in the wrong<br />
way it’s very dangerous.<br />
What words <strong>of</strong> wisdom can you give us that we can take<br />
home with us that will help us<br />
<strong>Practice</strong> what you have learned here each day when you<br />
go home. That will be very helpful. It’s not just a form,<br />
it includes a lot.<br />
I would like to ask how other practices, like painting,<br />
calligraphy <strong>and</strong> music fit into the whole <strong>Daoist</strong> lifestyle.<br />
Of course they do. <strong>The</strong>y will help a lot. Of course, with<br />
Chinese painting, it is not like Western painting. In this<br />
style <strong>of</strong> painting you must put your qi, jing <strong>and</strong> shen into<br />
it. Painting <strong>and</strong> calligraphy help to cultivate your heart<br />
<strong>and</strong> your qi a lot.<br />
He hopes everybody here can tell more people about<br />
Daoism when you go home so that Daoism can serve<br />
more <strong>and</strong> more people in the future. To serve everyday in<br />
the world, that is Daoism. And he would like to welcome<br />
you back again!<br />
Master Zhong Yunlong is an orthodox Wudang Internal Kung<br />
Fu successor <strong>of</strong> two great Wudang Taoist masters <strong>and</strong> senior<br />
priests: Guo Gaoyi <strong>and</strong> Zhu Chengde.<br />
When Wudang Taoism first opened to the outside world,<br />
Master Zhong Yunlong was sent, from 1985 to 1987, by the<br />
Wudang Taoist Association, to unearth Wudang martial arts<br />
which were now only being practiced outside the temple.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wudang Taoist Association established the first Wudang<br />
Taoist Martial Arts Team <strong>and</strong> Master Zhong was the foremost<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the team.<br />
In 1989, Master Zhong replaced the senior Taoist priest Guo<br />
Gaoyi as the "Wudang Taoist Association Martial Arts Chief<br />
Coach". At the same time, he was appointed as the principal<br />
<strong>and</strong> chief coach <strong>of</strong> the Wudang Taoist Kung Fu School by the<br />
Wudang Taoist Association. This was the first time Wudang<br />
Kung Fu was formally shown in public.<br />
From 1995 to 2000, Master Zhong occupied an important role<br />
as the Principal for both the Mount Wudang Zi Xiao Temple<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Taoist Academy.<br />
You can get more information on Master Zhong <strong>and</strong> his school<br />
at wudangsanfengacademy.org.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 5th Annual Internal Martial Arts Taiji Gala <strong>and</strong> Competition<br />
in Wu Dang Mountain, Shi Yan City, Hubei Province<br />
China, also known as the birthplace <strong>of</strong> Taiji is being hosted<br />
by the Wu Dang Tourism Zone <strong>and</strong> the Wu Shu Bureau <strong>of</strong> Wu<br />
Dang. <strong>The</strong> gala is October 9-15, 2011.<br />
Internal Martial Arts practitioners <strong>and</strong> admirers will gather<br />
from all over China <strong>and</strong> the world to pay their respects to<br />
this ancient tradition. <strong>The</strong> city is celebrating Zhang Sanfeng's<br />
role as the creator <strong>of</strong> Taiji <strong>and</strong> Wu Dang's historic role in the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> Taiji. <strong>The</strong> entire city is being decorated with<br />
bronze statues <strong>of</strong> Sanfeng<br />
Taiji masters, masters from other lineages, <strong>and</strong> representations<br />
<strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the Sanfeng Taiji 13 movements. In addition to the<br />
competitions, there will be Taiji <strong>and</strong> Nourishing Life arts demonstrations<br />
<strong>and</strong> workshops on topics such as Qigong, Taiji,<br />
Internal Martial Arts, Xing Yi, Ba Gua <strong>and</strong> Tai Yi forms. Folk<br />
art, music, ceremonies at the temples, <strong>and</strong> Kung Fu shows,<br />
with a special Kung Fu show by the Sanfeng Academy Wu<br />
Shu team will also be taking place during the event.<br />
This is a wonderful event for competitors, family, friends,<br />
<strong>and</strong> those with an interest in the healing arts or for those<br />
that would like to partake in this festive opportunity to visit<br />
Wu Dang.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ancient Taoist Temple grounds <strong>and</strong> the city’s museum will<br />
be open for those with an interest in the history <strong>and</strong> mystical<br />
foundations <strong>of</strong> this UNESCO World Heritage site.<br />
For more infomation on this event Please contact Kristina at<br />
zhong.miao1023@gmail.com.<br />
36 Summer 2011
<strong>The</strong> Lost Secret <strong>of</strong> Immortality<br />
a conversation with Barclay Powers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lost Secret <strong>of</strong> Immortality is an award-winning<br />
film (Best Spiritual Documentary at the New York International<br />
Film Festival, 2011) <strong>and</strong> is based on the book <strong>of</strong><br />
the same title.<br />
<strong>The</strong> film <strong>and</strong> book link together the Golden Embryo<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> alchemy, the Reality Body <strong>of</strong> Tantric Buddhism,<br />
the Philosopher’s Stone <strong>of</strong> the Western alchemical tradition,<br />
the Rainbow Body <strong>of</strong> Tibet <strong>and</strong> the Kundalini tradition<br />
<strong>of</strong> India. <strong>The</strong> film predicts that the future <strong>of</strong> science<br />
will be focused on these secrets <strong>of</strong> enlightenment.<br />
We sat down with the author/filmmaker Barclay<br />
Powers recently to ask him a few questions about his<br />
project.<br />
What is the goal for you with this multi-media<br />
project (which includes a book, a film, a graphic novel<br />
<strong>and</strong> soundtrack album)<br />
This project is intended to make the alchemical secret<br />
<strong>of</strong> enlightenment available to a world-wide audience. I<br />
feel that once modern science underst<strong>and</strong>s the physiological<br />
basis <strong>of</strong> inner illumination, the modern concept<br />
<strong>of</strong> human potential will radically exp<strong>and</strong>. This paradigm<br />
shift represents the ultimate evolution <strong>of</strong> consciousness<br />
<strong>and</strong> completely restructures Darwinian theory, which<br />
unfortunately, does not include enlightenment.<br />
I think that the most important idea here is that there<br />
is a divine spark <strong>of</strong> super-consciousness at the physical<br />
core <strong>of</strong> all human beings.<br />
It looks to me like you have woven together many<br />
str<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> mysticism from many different cultures,<br />
all pointing towards the same goal. How did you get<br />
interested in such a project<br />
I have studied the concepts underlying Chinese inner<br />
alchemy for many years <strong>and</strong> have found that it transmits<br />
a fundamental, perennial spiritual science that was also<br />
the original goal <strong>of</strong> Western science when it was called the<br />
Philosopher’s Stone, in the Hermetic tradition. Similarly,<br />
very few scholars have made the connection between<br />
the Reality Body <strong>of</strong> Buddhism <strong>and</strong> the Golden Flower<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> neidan practice. <strong>The</strong> book <strong>and</strong> film is the first<br />
attempt to explain the secret <strong>of</strong> inner illumination as a<br />
cross-cultural paradigm shift.<br />
Of all spiritual/alchemical traditions Daoism has a<br />
clear, scientific methodology that has been successfully<br />
proven for thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years. I feel the concept <strong>of</strong> the<br />
three treasures (jing, qi, shen) is actually the lost secret <strong>of</strong><br />
immortality.<br />
It was also very exciting to work with <strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel<br />
<strong>and</strong> film the masters in the Wudang mountains <strong>and</strong><br />
Qinchengshan for the movie.<br />
Your film reminded me a bit <strong>of</strong> What the Bleep, in<br />
that it uses various kinds <strong>of</strong> animation to present certain<br />
concepts like the Golden Embryo, the Rainbow Body<br />
<strong>and</strong> Emanation Bodies in a way that the viewer can get<br />
a visual sense <strong>of</strong> them. I think this is the first time that<br />
the neidan practices <strong>of</strong> Daoism have been presented<br />
so that people can visually underst<strong>and</strong> the concept <strong>of</strong><br />
things like embryonic enlightenment.<br />
Thank you, we worked for years to refine the animation<br />
sequences so that they worked for a Western audience.<br />
In addition to the film, we also have a book <strong>and</strong> a<br />
graphic novel that is being turned into a music video to<br />
accompany the new soundtrack album which is in postproduction<br />
right now.<br />
<strong>The</strong> idea with the graphic novel <strong>and</strong> the new music<br />
video is to reach the 18-25 year old audience, who has<br />
never been exposed to a clear explanation <strong>of</strong> the complete<br />
evolution <strong>of</strong> consciousness – the goal <strong>of</strong> being human.<br />
We intend to have musical events which will include<br />
a screening <strong>of</strong> the film at multiple locations world-wide<br />
to enable as many people as possible to experience a film<br />
that points them toward the ultimate inner truth <strong>and</strong><br />
challenges both the scientific <strong>and</strong> religious establishments<br />
<strong>of</strong> our time.<br />
Many people have studied taiji, qigong, yoga <strong>and</strong><br />
meditation without underst<strong>and</strong>ing that the alchemical<br />
firing process is the key to real inner illumination <strong>and</strong><br />
ultimate self-discovery.<br />
I found the material on the Rainbow Body or what<br />
in Daoism is called “the dissolution <strong>of</strong> the corpse” very<br />
interesting <strong>and</strong> not something you see very <strong>of</strong>ten.<br />
Yes, I find it fascinating that in many <strong>of</strong> these traditions<br />
the physical body is described as “frozen light,”<br />
which has the potential to dissolve into its essence – pure<br />
energy – at the highest level <strong>of</strong> spiritual cultivation.<br />
How will people get a chance to see this film<br />
<strong>The</strong> film is playing globally <strong>and</strong> will be opened in<br />
selected cities on an ongoing basis. For more information<br />
please visit our website at www.lostsecret<strong>of</strong>immortality.<br />
com.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 37
Tao Is the Source <strong>of</strong> All Universes<br />
Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha<br />
Tao is the source <strong>of</strong> all universes. Tao creates One.<br />
In fact, Tao is One <strong>and</strong> One is Tao. One creates Two. Two<br />
is Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth, yang <strong>and</strong> yin. Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth<br />
interact to produce all souls <strong>and</strong> all things in all universes,<br />
but they all come from Tao.<br />
To study <strong>and</strong> practice Tao is advanced soul study <strong>and</strong><br />
practice. It is most important to underst<strong>and</strong> that everything<br />
has a Tao. I explained above the Tao <strong>of</strong> eating, the<br />
Tao <strong>of</strong> sleeping, <strong>and</strong> the Tao <strong>of</strong> soul healing. In fact, there<br />
is a Tao for every aspect <strong>of</strong> your life. For example, business<br />
has a Tao. A relationship has a Tao. To realize the Tao in<br />
any aspect <strong>of</strong> life is to follow the spiritual principles <strong>and</strong><br />
laws to ensure your success in that part <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
Take healing as another example. How can all <strong>of</strong> a<br />
person’s sicknesses in the physical, emotional, mental,<br />
<strong>and</strong> spiritual bodies be healed What is the Tao <strong>of</strong> healing<br />
To heal all sicknesses in these four bodies, the Tao<br />
<strong>of</strong> healing can be summarized in one sentence:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao to heal all sickness is Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen represents all souls in the whole body, including<br />
the souls <strong>of</strong> systems, organs, <strong>and</strong> cells. Qi represents<br />
all energies in the whole body, including the energies <strong>of</strong><br />
systems, organs, <strong>and</strong> cells. Jing represents all matter in<br />
the whole body, including the matter <strong>of</strong> systems, organs,<br />
<strong>and</strong> cells. A person’s physical, emotional, mental, <strong>and</strong><br />
spiritual bodies are made <strong>of</strong> soul, energy, <strong>and</strong> matter.<br />
Any kind <strong>of</strong> sickness is due to an imbalance in <strong>and</strong> the<br />
separation <strong>of</strong> Shen Qi Jing. To join Shen Qi Jing as one is<br />
to balance the whole body. To join Shen Qi Jing as one is<br />
to return to Tao.<br />
Remember the process <strong>of</strong> reverse creation <strong>of</strong> Tao that<br />
I shared in chapter 1:<br />
all things....Three....Two...On....TAO<br />
return to<br />
38 Summer 2011
Shen Qi Jing He Yi (pronounced shun chee jing<br />
huh yee) is to return to Tao. I am honored to share this<br />
highest divine secret to heal <strong>and</strong> transform all life. This<br />
highest secret can be summarized in one sentence:<br />
To return to Tao is the solution for healing,<br />
rejuvenating, transforming, <strong>and</strong> enlightening<br />
all life.<br />
How can one apply Shen Qi Jing He Yi to heal all<br />
sicknesses This is the way to do it. Apply the Four<br />
Power Techniques that I shared in my book Power<br />
Healing: <strong>The</strong> Four Keys to Energizing Your Body, Mind,<br />
& Spirit.<br />
Body Power. Sit up straight. Put the tip <strong>of</strong> your<br />
tongue as close as you can to the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> your mouth<br />
without touching it. Put one palm on your abdomen.<br />
Place your other palm over this h<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Soul Power. Say hello:<br />
Dear Divine, dear Tao, dear saints in Heaven. I am<br />
honored to invoke you to request healing for (state your<br />
healing request silently or aloud).<br />
Mind Power. Visualize the Jin Dan (golden light<br />
ball) rotating counterclockwise in your Lower Dan<br />
Tian, a foundational energy center located in your<br />
lower abdomen.<br />
A renowned ancient Chinese statement about<br />
spiritual healing is:<br />
Jin guang zhao ti, bai bing xiao chu<br />
“Jin” means golden. “Guang” means light. “Zhao”<br />
means shine. “Ti” means body. “Bai” means one hundred,<br />
which represents every or all. “Bing” means sickness.<br />
“Xiao chu” means to remove. <strong>The</strong>refore, “Jin guang<br />
zhao ti, bai bing xiao chu” (pronounced jeen gwahng<br />
jow tee, bye bing shee-ow choo) means:<br />
Golden light shines; all sicknesses are removed.<br />
Visualizing a golden light ball rotating counterclockwise<br />
in your Lower Dan Tian is absolutely one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the most important Tao healings for all sicknesses.<br />
Sound Power. Sing or chant:<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi . . .<br />
Sing or chant for three minutes now. Remember, I<br />
explain in the beginning <strong>of</strong> every book <strong>of</strong> the Soul Power<br />
Series that when I ask you to spend time to practice, do<br />
not skip the practice. Three to five minutes <strong>of</strong> practice<br />
per time is vital for healing, rejuvenation,<br />
<strong>and</strong> life transformation. In fact, to heal chronic <strong>and</strong><br />
life-threatening conditions, you must practice at least two<br />
hours per day in total.<br />
My new teaching is that the fastest way to heal is to<br />
sing or chant all the time, either silently or aloud. Every<br />
moment <strong>of</strong> singing or chanting is healing <strong>and</strong> transforming.<br />
<strong>The</strong> more you sing or chant, the faster you could heal.<br />
Shen Qi Jing He Yi is a mantra. This mantra is extremely<br />
powerful, beyond words <strong>and</strong> comprehension.<br />
<strong>Practice</strong> more <strong>and</strong> more. A great healing result is waiting<br />
for you.<br />
Mother Earth is in a transition period, with many<br />
natural disasters, conflicts between nations <strong>and</strong> religions,<br />
communicable diseases <strong>and</strong> other sicknesses, wars, financial<br />
challenges, <strong>and</strong> all kinds <strong>of</strong> problems for humanity<br />
<strong>and</strong> Mother Earth. How can we apply Tao to serve humanity<br />
<strong>and</strong> Mother Earth at this critical historic period<br />
All problems in humanity, Mother Earth, <strong>and</strong> all<br />
universes are due to imbalance in <strong>and</strong> separation <strong>of</strong><br />
Heaven, Earth, <strong>and</strong> human beings. To help humanity,<br />
Mother Earth, <strong>and</strong> all universes rebalance <strong>and</strong> reunite,<br />
I will share an extremely powerful Tao practice. This<br />
practice is so powerful that we cannot use any words <strong>and</strong><br />
thoughts to explain or comprehend it. This Tao practice<br />
can be summarized in one sentence:<br />
Tian Di Ren He Yi<br />
“Tian” means Heaven. “Di” means Mother Earth.<br />
“Ren” means human being. “He yi” means join as one.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore, “Tian di ren he yi” (pronounced tyen dee wren<br />
huh yee) means Heaven, Earth, <strong>and</strong> human being join as one.<br />
This is one <strong>of</strong> the highest philosophies <strong>of</strong> Tao. Tian Di<br />
Ren He Yi is Heaven, Earth, <strong>and</strong> human being returning<br />
to Tao. Remember that to return to Tao is the solution for<br />
everything in your life, the lives <strong>of</strong> your loved ones, the<br />
life <strong>of</strong> humanity, <strong>and</strong><br />
the lives <strong>of</strong> all souls. In one sentence:<br />
To return to Tao is the way <strong>of</strong> all life.<br />
From TAO I: THE WAY OF ALL LIFE by Dr. Zhi Gang Sha.<br />
Copyright ©2010 by Heaven’s Library Publication Corp.<br />
<strong>and</strong> Dr. Zhi Gang Sha. Reprinted by permission <strong>of</strong> Atria<br />
Books, a Division <strong>of</strong> Simon & Schuster, Inc. NY.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 39
Special Sale on Back Issues<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> our back issues have already sold out. If you would like to order<br />
back issues we still have a few sets <strong>of</strong> 39 issues available for $200, postage<br />
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40 Summer 2011
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 41
New from Solala Towler<br />
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42 Summer 2011
“Be Here Now”<br />
Perfecting the <strong>Practice</strong> <strong>of</strong> Presence<br />
Daniel Reid<br />
A lament <strong>of</strong>ten heard from modern Western novices<br />
on ancient Eastern spiritual paths soon after receiving<br />
their first introductions to the depth <strong>and</strong> complexity <strong>of</strong><br />
the practices is, “Why is it all so complicated!” This is<br />
particularly true <strong>of</strong> those who choose the highly disciplined<br />
practice paths designed to awaken awareness,<br />
such as the “Complete Reality” (chuan jen) branch <strong>of</strong><br />
Chinese Taoism <strong>and</strong> the “Great Perfection” (dzogchen)<br />
path <strong>of</strong> Tibetan Buddhism.<br />
Years ago, at a retreat in India with<br />
my first Tibetan teacher, the great Kagyupa<br />
meditation master Kalu Rinpoche,<br />
someone asked the venerable lama why<br />
the foundation practices he taught were<br />
all so complicated. His reply crackled<br />
with the swiftness <strong>and</strong> clarity <strong>of</strong> lightning:<br />
“Because the human mind is so<br />
complicated, that’s why! It takes complex<br />
methods to dismantle the complex<br />
delusions the ego constructs to blind the<br />
mind to the light <strong>of</strong> truth. Truth itself is as<br />
simple <strong>and</strong> clear as the morning sun. In<br />
fact,” he said, sweeping his h<strong>and</strong> around<br />
the room, “the truth is right here in front<br />
<strong>of</strong> you, right now, this very moment, but<br />
you just don’t have the eyes to see it!”<br />
It’s true: the Tao <strong>of</strong> “Complete Reality”<br />
<strong>and</strong> the “Great Perfection” <strong>of</strong> the<br />
awareness which reflects it like a mirror<br />
are utterly simple, self-evident, <strong>and</strong> everpresent,<br />
here <strong>and</strong> now. <strong>The</strong>re is nothing<br />
to seek: all we need is the vision to see.<br />
It’s our human minds that are complex<br />
<strong>and</strong> tricky, not awareness <strong>and</strong> reality.<br />
Both Buddha <strong>and</strong> Lao-tze stated very<br />
clearly that the disciplines they taught<br />
were designed to awaken the ignorant<br />
<strong>and</strong> enlighten the blind; those who know<br />
the truth <strong>and</strong> see how simple it is don’t<br />
need the discipline <strong>of</strong> practice.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> us, however, spend a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> energy weaving elaborate<br />
veils <strong>of</strong> illusion around our minds, like<br />
silkworms in their cocoons, to protect<br />
our delicate egos <strong>and</strong> desires from rupturing<br />
in the radiant light <strong>of</strong> awareness<br />
which we keep locked deep inside our hearts. Despite<br />
our barriers <strong>of</strong> doubt <strong>and</strong> fear, it’s always here within<br />
us, each <strong>and</strong> every moment, a treasury <strong>of</strong> wisdom, love,<br />
<strong>and</strong> power waiting for us to claim it by awakening to its<br />
luminous presence. Depending on how deep asleep we<br />
are in our dream worlds, the work <strong>of</strong> waking up can be<br />
easy or difficult, fast or slow. Either way, the first step is<br />
to dodge the tricks our egos play to distract our attention<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 43
from practice <strong>and</strong> lull us back to sleep, <strong>and</strong> find a way<br />
to steer our minds directly to the luminous clarity <strong>of</strong> our<br />
original awakened state.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entire corpus <strong>of</strong> complex practices taught in<br />
the traditional schools <strong>of</strong> Taoist <strong>and</strong> Buddhist cultivation<br />
boils down to a single simple teaching that can be<br />
summarized in three words : “Be here now.” This is the<br />
keystone that supports the entire foundation <strong>of</strong> all the<br />
practices. This precept has become such a popular “New<br />
Age” slogan that it’s usually dismissed as a trite cliché,<br />
but it nevertheless remains the essential link connecting<br />
all the major Eastern practice lineages, <strong>and</strong> it holds the<br />
key that unlocks the gate to success in them all. Let’s take<br />
a closer look at this supreme yet simple teaching, word<br />
by word, <strong>and</strong> see how it<br />
works.<br />
“To Be or Not to<br />
Be…”<br />
That’s the basic<br />
question in the quest<br />
for enlightened awareness:<br />
to be aware or not<br />
to be aware. It’s also the<br />
choice one makes when<br />
choosing to follow the<br />
Taoist <strong>and</strong> Dzogchen<br />
paths <strong>of</strong> practice, which<br />
are designed to awaken<br />
the practicioner to a direct<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> being<br />
present in the primordial<br />
state <strong>of</strong> awareness. This is a state <strong>of</strong> being that can<br />
only be experienced when you stop doing. That means<br />
withdrawing the energies <strong>of</strong> body, breath, <strong>and</strong> mind<br />
from their ordinary expressions <strong>of</strong> “doing” in activity,<br />
speech, <strong>and</strong> thought, <strong>and</strong> resting instead in the stillness<br />
<strong>and</strong> silence <strong>of</strong> simply “being.” In Taoist tradition, the<br />
deliberate withdrawal <strong>of</strong> energy from the active state <strong>of</strong><br />
doing into the still state <strong>of</strong> being in order to experience<br />
the nature <strong>of</strong> awareness is called wu wei (“not doing”).<br />
In Buddhism, this basic meditation practice is known<br />
as shamatha (“dwelling in tranquility”). Disdained in<br />
modern life as a waste <strong>of</strong> time, “sitting still doing nothing,”<br />
which is the Chinese term for “meditation,” is in<br />
fact an indispensable condition for all spiritual discovery.<br />
Meditation is your ticket for a front-row seat in the theater<br />
<strong>of</strong> complete reality, where the curtain doesn’t rise until<br />
you sit still <strong>and</strong> be quiet.<br />
Life in the world today spurs us into a constant<br />
gallop <strong>of</strong> non-stop activity <strong>and</strong> traps our attention with<br />
a relentless onslaught <strong>of</strong> sensory distractions, allowing<br />
us little chance to slow down, stop moving, stop talking,<br />
stop thinking, <strong>and</strong> simply savor the essential flavor <strong>of</strong> being<br />
alive, being aware, <strong>and</strong> being present in the moment.<br />
“Being” involves a totally different state <strong>of</strong> mind than<br />
“doing.” It’s a totally different expression <strong>of</strong> energy that<br />
When you stop doing<br />
<strong>and</strong> just be, your energy<br />
remains at rest in its<br />
original potential state.<br />
reveals a completely different dimension <strong>of</strong> experience.<br />
Doing manifests our energy in a dynamic state <strong>of</strong> activity—action,<br />
speech, <strong>and</strong> thought—hooking our attention<br />
in the temporal dimension <strong>of</strong> linear time <strong>and</strong> space. Doing<br />
always has a beginning, a middle, <strong>and</strong> an end, <strong>and</strong> activity<br />
always manifests in a finite field <strong>of</strong> space <strong>and</strong> time.<br />
When you stop doing <strong>and</strong> just be, your energy remains<br />
at rest in its original potential state, permiting your attention<br />
to experience the still depths <strong>of</strong> your mind in its<br />
basic state <strong>of</strong> awareness. Energy at rest abides in a state<br />
<strong>of</strong> infinite potential, <strong>and</strong> stillness is the boundless crucible<br />
<strong>of</strong> all creation. This is the immortal dimension <strong>of</strong> pure<br />
awareness, the primordial source from which all temporal<br />
form <strong>and</strong> activity arise <strong>and</strong> to which they all return, like<br />
waves rising <strong>and</strong> falling on<br />
the ocean. If the mind is like<br />
an ocean, then awareness is<br />
like the water: always calm<br />
<strong>and</strong> quiet deep down inside,<br />
but constantly rippling with<br />
waves <strong>of</strong> activity on the surface.<br />
In order to experience<br />
the nature <strong>of</strong> the ocean’s<br />
water before it forms itself<br />
into waves, you must sink<br />
down below the surface<br />
<strong>and</strong> submerge yourself in<br />
its depths.<br />
All forms <strong>of</strong> doing—activity,<br />
speech, <strong>and</strong> thought—<br />
give rise to movement, <strong>and</strong><br />
all movement creates the<br />
illusion <strong>of</strong> linear time, with<br />
a beginning, middle, <strong>and</strong> end. Not doing (wu wei) makes<br />
time collapse in the infinite stillness <strong>and</strong> radiant space <strong>of</strong><br />
being in primordial awareness, which has no beginning,<br />
middle, or end. When you stop moving, speaking, <strong>and</strong><br />
thinking, time stops <strong>and</strong> awareness exp<strong>and</strong>s into infinity,<br />
dissolving all dualistic boundries between self <strong>and</strong><br />
other, here <strong>and</strong> there, now <strong>and</strong> then. What you realize in<br />
this still <strong>and</strong> silent state <strong>of</strong> awareness is that everything<br />
arises from <strong>and</strong> returns to its original source—the empty,<br />
luminous, infinite potential energy <strong>of</strong> the primordial state.<br />
Here’s how Lao-tze expressed it in the Tao Teh Ching:<br />
Something formless yet complete That existed<br />
before heaven <strong>and</strong> earth, Without sound, without substance, Dependent<br />
on nothing, unchanging All pervading,<br />
unfailing. . . It’s true name I do not know : “Tao” is<br />
the nickname I give it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nickname the Buddha gave it is “Dharmadatu:”<br />
“the way things are.”<br />
“To be or not to be” is therefore the first choice<br />
you make when embarking on the path <strong>of</strong> cultivating<br />
awareness. <strong>The</strong>re is nothing particular to do to reach the<br />
primordial state <strong>of</strong> enlightened awareness, because you’re<br />
already there before you start. However, it takes a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
practice stop interfering with it <strong>and</strong> simply let it be. You<br />
must arrive at the realization that it’s already here within<br />
44 Summer 2011
you, right now, <strong>and</strong> learn to recognize its radiant light.<br />
This is the path as well as the goal <strong>of</strong> all the practices<br />
taught by the masters <strong>of</strong> theTao <strong>and</strong> the Dharma - to be<br />
present in awareness.<br />
“Here , <strong>The</strong>re, <strong>and</strong> Everywhere. . .”<br />
Taoists refer to body, breath, <strong>and</strong> mind as the “Three<br />
Treasures” <strong>of</strong> life. Buddhists call them the “Three Gates”<br />
<strong>of</strong> energy. Keeping these three vehicles <strong>of</strong> our life force<br />
working together in harmony, rooted in the same ground<br />
<strong>of</strong> being <strong>and</strong> doing, is an essential point <strong>of</strong> attention on the<br />
path <strong>of</strong> awareness. This seems simple enough in principle,<br />
but in practice it’s not so easy because the human mind<br />
is like a monkey: it hops here, there, <strong>and</strong> everywhere,<br />
leaving body <strong>and</strong> breath elsewhere. Training the mental<br />
monkey to sit still <strong>and</strong> pay attention to where your body<br />
is here <strong>and</strong> now, is a primary task <strong>of</strong> practice that takes<br />
time <strong>and</strong> patience.<br />
Body <strong>and</strong> breath are always right here, firmly rooted<br />
like flagpoles at your present location. Where else could<br />
they possibly be It’s the mind that’s<br />
always drifting away to another place<br />
<strong>and</strong> time, floating to <strong>and</strong> fro like a leaf<br />
in the wind. Left unattended, the mental<br />
monkey is always hopping around<br />
out “there,” leaving body <strong>and</strong> breath<br />
str<strong>and</strong>ed like a car without a driver in<br />
the traffic <strong>of</strong> life. As the monkey w<strong>and</strong>ers<br />
<strong>of</strong>f to worry about the future, romp<br />
through the past, chase fantasies, chat<br />
with phantoms, <strong>and</strong> me<strong>and</strong>er through<br />
mental mazes far removed from the<br />
present locus <strong>of</strong> body <strong>and</strong> breath, it takes<br />
along a big supply <strong>of</strong> your vital energy,<br />
burning it frivolously in the bonfires <strong>of</strong><br />
r<strong>and</strong>om thought <strong>and</strong> robbing your body<br />
<strong>of</strong> its essential fuel <strong>of</strong> life. <strong>The</strong> breath<br />
grows shallow <strong>and</strong> irregular, the body<br />
loses balance, <strong>and</strong> vital functions stagnate,<br />
while the mind fritters away the<br />
energy upon which the whole system<br />
depends.<br />
<strong>The</strong> solution to this problem is to<br />
focus the spotlight <strong>of</strong> attention on your<br />
breath, <strong>and</strong> to shift your breathing from<br />
autonomic to voluntary control. Since<br />
breath <strong>and</strong> body are inseparably linked,<br />
conscious breathing keeps the mind<br />
firmly grounded in the body, here <strong>and</strong><br />
now. All you need to do to make this<br />
transition is summon the intent to steer<br />
your attention away from the monkey’s<br />
madcap maneuvers <strong>and</strong> lock it onto the<br />
perpetual flow <strong>of</strong> breath in <strong>and</strong> out <strong>of</strong><br />
the body, <strong>and</strong> to feel the body’s rhythmic<br />
response to the movement <strong>of</strong> the breath.<br />
Follow the breath in, follow the breath<br />
out; feel your belly rise, feel your belly<br />
fall. Your breath <strong>and</strong> your belly are completely real, <strong>and</strong><br />
they are both always right here at home in your body.<br />
You may therefore use the breath <strong>and</strong> the belly as buoys<br />
to keep your mind anchored in reality, rather than letting<br />
it w<strong>and</strong>er away with the monkey. That’s why conscious<br />
abdominal breathing is such an important foundation<br />
practice in both Taoist <strong>and</strong> Buddhist systems <strong>of</strong> cultivating<br />
awareness.<br />
All this may sound, as they like to say in Australia,<br />
“too easy, mate!” And in fact it is easy, once you get the<br />
hang <strong>of</strong> it, but like everything else in life that’s worth<br />
doing well, it takes practice to get it right. Verily it is<br />
said, “practice makes perfect,” but the practice does not<br />
always need to be so complicated. It can be as easy yet<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>oundly effective as breathing, if you pay attention to<br />
the way you’re doing it. <strong>The</strong> Great Perfection <strong>of</strong> enlightened<br />
awareness is only a breath away, but to realize that<br />
you must pay attention to your breathing <strong>and</strong> not get distracted<br />
by the monkey’s mental marvels. <strong>The</strong> Taoist adept<br />
Liu I-ming clarifies this point in Awakening to the Tao:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 45
<strong>The</strong> Tao is simple <strong>and</strong> convenient. <strong>The</strong>re is no need<br />
to seek afar, for it is right here at home … It is utterly<br />
simple, utterly easy, there is no difficulty involved … <strong>The</strong><br />
ridiculous thing is that foolish people seek mysterious<br />
marvels, when they do not know enough to preserve the<br />
mysterious marvel that is actually present … So many<br />
Taoists seek at r<strong>and</strong>om, all the while casting aside the<br />
treasure at h<strong>and</strong>.<br />
“It’s Now or Never…”<br />
<strong>The</strong> “treasure at h<strong>and</strong>,” described by Taoists as the<br />
“precious pearl” <strong>and</strong> by Buddhists as the “wish-fullfilling<br />
gem,” is the luminous, infinite potential energy <strong>of</strong> fully<br />
awakened awareness. This jewel is always shining right<br />
here within our own mind <strong>and</strong> body from the day we<br />
are born until the day we die.<br />
It’s not something we must<br />
seek elsewhere. “What is <strong>of</strong><br />
real value is in ourselves,”<br />
writes Namkhai Norbu in <strong>The</strong><br />
Mirror, “in our own original<br />
state: this is our wealth.” This<br />
original state <strong>of</strong> awareness is<br />
known in Buddhism as bodhicitta<br />
(“awakened mind”)<br />
<strong>and</strong> in Taoism as wu-dao<br />
(“realization <strong>of</strong> truth”), <strong>and</strong><br />
it’s our most precious possession<br />
in life, an infinite source<br />
<strong>of</strong> wisdom, compassion, <strong>and</strong><br />
power waiting for us to reclaim<br />
it. However, because we<br />
look for truth in “mysterious<br />
marvels” outside ourselves,<br />
rather than turning to the<br />
infallible source within, <strong>and</strong><br />
because we habitually mistake<br />
material possessions for wealth <strong>and</strong> force for power, most<br />
<strong>of</strong> us go through life without ever discovering the real<br />
treasure <strong>of</strong> truth, vision, <strong>and</strong> infinite potential which we<br />
all carry within us every moment.<br />
<strong>The</strong> moment itself is the ultimate marvel, <strong>and</strong> presence<br />
in the moment paves the way to mastery <strong>of</strong> all mysteries.<br />
What could be more marvelous than the infinite<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> creation that unfolds each moment in all the<br />
myriad forms <strong>of</strong> the universe, pulsing like a heartbeat<br />
from the twinkle <strong>of</strong> distant stars to the murmur <strong>of</strong> the sea,<br />
from the wind in the trees to the hum <strong>of</strong> the bees, from the<br />
radiance <strong>of</strong> a rainbow to the glow <strong>of</strong> a c<strong>and</strong>le. <strong>The</strong> light <strong>of</strong><br />
pure awareness reflects all the manifold creations <strong>of</strong> universal<br />
energy right here within our own minds, moment<br />
by moment, as clearly <strong>and</strong> unconditionally as a mirror.<br />
Since everything manifests from the same basic energy,<br />
every moment reveals the fundamental mechanism <strong>of</strong><br />
creation <strong>and</strong> vibrates with the mysterious marvel <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
In order to become aware <strong>of</strong> all this , we must keep our<br />
attention on the mirror <strong>of</strong> the moment <strong>and</strong> practice the<br />
Most people spend<br />
their entire lives<br />
roaming across the<br />
frozen mindscapes <strong>of</strong> a<br />
dead past <strong>and</strong> unknown<br />
future, completely<br />
ignoring the vibrant<br />
present.<br />
perfection <strong>of</strong> presence. Presence <strong>of</strong> mind in the immediate<br />
moment permits us to experience the infinite marvels<br />
<strong>of</strong> the eternal present. After we’ve learned to anchor our<br />
minds here in our bodies by using breath as a buoy, we<br />
must then free our minds from the trap <strong>of</strong> linear time by<br />
realizing that it’s always “now,” <strong>and</strong> that the present moment<br />
is therefore timeless <strong>and</strong> eternal. A single moment<br />
<strong>of</strong> direct experience in the eternity <strong>of</strong> the present teaches<br />
us more about the true nature <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> reality than a<br />
lifetime <strong>of</strong> study <strong>and</strong> thinking.<br />
Most people spend their entire lives roaming across<br />
the frozen mindscapes <strong>of</strong> a dead past <strong>and</strong> unknown<br />
future, completely ignoring the vibrant present, except<br />
for those rare moments when reality suddenly grabs<br />
their attention with the proverbial Zen slap in the face.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fragmented segments <strong>of</strong> linear time as measured<br />
by the tick-tock <strong>of</strong> the clock<br />
produce the artificial mental<br />
paradigm <strong>of</strong> a chronological<br />
past <strong>and</strong> an imaginary future<br />
that stretch infinitely in<br />
opposite directions from the<br />
fleeting moment <strong>of</strong> a swiftly<br />
passing present. Presence<br />
in the stillness <strong>of</strong> the eternal<br />
moment produces the<br />
opposite effect—a direct<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> indivisible<br />
whole time in the seamless<br />
eternity <strong>of</strong> now. This experience<br />
awakens awareness <strong>of</strong><br />
the timeless present as the<br />
only reality, <strong>and</strong> shatters the<br />
illusion <strong>of</strong> past <strong>and</strong> future<br />
projected through the lens<br />
<strong>of</strong> linear time. What we<br />
learn from the practice <strong>of</strong><br />
presence is that the only “real time” is now <strong>and</strong> that the<br />
present is the dimension <strong>of</strong> eternity.<br />
It’s always “now,” <strong>and</strong> the present is always here<br />
where we experience it, reflecting the whole universe in<br />
the mirror <strong>of</strong> the eternal moment. <strong>The</strong> only reason most<br />
people are blind to the vision <strong>of</strong> complete reality which<br />
every moment reflects is because they rivet their attention<br />
on the express train <strong>of</strong> thought that’s constantly running<br />
through their heads, rather than dwelling tranquilly in<br />
the stillness <strong>of</strong> the timeless present. Someone once wrote,<br />
“Time is space thinking.” Since the mind is essentially<br />
empty, like space, it follows that “time is mind thinking,”<br />
which is the mental form <strong>of</strong> “doing.” When mind<br />
stops thinking, i.e. “doing,” <strong>and</strong> dwells instead in the<br />
stillness <strong>of</strong> “not doing” (wu wei), time stops, <strong>and</strong> mind<br />
experiences the timeless state <strong>of</strong> presence in the eternal<br />
moment, i.e. <strong>of</strong> “being here now.” Stillness doesn’t do,<br />
it just is. Stillness is therefore the master <strong>of</strong> presence: it<br />
teaches you how to “be here now” <strong>and</strong> experience Complete<br />
Reality in the Great Perfection <strong>of</strong> awareness in the<br />
46 Summer 2011
eternal moment. In Carlos Casteneda’s books, Don Juan<br />
teaches Carlos essentially the same lesson when he says<br />
that we can “stop the world” <strong>and</strong> experience the pulse<br />
<strong>of</strong> eternity simply by stopping the “internal dialogue”<br />
in our heads.<br />
We are always in the present moment, here <strong>and</strong> now,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it provides the only view <strong>of</strong> the world that’s not<br />
imaginary. <strong>The</strong> past <strong>and</strong> future are mental constructs,<br />
but the present is the living ground <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>and</strong> the<br />
cradle <strong>of</strong> creation. In “<strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> the Peaceful Warrior”,<br />
Dan Millman states that the most pr<strong>of</strong>ound lesson his<br />
teacher ever taught him was contained in the declaration,<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re are no ordinary moments.” Every moment<br />
is extraordinary because it always reflects a complete <strong>and</strong><br />
perfect picture <strong>of</strong> the whole universe, like a flawless gem<br />
<strong>of</strong> awareness. However, in order to perceive reality with<br />
the flawless vision <strong>of</strong> the moment, we must perfect the<br />
pratice <strong>of</strong> presence.<br />
As we begin to awaken to the infinite potential<br />
<strong>of</strong> presence in the eternal moment, we also begin to<br />
realize that the primordial awareness through which<br />
we experience presence is as immortal<br />
as the moment---that our awareness is<br />
something that “is not born <strong>and</strong> does not<br />
die.” We realize that the infinite luminous<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> awareness is the very source<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world which we perceive through<br />
our senses, <strong>and</strong> that we are always the<br />
authors <strong>of</strong> our own lives, free to set the<br />
stage <strong>and</strong> write the script as we wish.<br />
That’s why Tibetan teachers describe the<br />
“Clear Light” <strong>of</strong> primordial awareness as<br />
a “wish-fulfilling gem.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dzogchen master Namkhai<br />
Norbu refers to the experience <strong>of</strong> undistracted<br />
awareness in the moment as “instant<br />
presence.” When you practice instant<br />
presence, you experience the waves <strong>of</strong><br />
the world rising <strong>and</strong> falling in the infinite<br />
ocean <strong>of</strong> awareness, <strong>and</strong> you realize that<br />
the world you perceive is never separate<br />
from the awareness which perceives it,<br />
just as the images reflected in a mirror<br />
are inseparable from the mirror which<br />
reflects them, <strong>and</strong> the waves rippling <strong>and</strong><br />
roaring on the surface <strong>of</strong> the ocean are<br />
inseparable from the still <strong>and</strong> silent water<br />
in the depths from which they arise. <strong>The</strong><br />
world we experience is a product <strong>of</strong> our<br />
awareness, not a separate reality. It’s very<br />
important to recognize the distinction between<br />
the reflections <strong>and</strong> the mirror, <strong>and</strong><br />
to realize that the waves on the ocean are<br />
just a fleeting form <strong>of</strong> the water below, for<br />
one is impermanent <strong>and</strong> inconstant while<br />
the other is immutable <strong>and</strong> immortal. In<br />
order to enjoy the ephemeral play <strong>of</strong> life’s<br />
energies, we must avoid attachment to<br />
their passing forms <strong>and</strong> not mistake the servant for the<br />
master, for it is not the impermanence <strong>of</strong> things in life<br />
that causes us sorrow, but rather our attachment to impermanent<br />
things. Instant presence makes this distinction<br />
clear, for it teaches us to value the treasure that we can<br />
never lose—the luminous pearl <strong>of</strong> primordial awareness.<br />
Taoist <strong>and</strong> Dzogchen teachings place such strong<br />
emphasis on being aware <strong>of</strong> our real condition, as it is here<br />
<strong>and</strong> now in the present moment, because this is where<br />
we’ve always been <strong>and</strong> always will be—in the very center<br />
<strong>of</strong> our experience <strong>of</strong> the universe, which unfolds like a<br />
flower from the luminous heart <strong>of</strong> our awareness. Our<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> the world is always complete <strong>and</strong> perfect<br />
just as it is at the moment. In real time , there is no past<br />
or future, only the eternal present, <strong>and</strong> as soon as we stop<br />
thinking, the timeless perfection <strong>of</strong> the moment blossoms.<br />
When we rest our minds tranquilly in stillness (shamatha),<br />
the moment is all there is. In an interview in the<br />
Winter 2003/04 issue <strong>of</strong> Dragon Mouth, Liu Ming notes<br />
this point as follows: “Rather than <strong>of</strong>fering transcendence,<br />
the teaching introduces us to where we actually are. . . the<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 47
place we really are is the place we’ll be forever. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />
nothing missing in the experience we’re in.”<br />
It’s also important to realize that the Great Perfection<br />
<strong>of</strong> awareness in the present moment can only transform<br />
our lives <strong>and</strong> liberate our minds from illusion if we learn<br />
to apply it in the active “doings” <strong>of</strong> daily life as well as<br />
in the still “non-doing” <strong>of</strong> meditation. Otherwise it’s just<br />
a formal exercise that ends with each meditation session<br />
<strong>and</strong> has no practical value in daily life. Even when the<br />
body is busy doing something, the mind should experience<br />
the activity with the instant presence <strong>of</strong> awakened<br />
awareness. <strong>The</strong> whole point <strong>of</strong> cultivating awareness<br />
in the non-doing stillness <strong>of</strong> meditation is to bring the<br />
awakened state <strong>of</strong> presence into the doings <strong>of</strong> daily activity.<br />
“In order to realize the inseparability <strong>of</strong> meditation<br />
<strong>and</strong> daily activities,” states Dzogchen master Namkhai<br />
Norbu, “we must apply the<br />
practice twenty-four hours<br />
a day.”<br />
This means, for example,<br />
practicing instant<br />
presence while frying a<br />
fish, pouring a cup <strong>of</strong> tea,<br />
driving a car, or embracing<br />
a partner in sexual union.<br />
To do this, you must keep<br />
your attention fully focused<br />
on the nature <strong>of</strong> the activity<br />
your body is doing in the<br />
present moment <strong>and</strong> be<br />
aware <strong>of</strong> how your energy<br />
is manifesting in that activity,<br />
here <strong>and</strong> now, on the<br />
spot. Feel the sizzle <strong>of</strong> the<br />
frying fish in the h<strong>and</strong>le <strong>of</strong><br />
the pan; observe the hydrodynamics<br />
<strong>of</strong> the tea pouring<br />
from the pot; be alert to the<br />
manifold mechanics <strong>of</strong> operating the car; experience the<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> your partner in sexual embrace rising like a<br />
tide on the sea.<br />
While meditation allows us to experience our energy<br />
in its still state, the activity <strong>of</strong> daily life lets us experience<br />
the way our energy manifests in movement. Both aspects<br />
are equally real <strong>and</strong> equally important, <strong>and</strong> instant<br />
presence is the key to experiencing the nature <strong>of</strong> both as<br />
they manifest in the perfection <strong>of</strong> the moment. “A true<br />
practicioner,” writes Namkhai Norbu in <strong>The</strong> Mirror, “can<br />
appear to drink <strong>and</strong> laugh like others in a pub, but we can<br />
be sure that, without assuming the meditation posture,<br />
he is continuing in his state <strong>of</strong> presence.”<br />
Both Taoist <strong>and</strong> Dzogchen teaching include specific<br />
methods that help the practicioner learn how to maintain<br />
the state <strong>of</strong> instant presence in the midst <strong>of</strong> ordinary<br />
activity. Often refered to as “moving meditation,” these<br />
practices are designed to integrate inner stillness <strong>of</strong> mind<br />
with outer movement <strong>of</strong> body, <strong>and</strong> to unify the states <strong>of</strong><br />
“being” <strong>and</strong> “doing,” awareness <strong>and</strong> action. In Taoist<br />
In Western religions,<br />
people generally<br />
disdain their bodies<br />
as obstacles to<br />
salvation <strong>and</strong> view<br />
the world we live in as<br />
a sink <strong>of</strong> sin <strong>and</strong><br />
corruption<br />
tradition, various forms <strong>of</strong> chi-gung such as Eight<br />
Brocades, Tai Chi, <strong>and</strong> Pa Kua are practiced to harmonize<br />
body, breath, <strong>and</strong> mind in smooth rhythmic<br />
movements <strong>of</strong> the body synchronized with the natural<br />
flow <strong>of</strong> the breath, all balanced by presence in a meditative<br />
state <strong>of</strong> mind. Chi-gung develops the ability to<br />
engage naturally in the external activities <strong>of</strong> daily life<br />
while remaining in a calm state <strong>of</strong> awareness inside.<br />
In Dzogchen, yantra yoga is practiced as a form <strong>of</strong><br />
“moving meditation” to bring body <strong>and</strong> mind into a<br />
balanced state <strong>of</strong> awareness that fuses inner stillness<br />
with outer movement. Chi-gung <strong>and</strong> yantra yoga train<br />
practicioners to integrate stillness with movement, <strong>and</strong><br />
to experience the mind’s essential emptiness as well as<br />
its intrinsic energy, without getting distracted by either.<br />
Moving meditation should be applied to ordinary<br />
activities “until,” as Namkhai<br />
Norbu notes, “there is no longer<br />
any distinction between<br />
meditation <strong>and</strong> life.” “<strong>The</strong> Precious<br />
Human Existence”<br />
In Western religions, people<br />
generally disdain their<br />
bodies as obstacles to salvation<br />
<strong>and</strong> view the world we live in<br />
as a sink <strong>of</strong> sin <strong>and</strong> corruption,<br />
far removed from a future<br />
paradise to which they hope<br />
to gain entry after death by<br />
behaving in a way prescribed<br />
by clerics during life. This view<br />
rejects our own experience <strong>of</strong><br />
life in this world as a valid<br />
source <strong>of</strong> truth <strong>and</strong> instead<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>s faith in unproven<br />
dogma in exchange for a dubious<br />
promise <strong>of</strong> eternal bliss in<br />
an uncharted heaven that can<br />
only be reached in death. This is not a good bargain<br />
<strong>and</strong> a highly risky investment <strong>of</strong> our faith.<br />
Better by far to work with the resources life has<br />
given us, here <strong>and</strong> now. Never dismiss your body as<br />
a viable vehicle for reaching the goal <strong>of</strong> enlightened<br />
awareness, for without it you don’t st<strong>and</strong> a chance<br />
<strong>of</strong> success. Your body is the only anchor that keeps<br />
your mind grounded in reality <strong>and</strong> lets you to learn<br />
the lessons life has to teach you. By paying close attention<br />
to your body <strong>and</strong> its experience <strong>of</strong> the world,<br />
you prevent your mind from w<strong>and</strong>ering <strong>of</strong>f into false<br />
realms <strong>of</strong> fantasy <strong>and</strong> dissipating your energy in illusory<br />
distractions. Always utilize your breath as a<br />
bridge to keep your mind <strong>and</strong> body linked together<br />
in the present moment by breathing consciously at all<br />
times, not just while practicing meditation, chi-gung<br />
or yoga. Breath is the most effective tool we have<br />
for keeping our minds aware <strong>of</strong> what our bodies are<br />
doing in the present moment, <strong>and</strong> for synchronizing<br />
the microcosmic pulse <strong>of</strong> our personal energy with<br />
48 Summer 2011
the macrocosmic pulse <strong>of</strong> universal energy. By using<br />
breath as a metronome, we can harmonize body,<br />
breath, <strong>and</strong> mind in an integrated state <strong>of</strong> awareness<br />
that allows us to experience the real time <strong>of</strong> the eternal<br />
present rather than the artificial time <strong>of</strong> past <strong>and</strong><br />
present conjured by linear thinking.<br />
<strong>The</strong> “bottom line” is this : if we wish to attain<br />
the Great Perfection <strong>of</strong> enlightened awareness <strong>and</strong><br />
underst<strong>and</strong> the Tao <strong>of</strong> Complete Reality, we must do<br />
it here <strong>and</strong> now, in this body, in this life, while we<br />
still have the “precious pearl” <strong>of</strong> primordial light to<br />
illuminate our way. We<br />
must always remember<br />
that the Clear Light <strong>of</strong><br />
immortal awareness resides<br />
only in the hearts<br />
<strong>of</strong> living beings, <strong>and</strong><br />
that at death the spiritual<br />
Light in our hearts<br />
returns to its original<br />
source in the primordial<br />
heart <strong>of</strong> the universe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Light does not illuminate<br />
the dark night<br />
<strong>of</strong> death, so unless we<br />
merge our minds with<br />
the immortal Light<br />
in life, while we still<br />
have the chance, we<br />
will die with minds<br />
still clouded in illusion<br />
<strong>and</strong> w<strong>and</strong>er aimlessly<br />
through the dark corridors<br />
<strong>of</strong> the illusory astral realms. Known in Tibetan<br />
Buddhsim as the bardo (“in-between state”) <strong>and</strong> in<br />
Chinese Taoism as chung-yin (“middle shade”), these<br />
astral realms include all <strong>of</strong> the heavens, hells, <strong>and</strong><br />
“other worlds” ever imagined by the human mind,<br />
<strong>and</strong> after death they trap the unenlightened minds<br />
<strong>of</strong> those who invested belief in their falsehood during<br />
life. <strong>The</strong> only way out <strong>of</strong> these shadowy realms<br />
<strong>of</strong> delusion is to get another chance at winning the<br />
prize <strong>of</strong> immortal awareness by getting another life<br />
<strong>and</strong> another body with a heart <strong>of</strong> Light to serve as<br />
a vehicle for practice. Tibetan teachers compare the<br />
chance <strong>of</strong> gaining another human body to the chance<br />
that a blind turtle swimming aimlessly in the bottom<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ocean will rise to the surface <strong>and</strong> stick its head<br />
through a ring tossed r<strong>and</strong>omly into the water. Those<br />
aren’t very good odds, which is why Tibetan masters<br />
always refer to this life we have here <strong>and</strong> now as the<br />
“precious human existence:” because it <strong>of</strong>fers us the<br />
precious opportunity to receive the teachings <strong>and</strong><br />
gives us the vehicle <strong>of</strong> a human body to practice the<br />
methods which can lead us directly to the radiant<br />
treasure <strong>of</strong> enlightenment <strong>and</strong> the “precious pearl”<br />
<strong>of</strong> immortality.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Great Perfection <strong>of</strong> awakened awareness is<br />
Never dismiss your<br />
body as a viable vehicle<br />
for reaching the goal <strong>of</strong><br />
enlightened awareness,<br />
for without it you don’t<br />
st<strong>and</strong> a chance <strong>of</strong><br />
success.<br />
not attained by rejecting, transforming, or transcending<br />
the human condition. It can only be discovered through<br />
direct experience <strong>of</strong> the world as it is, here <strong>and</strong> now. When<br />
you practice instant presence in all aspects <strong>of</strong> your life,<br />
each <strong>and</strong> every moment has the extraordinary potential<br />
to reflect the whole truth <strong>of</strong> reality in the mirror <strong>of</strong> your<br />
mind <strong>and</strong> awaken you to the Great Perfection <strong>of</strong> your<br />
own enlightened awareness. <strong>The</strong>re is nothing to reject,<br />
nothing to transform, nothing to transcend, <strong>and</strong> nothing<br />
particular to do, because the Clear Light <strong>of</strong> awareness is<br />
always shining here <strong>and</strong> now in your own heart. All you<br />
need to realize it is presence.<br />
In closing, I would like<br />
to quote the last line <strong>of</strong> my<br />
favorite Tibetan prayer. It’s<br />
a call to all one’s teachers to<br />
ask for their blessings on the<br />
path <strong>of</strong> practice, <strong>and</strong> it neatly<br />
summarizes the essence <strong>of</strong><br />
everything written above:<br />
“Grant us your blessings<br />
that we may attain the<br />
supreme accomplishment <strong>of</strong><br />
being aware in the Clear Light<br />
<strong>of</strong> Great Perfection, right now,<br />
immediately, here in this very<br />
place!”<br />
Daniel Reid was born in 1948,<br />
in San Francisco, <strong>and</strong> spent his<br />
childhood in East Africa. After<br />
completing a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts<br />
degree in East Asian Studies at the University <strong>of</strong> California,<br />
Berkeley in 1970, <strong>and</strong> a Masters <strong>of</strong> Arts degree in Chinese<br />
Language <strong>and</strong> Civilization at the Monterey Institute <strong>of</strong> International<br />
Studies in 1973, Reid moved to Taiwan, where he<br />
spent 16 years studying <strong>and</strong> writing about various aspects <strong>of</strong><br />
traditional Chinese culture, focusing particulaly on Chinese<br />
medicine <strong>and</strong> ancient Taoist health <strong>and</strong> longevity systems. In<br />
1989, he relocated to Chiang Mai, Thail<strong>and</strong>, where he continued<br />
his research <strong>and</strong> writing until 1999, when he immigrated<br />
with his wife Snow to the Byron Bay region <strong>of</strong> Australia,<br />
where he now makes his home. Dan <strong>and</strong> Snow have plans to<br />
establish a High Mountain Oolung Tea plantation in northern<br />
New South Wales.<br />
His published books include <strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Health,<br />
Sex, <strong>and</strong> Longevity, Complete Book <strong>of</strong> Chinese Health &<br />
Healing (Guarding the Three Treasures in British edition),<br />
H<strong>and</strong>book <strong>of</strong> Chinese Healing Herbs, Complete Guide to Chi<br />
Gung, <strong>and</strong> Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine.<br />
His health latest title is <strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Detox: <strong>The</strong> Natural Way<br />
to Purify Your Body for Health & Longevity, <strong>and</strong> his most<br />
recent publication is My Journey in Mystic China: Old Pu’s<br />
Travel Diary” (Inner Traditions, USA), his translation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
writer John Bl<strong>of</strong>eld’s memoirs <strong>of</strong> China from 1930-48, which<br />
Bl<strong>of</strong>eld wrote entirely in Chinese at the end <strong>of</strong> his life.<br />
More information on Daniel's work is available on<br />
his website: www.danreid.org<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 49
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<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 51
Reviews<br />
Tai Ji<br />
Beginner's Tai Ji Book<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
Singing Dragon<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 80 pages, $18.95<br />
Originally published in<br />
1989, our friends at Singing<br />
Dragon have brought out<br />
a new edition <strong>of</strong> this fine<br />
book.<br />
This a quite wonderful<br />
<strong>and</strong> magical book, filled with<br />
the gorgeous photography <strong>of</strong><br />
Si Chi Ko. In it Chungliang,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the first taiji teachers to<br />
come from China to the West, writes not only about the external<br />
movements <strong>of</strong> taiji but <strong>of</strong> the spirit as well. In lines like the following<br />
he takes us on a journey into the magical realm <strong>of</strong> taiji.<br />
Do not forget that the only Tai Ji tools is the human body, already<br />
perfectly attuned to move in the Tai Ji way. We must learn not to<br />
interfere with its organic functioning, but instead, to trust it. <strong>Practice</strong><br />
each time like it was the first time. Let your practice be like the sun<br />
rising anew each morning.<br />
Quantum Soup<br />
Fortune Cookies in Crisis<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
Singing Dragon<br />
Oversieze s<strong>of</strong>tcover,<br />
New <strong>and</strong> enlarged<br />
edition<br />
160 pages, $24.95<br />
Another favorite<br />
<strong>of</strong> mine, this is a<br />
entertaining <strong>and</strong><br />
enlightening romp<br />
through <strong>Daoist</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Zen culture, filled<br />
with stories, jokes,<br />
aphorisms <strong>and</strong> many<br />
wonderful examples <strong>of</strong><br />
Chungliang's dancing<br />
calligraphy. It is the<br />
kind <strong>of</strong> book that you<br />
into at any point <strong>and</strong><br />
get new insights <strong>and</strong> new ways <strong>of</strong> looking at the world.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> my favorites says "<strong>The</strong> benefit <strong>and</strong> wisdom <strong>of</strong><br />
laughter is now crystal clear. And why do so many <strong>of</strong> us insist<br />
on cheerless sobriety Our third eye is shut tight or turned<br />
inward with a frown. Turn the eye around <strong>and</strong> take a good<br />
look at some <strong>of</strong> our cosmic jokes. Take the s out <strong>of</strong> cosmic <strong>and</strong><br />
enjoy what's left."<br />
Simple yet deep wisdom from a heart-felt teacher <strong>of</strong><br />
joy in movement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chinese Book<br />
<strong>of</strong> Animal Powers<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
Singing Dragon<br />
Hardcover, 32 pages<br />
$18.95<br />
"A great way to<br />
learn about the animal<br />
powers is to draw<br />
the animals <strong>and</strong> their<br />
symbols—<strong>and</strong> the best<br />
way to draw them is to<br />
dance them." So says<br />
the author, who has done an admirable job drawing each<br />
animal in a Chinese brushwork style. Also included is an explanation<br />
<strong>and</strong> description <strong>of</strong> each animal <strong>and</strong> how they might<br />
manifest in your life. This is the kind <strong>of</strong> book that works very<br />
well for children as well as adults, the pictures do such a good<br />
job embodying the power <strong>of</strong> each animal.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lost Secret <strong>of</strong> Immortality<br />
by Barclay Powers<br />
Golden Elixir Productions<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 206 pages $16.95<br />
An interesting book, which is a<br />
companion piece to the movie <strong>of</strong> the<br />
same name, this book takes a look<br />
at the immortality or enlightenment<br />
practices in Western alchemy (<strong>The</strong><br />
Philosopher's Stone), Tantric Tibetan<br />
(Six Yogas <strong>of</strong> Naropa, Three Bodies<br />
or Trikaya), Hinduism (Kundalini)<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> neidan practices (Three<br />
Treasures <strong>and</strong> the Golden Embryo).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are also sections on shamanism, quantum physics <strong>and</strong><br />
Chinese sexual yoga.<br />
<strong>The</strong> book starts out with some historical references to<br />
the Tibetan practice <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Rainbow Body, wherein, upon<br />
death, the practitioner's physical body disintegrates rapidly,<br />
shrinking down to a very small size or leaving just a few wisps<br />
<strong>of</strong> hair <strong>and</strong> fingernails. This is similar to the <strong>Daoist</strong> idea <strong>of</strong><br />
"corpse liberation."<br />
Equating the Philosopher's Stone, the Zen idea <strong>of</strong> Seeing<br />
Your Original Face (the one you had before you were born)<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Golden or Immortal Embryo this books is a great<br />
resource guide for anyone interested in field <strong>of</strong> cross fertilization<br />
<strong>of</strong> spiritual paths <strong>and</strong> practices.<br />
Indeed we do live in exciting <strong>and</strong> amazing times! In<br />
ancient times one had to go through strenuous <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
dangerous travels to study with different teachers. Today we<br />
have so much information <strong>and</strong> inspiration at our fingertips<br />
with the Internet <strong>and</strong> books like this one. <strong>The</strong> most important<br />
thing, though, is to be able to really apply ourselves in both<br />
learning these practices <strong>and</strong> then using them in our on-going<br />
spiritual cultivation practice.<br />
This book is a good guide to these ancient practices <strong>of</strong><br />
the West <strong>and</strong> East which, including the eve- growing field <strong>of</strong><br />
quantum physics, we can transform ourselves <strong>and</strong> our world.<br />
52 Summer 2011
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Qigong, sustainable gardening, meditation for self<br />
cultivation. Chinese herbs, massage, <strong>Daoist</strong> healing<br />
toharmonize chronic disorders. PO Box 9224, Moscow,<br />
Idaho 83843-1724. (208) 285-0123.<br />
Tidewater Tai Chi Center has been <strong>of</strong>fering classes<br />
<strong>and</strong> workshops in tai chi, chi kung, meditation, self<br />
cultivation practices <strong>and</strong> other Taoist arts in Norfolk<br />
<strong>and</strong> Virginia Beach since 1974. For information call<br />
757.533.9092. Send email to dondavis@verizon.net or<br />
visit www.tidewatertaichi.com.<br />
Taoist Arts Center. Wu Style Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Meditation.<br />
Traditional Taoist arts <strong>of</strong>fered in a friendly <strong>and</strong><br />
cooperative environment. Classes, Workshops, Private<br />
Instruction. Director: Susan Rabinowitz, 342 East 9th<br />
Street, NYC 10003. (212) 477-7055. www.taoist-arts.com<br />
<strong>The</strong> Alaska College <strong>of</strong> Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture<br />
& Massage <strong>The</strong>rapy. 2636 Spenard Rd., Anchorage,<br />
AK 99503. Offering course work in a full spectrum<br />
<strong>of</strong> Asian Studies including Taiji, Qigong, Meditation,<br />
Medical QiGong, Taoist Herbology, Massage <strong>The</strong>rapy,<br />
with advanced study in Thai Yoga Massage <strong>and</strong> Tui<br />
Na Acupressure Massage <strong>and</strong> a three year Masters<br />
program <strong>of</strong> study in Acupuncture. We <strong>of</strong>fer year round<br />
full or part-time schedules <strong>of</strong> study. We feature biannual<br />
Spring <strong>and</strong> Fall Health <strong>and</strong> Wellness Festivals where<br />
participants can study cutting edge information with<br />
our expert staff <strong>and</strong> visiting masters from around the<br />
globe. Traveling to Alaska Check out our website <strong>and</strong><br />
make sure our classes <strong>and</strong> workshops are in your plans.<br />
www.touch<strong>of</strong>tao.com. (907) 279-0135<br />
White Cloud Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
learning opportunities to people <strong>of</strong> all ages. Certification<br />
programs in Taoist Studies, Energy Medicine <strong>and</strong><br />
Chi Nei Tsang: External Qi Healing. Weekly Tai Chi<br />
<strong>and</strong> Qigong classes. Qigong Research <strong>and</strong> Retreats.<br />
Continuing Education for Massage, Nursing <strong>and</strong> Acupuncture.<br />
Ask about retreats. (505) 471-9330, www.<br />
whitecloudinstitute.com.<br />
Qigong Alliance International is a global Qigong <strong>and</strong><br />
Tai Chi organization with members from over 50 countries.<br />
We believe the practice <strong>of</strong> Qigong <strong>and</strong> Tai Chi enhances<br />
health <strong>and</strong> well-being, <strong>and</strong> brings harmony <strong>and</strong><br />
balance to those who practice, <strong>and</strong> to our planet. Our<br />
mission is to serve our global Qi community <strong>and</strong> people<br />
everywhere by providing information <strong>and</strong> education on<br />
the benefits <strong>of</strong> Qigong, Tai Chi <strong>and</strong> other subtle-energy<br />
modalities. We <strong>of</strong>fer: free general membership <strong>and</strong> several<br />
levels <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong> support memberships,<br />
teacher/school referrals, networking opportunities, <strong>and</strong><br />
sponsor Qigong Tours to China & Tibet. Qigong Alliance<br />
International (800) 341-8895 www.QiCentral.org<br />
Qigong & <strong>Daoist</strong> Training Center <strong>of</strong>fers certification in<br />
qigong <strong>and</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> training <strong>and</strong> ordination as a priest:<br />
qigong, TCM, <strong>Daoist</strong> Cultivation practices, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
Zuowang Meditation. Michael Rinaldini, founder,<br />
American Dragon Gate Lineage, received authorization<br />
to train/ordain others by Chinese <strong>Daoist</strong> Master Wan<br />
Sujian. Level 4 NQA Certified Qigong Teacher. www.<br />
dragongateqigong.com. 707 829-1855<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist Institute <strong>of</strong>fers studies <strong>and</strong> services in<br />
Chinese qigong, tai chi chuan, <strong>Daoist</strong> weddings,<br />
shamanic energy & Reiki healing. Director: Dr. Carl<br />
Totton. 10630 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA,<br />
91601 (818) 760-4219. www.taoistinstitute.com.<br />
Embrace <strong>The</strong> Moon School for Taijiquan <strong>and</strong> Qigong<br />
is located in Seattle, Washington. Embrace <strong>The</strong> Moon<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers classes in the full Chen Taijiquan & Luohan Gong<br />
Qigong curriculums to all ages <strong>and</strong> fitness levels as well<br />
as <strong>of</strong>fers extensive teacher training <strong>and</strong> advanced development<br />
programs in these systems. Founder & Chief<br />
Instructor Kimberly Ivy has 35 years <strong>of</strong> experience in the<br />
Martial Arts (Judo, Aikido, Taijiquan), Qigong & Yoga.<br />
She holds black belts in Judo & Aikido, <strong>and</strong> is ranked<br />
6th Duan Wei by the International Wu Shu Association.<br />
Ms. Ivy is a 20th Generation Disciple <strong>of</strong> Gr<strong>and</strong>master<br />
Chen Xiao Wang <strong>and</strong> among the senior international<br />
Luohan Gong students <strong>of</strong> Gr<strong>and</strong>master Gaspar Garcia.<br />
More information on the school can be found at www.<br />
embracethemoon.com. Ms. Ivy is available for seminars<br />
on the topic <strong>of</strong> your choosing. Contact her to schedule at<br />
kim@embracethemoon.com or by calling (206) 789-0993.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 53
Tools for Living the Dao<br />
Books<br />
Daoism<br />
Workbook for Spiritual Development <strong>of</strong> All People<br />
by Hua Ching Ni<br />
Summarizes thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years <strong>of</strong> traditional teachings <strong>and</strong> littleknown<br />
practices for spiritual development. <strong>The</strong>re are sections on ancient<br />
invocations, postures for energy channeling, stories <strong>and</strong> sections<br />
on emotional independence <strong>and</strong> a balanced life <strong>and</strong> Taoist spiritual<br />
practices. A good primer for beginning Taoists.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 240 pages. $14.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Complete Works <strong>of</strong> Lao Tzu by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Lao Tzu's timeless wisdom provides a bridge the subtle spiritual truth<br />
<strong>and</strong> practical guidlines for harmonious <strong>and</strong> peaceful living. Mater Ni<br />
has included one <strong>of</strong> the only English translations <strong>of</strong> the Hua Hu Ching,<br />
a later work <strong>of</strong> Lao Tzu which has been lost to the general public for<br />
a thous<strong>and</strong> years.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 212 pages. $13.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist Inner View <strong>of</strong> the Universe by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
This presentation <strong>of</strong> Taoist metaphysics provides guidance for one's own<br />
personal life transformation. It <strong>of</strong>fers a glimpse <strong>of</strong> the inner world <strong>and</strong><br />
immortal realm known to achieved Taoists <strong>and</strong> makes it underst<strong>and</strong>able<br />
for students aspiring to a more complete life.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 218 pages. $16.95<br />
Tao, the Subtle Universal Law by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Most people are unaware that their thoughts <strong>and</strong> behavior evoke responses<br />
from the invisible net <strong>of</strong> universal energy. <strong>The</strong> real meaning <strong>of</strong><br />
Taoist self-discipline is to harmonize with universal law. To lead a good<br />
stable life is to be aware <strong>of</strong> the actual conjoining <strong>of</strong> the universal subtle<br />
law with every moment <strong>of</strong> our lives. This book presents the wisdom<br />
<strong>and</strong> practical methods that the ancient Chinese have sucessfully used<br />
for centuries to accomplish this.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 165 pages. $12.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Esoteric Tao Teh Ching by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Offers instruction for studying the Tao Teh Ching <strong>and</strong> reveals the<br />
spiritual practices "hidden" in Lao Tzu's classic. <strong>The</strong>se include in-depth<br />
techniques for advanced spiritual benefit. This version gives the esoteric<br />
meaning <strong>of</strong> the Tao Teh Ching as revealed to the virtuous leader <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Han Dynasy, Emperor Wen by an unusual old man called "<strong>The</strong> Old<br />
Gentleman on the River."<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 192 pages. $13.95<br />
Mysticism: Empowering the Spirit Within by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
"Fourteen Details for Immortal Medicine" is a chapter on meditation for<br />
women <strong>and</strong> men. Four others are devoted to the study <strong>of</strong> 68 mystical<br />
diagrams, including the ones on Lao Tzu's tower.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 200 pages. $13.95<br />
Nurture Your Spirits by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Spirits are the foundation <strong>of</strong> our being. Hua-Ching Ni reveals the truth<br />
about "spirits" based on his personal cultivation <strong>and</strong> experience so<br />
that you can nurture your own spirits, which are the truthful internal<br />
foundation <strong>of</strong> your life being.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 176 pages. $12.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> <strong>Philosophy</strong><br />
by Alan Watts<br />
This collection <strong>of</strong> essays compiled from lectures <strong>and</strong> seminars presents<br />
the words <strong>of</strong> Alan Watts, as he spoke them, on issues <strong>of</strong> great significance<br />
Harmony: <strong>The</strong> Art <strong>of</strong> Life<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Harmony occurs when two different things find the point at which they<br />
can link together, Hua-ching Ni shares valuable spiritual underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
<strong>and</strong> insight about the ability to bring harmony within one's own self,<br />
one's relationships <strong>and</strong> the world.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 208 pages, $16.95<br />
Moonlight in the Dark Night<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
<strong>The</strong> difficulty for many people in developing their spirituality is not<br />
that they are not moral or spiritual enough, but they are captive to<br />
their emotions. This book contains wisdom on how to guide emotions.<br />
It also includes simple guidance on how to balance love relationships<br />
so your life may be smoother <strong>and</strong> happier <strong>and</strong> your spiritual growth<br />
more effective.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 168 pages, $12.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Mystical Universal Mother<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
An underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> both masculine <strong>and</strong> feminine energies is crucial<br />
to underst<strong>and</strong>ing oneself, in particular for people moving to higher<br />
spiritual evolution. Hua-Ching Ni focuses upon the feminine through<br />
the examples <strong>of</strong> ancient <strong>and</strong> modern women.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 240 pages, $14.95<br />
Eternal Light<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Hua-Ching Ni presents the life <strong>and</strong> teachings <strong>of</strong> his father, Gr<strong>and</strong>master<br />
Ni, Yo San, who was a spiritually achieved person, healer <strong>and</strong> teacher,<br />
<strong>and</strong> a source <strong>of</strong> inspiration to Master Ni. Deeper teachings <strong>and</strong> insights<br />
for living a spiritual life <strong>and</strong> higher achievement.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 208 pages, $14.95<br />
Enlightenment: Mother <strong>of</strong> Spiritual Independence<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
<strong>The</strong> inspiring story <strong>and</strong> teachings <strong>of</strong> Master Hui Neng, the father <strong>of</strong><br />
Zen Buddhism <strong>and</strong> Sixth Patriarch <strong>of</strong> the Buddhist tradition, highlight<br />
this volume. Hui Neng was a person <strong>of</strong> ordinary birth, intellectually<br />
unsophisticated, who achieved himself to become a spiritual leader.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 265 pages, $12.50<br />
8,000 years <strong>of</strong> Wisdom, Volume I <strong>and</strong> II<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
This two-volume set contains a wealth <strong>of</strong> practical, down-to-earth<br />
advice given by Hua-Ching Ni over a five-year period. Drawing on his<br />
training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbology, <strong>and</strong> Acupuncture,<br />
Hua-Ching Ni gives c<strong>and</strong>id answers to questions on many topics.<br />
Vol. I Includes dietary guidance, S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 236 pages, $18.50<br />
Vol. II includes sex <strong>and</strong> pregnancy guidance, S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 241 pages, $12.50<br />
Internal Growth Through Tao<br />
by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
In this volume, Hua-Ching Ni teaches about the more subtle, much<br />
deeper aspects <strong>of</strong> life. He also points to the confusion caused by some<br />
spiritual teachings <strong>and</strong> encourages students to cultivate internal growth.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 208 pages, $13.95<br />
W<strong>and</strong>ering on the Way: Early Tales<br />
<strong>and</strong> Parables <strong>of</strong> Chuang Tzu by Victor H. Mair NEW<br />
Complete with an authoritative introduction on Chuang Tzu <strong>and</strong> his<br />
place in Chinese thought <strong>and</strong> history as well as a glossary <strong>of</strong> key terms<br />
<strong>and</strong> concepts.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 402 pages, $18<br />
54 Summer 2011
in the spirit <strong>of</strong> Taoist thought. <strong>The</strong>y reveal the author's appreciation for<br />
the wisdom inherent in the course <strong>and</strong> current <strong>of</strong> nature.<br />
Hardcover, 96 pages. $16.95<br />
Tao Te Ching<br />
translated by Gia-Fu Feng <strong>and</strong> Jane English<br />
One <strong>of</strong> our favorite translations <strong>of</strong> this timeless <strong>and</strong> sublime work!<br />
<strong>The</strong> text captures the true poetry <strong>of</strong> Lao Tzu's work <strong>and</strong> Jane English's<br />
wonderful nature photographs illustrate perfectly the philosophy <strong>of</strong><br />
the sage. Oversize s<strong>of</strong>tcover, 174 pages. $18<br />
Chronicles <strong>of</strong> Tao<br />
by Deng Ming-Dao<br />
This volume combines the trilogy <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> W<strong>and</strong>ering Taoist, Seven Bamboo<br />
Tablets <strong>of</strong> the Cloudy Satchel, <strong>and</strong> Gateway to A Vast World under one<br />
cover. A wonderful way to receive Taoist instruction through a story<br />
form. This is the tale <strong>of</strong> Kwan Saihung's training from boyhood, in an<br />
ancient Taoist temple high in the Huashan mountains, to adulthood in<br />
America. Full <strong>of</strong> rich characters, Taoist practices <strong>and</strong> philosophy, <strong>and</strong><br />
kung fu adventure!<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 476 pages. $19<br />
365 Tao<br />
by Deng Ming-Dao<br />
This volume <strong>of</strong> daily meditations is the perfect thing for bathroom<br />
reading or for daily reflection. Deng Ming-Dao's years <strong>of</strong> training in<br />
self-cultivation shine through in these short yet deeply felt passages.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 380 pages. $16<br />
Scholar Warrior<br />
by Deng Ming-Dao<br />
Subtitled An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life , this book contains<br />
sections on medicine, chi gong, herbs, meditation, finding one's<br />
purpose in life, diet, sexuality, death <strong>and</strong> transcendence. S<strong>of</strong>tcover,<br />
351 pages. $23<br />
101 Lessons <strong>of</strong> Tao<br />
by Luke Chan<br />
A collection <strong>of</strong> lighthearted yet thought-provoking stories. Illustrated<br />
with pen <strong>and</strong> ink drawings. A good way to experience the wisdom <strong>of</strong><br />
the sages while being entertained by the ever interesting vagaries <strong>of</strong><br />
human existence.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 152 pages. $12.95<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Mystical <strong>Philosophy</strong><br />
by Livia Kohn<br />
A central text <strong>of</strong> medieval <strong>Daoist</strong> mysticism. Written by an unknown<br />
author, probably <strong>of</strong> the Northern Celestial Masters at Lougan, in the<br />
late 15th century C.E. it closely resembles the Daode Jing in structure<br />
<strong>and</strong> contents. Edited <strong>and</strong> commented on several times until the twelfth<br />
century, the text played an important rôle in the Tang religious thought.<br />
With an excellent in-depth introduction by Livia Kohn, one <strong>of</strong> the leading<br />
experts on medieval <strong>Daoist</strong> thought <strong>and</strong> practice.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 285 pages. $24.95<br />
Women in Daoism<br />
by Catherine Despeux & Livia Kohn<br />
Outlines the status <strong>and</strong> roles <strong>of</strong> women in the <strong>Daoist</strong> tradition from its<br />
inception to the present day. It describes the historical development <strong>and</strong><br />
role <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> women in Chinese society; focusing on the different ideals<br />
women stood for as much as on the religious practices they cultivated.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 296 pages, $25<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Body Cultivation<br />
edited by Livia Kohn<br />
a comprehensive volume by a dedicated group <strong>of</strong> scholars <strong>and</strong> practitioners<br />
that coves the key preaches <strong>of</strong> medical healing, breathing, diets,<br />
exercises, sexual practices, Qigong <strong>and</strong> Tai quan. Ultimately aiming to<br />
energetically transform the person into a spiritual <strong>and</strong> transcendent being,<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> cultivation techniques have proven beneficial for health time<br />
<strong>and</strong> again <strong>and</strong> can make in important contribution to the world today.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 243 pages, $24.95<br />
Chuang Tsu: Inner Chapters<br />
by Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English<br />
Companion volume to their superb Tao Te Ching, once again the<br />
translation, calligraphy <strong>and</strong> nature photography combine to make<br />
an exhilarating presentation <strong>of</strong> the master <strong>of</strong> sublime ridiculousness.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 164 pages. $18<br />
Chuang Tzu: <strong>The</strong> Inner Chapters<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
A new rendition <strong>of</strong> the classic Taoist text. Solala Towler's brilliant<br />
commentary <strong>and</strong> empathetic interpretation <strong>of</strong> these timeless tales<br />
demonstrates the pr<strong>of</strong>ound implications <strong>of</strong> this great work for the<br />
modern age.<br />
Oversize s<strong>of</strong>tcover, 170 pages, 22.95<br />
Cha Dao: <strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Tea, Tea as a Way <strong>of</strong> Life<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
<strong>The</strong> art <strong>and</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> drinking tea is rooted in Daoism <strong>and</strong> emerged<br />
from a philosophy that honored a life <strong>of</strong> grace <strong>and</strong> gratitude, balance<br />
<strong>and</strong> harmony, <strong>and</strong> fulfillment <strong>and</strong> enjoyment – what the ancient Chinese<br />
called Cha Dao, <strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Tea. Cha Dao takes us on a fascinating<br />
journey through the Way <strong>of</strong> tea from its origins in the sacred mountains<br />
<strong>and</strong> temples <strong>of</strong> China, through its links to <strong>Daoist</strong> concepts such as wu<br />
wei or non-striving <strong>and</strong> the value <strong>of</strong> worthlessness. This book will<br />
interest tea lovers, as well as those who want to learn more about tea<br />
culture, <strong>Daoist</strong> <strong>and</strong> Zen thought <strong>and</strong> practice, <strong>and</strong> Asian history <strong>and</strong><br />
culture.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 172 pagers, $16.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> 12 Chinese Animals<br />
by Zhongxian Wu<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chinese horoscope holds the key to a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> self<br />
<strong>and</strong> others, <strong>and</strong> to living a life <strong>of</strong> harmony. Not just your year <strong>of</strong> birth,<br />
but also the month, day <strong>and</strong> hour have significance in true Chinese<br />
astrology. Master Zhongxian Wu explains how to find your power<br />
animal symbolise <strong>and</strong> how to learn from their wisdom. Using the 12<br />
animal symbols as a guide, you will learn how to better underst<strong>and</strong><br />
your personality <strong>and</strong> make choices that pr<strong>of</strong>oundly influence your<br />
health, relationships, career, <strong>and</strong> finances, allowing you to live up to<br />
your greatest potential.<br />
Harcover, 189 pages, $18.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chinese Book <strong>of</strong> Animal Powers<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
<strong>The</strong> powers unleashed by Chungliang Huang's masterful brush<br />
paintings will send centuries <strong>of</strong> wisdom <strong>and</strong> energy coursing through<br />
you. We know these animal energies reside deep within us <strong>and</strong> it is<br />
Master's Huang's genus to release them through his guiding words<br />
<strong>and</strong> swirling brushstrokes. Year by year, month by month, day by day,<br />
Chungliang is our laughing, dancing, shape-shifting guide to an ancient<br />
realm <strong>of</strong> knowing.<br />
Hardcover, 32 pages, $18.95<br />
Harmonizing Yin <strong>and</strong> Yang: <strong>The</strong> Dragon-Tiger Classic<br />
by Eva Wong<br />
A translation <strong>of</strong> a concise Taoist alchemical manual along with its two<br />
most important commentaries. Covers external alchemy, sexual alchemy<br />
<strong>and</strong> internal alchemy.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 146 pages. $14.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 55
Everyday Tao by Deng Ming-Dao<br />
This companion volume to 365 Tao <strong>of</strong>fers clear, specific directions on<br />
bringing the Taoist spirit into our work, our relationships, <strong>and</strong> other<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> our everyday lives.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 256 pages. $15<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Zen by Ray Grigg<br />
A must-read for anyone interested in the influence <strong>of</strong> Taoism on Zen Buddhism.<br />
This book llustrates how much <strong>of</strong> what we think <strong>of</strong> as uniquely<br />
Zen—such as love <strong>of</strong> spontaneity; connection to nature; belief in direct<br />
experience; non-reliance on sutras, rituals <strong>and</strong> priests; love <strong>of</strong> paradox;<br />
human <strong>and</strong> "foolish wisdom"—all come directly from Taoism.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 357 pages. $16.95<br />
Entering the Tao by Hua Ching Ni<br />
A valuable anthology <strong>of</strong> Master Ni's work, culled from prolific writings;<br />
it provides a good overview <strong>of</strong> his work. <strong>The</strong>re is advice <strong>and</strong> inspiration<br />
on many aspects <strong>of</strong> life, from the physical to the spiritual. A good<br />
introduction to this contemporary Taoist master's work.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 158 pages. $13<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Pooh by Benjamin H<strong>of</strong>f<br />
A playful <strong>and</strong> fun way to learn Taoism, using the stories <strong>of</strong> Winnie the<br />
Pooh. A great book for that friend who you want to introduce to Taoism<br />
in an entertaining <strong>and</strong> endearing fashion. S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 158 pages. $11.95<br />
Tao Te Ching: <strong>The</strong> Definitive Edition<br />
translated by Jonathan Star<br />
Contains not only a new translation but provides verbatim translation <strong>of</strong><br />
each verse—including Chinese character, pin yin as well as all possible<br />
English meanings. Also contains commentary as well as further definitions<br />
<strong>of</strong> Chinese characters, a concordance as well as Wade giles to Pinyin<br />
conversion. A great way to delve deeply into this ancient classic as well<br />
as derive your own version <strong>of</strong> Laozi's work.<br />
Hardcover, 349 pages. $32.95<br />
Taoism: <strong>The</strong> Road to Immortality by John Bl<strong>of</strong>eld<br />
In this comprehensive study, John Bl<strong>of</strong>eld explains the fundamental<br />
concepts <strong>of</strong> Taoism, tells many stories <strong>of</strong> ancient masters, <strong>and</strong> provids<br />
incisive reflections on Taoist verse. Taoist yoga, a little known aspect <strong>of</strong><br />
Taoist practice, is also discussed in detail. He also writes in a colorful<br />
<strong>and</strong> unique way about his visits to Taoist hermitages in China <strong>and</strong> his<br />
interchanges with contemporary masters.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 195 pages. $16<br />
Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking by Alan Watts<br />
Transcribed lectures from between 1968 <strong>and</strong> 1973 covering such topics<br />
as "<strong>The</strong> <strong>Philosophy</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Tao," "Being in the Way," <strong>and</strong> "L<strong>and</strong>scape,<br />
Soundscape," Entertaining <strong>and</strong> illuminating lectures by one <strong>of</strong> the great<br />
bridges between East <strong>and</strong> West <strong>of</strong> this century.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 109 pages. $10.00<br />
Daoism <strong>and</strong> Chinese Culture by Livia Kohn<br />
A long-awaited textbook that introduces the major schools, teachings,<br />
<strong>and</strong> practices <strong>of</strong> Daoism, this work presents a chronological survey that<br />
is thematically divided into four parts: Ancient Thought, Religious Communities,<br />
Spiritual <strong>Practice</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> Modernity. It <strong>of</strong>fers an integrated vision<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Daoist</strong> tradition in its historical <strong>and</strong> cultural context, establishing<br />
connections with relevant information on Confusionism, Chinese Buddhism,<br />
popular religion, <strong>and</strong> political developments.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 228 pages. $14.95<br />
Cultivating Stillness:<br />
A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body <strong>and</strong> Mind<br />
translated by Eva Wong<br />
Written between the second <strong>and</strong> fifth centuries, this book is attributed to<br />
T'ai Shang Lao-chun, the legendary figure widely known as Lao-tzu. It<br />
was a principle part <strong>of</strong> the Taoist canon for many centuries. Accompanying<br />
commentary, written in the nineteenth century by Shui ching Tzu,<br />
explains the alchemical symbolism <strong>of</strong> the text.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 136 pages. $15<br />
A Gathering <strong>of</strong> Cranes: Bringing the Tao to the West<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
In this volume <strong>of</strong> interviews with nine well-known authors <strong>and</strong> teachers<br />
who have brought Taoism from China to the West, we learn the wisdom<br />
<strong>and</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> Taoism, including: meditation, qigong, taiji, Chinese<br />
medicine <strong>and</strong> the guidance on how to live a healthy <strong>and</strong> long-lasting<br />
life—mentally, spiritually <strong>and</strong> physically.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 149 pages. $12.95<br />
Cultivating the Energy <strong>of</strong> Life by Eva Wong<br />
A translation <strong>of</strong> the Hui-Ming Ching <strong>and</strong> its commentaries, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most important Taoist classics on the arts <strong>of</strong> longevity. Discusses the<br />
practices <strong>of</strong> the Microcosmic <strong>and</strong> Macrocosmic Orbits, the role <strong>of</strong> breath<br />
in circulating energy, <strong>and</strong> the conservation <strong>of</strong> procreative energy in a<br />
straightforward <strong>and</strong> concrete way.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 113 pages. $10<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> the Tao Te Ching by Michael Lafargue NEW<br />
Interprets the concept <strong>of</strong> "Tao" in the Tao Te Ching as a spiritual state <strong>of</strong><br />
mind cultivated in a particular school <strong>of</strong> ancient China, a sate <strong>of</strong> mind<br />
which also expressed itself in a simply but satisfying life-style, <strong>and</strong> in<br />
a low-key but effective style <strong>of</strong> political leadership.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 270 pages, $21.95<br />
Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching by Robert G. Henricks NEW<br />
A new translation based on the recently discover Ma-wang-tui texts.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se texts, which were buried in 168 BCE are more than five centuries<br />
older than any others known This ground breaking work reassess the<br />
story <strong>and</strong> significance <strong>of</strong> this well-known text <strong>and</strong> its role in the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> Taoism in early China.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 283 pages, $20<br />
<strong>The</strong> Essential Chuang Tzu by Sam Hamill & J.P. Seaton NEW<br />
A compendium <strong>of</strong> wisdom stories, verses, fables, conversations <strong>and</strong><br />
anecdotes. At turns playful <strong>and</strong> acerbic, these writings present a philosophy<br />
<strong>of</strong> life that is politically radical <strong>and</strong> deeply spiritual.<br />
Hardcover, 170 pages, $22.95.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist Classics<br />
<strong>The</strong> Collected Translations <strong>of</strong> Thomas Cleary<br />
Masterful translations <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the essential texts <strong>of</strong><br />
Taoism.<br />
Volume I<br />
New<br />
Tao Te Ching<br />
Chuang-tzu<br />
Wen-tzu<br />
<strong>The</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> Leadership <strong>and</strong> Strategy<br />
Sex, Health, <strong>and</strong> Long Life<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 485 pages. $24.95<br />
Volume II<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong>ing Reality<br />
<strong>The</strong> Inner Teachings <strong>of</strong> Taoism<br />
<strong>The</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> Balance <strong>and</strong> Harmony<br />
Volume III<br />
Vitality, Energy, Spirit<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secret <strong>of</strong> the Golden Flower<br />
Immortal Sisters<br />
Awakening to the Tao<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 561 pages. $24.95<br />
Volume IV<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist I Ching<br />
I Ching M<strong>and</strong>alas<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 456 pages. $24.95<br />
56 Summer 2011<br />
46
Tales From the Tao<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
Teaching stories from Chuang Tzu <strong>and</strong> Lieh Tzu along with passages<br />
from the Tao Te Chin as well as original stories form the author. Lavishly<br />
illustrated with photographs from China, Nepal <strong>and</strong> Tibet.<br />
Oversize s<strong>of</strong>tcover, 250 pages. $22.95<br />
Small Harcover, 192 pages, $12.95<br />
Small Hardcover Spanish version, 192 pages, $12.95<br />
Qigong/Chi Kung<br />
Internal Alchemy by Hua Ching Ni<br />
" Ancient spiritually achieved ones used alchemical terminology metaphorically<br />
for human internal energy transformation. Internal alchemy<br />
intends for an individual to transform one's emotions <strong>and</strong> lower energy<br />
to be higher energy <strong>and</strong> to find the unity <strong>of</strong> life in order to reach the<br />
divine immortality." Another valuable book from this contemporary<br />
Taoist master.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 288 pages. $15.95<br />
Cosmic Fusion by Mantak Chia<br />
Cosmic Fusion exercises establish the spiritual body firmly in the lower<br />
abdomen, where chi energy is gathered <strong>and</strong> distributed to all parts <strong>of</strong><br />
the body--<strong>and</strong> into all creation. <strong>The</strong> fully illustrated exercises in this<br />
book also show how to collect <strong>and</strong> channel the greater energies <strong>of</strong> the<br />
stars <strong>and</strong> planets. By “fusing” all these different energies together,<br />
a harmonious whole is created, a unity <strong>of</strong> what is above <strong>and</strong> below.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover 272 pages, 208 color <strong>and</strong> b/w illustrations, $18.95.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Qigong by Kenneth S. Cohen<br />
A truly comprehensive book on qigong, including theory, scientific<br />
basis for qigong, qigong basics, a complete qigong workout, self-healing<br />
massage <strong>and</strong> the Dao <strong>of</strong> diet. Also includes extensive appendices. A<br />
great book for beginners!<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 428 pages. $14.95<br />
Complete Guide to Chi-Kung<br />
by Daniel Reid<br />
<strong>The</strong> author is able to achieve an impressive balance between modern<br />
scientific knowledge <strong>and</strong> the ancient wisdom <strong>of</strong> the Taoist sages. Good<br />
for anyone who plans to begin practicing qigong or for anyone wishing<br />
to go a little deeper in their own practice <strong>and</strong> written by a well-known<br />
author on Chinese medicine <strong>and</strong> qigong. One <strong>of</strong> the best books we've<br />
seen on this subject.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 336 pages. $19.95<br />
Opening the Energy Gates <strong>of</strong> Your Body<br />
by B.K. Frantzis<br />
As well as including a comprehensive guide to chi kung theory, this<br />
book also gives you a complete, systematic lesson plan, with 98 functional<br />
illustrations <strong>and</strong> built-in safeguards to ensure that the exercises<br />
are practiced correctly. <strong>The</strong> author explains not only how they are<br />
done, but why. Going beyond mere body movement, he teaches from<br />
the inside out, linking the biomechanics <strong>and</strong> anatomy <strong>of</strong> the physical<br />
body with the subtleties <strong>of</strong> the energetic (chi) body.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 200 pages. $16.95<br />
101Taoist Ways to Transform Stress into Vitality<br />
by Mantak Chia<br />
Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for<br />
An introduction to the ancient Taoist exercise system <strong>of</strong> Tao Yin. Tao Yin<br />
focuses on cr12eating balance between internal <strong>and</strong> external energies <strong>and</strong><br />
revitalizing the body, mind, <strong>and</strong> spirit with a combination <strong>of</strong> strength,<br />
flexibility, <strong>and</strong> internal energy exercises. Its ultimate goal is for the<br />
practitioner to become pure, responsive, <strong>and</strong> full <strong>of</strong> energy, like a child.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 224 pages, $18.<br />
Fusion <strong>of</strong> the Eight Physchic Channels<br />
by Mantak Chia<br />
Shows how to open the Great Bridge Channel <strong>and</strong> the Great Regulator<br />
Channel--the last <strong>of</strong> the eight psychic channels that connect the<br />
twelve organ meridians <strong>and</strong> enable energy to flow from one meridian<br />
to another. By opening these psychic channels in conjunction with<br />
the Microcosmic Orbit, practitioners can balance <strong>and</strong> regulate the<br />
energy flow throughout the body to protect all the body’s centers.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 128 pages, $14.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Root <strong>of</strong> Chinese Chi Kung by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming<br />
A valuable work by a well known chi kung master, this volume covers<br />
history, basic concepts, categories , chi kung theories as well as keys<br />
to chi kung training.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 272 pages. $27.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Eight Treasures by Maoshing Ni<br />
Eight sets <strong>of</strong> exercises that combine toning <strong>and</strong> strengthening movements,<br />
stretching, <strong>and</strong> specific breathing techniques for the purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
maintaining health <strong>and</strong> preventing disease. An ancient system <strong>of</strong> energy<br />
enhancing movements based on the natural motion <strong>of</strong> the heavenly<br />
Chinese Soaring Crane Qigong by Zhao, Jin Xiang<br />
A workbook <strong>of</strong> the immensely popular form <strong>of</strong> chi gong. This easy to<br />
learn, half hour form is practiced by millions <strong>of</strong> people in China <strong>and</strong> is<br />
extremely powerful.<br />
(See video section for accompanying video)<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, spiral bound, 102 pages. $30<br />
Mastering Chi by Hua Ching Ni<br />
A great introduction to anyone just beginning qigong practice. Includes:<br />
Choosing the Exercise Right For You; sections on Children, Young People,<br />
Older People, Men <strong>and</strong> Women; <strong>and</strong> descriptions <strong>of</strong> various types <strong>of</strong> taiji<br />
<strong>and</strong> qigong exercises.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 220 pages. $17.95<br />
Attune Your Body With Dao-In by Hua Ching Ni<br />
A step-by-step instructional book on this ancient Taoist exercise. Much<br />
like a Taoist yoga workout, Dao-In is gentle <strong>and</strong> easy to do. Illustrated.<br />
(See video section for accompanying video).<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 135 pages. $16.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Healer Within by Roger Jahnke<br />
Details the scientific healing <strong>and</strong> personal cultivation aspects <strong>of</strong> qigong for<br />
Western readers <strong>and</strong> practitioners. Offers tools <strong>and</strong> methods for treating<br />
<strong>and</strong> maintaining a personal qigong <strong>and</strong> meditation practice—from gentle<br />
movement through self-applied massage, breathing practices <strong>and</strong> deep<br />
relaxation <strong>and</strong> meditation practices.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 264 pages $14<br />
by Mantak Chia<br />
An introduction to the ancient Taoist exercise system <strong>of</strong> Tao Yin. Tao Yin<br />
focuses on cr12eating balance between internal <strong>and</strong> external energies <strong>and</strong><br />
revitalizing the body, mind, <strong>and</strong> spirit with a combination <strong>of</strong> strength,<br />
flexibility, <strong>and</strong> internal energy exercises. Its ultimate goal is for the<br />
practitioner to become pure, responsive, <strong>and</strong> full <strong>of</strong> energy, like a child.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 224 pages, $18.<br />
Fusion <strong>of</strong> the Eight Psychic Channels<br />
by Mantak Chia<br />
Shows how to open the Great Bridge Channel <strong>and</strong> the Great Regulator<br />
Channel--the last <strong>of</strong> the eight psychic channels that connect the<br />
twelve organ meridians <strong>and</strong> enable energy to flow from one meridian<br />
to another. By opening these psychic channels in conjunction with<br />
the Microcosmic Orbit, practitioners can balance <strong>and</strong> regulate the<br />
energy flow throughout the body to protect all the body’s centers.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 128 pages, $14.95<br />
45<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 57
<strong>The</strong> Root <strong>of</strong> Chinese Chi Kung by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming<br />
A valuable work by a well known chi kung master, this volume covers<br />
history, basic concepts, categories , chi kung theories as well as keys<br />
to chi kung training.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 272 pages. $27.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Eight Treasures<br />
by Maoshing Ni<br />
Eight sets <strong>of</strong> exercises that combine toning <strong>and</strong> strengthening movements,<br />
stretching, <strong>and</strong> specific breathing techniques for the purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
maintaining health <strong>and</strong> preventing disease. An ancient system <strong>of</strong> energy<br />
enhancing movements based on the natural motion <strong>of</strong> the heavenly<br />
bodies. (See accompanying video).<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 196 pages, $17.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Healing Promise <strong>of</strong> Qi<br />
by Roger Jahnke<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the best resources for using both qigong <strong>and</strong> taiji for creating a<br />
healthy <strong>and</strong> fulfilling life. Filled with exercises, stories, illustrations <strong>and</strong><br />
wonderful insights by someone who has spent many years practicing<br />
<strong>and</strong> these these ancient arts.<br />
Hardcover, 316 pages, $24.95<br />
Health <strong>and</strong> Long Life <strong>The</strong> Chinese Way by Livia Kohn<br />
This book, written by theauthor <strong>of</strong> a number ob books on <strong>Daoist</strong> philosophy<br />
<strong>and</strong> practice, is a good overall view <strong>of</strong> Chinese health practices,<br />
which cover a wide variety <strong>of</strong> subjects. Besides chapters on diagnosis,<br />
acupuncture, massage <strong>and</strong> herbal treatments, the book contains chapters<br />
on fengshui, food cures, qigong, meditation, inner alchemy <strong>and</strong><br />
sexual practices.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 235 pages, $24.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chi Revolution by Bruce Frantzis NEW<br />
Challenges you to free ourself from negative actions <strong>and</strong> the incessant<br />
chatter <strong>of</strong> our monkey mind, <strong>and</strong> optimize you health <strong>and</strong> well-being.<br />
<strong>The</strong> unique energetic exercises that comprise the Chi Rev Workout<br />
will teach you how to activate <strong>and</strong> strengthen your chi so you can start<br />
relaxing into your life today.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 223 pages, $19.95.<br />
Jade Woman Qigong<br />
by Master Liu He<br />
Master Liu's signature form <strong>of</strong> qigong is desinged to help all women<br />
achieve wholeness by activating the innate healing power within their<br />
own minds <strong>and</strong> bodies. <strong>The</strong> result is a greater awareness <strong>of</strong> all aspects<br />
<strong>of</strong> a women's spiritual, mental, emotional <strong>and</strong> physical life.S<strong>of</strong>tcover,<br />
236 pages. $27.95<br />
Chinese Martial Arts/Taiji (Tai Chi)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Power <strong>of</strong> Internal Martial Arts by B.K. Frantzis<br />
<strong>The</strong> most informative book on internal martial arts we have encoun-<br />
tered, clearly explains the differences between external, internal <strong>and</strong><br />
combination martial art styles, indicating the strengths <strong>and</strong> weakness<br />
<strong>of</strong> each art. Covers tai chi, bagua <strong>and</strong> hsing-i. Includes a section on Using<br />
Energy to Heal which teaches the health aspects <strong>of</strong> the martial arts.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 344 pages $19.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Essence <strong>of</strong> Tai Chi Chi Kung by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming<br />
Tai chi chuan training usually starts with the practice <strong>of</strong> special chi<br />
kung sets. <strong>The</strong>se are designed to help the beginner underst<strong>and</strong> chi<br />
<strong>and</strong> to learn how to use the concentrated mind to lead the chi so that<br />
it can circulate smoothly. This book presents a brief discussion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
background <strong>and</strong> principles <strong>of</strong> Chinese chi kung <strong>and</strong> tai chi chuan, then<br />
explains several tai chi chi kung practice routines.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 148 pages. $18.95<br />
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang & Jerry Lynch<br />
In this remarkable book, tai chi expert Chungliang Al Huang <strong>and</strong> renowned<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong> Olympic spirits psychologist Jerry Lynch teach<br />
you the time-honored principles <strong>of</strong> successful performance—whether on<br />
the playing field, in the <strong>of</strong>fice, or in our relationships. By mastering the<br />
unique strategies <strong>and</strong> mental exercises <strong>of</strong> the TaoAthlete, you'll unlock<br />
the extraordinary powers <strong>of</strong> body, mind, <strong>and</strong> spirit that will lead you to<br />
victory in any field <strong>of</strong> endeavor.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 306 pages. $13.95<br />
Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
A more in-depth exploration <strong>of</strong> tai ji, both the formal practice <strong>and</strong> what<br />
Chungliang calls "the tai ji <strong>of</strong> life." Also includes wonderful photos (black<br />
<strong>and</strong> white) by Si Chi Ko. For anyone interested in taking the form both<br />
deeper <strong>and</strong> wider into their life <strong>and</strong> the rest <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover,188 pages. $17.95<br />
Chinese Medicine<br />
<strong>The</strong> Web That Has No Weaver:<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong>ing Chinese Medicine<br />
by Ted. J. Kaptchuck<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the first <strong>and</strong> best books published on Traditional Chinese Medicine<br />
for the lay person. This book covers yin yang theory, three treasures,<br />
eight condition diagnosis, meridians, organ system <strong>and</strong> lots more, all<br />
presented in an easy-to-underst<strong>and</strong> format.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 500 pages. $18.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Complete Book <strong>of</strong> Chinese Health <strong>and</strong> Healing<br />
by Daniel Reid<br />
This book does a very good job <strong>of</strong> not only explaining Chinese medicine<br />
but putting it into its Taoist context, including chi gong, meditation <strong>and</strong><br />
diet. S<strong>of</strong>tcover, $22.95<br />
A H<strong>and</strong>book <strong>of</strong> Chinese Healing Herbs by Daniel Reid<br />
A h<strong>and</strong>y guide to 108 <strong>of</strong> the most widely used Chinese herbs, with descriptions,<br />
therapeutic effects, preparation methods <strong>and</strong> dosages. Also<br />
includes a brief overview <strong>of</strong> the basic terms <strong>and</strong> concepts <strong>of</strong> Traditional<br />
Chinese Medicine, simple instructions for preparing herbal formulas at<br />
home, a guide to dozens <strong>of</strong> readily available, prepared herbal formulas<br />
for common ailments, <strong>and</strong> an index <strong>of</strong> symptoms <strong>and</strong> ailments <strong>and</strong> more.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 328 pages. $15<br />
<strong>The</strong> Yellow Emperor's Classic <strong>of</strong> Medicine<br />
A New Translation <strong>of</strong> the Neijing Suwen with Commentary<br />
by Maoshing Ni<br />
Perhaps the most famous classic <strong>of</strong> Chinese Medicine, attributed to the<br />
Yellow Emperor, who reigned during the third millennium BCE. This<br />
new translation consists <strong>of</strong> the eighty-one chapters <strong>of</strong> the section <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Neijing known as the Suwen or "Questions <strong>of</strong> Organic <strong>and</strong> Fundamental<br />
Nature." For the non-practitioner, this text has many insights into underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
seasonal <strong>and</strong> dietary influences <strong>and</strong> general lifestyle habits<br />
that affect the energy flow through our meridians <strong>and</strong> into our organs.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 316 pages. $18<br />
Between Heaven <strong>and</strong> Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine<br />
by Harriet Beinfield & Efram Korngold<br />
Addresses three vital areas <strong>of</strong> Chinese medicine—theory, therapy <strong>and</strong><br />
types—to present a comprehensive, yet underst<strong>and</strong>able guide to this<br />
ancient system. Easily underst<strong>and</strong>able by the layperson.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 432 pages. $14<br />
Power <strong>of</strong> Natural Healing by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Discusses the natural aspects <strong>of</strong> healing in contrast to conventional<br />
medicine. Offers information <strong>and</strong> practices which can enhance any<br />
treatment method currently being used by anyone seeking full health.<br />
It goes deeper to discuss methods <strong>of</strong> Taoist cultivation which promote<br />
58 Summer 2011
a healthy life, including Taoist spiritual practices for achievement <strong>and</strong><br />
attaining immortality.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 200 pages. $14.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Nutrition by Maoshing Ni<br />
In addition to describing the energetic properties <strong>of</strong> various foods<br />
according to Taoist belief, the author <strong>of</strong>fers a guide to a balanced diet<br />
based on the principles <strong>of</strong> Chinese nutrition. Suggested remedial diets<br />
<strong>and</strong> food items for common conditions ranging from acne to worms<br />
are included. An additional section covers simple vegetarian recipes.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 214 pages. $14.95<br />
Chinese Herbal Medicine by Daniel P. Reid<br />
Highly illustrated, it examines the natural flora <strong>and</strong> fauna on which<br />
herbal medicine is based <strong>and</strong> explains the philosophy that propelled its<br />
development. Describing the art <strong>and</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> herbal medicine as applied<br />
today, it also highlights the potential to combine modern Western<br />
diagnoses <strong>and</strong> traditional Chinese treatment to form a complete <strong>and</strong><br />
effective system for both preventative <strong>and</strong> curative medicine.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 175 pages. $25<br />
Sexual Cultivation<br />
Taoist Secrets <strong>of</strong> Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy<br />
by Mantak Chia & Michael Winn<br />
A unique volume <strong>of</strong> Taoist Sexual Yoga, especially attuned to the male.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se practices enable men to conserve <strong>and</strong> transform sexual energy<br />
through its circulation in the Microcosmic Orbit, invigorating <strong>and</strong><br />
rejuvenating the body's vital functions. Hidden for centuries, these<br />
esoteric techniques <strong>and</strong> principles make the process <strong>of</strong> linking sexual<br />
energy <strong>and</strong> transcendent states <strong>of</strong> consciousness accessible to the reader.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>t cover, 250 pages. $16.95<br />
Healing Love Through the Tao:<br />
Cultivating Female Sexual Energy<br />
by Mantak <strong>and</strong> Maneewan Chia<br />
This book outlines the methods for cultivating female sexual energy,<br />
introducing for the first time in the West the different techniques for<br />
transforming <strong>and</strong> circulating female sexual energy.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 328 pages. $14.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Love <strong>and</strong> Sex by Jolan Chang<br />
Longevity <strong>and</strong> the sexual response: the prolongation <strong>of</strong> virility into<br />
extreme old age; the art <strong>of</strong> lovemaking regarded as a basic therapy in<br />
the Taoist medical canon—these subjects, which are burning topics for<br />
us in the West, are discussed with insight in this first detailed study<br />
<strong>of</strong> the lovecraft <strong>of</strong> the Taoist medical schools. Illustrated with classical<br />
erotic paintings.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 136 pages. $15<br />
Sexual Secrets: <strong>The</strong> Alchemy <strong>of</strong> Ecstasy<br />
by Nik Douglas & Penny Slinger<br />
A definitive <strong>and</strong> all-encompassing guide to sex <strong>and</strong> mysticism. Pr<strong>of</strong>usely<br />
illustrated throughout, it covers sacred sexuality from the traditions <strong>of</strong><br />
India, Nepal, Tibet, China <strong>and</strong> Japan. Reveals the wisdom <strong>of</strong> the sages<br />
whose teachings on sexuality have stood the test <strong>of</strong> twenty centuries<br />
<strong>and</strong>, even today, show how physical love can become the pathway to<br />
liberation.<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 383 pages. $25<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Sex<br />
by Howard S. Levy & Akira Ishihara<br />
Consists <strong>of</strong> a highly readable translation <strong>of</strong> the sexological sections<br />
found in the Japanese medical encyclopedia "<strong>The</strong> Essence <strong>of</strong> Medical<br />
Prescriptions" (Ishimpo) which has been celebrated as the most important<br />
bible <strong>of</strong> sex for East Asia. S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 241 pages. $15.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sexual Teachings <strong>of</strong> the White Tigress:<br />
Secrets <strong>of</strong> the Female Taoist Masters<br />
by Hsi Lai<br />
Translation <strong>of</strong> a 3,000-year-old White Tigress sexual manual explaining<br />
techniques for absorbing male sexual energy, intensifying organs,<br />
restoring beauty, re-creating youthful sexual energy <strong>and</strong> enliven the<br />
sexual organs. S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 264 pages, $19.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sexual Teachings <strong>of</strong> the Jade Dragon:<br />
Taoist Methods for Male Sexual Revitalization<br />
by Hsi Lai<br />
Reveals how Taoist sexual practices can help men achieve "immortality"<br />
through the enhancement <strong>of</strong> their sexual prowess through a 3,000-yearold<br />
system. <strong>The</strong> goal <strong>of</strong> the Jade Dragon is health, longevity <strong>and</strong> immortally<br />
though external <strong>and</strong> internal regimens for the enhancement<br />
<strong>and</strong> accumulation <strong>of</strong> the Three treasures <strong>of</strong> Taoism—jing (sexual <strong>and</strong><br />
physical energy), qi (breath <strong>and</strong> vital energy), <strong>and</strong> shen (spiritual <strong>and</strong><br />
mental energy).<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tcover, 242 pages, 16.95<br />
DVDs<br />
Attune Your Body with Dao-In by Hua-Ching Ni<br />
Dao-In is a Taoist exercise consisting <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> gentle, rhythmic<br />
movements to adjust <strong>and</strong> attune, <strong>and</strong> at the same time generate,<br />
strengthen or invigorate personal energy. Presented by contemporary<br />
Taoist master, Hua-Ching Ni, himself in his eighties, who demonstrates<br />
the movements <strong>and</strong> is himself an example <strong>of</strong> the healing properties <strong>of</strong><br />
this ancient yet simple practice.<br />
50 minutes $39.95<br />
Self-Healing Qigong For the Five Organ Systems<br />
by Dr. Maoshing Ni<br />
An excellent course in self-healing qigong, this video <strong>of</strong>fers a comprehensive<br />
course as taught by Dr. Maoshing Ni <strong>of</strong> Yo San University.<br />
Covers specific techniques for healing <strong>and</strong> strengthening the five major<br />
organ systems (liver, kidney/bladder, respiratory/immune, cardiovascular<br />
<strong>and</strong> digestive). Each organ system is explained in detail in both<br />
medical <strong>and</strong> energetic terms <strong>and</strong> then the specific exercise is taught.<br />
Two hours, $39.95<br />
Qigong:Awakening <strong>and</strong> Mastering the Medicine<br />
Within by Roger Jahnke<br />
Includes the Enhance Vitality Method, a practice <strong>of</strong> stretches <strong>and</strong><br />
warm-ups to enhance the movement <strong>of</strong> blood, lymph, qi <strong>and</strong> oxygen<br />
throughout the body; the Seven Precious <strong>Practice</strong>s, movements to<br />
gather <strong>and</strong> release qi; the Tendon Changing <strong>Practice</strong>, concerned with<br />
optimizing coordinating <strong>and</strong> balancing the connective tissues <strong>of</strong> the<br />
body; Marrow Washing <strong>Practice</strong>, combines accumulated qi from the<br />
elements to store it in the marrow, enhancing blood <strong>and</strong> immune factors.<br />
Roger Jahnke brings a gentle yet authoritative voice to this field.<br />
60 minutes, $29.95<br />
Eight Simple Exercises for Health: Eight Pieces <strong>of</strong> Brocade<br />
by Yang Jwing-Ming<br />
Companion video to the book <strong>of</strong> the same name. $29.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Eight Treasures by Maoshing Ni<br />
Companion video to the book <strong>of</strong> the same name. Never before presented<br />
in its entire 32 movement form, this system <strong>of</strong> Eight Treasure's is<br />
unique in its ability to work the body from head to toe while unblocking<br />
obstructions in the energy channels. $39.95<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 59
Qigong by Ken Cohen<br />
Covers the two most important basic forms <strong>of</strong> qigong—Healing Sounds<br />
<strong>and</strong> St<strong>and</strong>ing Meditation. Use to cleanse the body <strong>of</strong> stagnant energy<br />
<strong>and</strong> recharge the body with fresh, healing breath. Includes both basic<br />
<strong>and</strong> intermediate practices, complementary meditations <strong>and</strong> a clear<br />
summary <strong>of</strong> underlying principles <strong>and</strong> theory. $29.95<br />
Jade Woman Qigong<br />
by Maser Liu He<br />
Master Liu's signature form <strong>of</strong> qigong is desinged to help all women<br />
achieve wholeness by activating the innate healing power within their<br />
own minds <strong>and</strong> bodies. <strong>The</strong> result is a greater awareness <strong>of</strong> all aspects<br />
<strong>of</strong> a women's spiritual, mental, emotional <strong>and</strong> physical life.<br />
35 minutes, $35 NEW<br />
Chi Kung Fundamentals: Five Animals<br />
Do Six Healing Sounds + Inner Smile<br />
by Michael Winn<br />
China's oldest shamanic chi kung + Ocean Breathing. Fuses color,<br />
sound, breath, virtue <strong>and</strong> movement into One fun, powerful method.<br />
Audio (4.5 hrs) + Video (1.5 hrs) $59 Video only $24.95<br />
Open Micro-Cosmic Orbit by Michael Winn<br />
10 top methods. Advanced jing-chi-shen theory, guided meditation to<br />
mix chi & blood. Five unique Heaven & Earth chi kung movements<br />
easily open <strong>and</strong> balance yin-yang chi flow.<br />
Video (2 hrs) $45<br />
Healing Love/Tao <strong>of</strong> Sex by Michael Winn<br />
Heal male, female sexual problems (impotence to PMS). Sexual chi<br />
kung creates Original Force suction. Supercharge your orgasm, boost<br />
creativity, grasp sexual relationship dynamics. No partner need, for<br />
single or dual cultivators.<br />
Audio (9 hrs) + Video (2 hrs) $135. Audio only: $109<br />
Primordial (Wuji) Chi Kung by Michael Winn<br />
A magical ceremony mixes tai chi, feng shui, alchemy & chi kung. Gathers<br />
chi <strong>of</strong> directions, collect power <strong>of</strong> Heaven & Earth, opens inner heart<br />
to Supreme Unknown. Easy to learn, delivers chi fast.<br />
Video (1.5 hrs) $45<br />
Deep Healing Chi Kung by Michael Winn<br />
Used in Chinese chi kung hospitals for chronic & terminal illness. I<br />
added alchemical elements, now spiritually powerful, useful to anyone<br />
seeking deep change. Video (1.5 hrs): $29<br />
Dancing Qigong NEW<br />
by Jack Bray, M.A.<br />
This is a delightful dancing romp full <strong>of</strong> qigong healing dance movements<br />
that strengthen the five major organ systems. It contains<br />
detoxification movements. It moves energy along the meridian lines<br />
<strong>and</strong> through the organs: a powerful form <strong>of</strong> qigong done to music. 20<br />
minutes, $19.95<br />
Self-Massage <strong>and</strong> One Thous<strong>and</strong> H<strong>and</strong>s Buddha<br />
by Liu He<br />
Self Massage can be practiced any time <strong>of</strong> the day to bring quiet to<br />
the mind <strong>and</strong> awaken the body with renewed energy. One Thous<strong>and</strong><br />
H<strong>and</strong>s Buddha is a spiritual healing qigong method inspired by the<br />
symbolic positioning <strong>of</strong> Buddha's fingers, referred to as "mudras." It is<br />
an approach producing calmness, which inhibits the heart from "galloping<br />
away", thus leading the practitioner into a state <strong>of</strong> silence <strong>and</strong><br />
peace a little at a time.<br />
64 minutes. $35<br />
Kung Fu for Kids<br />
by Nicholas Yang <strong>and</strong> Ben Warner<br />
An instructional program that teaches children the basics <strong>of</strong> traditional<br />
Kung Fu in a fun <strong>and</strong> exciting way. <strong>The</strong> discipline <strong>and</strong> focus learned in<br />
Kung Fu can help kids in many other activities, including academics,<br />
sports, music, <strong>and</strong> literature.<br />
75 minutes. $19.95 NEW<br />
CDs<br />
Taoism: Essential Teachings <strong>of</strong> the Way <strong>and</strong> Its Power<br />
by Ken Cohen<br />
In easy-to-follow language, Ken Cohen reveals Lao Tzu's vast spiritual<br />
legacy, including Taoism's mystical roots in China's ancient shamanistic<br />
tradition. This complete introduction to Taoism covers: origins, philosophy,<br />
<strong>and</strong> religion; keys to ethical living, inner silence <strong>and</strong> simplicity;<br />
Taoist meditation for awareness <strong>and</strong> healing; Taoist prayers, rituals, <strong>and</strong><br />
iconography; teachings on diet, poetry, feng shui, dream yoga, <strong>and</strong> much<br />
more. 3 cassette set: $24.95<br />
<strong>Practice</strong> <strong>of</strong> Qigong: Meditation <strong>and</strong> Healing by Ken Cohen<br />
5 cassette set.<br />
A complete study course. This step-by-step course covers every phase <strong>of</strong><br />
qigong theory <strong>and</strong> practice, including 25 rare meditation exercises with<br />
specific instructions for breathing, postures, <strong>and</strong> visualizations.<br />
6 hours, $39.95<br />
Chi Kung Meditations by Ken Cohen<br />
Teaches a series <strong>of</strong> authentic Chinese meditations which are designed to<br />
help you use your mind to direct the flow <strong>of</strong> energy within your body.<br />
Step-by-step instructions cover correct chi kung postures, awareness<br />
control <strong>and</strong> proper breathing methods for three meditations to heal the<br />
body, the mind, <strong>and</strong> the spirit. $10.95<br />
Bowls <strong>of</strong> Compassion CD by Karma M<strong>of</strong>fett<br />
<strong>The</strong> haunting music <strong>of</strong> Tibetan bowls, made <strong>of</strong> secret alloys <strong>of</strong> five, seven<br />
<strong>and</strong> sometimes nine metals, including meteorite. Ringing pairs <strong>and</strong> groups<br />
<strong>of</strong> bowls create overtones that interpenetrate each other <strong>and</strong> the body <strong>of</strong><br />
the listener, allowing one not only to hear the music but also internally<br />
experience the vibration <strong>of</strong> the tones. Perfect for meditation or gentle<br />
movement. $15.95<br />
Ocean Bowls CD<br />
by Karma M<strong>of</strong>fett<br />
<strong>The</strong> ocean's natural rhythms <strong>and</strong> bowls' harmonic tones penetrate the<br />
subtle energy body. Stagnant parts <strong>of</strong> energy immobilized from injury,<br />
trauma or stress are gently vibrated into movement. With repetition<br />
energy is released <strong>and</strong> circulated at increasingly pr<strong>of</strong>ound levels. Perfect<br />
for movement or meditation!<br />
60 minutes, $15.95<br />
Mountain Gate by Solala Towler<br />
A soothing blend <strong>of</strong> nature sounds, Tibetan Singing Bowls, bamboo flute,<br />
Native flute. Designed specifically for taiji, qigong, meditation, yoga<br />
or massage. Two 30-minute sessions—Sun Rises over the Sea & Viewing<br />
Moonlight Through the Pines.<br />
60 minutes, $15.95<br />
Sacred Soundings by Solala Towler<br />
Combining throat singing, harmonic overtone singing, chant <strong>and</strong> Tibetan<br />
bowls, dungchen (7-foot Tibetan horn), ad six different Native American<br />
<strong>and</strong> Chinese Flutes. Takes the listen on a journey to the sacred mountains<br />
<strong>and</strong> then deep into the mysterious mediation caves where one can listen<br />
to the transcendent sounds <strong>of</strong> the breathing, singing earth, then back<br />
down the mountain to enter the world again, renewed, refreshed <strong>and</strong><br />
rejuvenated. 60 minutes, $15.95<br />
60 Summer 2011<br />
50
Windhorse: Spirit <strong>of</strong> Tibet<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
A mystic blend <strong>of</strong> recordings made in the sacred city <strong>of</strong> Lhasa<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Tibet inspired music <strong>of</strong> Solala. <strong>The</strong> haunting sounds <strong>of</strong><br />
the monks <strong>and</strong> nuns <strong>of</strong> the Jokang Temple are joined with flute,<br />
overtone singing, throat singing, tabla <strong>and</strong> other instruments <strong>and</strong><br />
with vocal chant by Solala <strong>and</strong> friends.<br />
64 minutes, $15.95<br />
Boundless<br />
by Solala Towler<br />
A mystic bl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> ocean waves <strong>and</strong> riversong, Tibetan singing<br />
bowls, native <strong>and</strong> bamboo flute, chant <strong>and</strong> harmonic overtone<br />
singing.<br />
60 minutes, $15.95. NEW<br />
Taoist Sexual secrets<br />
by Michael Winn<br />
Yin-Yang as cosmic sexual theory...sexual, energetic & spiritual<br />
orgasm...Tao secrets: sexual energy cultivation...male <strong>and</strong> female<br />
Tao practices...medical sexology for sex dysfunctions...sexual<br />
vitality qigong (guided)<br />
7 CDs (9 hours) $109<br />
Qinxin<br />
by Zhongsian Wu.<br />
Beautiful music played on the guqin, <strong>and</strong> ancient Chinese intrument,<br />
long treasured by scholars <strong>and</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> masters. Music<br />
specially designed for use in qigong, taiji <strong>and</strong> meditation. $15.95<br />
Tao <strong>of</strong> Healing<br />
by Dean Evenson<br />
Beautiful qin music with haunting flute. $15.95<br />
Tao <strong>of</strong> Peace<br />
by Dean Evenson<br />
Lyrical flute <strong>and</strong> qin. $15.95<br />
Ocean Dreams<br />
by Dean Evenson<br />
Beautiful sounds <strong>of</strong> ocean waves, whales, flute <strong>and</strong> vocals. A<br />
favorite here at the abode! $15.95<br />
Internal Chi Breathing<br />
by Michael Winn<br />
Use each breath to build a powerful Energy Body anywhere,<br />
anytime! Rare empty force method opens Original Chi in dan<br />
tien (belly), detoxifies & creates warm current.<br />
Audio (4.5 hrs) $49.50<br />
Taoist Dream <strong>Practice</strong><br />
by Michael Winn<br />
Work spiritually & effortlessly while you sleep. Go beyond lucid<br />
dreaming power napping, lucid waking, dream comm<strong>and</strong>s,<br />
shortcuts to dimensional travel. Fast way to improve health,<br />
manifest what you need.<br />
Audio (9 hrs) $99<br />
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<strong>The</strong>se formulas are a comprehensive nutrition foundation. <strong>The</strong><br />
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these formulas will enhance <strong>and</strong> support your energy cultivation<br />
practices.<strong>The</strong> formulas have been brought to us through the<br />
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known as “Superior Foods”, or “Immortal Foods”.<br />
Health Pack (700 High Performance, 180 Five Elements,<br />
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High Performance (powder) $55<br />
Ancient Treasures Tea $10<br />
Internal Cleanse Tea $10<br />
Spring Tea $10<br />
Summer Tea $10<br />
Fall Tea $10<br />
Winter Tea $10<br />
Calming/Sleeping (caps) $21.95<br />
Dura-Bone (caps) $21.95<br />
Cold & Flu (caps) $21.95<br />
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Feminine Desire (Libido Enhancement) $19.95<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 61
Special Sale on Back Issues<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> our back issues have already sold out. If you would like to order back<br />
issues we still have a few sets <strong>of</strong> 39 issues available for $200, postage included!<br />
(U.S. postage only) For overseas orders please contact us at solala@abodetao.com.<br />
Fall 1993<br />
Premier Issue<br />
Teacher <strong>of</strong> Natural Spiritual Truth:<br />
an interview with Hua-Ching Ni<br />
<strong>The</strong> Value <strong>of</strong> Worthlessness<br />
Fall 1994<br />
Cultivating the Physical Body<br />
<strong>The</strong> Risks <strong>of</strong> Cultivating Internal Power<br />
Zhuangzi Speaks Comics<br />
A Taoist Abroad<br />
Winter 1995<br />
"Nothing Special":<br />
an interview with Kenneth Cohen<br />
<strong>The</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Auto-Idiocy<br />
Sitting Still: Meditation<br />
Spring 1995<br />
"Cultivating the Garden":<br />
an interview with Maoshing Ni<br />
Winter 1996<br />
Myth <strong>of</strong> Myself by Alan Watts<br />
Achieving Harmony in a World <strong>of</strong> Conflict<br />
Jing Hwa: <strong>The</strong> Golden Flower <strong>of</strong> Tao Mentoring<br />
Spring 1996<br />
Surfing the Wu Wei<br />
Taoism for Children <strong>and</strong> Teenagers<br />
Winter 1997<br />
Eight Immortal Days with Kwan Sai-Hung<br />
Refining the Mind<br />
Exploring the Terrain <strong>of</strong> Taoist China<br />
Spring 1997<br />
Qigong Cautions<br />
Invoking the Heart <strong>of</strong> Compassion<br />
Interview with T.K. Shih<br />
Summer 1997<br />
Cha Tao: <strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Tea<br />
Qi Qing: <strong>The</strong> Seven Emotions<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tao <strong>of</strong> Perfect Eyesight<br />
Winter 1998<br />
Tao <strong>and</strong> the Great Mother<br />
Qigong Mysteries <strong>and</strong> <strong>Practice</strong>s<br />
Tao Yin: Meditation in Movement<br />
Summer 1998<br />
Working Out, Working Within<br />
Taoist Psychotherapy<br />
<strong>The</strong> Power <strong>of</strong> Internal Martial Arts<br />
with B.K. Frantzis<br />
Spring 2000<br />
<strong>The</strong> Eight Immortals <strong>of</strong> Taoism<br />
Five Elements <strong>and</strong> Taoist Feng Shui<br />
Health, Illness <strong>and</strong> Healing in the Inner Tradition<br />
Summer 2000<br />
Trusting Your True Nature<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong>ing Chinese Medicine<br />
Fall 2000<br />
Qigong <strong>and</strong> Unconditional Love<br />
<strong>The</strong> Valley Spirit (Living Taoism)<br />
<strong>The</strong> Taoist Antidote to Stress <strong>and</strong> Illness<br />
Summer 2002<br />
Longevity <strong>and</strong> the Eight Brocades<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Sitting Meditation<br />
Interview with Zhongxian Wu<br />
Summer 2003<br />
<strong>The</strong> Feminine <strong>and</strong> the Dao:<br />
an interview with Ursula K. LeGuin<br />
Daoism <strong>and</strong> the Classical Chinese Arts<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Roots <strong>of</strong> Zen Buddhism<br />
Fall 2004<br />
Qigong as a Portal to Presence<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Alchemy<br />
Daoism <strong>and</strong> the Origins <strong>of</strong> Qigong<br />
<strong>The</strong> Power <strong>of</strong> Menopause<br />
Spring 2005<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ancient <strong>Daoist</strong> Magic Mirror<br />
2 1st Century Strategies for New Daoism<br />
<strong>The</strong> Inner Smile<br />
Spring 2006<br />
<strong>The</strong> Death <strong>of</strong> Chuang Tzu<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dao <strong>of</strong> Consciousness<br />
Qigong Prison Ministery<br />
Summer 2005<br />
Teachings From the Dao<br />
W<strong>and</strong>ering on the Wind:<br />
Two Chapters from Zhuangzi<br />
Winter 2006<br />
A <strong>Daoist</strong> Tea Ceremony<br />
Dao <strong>and</strong> Qi<br />
W<strong>and</strong>ering on the Wind:<br />
Two Chapters from the Zuangzi<br />
Sping 2006<br />
<strong>The</strong> Death <strong>of</strong> Chuang Tzu<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dao <strong>of</strong> Consciousness<br />
Qigong Prison Ministery<br />
Summer 2006<br />
Transforming the Energy <strong>of</strong> Negativity<br />
Spiritual/Mental Qualities <strong>of</strong> the OrgansEV<br />
Tour to China & Tibet<br />
Spring 2007<br />
Gardening with Qi<br />
A Taoist View <strong>of</strong> Enlightenment<br />
Interview with Eva Wong<br />
Summer 2007<br />
Discovering the I Ching<br />
Shen: <strong>The</strong> Celestial Storehouse<br />
Lu Yu Meets a True Tea Master<br />
Fall 2007<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Lower Dan-tien Psychotherapy<br />
Medical Qigong<br />
Qigong Master Wan Su-jian<br />
Winter 2008<br />
Looking for <strong>Daoist</strong>s in China,<br />
Mortal <strong>and</strong> Immortal<br />
Huanyang Qigong: Tracing Life to Its Roots<br />
Qigong Fever<br />
62 Summer 2011
Spring 2008<br />
Special I Ching Issue<br />
<strong>The</strong> I Ching:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motherlode <strong>of</strong> the Chi Revolution<br />
Introduction to the Guidance <strong>of</strong> the Sixty-Four Hexagrams<br />
Flying with the I Ching<br />
Methods <strong>of</strong> Divination<br />
Symbolism <strong>and</strong> Prediction with the Yijing<br />
Summer 2008<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secret Training <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Magical Incantations<br />
<strong>The</strong> Making <strong>of</strong> an Immortal<br />
<strong>The</strong> Crocodile <strong>and</strong> the Crane<br />
Fall 2008<br />
Return to Wuyi Mountain with<br />
Chungliang Al Huang<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chinese way <strong>of</strong> the Sword<br />
Sexual Qigong<br />
Chicken Soup for <strong>Daoist</strong> Alchemy<br />
Winter 2009<br />
Returning to Essence Through Shamanic Qigong <strong>and</strong> Sacred Sound Healing<br />
<strong>The</strong> Spirit <strong>of</strong> Tea<br />
Dao at the Beach: Searching for Dao in Daily Life<br />
Summer 2009<br />
<strong>The</strong> Seasons <strong>of</strong> Tea<br />
Taijiquan as Qigong<br />
Healing Through Jade Woman Qigong<br />
Empty Vessel Trip to China<br />
Fall 2009<br />
Qigong <strong>and</strong> the Dreamtime<br />
<strong>The</strong> Natural Process <strong>of</strong> Internal Alchemy<br />
Zhuangzi: <strong>The</strong> Inner Chapters<br />
Winter 2010<br />
A <strong>Daoist</strong> Master's Search for his Chinese Ancestry<br />
Daoism in the Korean Mountains<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> System <strong>of</strong> Lao Zi: Part One<br />
Spring 2010<br />
<strong>The</strong> Liezi: Forgotten <strong>Daoist</strong> Text<br />
Spirit <strong>of</strong> the Dancing Warrior<br />
Bagua <strong>and</strong> Tai Chi: Sophisticated Health Exercises<br />
A Taoist Master's Search for His Chinese Ancestry Pt. 1<br />
by Chungliang Al Huang<br />
Summer 2010<br />
Bagua: Why <strong>Practice</strong> This Old <strong>and</strong> Obscure Art<br />
Mystical Wudang Mountain<br />
Guidelines for Setting Up a <strong>Daoist</strong> Altar<br />
A Taoist Master's Search for His Chinese Ancestry Pt. 2<br />
Fall 2010<br />
Chuang Tzu: <strong>The</strong> Way <strong>of</strong> Nourishing Life<br />
Nudan <strong>Practice</strong> <strong>and</strong> Modern Women<br />
Taoists, Doctors <strong>and</strong> Shamans<br />
A Taoist Master's Search for His Chinese Ancestry Pt. 3<br />
Winter 2011<br />
Chinese Astrology <strong>and</strong> Inner Cultivation<br />
Yi: Intention, <strong>Practice</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Incubation <strong>of</strong> the Sage<br />
Wu Wei: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Art <strong>of</strong> Happiness<br />
A Taoist Master's Search for His Chinese Ancestry Pt. 4<br />
Spring 2011<br />
Daoism in America: A Conversation with Xuan Yun (Mysterious Cloud)<br />
Return to Stillnes is the Motion <strong>of</strong> Tao<br />
Pu the HEART Backinto LOVE<br />
Speical Section on BiGu (Avoiding Food <strong>and</strong> Eating Qi)<br />
Back issues are $7.50 postpaid. (Add $2 per issue outside U.S.)<br />
Send check or money order (in U.S. funds) to<br />
<strong>The</strong> Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao 1991 Garfield St. Eugene, OR 97405<br />
or call 800-574-5118/541-345-8854<br />
<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 63
<strong>The</strong> following books have been written by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jerry Alan Johnson <strong>and</strong> contain translated texts from<br />
ancient Zheng Yi <strong>Daoist</strong> Mysticism <strong>and</strong> are introduced for the first time in English!<br />
Magic Talismans. This amazing book contains a comprehensive Introduction to Magic Talismans, Applications <strong>of</strong> Magic Talismans,<br />
Types <strong>of</strong> Magical Talismans, <strong>The</strong> Origin <strong>of</strong> Magical Talismans, <strong>The</strong> Secret Teachings <strong>of</strong> Magic Talismans, Constructing a Magic Talisman, Mao<br />
Shan Protection Talismans Used For Fighting Against Black Magic <strong>and</strong> Psychic Attacks, <strong>and</strong> much more! NEW!<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Magical Incantations, H<strong>and</strong> Seals, <strong>and</strong> Star Stepping Introduction to Training <strong>Daoist</strong> Magic, History <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Magic, Training the Mind Secret, Training the Speech Secret, Words <strong>and</strong> Magic, Incantations, <strong>Daoist</strong> Magical H<strong>and</strong> Seal Training,<br />
Introduction to H<strong>and</strong> Seals, Types <strong>of</strong> H<strong>and</strong> Seals, Eight Trigram Double-H<strong>and</strong> Seals for Gathering Power, H<strong>and</strong> Seals <strong>and</strong> Rituals,<br />
H<strong>and</strong> Seals Used For Summoning, H<strong>and</strong> Seals Used For Attacking <strong>and</strong> Defending, H<strong>and</strong> Seals Used For Protection. History <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
Star Stepping, <strong>The</strong> Steps <strong>of</strong> Yu, Ancient <strong>Daoist</strong> Stepping Patterns, Incantations For <strong>The</strong> Nine Palaces <strong>of</strong> Heaven, Offering Incense with<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Dipper <strong>of</strong> Bright Stars <strong>and</strong> Pearls” Incantation, Gathering Energy from the Twenty-Eight Star Constellations, Magical Esoteric<br />
Star Stepping Patterns for Summoning Celestial Immortals, <strong>and</strong> the Five Animal Protection Incantation <strong>and</strong> much more. 239 pages $85<br />
Magical Tools <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Daoist</strong> Altar Acting as a bridge between the human <strong>and</strong> spirit worlds, the traditional role <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Daoist</strong><br />
priest has been to continually renew the good relationship between the people <strong>of</strong> his or her community <strong>and</strong> the celestial powers <strong>of</strong> the gods. <strong>The</strong><br />
various esoteric symbols, colors <strong>and</strong> items used in <strong>Daoist</strong> magical rituals serve to further focus the sorcerer’s intention. Likewise, the use <strong>of</strong><br />
incense, music, magical tools <strong>and</strong> other materials are sometimes included to intensify the sense <strong>and</strong> empower the energy used in the magical rite.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following book describes the <strong>Daoist</strong> mystic’s clothing, altar, magical tools, <strong>and</strong> magical rituals needed to summon the supernatural powers<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Celestial Immortals as used in the ancient esoteric training <strong>of</strong> the Zheng Yi Branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> mysticism <strong>and</strong> much more. 350 pages. $165<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Exorcism: Encounters With Sorcerers, Ghosts, Spirits <strong>and</strong> Demons History <strong>of</strong> Exorcism,<br />
Three Realms <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Mysticism, Interactions with the Spirit World, Two Schools <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Sorcery, Underst<strong>and</strong>ing Psychic<br />
Influence, Principles <strong>of</strong> Psychic Interference, Psychic Attacks, Types <strong>of</strong> Psychic Attacks, Symptoms That Indicate a Psychic Attack,<br />
Defending Against Psychic Attacks, Encounters With Ghosts,Self-Defense Against Spirit Entities, Protecting Children, Closing<br />
the Ghost Gate to Protect against Ghosts <strong>and</strong> Spirits, Encounters With Demonic <strong>and</strong> Evil Spirits <strong>and</strong> much more. 205 pages. $65<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Mineral Magic <strong>The</strong> Study <strong>of</strong> the Realm <strong>of</strong> Minerals, Introduction to the Alchemical Transformations <strong>of</strong> Minerals,<br />
History <strong>of</strong> Magical <strong>and</strong> Medicinal Rocks, Formation <strong>of</strong> Minerals <strong>and</strong> Crystals, Minerals in Traditional Chinese Pharmacology,<br />
Absorbing the Healing Properties <strong>of</strong> Gems, Creating Gem Ens Elixirs, Cleansing the Crystal With Sunlight, Moonlight, Flowing Water<br />
or Earth, Ritualistic Cleansing <strong>and</strong> Incantations, Charging a Stone, Storage <strong>and</strong> Care <strong>of</strong> the Gem Elixir <strong>and</strong> much more. 162 pages. $50<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Plant <strong>and</strong> Animal Magic Introduction to the Alchemical Transformations <strong>of</strong> Plants, Superior,<br />
Medium, <strong>and</strong> Inferior Herbs, Gathering Energy from Nature, <strong>The</strong> Magical Properties <strong>of</strong> Trees, Gathering Qi from<br />
Trees , Locating Tree Power Spots, Precautions, Tree Spirits, Forest Spirits, <strong>The</strong> Magical Properties <strong>of</strong> Plants, Visionary<br />
Plants, Gathering Qi From Plants, <strong>Daoist</strong> Celestial Animal Totems, Animal Shapeshifting <strong>and</strong> much more. 239 pages. $85<br />
<strong>Daoist</strong> Magical Transformation Skills, Dream Magic, Shape-Shifting, Soul Travel & Sex Magic<br />
Transformation Skills <strong>of</strong> <strong>Daoist</strong> Sorcery, Two Types <strong>of</strong> Magical Transformation Skill, Weather Magic, Divination Magic, Corpse<br />
MagicIntroduction to <strong>Daoist</strong> Sex Magic, Three Stages <strong>of</strong> Relationship, Levels <strong>of</strong> Intimacy, Applications <strong>of</strong> Sex Magic, Using Sexual Magic<br />
for Energy Cultivation, Sexual Postures <strong>and</strong> Techniques, Sex Magic Rituals, Deity Magic <strong>and</strong> Sex Magic <strong>and</strong> much more. 248 pages. $85<br />
To order these books send check or money order along with $5 s/h for each book to: <strong>The</strong><br />
Abode <strong>of</strong> the Eternal Tao 1991 Garfield St Eugene, OR 97505 541.345.8854/800.574.511<br />
64 Summer 2011
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<strong>The</strong> Empty Vessel 65