Review Of Literature
(Exam questions are not drawn from the Review Of Literature section)
Mantak Chia, who is a Taoist master, has written several books about Taoist healing practices. Mantak Chia studied with Taoist and Buddhist masters and then synthesized their spiritual techniques into his own teachings. Chia’s book Awaken Healing Light Of The Tao (1993) was one of the main books used in writing this course. This book offers a comprehensive overview of how to cultivate healing light and how to circulate it in the body. The main forms of energy cultivated are from the earth, universe, spirit, and the human body. These energies are circulated in an energy current called the microcosmic orbit.
Another book used in writing this course is Y.K. Chen’s book T’ai-Chi Ch’uan: Its Effects And Practical Applications (1979). Y.K. Chen is a master of T’ai Chi. His book overviews the subtle energies involved in T’ai Chi and how these energies affect the physical body. This book is an easy to follow guide for people of all levels of experience.
Cheng Man Ch’ing wrote the book Cheng Tzu’s Thirteen Treatises On T’ai Chi Ch’uan (1985). This is a beautiful book with large, clear pictures of the T’ai Chi Ch’uan forms that are especially useful for practitioners. This book also outlines some of the main principles involved in the practice of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.
Thomas Cleary translated teachings of Taoist women into the book Immortal Sisters: Secret Teachings Of Taoist Women (1989). In this book, the female practitioners describe how to condense energy into the body in order to ultimately create an immortal spiritual body. These female practitioners use allegorical language in order to make it so only experienced practitioners could understand their teachings. Yet this book portrays some of the beautiful, poetic experiences that practitioners may have.
The Way Of Qigong (1997), written by Kenneth Cohen, is an extensive resource on how to develop a Chi Gong practice. Kenneth Cohen describes the various stages that one might go through and how to overcome blocks that hinder development. Cohen has studied with many teachers and is a scholar of Chi Gong history, which gives him a broad framework from which to describe this practice.
Another book used for this course is The Healing Promise Of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong And Tai Chi (2002). This book is written by Roger Jahnke. Jahnke gives many examples of people who were transformed through Chi Gong and T’ai Chi. The beginner is given a solid ground to begin practicing from.
Livia Kohn edited the book Taoist Meditation And Longevity Techniques (1989). Kohn teaches at Boston University. She focuses on mysticism in China and on Taoist mythology. This book contains essays by a variety of professors. Many topics are covered, including longevity techniques from Japan, visualization techniques, the Taoist meditation called Guarding the One, gymnastics, and drug taking.
Qigong Empowerment (1997) was written by Shou-Yu Liang. Liang is considered one of the master teachers of Chi Gong in China. This book gives a thorough explanation of Chi Gong practices from the most basic to the most advanced. There are also many pictures, which give further depth of understanding.
Martin and Emily Lee’s book, Ride The Tiger To The Mountain: T’ai Chi For Health (1989) is a practical guide to the twelve most basic T’ai Chi exercises. This book offers a program for relaxation and rejuvenation through greater mind-body awareness. In the words of Herbert Benson, M.D. and author of The Relaxation Response, “Dr. Martin Lee has given us an excellent theoretical and practical guide to T’ai Chi and Ch’i Kung. I recommend it to all those interested in the combination of meditation and movement.”
The book The Essence Of Taiji Qigong (1997), written by Yang Ming, gives many pictures of T’ai Chi and Chi Gong practices. Ming gives a detailed explanation of the history of these practices and how they can be applied in modern times. This book also details some of the transformational processes that can occur through practice.
Another useful book in writing this course was Alternative Healing Therapies (1999), written by Norman C. Shealy. This book gives a very general overview of the practices of T’ai Chi, Chi Gong, and meditation, along with many other healing therapies. The healing benefits of these practices are outlined as well. This is great guide for those wanting to briefly understand many types of healing techniques and gives pictures to accompany each.
Richard Wilhelm translated the I-Ching and gave a commentary on it in his book The I-Ching Or The Book Of Changes (1950). Wilhelm lived in China for more than 20 years and was in contact with some of the major Chinese intellectuals during the early twentieth century. The I-Ching is the root of Taoism. This book gives some of the foundational knowledge from which Taoist practices were later built on.
Taoism (1997), written by Eva Wong, was a very helpful book for understanding the history of Taoism. Eva Wong is both a practitioner of the Taoist healing arts and a translator of Chinese texts into English. Her book gives an understanding into all of the topics covered in this course.