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As to how soon am I going to China, that is all dependent upon when I can allocate the funds necessary to take the first steps of getting certified to teach abroad and enough for a plane ticket, initial expenses, and so forth. At current I am broke and unemployed, so its really up in there as to when. As to where in China, initially wherever I get hired though I plan to avoid Beijing and Shanghai. After I get hired and fulfill a contract I will be able to travel freely within China, which I imagine will be something I need to do in order to find a worthy teacher.
Once more, thank you for the various resources you provided me here in the US, I will certainly keep that in mind, though I assume these various resources probably cost money which is obviously out of the question for me at this time.
Regarding Master Chia, I do own his book “Healing Light of of the Tao” that has been useful for me to start initial practices on my own. My Taoist collection currently includes that book, The Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi, Wen-Tzu, Lieh-Tzu, Secret of the Golden Flower, Jade Writing/Yellow Court Classic, and “Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immortality.” The practical writings have been useful, but it is also overwhelming as to understand where to start, when to progress, how to organize the practice, and so forth. Hence my desire for a teacher.
Finally, thank you for your information regarding internal martial arts. I hope the future will progress in my favor and I will discover what I need to do. One more question for you if you don’t mind. What would you say is the primary beginners practice I should focus on at this stage in regards to meditation or internal alchemy?
Thanks again!
Hello Snowlion, thank you for your reply.
What sort of cons are there would you say in the pursuit of such a path? What sort of hazing is involved? I am curious to gain a glimpse so I may be more prepared if my pursuit of such a path does materialize in my life.
I may be young (23), and it is true that your interests change, but I was lucky enough to have a transcendent mystical experience at the age of 18 that forever changed my life. Prior to that experience, I was an atheist-materialist with no belief or interest in spirituality or religion. Afterward, it has become my primary goal and interest in life. So I am dedicated to this idea. I practice on my own as best as possible based on what I can learn from various books, the internet, etc. But I feel to fully grow and blossom spiritually, I need a serious teacher.
Primarily I am interested in Zen Buddhism, Vajrayana, Tantra, Vedanta, Sufism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and of course Daoism. I’ve considered being a Buddhist monk, but I love music (sacred and traditional music) and I believe one of the monks precepts is to refrain from music. This is one of the sticking points that makes me interested in Daoism. I will admit that I am quite ignorant on Taoist monasticism and asceticism today, hence my inquiry here on this forum, but it is an area my heart guides me toward so I feel it is worth investigating.
Again, I appreciate any information you or anyone else here can provide to me.
Thank you so much for your informative reply. To be honest when I posted my inquiry I had doubted that I’d receive a response at all, and you have given me much food for thought.
I will take into consideration all the options you have listed for me, but another reason I had brought up China was because I already have plans of going to the Middle Kingdom to teach English abroad. Another reason is my desire to perhaps learn the guqin as beyond enjoying the instrument simply for its sound it also has a history among Taoists (and others) for spiritual cultivation as I am sure you are well aware. Of course going to China to learn under any Taoist masters there (if such masters still exist in the post-Maoist Chinese world) I assume will require learning Mandarin, which I also plan to do.
As to the options in America, I will certainly keep these in mind if and when I do return to the United States (or if for some reason I am unable to teach English abroad as I plan.)
Again, my only worry in China is whether or not I will be taken seriously or not since I am not Chinese, but I suppose if they can see my heart and my intent they may take me seriously.
If I may ask another question without starting a new thread, what is the situation with martial arts and Taoism in China? Is it normal for someone who practices meditation, internal alchemy, and other spiritual practices to also practice martial arts? I only inquire because the two primary archetypes of men I’ve always most admired are the sage and the warrior, and to incorporate those into my life as best as possible in the modern world is something I aspire to.
Once again, thank you for the information.
