Taoism For Dummies

Taoism For Dummies

Author: Jonathan Herman

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-05-30

Total Pages: 391

ISBN-13: 1118423984

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The definitive guide to understanding Taoism—no matter your background or faith Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the second most translated book in the world, and the practice of religious Taoism is on the rise in China, where adherents currently number in the hundreds of millions. Yet there remains a remarkable lack of reliable information about Taoism for curious westerners. Taoism For Dummies provides comprehensive coverage of Taoism's origins in China's Chou Dynasty, its underlying quietist principles, its emergence as a major religion, various interpretation of its core texts, including both Eastern and Western interpretations, key Taoist concepts, and much more. It also provides a fascinating glimpse of Taoism in contemporary China. The ideal guide for readers interested in this influential religion, as well as those taking an introductory course on Taoism or Chinese Religion A valuable source of insight for those with an interest in modern Chinese culture and beliefs


Taoism for Beginners

Taoism for Beginners

Author: Elizabeth Reninger

Publisher: Rockridge Press

Published: 2020-05-19

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 9781641525428

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Ancient practices for modern lives--the perfect taste of Taoism Begin your journey toward spiritual exploration and deepen your connection with the earth. Taoism for Beginners is your easy-to-understand guide to a rich, spiritual Chinese religion and a new holistic perspective. Discover the core principles and traditions of Taoism with straightforward language and simple exercises you can do anywhere. Adopting aspects of Taoism into your everyday life can bring you into peace and harmony with yourself and the world around you--a practice that's more vital than ever in our busy modern-day lives. Taoism for Beginners helps you: Feel better and feel more--Build your own Taoist practice that can help you relax, de-stress, and feel more at ease in your life. Learn history and tradition--Meet Taoism's founder, Lao Tzu, and learn the basic history of Taoism practice for the past 2500 years. This book and beyond--Deepen your practice (if you wish) with included resources for further reading and study. Explore the depth and breadth of Taoism in a clear format that you can apply to everything you do.


Simple Taoism

Simple Taoism

Author: C. Alexander Simpkins, Ph.D.

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2015-12-08

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 1462918247

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Simple Taoism is designed to help the reader understand what Taoism is about and to help apply its best aspects to everyday living. Divided into three parts, the book outlines: A clear explanation of Taoism and how to apply its best aspects to your daily life. Simple instructions for exercises to lead a fuller life--meditation, breathing, chi kung, and tai chi chuan. An informative discussion of key Taoist concepts, including wu-wei (nonaction), yin and yang, and Te (power virtue, life).


Taoism

Taoism

Author: Eva Wong

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2011-03-08

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1590308824

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A leading scholar feng shui master presents the great depth and diversity of Taoist philosophy, practices, and history in this accessible manual to the oft-misunderstood spiritual tradition. Millions of readers have come to the philosophy of Taoism thanks to the classics Tao Te Ching and the I Ching, or through the practices of t'ai chi and feng-shui, but the Tao is less known for its unique traditions of meditation, physical training, magical practice, and internal alchemy. Eva Wong, a leading Taoist practitioner and translator, provides a solid introduction to the Way. All of Taoism’s most important texts, figures, and events are covered, as well as its extraordinarily rich history and remarkable variety of practice. Sections include: • The History of Taoism traces the development of the tradition from the shamans of prehistoric China through the classical period (including the teachings of the famous sage Lao-tzu), the beginnings of Taoism as a religion, the rise of mystical and alchemical Taoism, and the synthesis of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. • Systems of Taoism explores magical sects, divination practices, devotional ceremonies, internal alchemy, and the way of right action. • Taoist Practices discusses meditation, techniques of cultivating the body, and rites of purification, ceremony, and talismanic magic. This roadmap to the spiritual landscape of Taoism not only introduces the important events in the history of Taoism, the sages who wrote the Taoist texts, and the various schools of Taoist thinking, but also gives readers a feel for what it means to practice Taoism today. A comprehensive bibliography for further study completes this valuable reference work.


Foundations of Internal Alchemy

Foundations of Internal Alchemy

Author: Mu Wang

Publisher: Golden Elixir Press

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0984308253

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Originally written for Chinese readers, this book provides a clear description of the Taoist practice of Internal Alchemy, or Neidan. The author outlines the four stages of the alchemical practice and clarifies several relevant terms and notions, including Essence, Breath, and Spirit; the Cinnabar Fields; the "Fire Times"; and the Embryo. The book is based on the system of the Wuzhen pian (Awakening to Reality), one of the main sources of Internal Alchemy, and contains about two hundred quotations from original Taoist texts. Table of Contents Foreword, vii INTRODUCTION, 1 The Basis: Essence and Spirit, 3 STAGES OF THE ALCHEMICAL PRACTICE IN AWAKENING TO REALITY, 11 The Four Stages, 13 "Laying the Foundations," 15 Main Points in the Practice of "Laying the Foundations," 20 The Functions of Essence, Breath, and Spirit, 36 Terms Related to the "Coagulation of the Three Treasures," 52 Conclusion of the Stage of "Laying the Foundations," 63 "Refining Essence to Transmute it into Breath," 65 "Refining Breath to Transmute it into Spirit," 99 "Refining Spirit to Return to Emptiness," 109 CONCLUSION, 119 The "Arts of the Way," 121 Tables, 123 Glossary of Chinese Characters, 133


Being Taoist

Being Taoist

Author:

Publisher: Shambhala Publications

Published: 2015-03-03

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1611802415

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A beautifully clear and accessible explanation of how to live a Taoist life—with an overview of Taoist philosophy—by a renowned Taoist master Taoism isn’t a spiritual extracurricular activity, it’s an integral practice for living all of life to the fullest. Taoist living rests on four pillars—the public, the domestic, the private, and the spirit lives. Not only do Taoists strive to live these four aspects fully and in a balanced way, they also believe there is an outlook and an art to each of them. Here, modern Taoist adept Eva Wong is your guide to living well according to the wisdom of this ancient system. Drawing from ancient Taoist texts, she explains in simple terms the Taoist masters’ approach to the four aspects of life, asking readers to reflect on the balance of their own lives and demonstrating how that balance is the secret infusing your life with health, harmony, and deep satisfaction.


Do Nothing and Do Everything

Do Nothing and Do Everything

Author: Qiguang Zhao

Publisher:

Published: 2020-09-15

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 9781557789464

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The power of the Tao has accompanied the author through the journey of his life, from pupil during the Chinese Cultural Revolution to professor at an American liberal arts college. In Do Nothing and Do Everything, Zhao applies the ideas of Wu Wei (do nothing) and Wu Bu Wei (do everything) to modern life. Rich and humorous illustrations convey the subtle ideas that go beyond language and are re-created in the same style as the ones the author draws impromptu on the blackboard in his classes. This illustrated new Taoism will answer the widespread thirst for an alternative approach to life, and a longing for health, tranquility, and spiritual liberation.


The Tao Is Silent

The Tao Is Silent

Author: Raymond M. Smullyan

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2013-03-05

Total Pages: 303

ISBN-13: 0062281410

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The Tao Is Silent Is Raymond Smullyan's beguiling and whimsical guide to the meaning and value of eastern philosophy to westerners. "To me," Writes Smullyan, "Taoism means a state of inner serenity combined with an intense aesthetic awareness. Neither alone is adequate; a purely passive serenity is kind of dull, and an anxiety-ridden awareness is not very appealing." This is more than a book on Chinese philosophy. It is a series of ideas inspired by Taoism that treats a wide variety of subjects about life in general. Smullyan sees the Taoist as "one who is not so much in search of something he hasn't, but who is enjoying what he has." Readers will be charmed and inspired by this witty, sophisticated, yet deeply religious author, whether he is discussing gardening, dogs, the art of napping, or computers who dream that they're human.