Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal or 375 Essential Oils

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

Author: Stuart Alve Olson

The 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 oftheir experience.

Table of Contents:

	Acknowledgments	xi
	Introduction	1
Part 1	The Development of Qigong: Taoist Longevity Practices and the Three Treasures	3
	Taoist Longevity Practices	4
	Arts of Nourishing Life	4
	Abdominal Breathing	8
	The Three Treasures	11
	Ching	14
	Qi	16
	Shen	21
Part 2	The Eight Brocades--The Physical Practice: The Traditional Method, with Commentaries	23
	Author's Introduction to the Eight Brocades	24
	The Development of the Eight Brocades	25
	Practicing and Finding a Teacher	27
	Li Ching-yun	30
	Li Ching-Yun's Introduction to the Original Text of the Eight Brocades	35
	The Methods of the Eight Diagram Active Kung	35
	Secrets of the Eight Brocades	40
	The First Brocade: The Heavenly Drum	50
	The Original Text	51
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	52
	Author's Instructions	59
	The Second Brocade: Shake the Heavenly Pillar	64
	The Original Text	65
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	66
	Author's Instructions	68
	The Third Brocade: The Red Dragon Stirs the Sea	72
	The Original Text	73
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	74
	Author's Instructions	78
	The Fourth Brocade: Rub the Court of the Kindeys	82
	The Original Text	83
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	84
	Author's Instructions	87
	The Fifth Brocade: the Single Pass Windlass	90
	The Original Text	91
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	92
	Author's Instructions	94
	The Sixth Brocade: The Double Pass Windlass	96
	The Original Text	97
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	98
	Author's Instructions	100
	The Seventh Brocade: Supporting Heaven	102
	The Original Text	103
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	104
	Author's Instructions	105
	The Eighth Brocade: Grasping with Hooks	108
	The Original Text	109
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	110
	Author's Instructions	111
	Concluding Exercises and Comments	115
	Concluding Exercises: The Original Text	116
	Li Ching-yun's Commentary	118
	Author's Instructions	124
	Li Ching-yun's Concluding Comments	126
Appendix to Part 2	Summary of Instructions	129
Part 3	The Lesser Heavenly Circuit--the Spiritual Practice: Three Interrelated Techniques	133
	Author's Introduction to the Lesser Heavenly Circuit	134
	Development of the Lesser Heavenly Circuit	134
	The First Regime: Externally Patting: the Eight Subtle Meridians and Twelve Cavities	140
	The Eight Subtle Meridians	143
	The Twelve Cavities--Methods for Self-Massage	151
	The Second Regime: Internally Opening: the Eight Subtle Qi Cavities	157
	The Eight Subtle Qi Cavities	161
	The Third Regime: the Lesser Heavenly Circuit	165
Appendix to Part 3	Summary of Instructions	168
	Suggested Reading	171
	About the Author	173
	Index	174

Interesting book: Hit of the Party or Cucina Fresca

375 Essential Oils

Author: Jeanne Ros

This thorough guide profiles 375 different essential oils according to botanical family, habit and growth, chemical components, and actions. Historical notes and lore, often from Chinese alchemy as well as western botanical sources, are featured. Essays on evergreens, lavender, chamomile, jasmine, and more fill out important categories. Graceful botanical illustrations illuminate the text.