Harmonizing Yin and Yang (Paperback)

by Eva Wong (Author) "The chamber of the spirit is patterned after ch'ien (sky) and k'un (earth)..." (more)
Key Phrases: numinous mercury, lower crucible, primordial vapor, Central Palace, Great Elixir, Green Dragon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Wong's translation is accessible and her scholarship sparkling in this illuminating edition of a Chinese Taoist classic."— Publishers Weekly

Product Description
Written in ancient times by an unknown author and published during the 15th century, this classic is regarded by contemporary Taoist practitioners as the most complete guide to spiritual transformation. An extensive introduction by the translator and the inclusion of two commentaries by traditional Chinese authors aid the reader in understanding the concise, symbolic text.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (August 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570623066
• ISBN-13: 978-1570623066
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #269,292 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book on the subject, but the subject is veiled, December 16, 2008

By	Inayat2012 youtube (USA) - See all my reviews

Books on Taoist Alchemy are very hit and miss. You have the secret teachings of the interactions of fire and water, lead, mercury, and cinnabar being fired in the cauldron. These are all understood to be metaphors for internal interactions with yin and yang energies. In conveying what is in the text of the Dragon-Tiger Classic this book does a really good job.

However this entire area of study is almost like a trick. Because no one can tell you about Dragon and Tiger unless you start doing Tai Chi or Chi Gung and experience these archetypes for yourself. The thought of someone trying to memorize these texts or trying to order their life around the right moon days or hours to congel the next set of energies is a frightening form of giving your power away to a set formula regardless of how noble the intentions of the originators. Chi is something you have to experience. And sometimes you have to wonder whether the Taoist masters who created these complex tomes were just smiling because they wanted you to be able to look past this stuff and get back into your own experience. Something akin to a Taoist/Zen koan. A kind of false shell that you had to overcome in order to really get into the depths of the experience.