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Hi –
I’m getting seriously into this Taoist shit but I really have no idea about the culture it comes from. Can anyone give me the names of any good books about the history of China itself, for the beginner? Also, can anyone tell me how important they think it is to know about Chinese language and culture in order to ‘get the way’?
Thanks, NN
It’s PHENOMENOL
it’s supposed to be 800 years old and translated to english.. the author is a Harvard graduate
the material is from the “CLEAR REALITY” movement of Taoism which supposedly occurrred 800 years ago in order to reaffirm Daoism’s root amidst it’s many brnaches.. the book suggests that this has occurred many times and that TAOISM is the root of chinese civilization and has been refreshed throughout the millenia whenever culture degenerated..
it’s great..
the material is about as explicit as you can get in discussion of alchemy, meditation, the elements, pole reversals etc
also waiting on my copy of “the golden flower”
the book of balance harmony has great leadins to Fu ZI, the I Ching, and the history of China and Buddhism as well..
it’s a GOTTA have available from amazon for like 15 bucks
this is some of the best stuff on earth in my opinion.. everything in my life led up to material like this and Mantak / Winn/ Whitecloud formulas
in my humble opinion TAOISM appears to have been part of a Lyran-Vegan- Sirian colonization project which was TOTALLY 1000% positive and true..
not that that matters BUT.. it’s as psychedelic as you get
see the work by Robert Temple (an intitated Freemason Templar) and member of the Royal Astronomy Society of London and his book the Sirius Mystery on the origins of Taoism and Christianity as part of a Stellar Intelligence system resonating between our Star and Sirius, linked to Egypt and China, the Dogon of Africa and the I Ching of Fu Zi
Nnonnth,
The Root of Chinese Qigong by Dr. Jwing, Ming Yang introduced me to Chinese Qigong of all branches. It shows the history of Da Mo (Bodhidarma) and alot about the development it has undergone in China, both Buddhism and Daoism.
Hope that helps,
Fajinnn some may disagree with me, but my take on it is as follows
the taoist way is essentially about understanding the universal way of balance and harmony, recognising the manifestations in this realm as a reflection of the original source of life and intelligence.
where distortion may exist, we by various methods, seek to resolve it and restore harmonious order.
the cultural background from which taoism originated can in some ways help us to better understand its’ early application, and discovery (meditative observation of man and nature)
but to me its’ not entirely necessary to have a good grasp of that, its just helpful, thats alli was talking to a greek fiend the other day and he said that from his experience, much of the principles of taoism exist and are applied in his and other cultures.
it’s just that the chinese have a geat knack of refining, simplifying and applying them in a very practical way.
m
… the title of the book someone (maybe Michael) mentioned here before on interpretations Tao Te Ching as an alchemical training text? I know I saw a reference to it somewhere on this site but I’m buggered if I can find it now. NN
The most fruitful outcome
Does not depend on force,
But succeeds without arrogance
Without hostility
Without pride
Without resistance
Without violence.– Lao-Tzu 30, tr. Addiss/Lombardo
1) The Book of Balance and Harmony
2) The Golden Flower
3) THe Art of Warall are by Thomas Cleary..
GOlden FLower is explicit in psychedlic gauge aims of practice
Balance and Harmony is 800 year old text with long poetic sections pertaining to polar energy inversions within the bodyand just don’t know about Art of War yet.. not even sure if it’s “pro-war” so to speak..
and in invade and conquer to one’s own end
Book of Balance and Harmony is one of basic references for those who have completed at least lesser Kan & Li.
But I am not sure any book is worth much time on alchemy until you’ve got some experience of it under your belt.
It may all seem very abstract.You are quite sophisicated and may be able to mine something from it, but diybtfyk you will integrate book ideas into jing level, which is whole purpose of inner alchemy.
You may benefit more at this stage from some cultural andhistorical background.
Livia Kohn, Daoism and Chinese Culture.
Her “The Taoist Experience” has good cross selection of Taoist writings.Eva Wong – Shambhala Guide to Taoism
James Miller – Short Introduction to Daoism
Isabelle Robinet – Taoism: History of a Religion (this is excellent)
Georg Mueller – Daoism Explainedand if course, the book I just reviewed, Daoist Body Cultivation. will post link on that immediately.
But please don’t make the mistake of thinking anyone can learn alchemy from a book.
To disprove that idea, just get Taoist Yoga by Charles Luk, a classic instructioinbook in internal alchemy, quite detailed and interesting version, but impossible to practice without a teacher. I know – I tried. So did Mantak Chia. We both were unable to get that system to work.michael
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