Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-yunThe first English translation of Master Li Ching-yun's teachings on the Eight Brocades, the central practice of qigong. • Explains the physical and spiritual benefits of the Eight Brocades and offers step-by-step instructions for this powerful sequence of postures. • 85 illustrations highlight the postures and philosophies. • Author's commentary provides insight and depth to the original translation. Throughout history Taoists have promoted the development and restoration of the Three Treasures-- body, breath, and spirit--through the gentle practice of qigong. At the center of the qigong practice are the Eight Brocades, a series of postures that developed during the 3,000-year Taoist quest for longevity and vitality. Now qigong expert Stuart Olson translates into English Master Li Ching-yun's treasured teachings on the Eight Brocades. One of the most famous qigong masters of this century, Master Li Ching-yun is reliably chronicled to have lived more than 250 years, during which he practiced the Eight Brocades on a daily basis. His longevity and personal endorsements attest to and validate the Eight Brocades as the quintessence of Taoist health and qigong practices. With Master Li Ching-yun's original teachings as a guide, Stuart Olson presents an authentic yet accessible approach to this unique practice. Each exercise is accompanied by original text from Master Li, step-by-step instructions for each posture, illustrations of the positions, and insights on theory and practice. Because the Eight Brocades are the foundation of all qigong, this book provides valuable advice for all practitioners, regardless of the style they practice or the depth of their experience. |
Contents
The Arts of Nourishing Life | 4 |
Abdominal Breathing | 4 |
THE THREE TREASURES | 4 |
Ching | 14 |
Qi | 16 |
Shen | 21 |
THE EIGHT BROCADES THE PHYSICAL PRACTICE THE TRADITIONAL METHOD WITH COMMENTARIES | 23 |
AUTHORS INTRODUCTION TO THE EIGHT BROCADES | 24 |
Authors Instructions | 81 |
SUPPORTING HEAVEN | 81 |
The Original Text | 81 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 82 |
Authors Instructions | 83 |
GRASPING WITH HOOKS | 86 |
The Original Text | 87 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 88 |
The Development of the Eight Brocades | 25 |
Practicing and Finding a Teacher | 27 |
Li Chingyun | 30 |
The Methods of the Eight Diagram Active Kung | 35 |
Secrets of the Eight Brocades | 40 |
THE HEAVENLY DRUM | 50 |
The Original Text | 51 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 52 |
Authors Instructions | 59 |
SHAKE THE HEAVENLY PILLAR | 64 |
The Original Text | 65 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 66 |
Authors Instructions | 68 |
THE RED DRAGON STIRS THE SEA | 72 |
The Original Text | 73 |
Li Chlngyuns Commentary | 74 |
Authors Instructions | 78 |
THE SINGLE PASS WINDLASS | 81 |
The Original Text | 81 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 81 |
Authors Instructions | 89 |
CONCLUDING EXERCISES AND COMMENTS | 93 |
The Original Text | 94 |
Li Chingyuns Commentary | 96 |
Authors Instructions | 102 |
Li Chingyuns Concluding Comments | 104 |
SUMMARY OF INSTRUCTIONS | 107 |
THE LESSER HEAVENLY CIRCUIT THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE THREE INTERRELATED TECHNIQUES | 111 |
Development of the Lesser Heavenly Circuit | 112 |
FIRST REGIME EXTERNALLY PATTING THE EIGHT SUBTLE MERIDIANS AND TWELVE CAVITIES | 118 |
The Eight Subtle Meridians | 121 |
Methods for SelfMassage | 129 |
INTERNALLY OPENING THE EIGHT SUBTLE Qi CAVITIES | 135 |
The Eight Subtle Qi Cavities | 139 |
THE LESSER HEAVENLY CIRCUIT | 143 |
SUMMARY OF INSTRUCTIONS | 146 |
SUGGESTED READING | 149 |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | 151 |
INDEX | 152 |
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Common terms and phrases
arts of nourishing Author's Comments body Breathe nine Bubbling Well cavities ch'iao Chinese circulation correct method Dhyana Double Pass Windlass Dragon and Tiger Eight Brocades elixir energy exhale fire forty-eight Fu Hsi Gates Grasp the hands hands firmly Heaven Heavenly Drum Heavenly Pillar Heavenly Stems hold the breath hsing Imagine the heat immortality inhale internal Jade Pillow cavity kidneys Ko Hung left and right left hand legs Lesser Heavenly Circuit longevity lower abdomen martial arts massage means meditation mouth move Mysterious Pass cavity Navel Wheel nose Ocean of Qi Original Text palms perform qigong Red Dragon Stirs Returning Yin cavity reverse breathing rub the hands saliva sexual shake the Heavenly shen Single Pass Windlass solar plexus sound spine spirit stimulate stop the breath support the Void t'ai chi ch'uan t'ien tao yin Taoist tapping thirty-six thumbs tongue Twelve Cavities twenty-four wu hsing yin and yang