Tao Te Ching -62

Is anything in the world more precious than wealth and status? The Tao is.
The Tao is a treasure for the good and a refuge for those who have lost their way. Sincere seekers can find the path, and those who have lost but are willing to change can return to the Tao.
Therefore, the Tao is the most precious treasure of all.

Tao Te Ching – 62*

The Tao is the source of the universe:

The treasure of the good,

The refuge for the bad.

Kind words bring honor,

Good deeds earn respect.

Even if a person is bad,

There is no need to abandon him.

The emperor is honored as “the son of heaven”:

Installed with the three high ranks of officials,

And presented with offerings of jade and horses.

But this cannot compare with offering the Tao!

Why have the ancient masters esteemed the Tao?

Is it not because that with the Tao:

Seekers will find, and offenders are forgiven?

Therefore, the Tao is the world’s greatest treasure.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited by Robert H. Smitheram

& Noah Wang

Gong De (功德): The foundation of Taoist Light Qigong Practice

Many people begin practicing Qigong to improve their health, reduce stress, or increase vitality. While these are valuable benefits, the classical Taoist tradition teaches that the true foundation of Qigong is Gong De (功德)—merit and virtue, the cultivation of goodness, wisdom, and higher spiritual qualities.

Without Gong De, Qigong is simply a series of movements. With Gong De, it becomes a genuine path of self-cultivation.

What Is Gong De?

Gong De consists of two inseparable aspects:

功 (Gong) is the sincere and consistent effort of cultivation—transforming ourselves by reducing selfishness and excessive desires while developing compassion, patience, humility, and wisdom.

德 (De) is the virtue that naturally grows from this effort. It is reflected in the way we think, speak, and act—with integrity, kindness, honesty, and a genuine desire to benefit others.

As the Tao Te Ching says:

"Superior virtue is not conscious of itself as virtue; therefore it truly possesses virtue."

— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 38

True merit is not gained by seeking recognition or reward. It naturally develops as our hearts become increasingly aligned with the Tao.

Qigong Is More Than Technique

Many people focus on learning breathing methods, movements, or meditation techniques. While these are important, they are only one part of authentic cultivation.

The quality of our Qi reflects the quality of our heart.

As we cultivate sincerity, compassion, humility, gratitude, and integrity, our Qi naturally becomes clearer, stronger, and more harmonious. Character and energy develop together.

Sincerity and Consistency

One of the greatest keys to Qigong practice is not intensity—it is consistency.

Authentic cultivation requires patience. A sincere daily practice is far more beneficial than practicing intensely for a few days and then stopping.

Progress comes from showing up each day with an open heart. Over time, the body relaxes, the mind becomes quieter, and the Qi develops naturally.

The Taoist Light Qigong Perspective

At Taoist Light Qigong, we believe that healing begins with cultivating goodness. The movements are important, but they are only one part of the practice. Our thoughts, emotions, intentions, and daily actions all influence the quality of our Qi.

Each day, we can simply ask ourselves:

• Am I practicing with sincerity?

• Am I becoming more compassionate and wiser?

• Am I living with greater humility?

• Am I bringing more clarity and peace to myself and others?

The ultimate purpose of Qigong is not merely to improve health—it is to become a better human being. As we cultivate Gong De through sincere and consistent practice, we naturally return to greater harmony with the Tao. Health, inner peace, vitality, and wisdom become the natural fruits of that journey.

Tao Te Ching – 61*

A great nation is like the valley where all rivers flow—

the meeting place of heaven and earth,

the feminine heart of the world.

The feminine overcomes the masculine through stillness.

By remaining quiet and humble,

it naturally takes the lower place.

Therefore, when a great nation humbles itself before a smaller one,

it wins the smaller nation's trust.

When a small nation humbles itself before a greater one,

it receives the greater nation's protection.

Some humble themselves to unite with others;

others humble themselves to be embraced by others.

A great nation seeks only to embrace and nurture all people;

a small nation seeks only to belong and live in peace.

When each fulfills its true purpose,

the greater should choose the lower place.

This chapter offers one of Lao Tzu's clearest teachings on leadership through humility. It reveals the feminine qualities of stillness, receptivity, and gentleness not as signs of weakness, but as the highest expression of true strength. Genuine greatness does not seek to dominate. It serves, embraces, and willingly places itself beneath others—just as the ocean becomes the mother of a hundred rivers because it lies below them all.

Yin-Yang Balance

Introduction

Yin–Yang Balance is a foundational concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), rooted in the I-Ching(Book of Changes) and Taoist philosophy.

Yin and Yang are not physical substances. Rather, they describe the dynamic relationships of opposition, interdependence, and transformation that exist in nature and within the human body.

The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) states:

“Yin and Yang are the Way of Heaven and Earth, the fundamental principle of all things, the source of change, and the basis of life and death.”

What Is Yin–Yang Balance?

Yin–Yang balance does not simply mean having equal amounts of Yin and Yang. Instead, it refers to a state of dynamic harmony in which Yin and Yang continuously adjust according to time, environment, and individual conditions.

For example:

• During the day, Yang energy predominates, supporting activity and work.

• At night, Yin energy increases, supporting rest and sleep.

When this natural rhythm is disrupted—such as fatigue and lethargy during the day (Yang deficiency) or insomnia and overstimulation at night (Yang failing to return to Yin)—imbalance occurs.

Health as “Yin in Balance, Yang Well-Regulated”

One of the most important statements in the Suwen (Basic Questions) is:

“When Yin is balanced and Yang is properly regulated, the spirit remains healthy.”

Here, “regulated” means stable, coordinated, and properly contained.

For example, abnormal bleeding may indicate that Yang Qi is too weak to contain and regulate Blood within the vessels.

In a healthy body:

• Yin nourishes, moistens, cools, and provides the material foundation of life.

• Yang warms, activates, transforms, and drives physiological functions.

When Yin and Yang support and regulate each other appropriately, physical health and mental well-being are maintained.

Sleep

At night, Yang naturally returns inward and is housed within Yin.

When this process occurs smoothly:

• Falling asleep is easy

• Sleep is deep and restorative

When Yang fails to enter Yin:

• Insomnia

• Frequent dreaming

• Restless sleep

• Frequent waking

may occur.

Body Temperature Regulation

Under normal conditions:

• Yang provides warmth.

• Yin fluids prevent excessive heat.

When balanced, the body is neither overly cold nor excessively hot.

Common imbalances include:

• Yang Deficiency: sensitivity to cold, cold extremities

• Yin Deficiency: internal heat, night sweats, restlessness

The Four Fundamental Patterns of Yin–Yang Imbalance

1. Yang Deficiency (Yang Xu)

Yang energy is insufficient to warm and activate the body.

Common Symptoms

• Feeling cold

• Cold hands and feet

• Fatigue and low energy

• Pale complexion

• Loose stools

More severe cases may include:

• Edema

• Marked weakness

Treatment Principle

Warm and strengthen Yang.

Common Approaches

• Regular Qigong practice and movement

• Moderate sun exposure

• Warming foods and herbal tonics, such as:

  • Lamb, beef, and chicken

  • Black beans and walnuts

  • Ginger

  • Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui)

  • Eucommia bark (Du Zhong)

  • Astragalus (Huang Qi)

2. Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu)

Yin fluids are insufficient to nourish and cool the body.

Common Symptoms

• Dry mouth and throat

• Night sweats

• Insomnia

• Irritability or restlessness

• Warm palms and soles

• Red tongue with little coating

Treatment Principle

Nourish Yin and replenish body fluids.

Common Approaches

Yin-nourishing foods and herbs, such as:

• Duck, fish, and eggs

• Asian pears, apples, mulberries, and pomegranates

• Chinese yam (Shan Yao)

• Lotus root

• Black sesame seeds

• Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi)

• Ophiopogon root (Mai Men Dong)

• Lily bulbs (Bai He)

• Dendrobium (Shi Hu)

Lifestyle recommendations:

• Adequate sleep

• A short rest or nap between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

• Avoiding overwork and excessive depletion

3. Yang Excess (Excess Heat)

Yang heat becomes excessive and generates internal fire.

Common Symptoms

• High fever

• Mouth sores

• Nosebleeds

• Red eyes

• Irritability

• Red face

• Excessive thirst

• Constipation

Treatment Principle

Clear heat and reduce excess fire.

Common Approaches

Cooling foods and herbs, including:

• Watermelon

• Bitter melon

• Celery

• Napa cabbage

• Kiwi fruit

• Persimmon

• Mung beans

• Cucumber

• Dandelion

• Tofu

• White fish

• Coptis root (Huang Lian)

• Chrysanthemum flower (Ju Hua)

• Gardenia (Zhi Zi)

• Scutellaria root (Huang Qin)

Supportive therapies:

• Gua Sha treatment

4. Yin Excess (Cold-Damp Excess)

Excess Yin manifests as coldness, stagnation, and damp accumulation, which may suppress the body's Yang energy.

Common Symptoms

• Aversion to cold

• Abdominal pain relieved by warmth

• Cold extremities

• Pale tongue with a white coating

• A sensation of heaviness in the body

• Loose stools or digestive sluggishness

Treatment Principle

Dispel cold, transform dampness, and restore Yang.

Common Approaches

• Ginger and red date tea

• Cinnamon tea

• Mugwort tea

• Moxibustion therapy

• Qigong to promote circulation

Yin–Yang Balance in Qigong Cultivation

From the perspective of Qigong, Taoist cultivation, and traditional wellness practices, Yin–Yang balance extends beyond simple concepts of hot and cold.

Traditionally:

• Jing (Essence) belongs to Yin.

• Qi (Vital Energy) belongs to Yang.

• Shen (Spirit) arises from the harmonious integration of Yin and Yang.

The goal of cultivation is to:

• Preserve Essence (Yin)

• Strengthen Qi (Yang)

• Calm and stabilize the Spirit (Shen)

Practical Methods

• Maintaining regular sleep patterns

• Engaging in regular Qigong practice

• Cultivating emotional/mental balance

• Following a balanced and appropriate diet

• Balancing activity with rest

• Living in harmony with natural cycles and seasonal changes

True health is the continual harmonization of their dynamic relationship.

Conclusion

The essence of health can be summarized by the famous statement:

“When Yin is balanced and Yang is properly regulated, the spirit remains healthy. When Yin and Yang separate, life itself comes to an end.”

Disease arises when Yin and Yang lose their dynamic harmony. Therefore, the ultimate aim of both treatment and self-cultivation is not merely symptom relief, but the restoration and maintenance of a balanced relationship between Yin and Yang.

This dynamic balance is regarded as the foundation of health, vitality, and longevity.

Harmonizing Qi and Blood

Modern medicine can measure blood through laboratory tests, but Qi cannot be directly detected by instruments such as “your Qi level is 75”. Yet when life comes to an end, blood may still remain in the body while the vital force has already dissipated. This illustrates an important principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Qi is the driving force for life, and Blood is the nourishment for life.

Traditional Chinese Medicine summarizes their relationship with the saying:

"Qi is the commander of Blood; Blood is the mother of Qi."

When the body is combating a virus or illness, Qi is like a commander leading the troops, while Blood is the food and supplies that sustain their work.

Qi governs movement, vitality, circulation, protection, and the proper functioning of the organs. Blood nourishes the organs, muscles, skin, and brain.

When Qi moves, Blood moves. When Blood is abundant, Qi is strengthened.

A person whose Qi and Blood are abundant and flowing smoothly will generally have:

Good energy and vitality

A healthy complexion

Sound, restorative sleep

Strong muscles and limbs

Healthy organ function

The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic (Huangdi Neijing) states:

"When healthy and vital Qi is preserved within, pathogenic factors cannot invade."

When Qi and Blood are balanced, illness has little opportunity to take hold. When they become depleted or stagnant, physical and emotional imbalances may arise.

Signs of Qi Deficiency

Common symptoms include:

Fatigue

shallow breath

Weak voice

Excessive sweating with little exertion

Low energy and lack of motivation

Qi is commonly depleted by:

Over work and Chronic stress

Excessive frustration or internal energy draining

Lack of sleep

Signs of Blood Deficiency

Common symptoms include:

Pale complexion

Dizziness

Heart palpitations

Insomnia

Dry eyes

Poor memory

Numbness in the limbs

Blood is commonly depleted by:

Poor nutrition

Excessive mental strain

Eye-strain

How to Nourish Qi

The key to building Qi is to strengthen digestion and calm the mind.

Practical methods include:

Eating regular, healthy and balanced meals

Consuming foods and herbs such as mountain yam, millet, lotus seeds, ginger, and astragalus, B-complex, and Vitamin D3 etc.

Using natural abdominal breathing

Practice Qigong and moderate exercise such as walking, dancing etc.

Maintaining emotional balance

Avoiding excessive worry and internal energy draining

As the ancient saying goes:

"To nourish Qi, first nourish the mind."

From a Qigong perspective:

Whatever repeatedly disturbs your mind eventually consumes your Qi; Whatever brings calm, clarity, and inner ease helps restore your Qi.

How to Nourish Blood

The key to building Blood is to support digestion, prioritize sleep, and avoid unnecessary depletion.

Practical methods include:

Eating a nutritious, balanced diet

Consuming foods and herbs such as black sesame seeds, mulberries, red dates, eggs, spinach and Dang Gui (Angelica root)

Prioritizing adequate sleep, avoiding late nights

Reducing excessive screen time and mental overwork

The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic states:

"When a person rests, Blood returns to the Liver."

For this reason, quality sleep (go to bed before 11pm) is one of the best ways to nourish Blood.

Conclusion

Qi provides movement; Blood provides nourishment.

True health is about conserving energy, nourishing the body, and keeping Qi and Blood flowing freely. When Qi and Blood are abundant and harmonious, the spirit is strong, sleep is peaceful, the complexion is radiant, and the body is naturally more resilient.

This is the meaning behind the ancient wisdom:

"When Qi and Blood are in harmony, illness does not arise."

Simple Tea Recipe for Building Qi and Blood

A simple tea to support Qi and Blood during both the winter and summer seasons:

3 slices of fresh ginger

5 red dates (pitted and sliced)

Place the ingredients in 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Strain out the ginger and red dates, and drink the tea warm in the morning.

You may prepare 3 cups at a time, store the remaining tea in the refrigerator, and drink it over three days, gently reheating before serving.

Note: This tea is not recommended when you have a cold, flu, fever, or other acute inflammatory condition. It should also be avoided during heavy menstrual flow, especially on the first and second days of menstruation.

This gentle tea helps warm the digestive system, support Qi, nourish Blood, and promote circulation. It is especially beneficial for those who tend to feel tired, heavy, cold or depleted.

Tao Te Ching - 60

To be aligned with the Tao means to live in harmony within oneself and with all beings. Thoughts that lead to actions based on fear—whether fear of being harmed or the impulse to harm others—are already harmful.

The best self-protection and sense of safety are alignment with the Tao—natural, harmonious, and without forcing. When one is aligned with the Tao, one cannot be harmed.

Tao Te Ching – 60
Governing a large country
is like frying a small fish.
When leadership is aligned with the Tao,
Dark spirits lose their power;
It is not that dark spirits cease to exist,
Rather, their power can no longer cause harm.
Not only do dark spirits not harm people,
The sage does not harm people either.
Since neither causes harm,
The people naturally return to virtue.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by Robert Smitheram

Tao Te Ching Chapter 60 Summary
A great nation should be governed with a gentle, non-intrusive approach, just as a small fish must be cooked carefully without excessive handling. When leaders follow the Tao rather than relying on force and control, harmful influences lose their power, people are not harmed, and virtue naturally flourishes. This chapter teaches that true leadership comes through wu wei (non-forcing), restraint, and harmony with the natural order.

Carl Jung on the Different Approaches of East and West

Carl Jung's interest in Taoism was not simply intellectual curiosity. He saw Taoism as a profound expression of psychological wisdom that could complement the strengths and limitations of Western culture.

Several Taoist ideas resonated deeply with him. First, the yin-yang principle reflected his belief that psychological health comes from integrating opposites rather than identifying with one side. Second, the Taoist concept of wu wei (effortless action) paralleled his view that we should work with, rather than dominate, the unconscious.

Carl Jung's Contrast Between Eastern and Western Approaches

Western Mentality

• Outward-directed

• Analytical

• Focused on external reality

• Technologically and scientifically oriented

Eastern Mentality

• Inward-directed

• Contemplative/ inner cultivation

• Focused on direct experience of consciousness itself

Jung believed that some modern Westerners have become psychologically unbalanced because of rationality while neglecting the inner life. He also cautioned that some Westerners approach Eastern spirituality as an escape from unresolved personal conflicts rather than as a path of genuine transformation. An integrated approach, in Jung's view, combines the strengths of both traditions: Western psychology helps individuals become mature, independent adults, while Eastern spiritual practices help them experience a larger wholeness beyond the ego. Together, they support both psychological maturity and spiritual realization.

What Is the Difference Between Lineage-Based Transmission Qigong and Exercise-Style Qigong?

Today the word “Qigong” is used to describe many different practices. Some people encounter Qigong as a gentle wellness exercise in a park or yoga studio, while others enter a traditional system of internal cultivation passed down through generations of teachers.

Taoist Light Qigong, lineage-based Qigong style and exercise-style Qigong are fundamentally different in purpose, structure, and transmission.

Understanding this distinction helps students choose the correct path for their goals and expectations.

Lineage-Based Transmission Qigong

Traditional lineage-based Qigong is not simply a collection of exercises. It is a structured internal training system transmitted directly from teacher to student within a living lineage.

In authentic lineage systems, training is sequential and permission-based. Students are guided step-by-step through foundations, internal development, and more advanced methods only when properly prepared.

The methods are transmitted directly through teacher-to-student instruction rather than learned casually from random classes, videos, or books. Because of this, the relationship between teacher and student is considered an essential part of the practice itself.

Practice also requires commitment, ethics, and preparation. Traditional systems often emphasize discipline, character development, consistency, and responsibility alongside energetic training.

Students are initiated into a living lineage, meaning they become part of a continuing tradition that has been preserved and transmitted through generations. The teachings are not viewed as interchangeable “techniques,” but as parts of an integrated cultivation system.

Progression depends on correct guidance and energetic development. Students do not simply collect methods or memorize movements. Each stage builds upon the previous one, and advancement depends on proper internal change and understanding.

For this reason, lineage-based Qigong is usually not offered as a casual drop-in activity.

Exercise-Style Qigong

These classes are often fitness-oriented and open-format, allowing people to attend casually without long-term commitment or formal progression.

In many cases, the training consists of a collection of techniques gathered from different systems and adapted for accessibility.

Exercise-style Qigong is commonly:

• exercise-oriented

• open-format

• mixed technique-based

• non-lineage

• designed for casual attendance

• can be mixed with other exercise- style of Qigong

Why the Difference Matters

Confusion arises when all forms of Qigong are presented as if they are the same.

A person looking for a casual wellness class may not be seeking the commitment required in traditional training. Likewise, a sincere student searching for authentic internal cultivation may become frustrated when encountering only exercise programs without transmission and deeper guidance.

Traditional lineage systems preserve methods carefully because they were designed as complete paths of development rather than isolated techniques.

For sincere students, lineage-based Qigong offers:

• direct guidance

• structured progression

• energetic transmission

• deeper internal cultivation

• preservation of traditional teachings

• can not be mixed with other lineage-based Qigong or other forms of energetic system

These powerful systems require dedication, but they also provide a coherent path of long-term development/transformation grounded in authentic transmission.

Not all Qigong is the same. Are you searching a path of internal cultivation requiring formal training, transmission, and committed practice? If you are looking for an authentic and effective self-healing practice as well as pursuit for deeper spiritual evolvement. Taoist Light Qigong is the way.