Thank you Oscar. Strong resonance with my actual own state of cultivation and reflexion on the daoist path after 4 decades of wandering. I would add what do me need to release? The small self is a good start...that opens the gate to the highest purity in the long term. it requires commitment and full faith but once the process as started you just need to let go of the stale to take the fresh wind of Life. So close, so far away! 慈悲
Oscar I have another question about the different types of Taoist cultivation. I have read that some schools of Taoism consider internal alchemy and the pursuit of immortality to be the ultimate goal in Taoism. But your post says that it does not cause release and just supports practices that do. I read that to say that practices that cause release are the ultimate goal. My revered 92 year old qigong master, Yong Zhou, doesn’t practice internal alchemy and I’ve been puzzled by all this. One method of meditation he has taught is the “Fire/ Water methods. Do you think they cause release?
Tim, when I used the term ‘alchemical practice’ in this article I was referring only to energetic practice. However, many systems of internal alchemy also include methods of meditation that generate release. For this reason, many practitioners of internal alchemy see their systems as covering the full spectrum of Daoist inner cultivation and being able to achieve its highest aims.
I don’t know your master’s method, but most fire and water qigong involves the cultivation of qi within the heart and kidney regions. They’re therefore based on doing, rather than release. I hope this is helpful!
Oscar thank you for your responses to my questions! I a little wary of posting questions publicly because I am such a slow learner about Daoism and qigong. But I love learning, albeit slowly, and I hope my questions aren’t too rudimentary. Your response is helpful indeed!
Hi Tim, you're welcome and thank you for the interesting question! The basic reason is that the release process is transformative. The body and mind are restructured and rebuilt, which requires energy. If we don't have the energy, then the processes simply won't happen.
Thank you Oscar. Strong resonance with my actual own state of cultivation and reflexion on the daoist path after 4 decades of wandering. I would add what do me need to release? The small self is a good start...that opens the gate to the highest purity in the long term. it requires commitment and full faith but once the process as started you just need to let go of the stale to take the fresh wind of Life. So close, so far away! 慈悲
I'm glad it resonated with you Mo, and thank you for sharing your own experience! 慈悲
Oscar I have another question about the different types of Taoist cultivation. I have read that some schools of Taoism consider internal alchemy and the pursuit of immortality to be the ultimate goal in Taoism. But your post says that it does not cause release and just supports practices that do. I read that to say that practices that cause release are the ultimate goal. My revered 92 year old qigong master, Yong Zhou, doesn’t practice internal alchemy and I’ve been puzzled by all this. One method of meditation he has taught is the “Fire/ Water methods. Do you think they cause release?
I’m very grateful for your help and kindness!
Tim Kay
Tim, when I used the term ‘alchemical practice’ in this article I was referring only to energetic practice. However, many systems of internal alchemy also include methods of meditation that generate release. For this reason, many practitioners of internal alchemy see their systems as covering the full spectrum of Daoist inner cultivation and being able to achieve its highest aims.
I don’t know your master’s method, but most fire and water qigong involves the cultivation of qi within the heart and kidney regions. They’re therefore based on doing, rather than release. I hope this is helpful!
Oscar thank you for your responses to my questions! I a little wary of posting questions publicly because I am such a slow learner about Daoism and qigong. But I love learning, albeit slowly, and I hope my questions aren’t too rudimentary. Your response is helpful indeed!
Tim Kay
Thank for your excellent newsletter sir! Could you please explain why the release process requires “vast amounts of energy “?
Hi Tim, you're welcome and thank you for the interesting question! The basic reason is that the release process is transformative. The body and mind are restructured and rebuilt, which requires energy. If we don't have the energy, then the processes simply won't happen.