Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal-The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-Yun

by Stuart Alve Olson

2002

Library's review

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 this practice are the Eight Brocades, a series of seated postures that developed durning the 3,000-year Taoist quest for
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longevity and vitality. Now Stuart Olson provides the first English translation of 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 chornicled to have lived more that 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 time-honored teachings as a guide, Stuart Olson presents and authentic yet accessible approach to this unique practice. Each exercise begins with its original Eight Brocades text, which comes from the Lao Lin stone engraving of the old Hangchou period, followed by Master Li's interpretation of that text and explanatory comments from Olson. Also included are step-by-step instructions for each exercise, fully illustrated with detailed photographs of Olson performing the exercises. 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.

Stuart Aove Olson currently teachers Eight Brocade qigong, Taoist meditation, and I T'ai Chi. He has studied under numerous Taoist masters incuding Ch'an master Hsuan Hua, Kung fu and healing master Oei Khong-hwei, Dharma master Cheng Yi, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan master T.T. Liang. He is the author of T'ai Chi According to the I Ching, Tai Chi for Kids, and Tao of No Stress. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1 The development of qigong
Taoist longevity practices and the three treasures
Taoist longevity practices-Arts of nourishing life; Abdominal breathing
The three treasures-Ching; Qi; Shen
Part 2 The eight brocades-The physical practice
The traditional method, with commentaries
Author's introduction to the eight brocades-The development of the eight brocades; Practicing and finding a teacher; Li Ching-yun
Li Ching-yun's introduction to the original text of the eight brocades
The methods of the eight diagram active kukng
Secrets of he eight brocades
The first brocade: The heavenly ddrum
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The second brocade: Shake the heavenly pillar
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The third brocade: The red dragon stirs the sea
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The fourth brocade: Rub the court of the kidneys
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The fifth brocade: The single pass windlass
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The sixth brocade: The double pass windlass
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The seventh borcade: Supporting heaven
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
The eighth brocade: Grasping with hooks
The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
Concluding exercises and commens
Concluding exercises: The original text
Li Chung-yun's commentary
Author's instructions
Ching-yun's concluding comments
Appendix to Part 2: Summary of instructions
Part 3 The lesser heavenly circuit-The spiritual practice
Three interrelated techniques
Author's indtroduction to the lesser heavenly circuit
Developmentof the leser heavenly circuit
The first regime: Externally patting the eight subtle meridians and twelve cavities-The eight subtle meridians; The twelve cavities-Methods for self-massage
The second regime: Internally opening the eight subtle qi cavities-The eight subtle qi cavities
The third regime: The lesser heavenly circuit
Appendix to Part 3: Summary of instructions
Suggestions reading (bibliography)
About the author
Index
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ISBN

892819454

Publication

Healing Arts Press One Park Street Rochester, Vermont 05767
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