The Secret of Everlasting Life: The First Translation of the Ancient Chinese Text of Immortality

Front Cover
Singing Dragon, Dec 1, 2010 - Religion - 293 pages

The Secret of Everlasting Life is the first translation from the Chinese of the second-century Can Tong Qi. This ancient work, the earliest known text on transformation and immortality, echoes the wisdom and poetry of both the Tao Te Ching and I Ching. The Can Tong Qi is also the ancestral text of all Qi Gong exercises in China. This translation reveals for the first time the meditation methods practised for thousands of years by Taoist sages.

Presented here with its original Chinese commentaries, the Can Tong Qi is full of practical information and advice about the process of human transformation and how to nurture and develop the natural life-energy within us. Richard Bertschinger's additional commentary explains the intricacies of Chinese allegory and symbolism for the Western reader.

This book is an insightful read for anyone interested in Taoist thought, Chinese philosophy and culture, or Chinese medicine.

 

Contents

Wei Boyangs Text
24
Xu Conshis Text
153
Addendum
256
Terms Used in This Book
274
Translation and History of the Text
276
Additional Select Bibliography
286
Index
288
Copyright

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About the author (2010)

Richard Bertschinger studied for ten years with the Taoist sage and Master, Gia-fu Feng. A practising acupuncturist, teacher of Chinese healing arts, and translator of ancient Chinese texts, he lives with his family in the hills of south west England.

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