Tao Te Ching #66

Tao Te Ching. - Chapter 66 emphasizes the importance of humility in our practice. It reminds us that when we hold our thoughts with arrogance or conceit, our minds become susceptible to straying from the path of true cultivation. Therefore, a Taoist strives to maintain a tranquil and uncluttered mind, refraining from comparisons and unhealthy competitions Hope these profound teachings can empower us on our spiritual journey.

Tao Te Ching #66

All rivers flow to the sea

because it lies beneath them.

Humility empowers.

To govern people,

a master positions herself lower than them.

To lead the people,

She must follow them.

The Master is above the people,

yet none feel oppressed.

She walks in front of people,

yet none feel obstructed.

The world delightfully supports her,

for she competes with no one,

and none can compete with her.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Autumn Wellness

Ancient wisdom emphasizes the significance of balancing our energy throughout the seasons. In spring and summer, it's the best to nurture our yang energy/Qi, representing vitality, warmth, and an outward disposition. As autumn and winter approach, focus on nurturing our yin energy/Qi, which embodies calmness, a feeling of ease, and fluidity. Autumn is the best season to heal lung conditions and grief related issues.

Autumn winds can create a desolate atmosphere in nature, leading to pessimistic and melancholic feelings. Therefore, people shall pay special attention to mental health. Engaging in healthy and recreational activities such as playing musical instruments, Qigong, calligraphy, painting, gardening, hiking in the woods or bird watching can help uplift the spirit.

1. Maintain emotional tranquility: First and foremost, keep your inner self calm and your mood cheerful. Share and release any sadness or grief proactively during the season change of autumn. At the same time, cultivate a peaceful and serene mindset, allowing your energy to flow.

2. Establish a regular daily routine: In autumn, it's advisable to go to bed and wake up early. Going to bed early aligns with the contracting nature of yang energy, while waking up early allows your lung energy to expand. Avoid prolonged periods of lying in bed, as it can deplete your vital energy.

3. Health maintenance considerations: Prevent excessive physical exertion, which can deplete yin fluids. Consume nourishing foods that replenish yin, such as Yin Er and red dates, lily and Goji berry, honey and walnuts, cornmeal, Asian pears and sweet potatoes.

Regarding your diet, try to minimize spicy foods like onions and ginger and include more sour fruits and vegetables to support liver health, such as sesame, honey, pineapples, and probiotic products, which are gentle on the stomach. Cooking porridge with lotus seeds, coix seeds, and dried lily can help cool down heat and moisten dryness. Other herbs are gentle and nourishing such as : Shan Yao, Mai dong, prince Ginsen etc.

May you have a happy autumn season!

For more information, please contact support@TaoistLightQigong.com

Taoist Qing Cheng Mountain

On July 8, 2023, we embarked on an unforgettable journey to climb the renowned Taoist Mountain, Qing Cheng Mountain.

For years, I had been fascinated by the ancient stone path that meandered through a lush green forest, adorned with hidden Taoist temples. Finally, we decided to make the trip, taking a high-speed bullet train from my hometown of Xi'an to Chengdu, covering the distance at an exhilarating 230 miles per hour.

Opting for the old original path allowed us to experience a more secluded trek, where the presence of fewer people was overshadowed by the breathtaking beauty of nature. However, it wasn't without challenges as my sons, who had been working with their peers in America until 3 am due to the time difference, were quite exhausted when I called them to rise around 6 am for our grand hiking adventure.

As we passed through the gate into the mountain, we immediately felt the temperature drop by 8 degrees, signifying the transition from two contrasting worlds. Surprisingly, instead of feeling drained, we found ourselves gaining more energy as we ascended towards the Taoist temples. By 7 pm in the afternoon, the boys were bounding up the steps, leaping five at a time!

During our ascent, I caught sight of an elder Taoist monk seemingly floating down the path as he walked with such effortless grace, resembling a figure from a martial arts novel. His hair and beard were as white as a crane's feathers, yet his face held the serenity of a newborn baby.

Taoists have inhabited these mountains for generations, leading a simple life disconnected from modern amenities like cell phones and Wi-Fi. When we had lunch atop the mountain, my boys couldn't help but remark on the delightful taste of the meal. It consisted of humble zucchini and tomatoes, which had absorbed and thrived on the nourishing energy of nature and the Taoist light.

The experience of climbing Qin Cheng Mountain and immersing ourselves in the profound simplicity of the Taoist way of life left an indelible mark on our spirits, reminding us of the timeless wisdom that can be still found.

We sincerely hope that you will join us for these upcoming sessions. We look forward to your participation and seeing you soon.

* Taoist Light Qigong Level I for Beginners/New Trainees:
For those who are new to Taoist Light Qigong, we are offering a new series of Level I training sessions on September 5, 12, 19, and 26, every Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

*Thursday Group Practice Sessions:
Our Thursday group practice sessions will take place on the following dates: 

June 15, June 22 (Guided by Chiyan)

June 29, July 6, and July 13 (Guided by Rhonda Richey)

* Sunday Group Practices:
There will be no group practices held on June 18 and July 2. However, we will resume our Sunday group practice on July 16, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The session will be conducted both in person and on Zoom, subject to a sufficient number of participants.

* I-Ching Qigong Training:
We are excited to announce the upcoming I-Ching Qigong training, which is the level II training following the Taoist Light Qigong level I five sections. The training sessions will be held on September 2, September 16, and September 23, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays. The total cost for the training will be $380.

* Advanced One-Year Training Program:
In addition, we are introducing an advanced one-year training program exclusively for individuals who have completed the Taoist Light Qigong training. This program will consist of 50 weekly in-person meetings. The starting dates for this training are yet to be determined, and we will provide further updates in due course.

Who is responsible for our health and well-being?

When one is under the stress of one or more chronic health conditions, one inevitably feels fear, worry, and even desperation, in addition to spending time/energy on constant doctor visits and procedures.

But who can really heal you, the complete you? The answer is yourself.

Yes, you may feel vulnerable and depleted after many struggles to get well, but you can take responsibility for your own health and so regain health, joy, and inner-peace.

A question often heard goes like this: “I have been on good diet and exercise, go to sauna... why I am still not well?”

What about your thoughts, emotions, and most important your Qi/energy which is the connector for your body, emotions, mind, and spirit. When Qi is stuck somewhere, things just cannot flow well anymore.

Taoist Light Qigong is an ancient, authentic, and powerful light form of practice to help people heal themselves, so as to bring the life-force and the light of hope back to one's life. It also makes affinities with the right student who can respectfully carry on this practice for the benefit of self and others.

A student who is sincere, committed, open-minded, heart-centered, humble, and transparent in nature can obtain the true essence of Taoist Light Qigong, and with daily practice with good self-discipline, the results will show. It is satisfying to see how after your joyful practice, the list of the health issues can be crossed off one by one, so that ultimate health can be restored.

Taoist Light Qigong not only helps people to heal themselves and find inner peace and joy; it further helps people to live a free-flowing life with less and less obstacles, because you have merged into the WAY of Life.

New Taoist Light Qigong training is starting soon.

For details:

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Tao Te Ching - 49

The master is not fixed in his mind,

He is open to others' minds:

He treats the kind with kindness,

He treats the unkind with kindness;

Thus kindness is attained.

He trusts the trustworthy,

He trusts the untrustworthy;

Thus trustworthiness is attained.

The world is complex,

He keeps his mind simple.

Most people are absorbed in what they hear and see,

But the master keeps his mind pure.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by R.Smitheram and Noah Wang

Tao Te Ching – 60

Governing a large country

is like frying a small fish.

When the Tao is centered in the world,

Dark force will lose its power;

Not just lose its power,

Dark force cannot harm people;

Not just dark force cannot harm people,

Saints would not harm people.

Since both will not cause harm,

People can return to virtue.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by Robert Smitheram

Tao Te Ching - 59

When leading people and serving the world;

Nothing exceeds moderation.

Moderation means being in alignment with the Tao;

Alignment with the Tao means building up virtue.

Building up virtue leads to a universal competence;

With universal competence one cannot be limited;

Not being limited means one can rule the country.

Being like a mother to the country enables one to last long.

This is known as having deep roots and a solid base,

Which is the Way to long life and lasting existence.

Translated by Chiyan Wang, edited by Robert Smitheram