Hello,
In this edition of the Nüwa Newsletter, I want to tell you about an excellent East Asian art museum I visited earlier this week, plus share details on our recently released Neigong Fundamentals course.
Musée Cernuschi
Henri Cernuschi (1821–1896) was a French-Italian politician, banker and East Asian art collector. From 1871-73, he traveled to numerous places across East Asia collecting art, including five months in China. At this time, the Qing Dynasty was in complete disarray — it had been defeated in various wars with Western colonial powers, and was still recovering from the Taiping Rebellion (1851-64) in which approximately 20-30 million people died.
This meant that Cernuschi was able to acquire incredible pieces of art at low prices, and during his time in China he built one of the most impressive private collections of Chinese paintings, ceramics and, especially, bronzes. His interest in religious art also led him to obtain a number of Daoist paintings. In particular, representations of Daoist immortals. Here are a couple pieces that particularly stood out:
Although there’s something unsavoury about an incredibly rich Westerner heading to East Asia and buying up treasures from war-torn countries, the collection itself is very special. It’s a bit like the Frick Collection in New York. It has the imprint of one persons’ mind and interests, and gives it a unique, personal feeling that is often missing in enormous national collections.
If you’re ever in Paris, I recommend visiting!
The Cultivation of Qi: Daoist Neigong Fundamentals
A comprehensive introduction to Daoist energetic practice. Learn two core methods to activate and fill the lower dantian, whilst clearing the channels of blockages.
If you are interested in learning authentic, Daoist neigong practice, this is for you!
These methods are rooted in the alchemical methods of the Wu-Liu 伍柳 school of Longmen 龍門 Daoism, whilst also being informed by the lineage of esoteric Chan Buddhism that I study within.
The course centres around learning two methods — a standing neigong that is practised for 20 minutes every morning, and a seated neigong that is practised for 20 minutes every evening.
These methods activate the lower dantian, begin filling it will vital energy and start clearing the channels of blockages. The result is increased health, emotional stability and energy levels. Aside from being valuable in their own right, these things are also prerequisites for effective and sustained meditative and contemplative practice.
Also included is a one hour private meeting in which we can check you are practising the methods correctly and that you understand the theory behind them.
Enrol here:
https://thenuwa.thinkific.com/courses/neigong-fundamentals
These methods have changed my life, and it’s a pleasure to be able to share them with you now as well.
道炁長存,
Oscar