Equanimity, good health, peace of mind, and long life are the goals of the ancient Taoist tradition known as "internal alchemy," of which Cultivating Stillness is a key text. Written between the second and fifth centuries, the book is attributed to T'ai Shang Lao-chun—the legendary figure more widely known as Lao-Tzu, author of the Tao-te Ching . The accompanying commentary, written in the nineteenth century by Shui-ch'ing Tzu, explains the alchemical symbolism of the text and the methods for cultivating internal stillness of body and mind. A principal part of the Taoist canon for many centuries, Cultivating Stillness is still the first book studied by Taoist initiates today.
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese
Original Language: Chinese
About the Author
Eva Wong is an independent scholar and a practitioner of the Taoist arts of the Pre-Celestial Way and Complete Reality lineages. She has written and translated many books on Taoism and related topics, including A Master Course in Feng-Shui; Tales of the Taoist Immortals; The Tao of Health, Longevity, and Immortality; and The Shambhala Guide to Taoism.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Chinese "Secrets" Revealed - For Those Who Are Ready,
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This review is from: Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind (Paperback)
This book is based on an ancient Taoist text written by Lao Tzu. It is about changing oneself ... creating and maintaining internal harmony, despite external circumstances. Due to its esoteric nature, i.e., internal alchemy ... the author, a Chinese American, was guided by a Taoist master when learning from the original text. With this book, the author becomes our very own "master", as she guides us in understanding the path to "cultivating stillness." One gets a good description of the Chinese philosophy and underpinnings of the text via a wonderful explanation of the symbols ... we learn about the I Ching, the three treasures, the stove and the cauldron, microcosmic circulation, and cleansing all of which occur within the twelve terrestrial branches. We learn of the symbolism of "the Golden Raven, "the Jade Rabbit","the Golden Palace", "the North Sea", "the Winding River", and "the Southern Mountain." Using breath as the catalyst, the student will eventually experience the regeneration of personal energy into vital energy ... The state of "wang chi", the intermediate state between "wu chi" and "tai chi" is discussed. We learn, "wu chi" is the state of the Void, or Tao. We learn, "tai chi", is the state of differentiating yin and yang, when yin encompasses yang, and yang encompasses yin. On many levels this is a complex book. However, if the reader wants to learn Chinese philosophy, the accompanying symbolism, as well as how this knowledge can transform the human spirit this book is definitely the place to start. This is a poetry book, a book of free verse, filled with statements by Lao Tzu which precede each chapter. On another level, it is a depth psychology book for the reader who applies some of the techniques in learning about themselves. On yet a separate level, it is a history book about how the Chinese philosophers, primarily Lao Tzu, viewed mankind and the universe ... a place of energy and form, in an eternal dance ... and lastly, it is an artistic book, filled with wonderful explanations about Chinese ideagrams. Although it is a highly complex read, therefore not for everyone, it is a thoroughly enjoyable book for those who are patience and interested in experiencing a unique culture and understanding its viewpoint. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hardcore internal alchemy book that must be meditated on,
By A Customer
This review is from: Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind (Paperback)
I got this book a year ago, and read it very intensely. It was completely abstract to me and I had a difficult time understanding the meaning of the text. Then I reread the introduction and that helped me understand some of the meaning behind the symbolism. After applying the principles to my life, I saw the influence of harmonizing with the Dao (Tao) as it manifested to me. All these experiences were wonderful and uplifting, but it was not until I had been reading other texts and had almost completely forgotten about the book that I had the revelation of internal alchemy and what the book was actually talking about. This book speaks on so many different levels: it is a serious read. If you are interested in spiritual elevation, internal cultivation, and enlightenment of the mind then this book shows a path that can be followed, but it is only through inner discipline that a transformation is acheived. Be humble and wise: life is one big road with a lot of signs... Make up your mind to face reality all the time.
46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book can help you find The Mystery within yourself,
By A Customer
This review is from: Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind (Paperback)
Eva Wong's translation of the Ch'ing-Ching Ching has been a constant source of elucidation to me. The text is full of traditional Daoist metaphors, but a dedicated student can burn through these with sincere effort. For the most serious practitioner, the plates in Mandarin Kaishu reveal even more than the English text - a virtual roadmap to the Way of the Sages. This is not a quick read at the beach...it is a resource that will grow more meaningful as your practice deepens. Or, maybe it is most useful at the beach...watching the action of the waves, sitting and forgetting, entering stillness...If you're serious about living a gentle life in a gentle world, make "Cultivating Stillness" a part of your living library. LISTEN to the meaning as you read the words. LOOK at the diagrams and plates. FEEL the movement of your original nature at this time. BE Wu-Chi. UNDERSTAND Wu-Wei. Use this book and FIND the Gate to Stillness.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The sage symbolizes the goodness inherent in all sentient beings. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ancient yang, hai hour, jen meridian, five vapors, immortal fetus, nine worms, yin component, internal alchemy, yang component, golden pill, generative energy, ancient yin, illustrated commentary, pure yang, seven emotions, cultivate yourself, six spirits, yang fire, true emptiness, enlightened teacher, possessive love, original nature Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Earlier Heaven, Later Heaven, Mysterious Gate, Translator's Notes, Twelve Terrestrial Branches, Sea of Ch'i, Three Treasures, Ten Celestial Stems, North Sea, Microcosmic Orbit, Most Pure, Immortal Lii, Ling-pao T'ien, Tao-te T'ien, Yellow Palace New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The sage symbolizes the goodness inherent in all sentient beings. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ancient yang, hai hour, jen meridian, five vapors, immortal fetus, nine worms, yin component, internal alchemy, yang component, golden pill, generative energy, ancient yin, illustrated commentary, pure yang, seven emotions, cultivate yourself, six spirits, yang fire, true emptiness, enlightened teacher, possessive love, original nature Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Earlier Heaven, Later Heaven, Mysterious Gate, Translator's Notes, Twelve Terrestrial Branches, Sea of Ch'i, Three Treasures, Ten Celestial Stems, North Sea, Microcosmic Orbit, Most Pure, Immortal Lii, Ling-pao T'ien, Tao-te T'ien, Yellow Palace New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
18
books
cite this book:
See all 18 books citing this book
- Taoist I Ching by Thomas Cleary in Front Matter
- Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China by Eva Wong in Back Cover
- Men's Health: A Guide to Staying Young by Men's Health Books in Back Matter
- Sand, Water, Silence - The Embodiment of Spirit: Explorations in Matter and Psyche by Mary Jane Markell on page 32, and Back Matter
- tao te ching: Liber Clvii: The Equinox (Vol. 3, No. 8) (Equinox, V. 3, No. 8) by Aleister Crowley in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Western Seeker, Eastern Paths: Exploring Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism & Tantra by David Pond on page 166
- Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Wisdom Through the Ages by Mary Ford-Grabowsky on page 302
- Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China by Eva Wong in Back Matter
See all 18 books citing this book
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