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Harmony and Health

Harmony and Health. Rels 120 November 2013. D aoist Spirituality. Principles of Wu Chi and Wu Wei Wu Chi = emptiness; the nameless, formless void that is the source of all being; source of Yin and Yang Wu Wei = effortlessness

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Harmony and Health

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  1. Harmony and Health Rels 120 November 2013

  2. Daoist Spirituality Principles of Wu Chi andWu Wei • Wu Chi = emptiness; the nameless, formless void that is the source of all being; source of YinandYang • Wu Wei = effortlessness • Cannot be understood by the intellect; cannot be achieved by effort Goal of Daoistspirituality = become one with the source of life; the Wu Chi Rels 120

  3. Center of Traditional Taoist Studies Grand Master Anatole was born in Moscow, Russia. From the age of 8, he studied with Master Lu Yang Tai, the "Enlightened One," a Taoist sage with genealogical lineage extending to the ancient origins of Taoism. Ordained at age 20, he fled Russia for the US and established the Taoist Center in Boston. According to a prophesy, he would be known as “He who brings true Tao to the West.” Master Anatole introduces the Temple of Original Simplicity, http://www.tao.org/temple.html Rels 120

  4. Taoist Temple of Original Simplicityhttp://www.tao.org/temple.html • Classes in Taoist philosophy according to Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching • Meditation to reduce the harmful effects of stress, improving the body's immune system, and quieting confusing thoughts • Chi Quongto build a healthy body, increase flexibility, and strengthen mind-body connection. • Prayer meditations for spiritual guidance • Traditional Taoist ceremonies for religious observances • Visual tour of the Temple (2ndclip), http://www.tao.org/temple.html Rels 120

  5. Martial Arts / Meditation Aikido: No weapons; “soft” martial art • Meditative exercise and movement • Breathing is central • Promote movement of life energy (Qi or Ki) through body • Goal of union of mind/body/Qi Qi Gong: has both active and contemplative/ meditative forms • Experience of inner and outer light, peace Rels 120

  6. Martial skills in Kung Fu & Qi Gong Monks of the Shaolin Temple • Young Shaolin Monks training in the Shaolin Temple. • view here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDCmizKTXUI Rels 120

  7. Seeking Immortality Among religious traditions, the Taoist goal of spirit/mind/body immortality is unique. Julia Ching: “Death is to be regarded as a change of residence: the ageing body is like a house with rotten walls, and must be exchanged for a better one” in the “gradual process toward union with the mystical Tao.” The whole person survives death, therefore preserving the body through preserving health is also a spiritual goal. Rels 120

  8. Elixir of Life For centuries, Chinese Taoists performed alchemical experiments designed to increase longevity and seek immortality. Ironically, many died from the elixirs which contained mercury, lead, and other toxins. The spiritual quest of Taoism provides the fundamental world view for traditional Chinese medicine The harmony and balance sought involves body, mind and spirit. Rels 120

  9. Doctrine of theThree Life Principles In Daoist thought, eternal life refers to survival of the whole person (including the body) beyond death. 3 life principles = breath (qi), vital essence (jing) &spirit (shen) • All 3 are present within the human being (as microcosm) and within the cosmos (as macrocosm). • Each person cultivates his/her own health and life, aiming for a holistic balance of the 3 life principles. Rels 120

  10. The 5 methods ofcultivating health • Cure the spirit • Nourish the body • Poisons and medicines • Acupuncture and moxibustion • Examine and treat the intestines, viscera, blood, and breath (vigour) Rels 120

  11. 1. Cure the Spirit – Cultivating Virtue Meditation: • Empty the mind - promote yinemptiness / nothingness) • Visualization of energy (qi)as light and conducting the energy though the 3 cinnabar fields (the head, the chest and the abdomen) • Drive evil spirits out of the body • Seek spiritual illumination and wisdom • Seek the “True Self” within to achieve greater balance and learn to live in harmony with one’s internal and external environment (with nature) Rels 120

  12. Nourish the body / preserve health through prevention • Live in harmony with the seasons • Eat a balanced diet (foods are categorized as yinoryang) • Eat only natural foods – NOT processed foods, foods with additives, or foods with little nutritional value • Eat fresh, seasonal produce; dried fruit, seeds and nuts; tofu and soy • Avoid dairy products, red meat; fried foods • Avoid tropical fruits; caffeine; strong spices • Exercise the body – Qi Gongis both body exercise and meditation Rels 120

  13. 3. Herbal Medicines • Whole herbs used; infused in water or mixed and supplied in pill form (plants; minerals; animal parts) • Herbs have 4 basic properties: • Nature (cooling, moistening, or relaxing) • Taste (sour, bitter, sweet or bland, spicy, salty) • Affinity (for particular organ meridian) • Primary action(move, restrain, purge, strengthen) • Supplement diet, strengthen against disease, promote health • “blood cleansers” – diuretics, cleansers; rid body of toxins • Strengthen digestion, elimination, circulation Rels 120

  14. 4. Acupuncture,massage, moxibustion • Stimulate flow of qi(push and pull qi) through body / spirit meridians or channels • Trigger points are stimulated by needles, heat, pressure or external qi • Clear stagnant qi; free qiblockages • Energize the body; increase qi • Reduce painsensations • Rid body of pathogenicelements and toxins Rels 120

  15. 5. Examining Organs, Qi, and Blood • Qiand blood nourish the body • Qicirculates the blood through the body; blood is “the mother” of Qi • When both Qiand blood are abundant and flowing well, the body is well • Internal organs produce, circulate and store Qi The Yinorgans are the heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys and liver = Zangorgans The Yangorgans are the large and small intestines, stomach, gall bladder and urinary bladder = Fu organs Rels 120

  16. Roots and Branches • The Root = the fundamental cause of symptoms and illnesses; • What is out of balance? • Why is the body’s resistance to pathogenic factors low? • The Branches = the nature of the illness and its symptoms • What pathogenic factors are involved? • What secondary symptoms are present? Rels 120

  17. Qi (vital energy) • Flows through the body by way of channels (or meridians) promoting energy and balance • Qiprovides the link between the body, mind and spirit • Health – Qi flows freely; yin and yang are balanced • Illness – Qiis blocked, stagnant or deficient; yin and yangare out of balance Rels 120

  18. Qi Gongand Well-being • Daoist 5 Element Qi Gong • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSG1nzbvQ0A • Standing Qi Gong, • Try the following guided introduction to standing Qi Gong • http://www.energyarts.com/blog/bruce-frantzis/building-your-qi-standing-qigong Rels 120

  19. Spiritual goals of Qi Gong • Gain calmness and equanimity • Seek eternal nature of all being and of one’s own being • Seek immortality; long life, health, balance • Qi Gong should be “effortless effort” • Enter the “Portal to Presence”; awareness of the eternal and pervading presence, of Qi • Seek a natural state of being that is in harmony with the source of all life Rels 120

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