A collection of accessible texts on the Taoist art of inner alchemy * Taoist inner alchemy: a theory and method for transforming and refining the mind through practices such as meditation, breath control, and calisthenics * Includes a classic of Chinese alchemy: as Four Hundred Words on the Golden Elixir Written by the founder of the Complete Reality School, the text is accompanied by the commentary of 19th century adept Liu I-ming

The "Chuang Tzu " has been translated into English numerous times, but never with the freshness, accessibility, and accuracy of this remarkable rendering. Here the immediacy of Chuang Tzu's language is restored in a idiom that is both completely fresh and true to the original text. This unique collaboration between one of America's premier poet-translators and a leading Chinese scholar presents the so-called "Inner Chapters" of the text, along with important selections from other chapters thought to have been written by Chuang Tzu's disciples.

A classic Chinese text on Taoist meditation, this work has inspired many Ch'i-kung (Qigong) techniques for attaining health, happiness, and long life. The book describes the use of meditation in circulating energy, the role of breath, and the conservation of procreative energy. It is one of the few Taoist treatises to describe the landmarks of spiritual development and document the process of spiritual development from start to finish.

Master Hua-Ching Ni uses straightforward language and personal experiences, as well as traditional stories and teachings of the ancient masters, to impart the wisdom of Taoism, the Integral Way. His teachings promote a simple, natural, healthy, and happy way of life that lays the foundation for spiritual self-cultivation. Master Ni emphasizes that it is important first to establish a good understanding of basic spiritual principles and then begin to realize this wisdom in daily life by adopting practices and attitudes that help to conserve, nourish, and refine the subtle energy. Among the topics he discusses in short, accessible passages are basic spiritual self-protection; self-reliance; emotional balance; do's and don'ts for a healthy, natural lifestyle; sleeping and dreaming; diet; love, sex, and marriage; and meditations and invocations from the Taoist tradition.

The human body, like all phenomena in nature, possesses the inherent power of self-regeneration when the conditions of true health are adopted. In _Cosmic Nutrition_, Taoist Master Mantak Chia and senior Universal Tao teacher William Wei reveal the secret to true health and longevity: keeping all four bodies--physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual--vibrant and balanced. They show you how to work with the four bodies through simple, step-by-step nutritional and energetic practices for everyday life. Combining the ancient Taoist principles of yin and yang energy with acid-alkaline balance and metabolic body types, the authors offer complete guidelines on what to eat for different yin-yang constitutions, specific health problems and organ systems, and energetic conditions. They provide an easy-to-follow food combining method for acid-alkaline and yin-yang balance, recipes for healing meals, detailed information on fasting and detoxification, and illustrated guides to several self-diagnostic methods from the East that allow you to interpret your body's signs before disease manifests. Dispelling the myth of germs as the cause of disease, they reveal the cancerous dangers of too much protein or pharmaceutical drugs. They also examine the life-force-increasing and youth-renewing benefits of powerful "superfoods" such as sprouts and specific vitamins and minerals. Exploring emotional and mental balance, the authors explain the psychological aspects of yin and yang and offer simple practices to release fear and worries, promote inner calm, and build a positive attitude. Balancing body, mind, and blood chemistry, this book lays out the Universal Tao's holistic path to a long and happy life.

A sensible and compassionate book that will help those involved in any form of therapy make the best possible use of their time, effort, and money. "A fascinating blend of Eastern spirituality, Western psychotherapy, feminist consciousness, and real caring."--Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade 35 black-and-white photographs.

This is the amazing story of how noted economist, professor, and Texas "oil man" John Walter for twenty-five years lived a secret life as an initiate into shamanic vision in South America and the miraculous healing practice of Panda Lee in Texas: Taoist contemplative, friend of Chou En Lai, Qi Gong master, and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Told in a dramatic and lively style, the book is full of startling "magical" incidents -- truly impacting like Casteneda's famous "Don Juan" books. At the same time it contributes to the subject of the applicability of Oriental Medicine in Western culture.

Composed more than 2,000 years ago, the Dao de Jing (Tao Te Ching) set forth an alternative vision of reality in a world torn apart by violence and betrayal. Second only to the Bible, this timeless classic is one of the world's most revered inspirational books. Daoism advocates a full understanding of the wonders hidden in the ordinary. Now in this luminous new translation, based on recently discovered ancient bamboo scrolls, Chinese scholars Ames and Hall bring the timeless wisdom of the Dao de Jing into our contemporary world. Eschewing philosophical dogma, the Dao de Jing sets forth a series of maxims that outline a new perspective on reality and invites listeners to embark on a regimen of self-transformation--the attainment of personal excellence that flows from the world and back into it.

Daoist Identity is an exploration of the various means by which Daoists over the centuries have created an identity for themselves. Using modern sociological studies of identity formation as its foundation, it brings together a representative sample of in-depth analyses by eminent American and Japanese scholars in the field.

The discussion begins with critical examinations of the ways identity was found among the early movements of the Way of Great Peace and the Celestial Masters. The role of sacred texts and literary culture in Daoist identity formation is discussed. The volume then focuses on lineage formation and the increasing role of popular religious practices, such as spirit-writing, in modern Daoism since the Song dynasty. Finally it discusses the Daoist adaptation and reinterpretation of Buddhist rites, such as the feeding of souls in hell and the use of ritual gestures, and the changes made in contemporary Daoism in relation to traditional rites and popular practices.