The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic: The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality [Paperback]

Stuart Alve Olson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2003

The first English translation with commentary of three classic Taoist texts on immortality

• Translates The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic, The Immortals, and The Three Treasures of Immortality

• Defines the Taoist concept of immortality and examines the lives and practices of Taoists who achieved this state

• Reveals the steps needed to achieve immortality in our modern society

Taoist mystics claim that it is possible to achieve immortality: “Within each of us dwells the medicine to cure the affliction of mortality.” Now Western readers can access the wisdom of Taoist masters on the subject of immortality through the first English translations of three classic Taoist treatises: The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic; The Immortals, from the Pao P’u Tzu by Ko Hung of the Sung Dynasty; and The Three Treasures of Immortality, from the Dragon Gate Sect.

The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic teaches that one can attain immortality through the cultivation of the three treasures of Taoism: ching (sexual and physical energy), qi (breath and vital energy), and shen (spirit and mental energy). Chinese history is sprinkled with accounts of individuals who applied the lessons of the Jade Emperor and lived up to 200 years. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Taoism, martial arts, and Chinese history and culture, Stuart Alve Olson accompanies his translations with informative commentary that explains the historical context of the texts as well as demonstrates the practical applications of their teachings in contemporary life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Contains very good explanations of and information on Chinese Taoist concepts, principles, practices, and goals. It also provides useful tips for everyday health and pointers for accessing the mysteries of mysticism. Readers will be inspired to begin or renew their commitments for cultivating a fuller life.”
(Master Mantak Chia, author of Taoist Cosmic Healing )

". . . this is an excellent book, well conceived to introduce Americans and other Westerners to some of the most difficult and obscure aspects of the Taoist imagination and consciousness."
(Reg Little, New Dawn, Nov/Dec 2007

)

From the Back Cover

TAOISM / QIGONG

“Contains very good explanations of and information on Chinese Taoist concepts, principles, practices, and goals. It also provides useful tips for everyday health and pointers for accessing the mysteries of mysticism. Readers will be inspired to begin or renew their commitments for cultivating a fuller life.”
Master Mantak Chia, author of Taoist Cosmic Healing

Taoist principles state that we each possess within ourselves the medicine necessary to promote optimum health, prolong life, and even achieve immortality. Taoists view illness and death as the natural results of dissipating the Three Treasures--ching (sexual and physical energy), qi (breath and vital energy), and shen (spirit and mental energy). The secret science of restoring, gathering, and transforming these primal energies creates an internal Elixir of Immortality that reverses the effects of the aging process.

In The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic, Stuart Alve Olson presents new translations of three primary Taoist texts: “The Immortals,” from the Pao P’u Tzu by Ko Hung of the Sung dynasty--the first Taoist in ancient China to give a full personal account of his search for immortality; the first and only translation of the complete text of The Jade Emperor’s Mind Seal Classic, which has long been one of five important scriptures recited daily by Taoists of the Dragon Gate Sect; and a rare Dragon Gate treatise, “The Three Treasures of Immortality,” that defines the subjects of ching, qi, and shen. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Taoism, martial arts, and Chinese history and culture, the author accompanies his translations with extensive commentary that explains the historical context of the texts as well as demonstrates the practical applications of their teachings in contemporary life.

STUART ALVE OLSON has been a practicing Taoist for over thirty years and has studied with the famous Taoist master T. T. Liang (1900–2002). He lectures throughout the world and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; Revised & enlarged edition (December 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892811358
• ISBN-13: 978-0892811359
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stuart is a sectarian Daoist teacher, translator, and writer on Chinese philosophy, health, and internal arts. He has studied and practiced Daoism and Chinese Buddhism for more than 40 years. In 2006, he helped form Valley Spirit Arts to present his books and DVDs, and is the head teacher at the Sanctuary of Dao in Phoenix, Arizona, where he focuses on translating various Daoist texts, conducting lectures, leading retreats, and teaching.

Stuart has published 15 books, many of which now appear in several foreign-language editions.

Stuart has performed numerous book signings, appeared on many TV and radio talk shows throughout the United States, written several articles for martial art and Daoist magazines, and has taught Daoism and Tai Ji Quan in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada, and Italy.

In 2005, he traveled to Britain to appear in the Tai Ji documentary film "Embracing the Tiger." His works on Tai Ji Quan and Daoism have been well received within both communities.

You can email him at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro, July 23, 2005

By 

Sun Heart (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic: The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality (Paperback)

A very handy little book covering the base concepts of taoist longevety. Not a total guide so much as an introduction to the various methods. Along with the translated classics the authors personal stories are fun and interesting. Some parts the authors background in Buhddism shows but its hardly intrusive.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advice from a modern Taoist Sage, November 9, 2007

By 

James G. Snyder "taiji dreamer" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic: The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book written by an author with both a scholar's understanding of the origins these Taoists classics and a practitioner's insight that these are living growing Taos (paths), not meant to be slavishly copied. I especially applaud his recognition that practicing Taoist techniques with a motivational mindset from Mahayana Buddhism called Bodhichitta, results in a "warmer" type of personal growth then traditional Taoism. Historically, the highest attainments of Taoism were expressed by wild, solitary Taoist hermits with little interest in teaching or passing on their knowledge. Their writings were often intentionally obscure with personal instruction clarifying them nearly unobtainable. Buddhist adepts on the other hand with their commitment to help all sentient beings concentrated on developing clear and obtainable sutra teachings.

Most of the presently available modern Taoists texts come from those sects that combined teachings and philosophies from China's three treasures, Taoism, Ch'an Buddhism and Confucianism, such as the Complete Reality School. I think that Stuart Olson can be seen to be a continuation of these principles; namely that times, places, and conditions change, Taoist practices and teachings do as well, or they are not true Taoism.

You will find in this text the root instructions to begin or deepen a Taoist practice. The criticism that this is not practice manual doesn't follow because there are no practice manuals for Taoism, and there couldn't be. In the many paths of Taoism the practices of ritual, poetry, herbology or martial arts are as important as philosophical study. A Taoist Sage/Adept many practice all of these or none of them... Enjoy this text as if it is advice from a Taoist friend.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Invaluable Resource for the Tao practitioners of any level, June 20, 2011

By 

Imios Archangelis "Imios" (Zhong He) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic: The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality (Paperback)

The translation of an ancient text and commentaries provided in this book bring forth some invaluable treasures for the attentive readers. Jade Emperor's "Mind Sealing Classic" is probably the most useful short manual of Taoist Alchemy I found after reading many, many books and pursuing the lineage Taoist teachings for years. Every sentence of this short text radiates the deep meaning, while the arrangement of the verses and the words within verses hide the precious internal structure. Olsen does a masterful work in its translation and commentary, opening the initial gate towards the pragmatic integration of the underlying wisdom.

There was obviously a lot of work and heart invested into this book. I am always very grateful when author provides the Chinese original for the old scriptures, as this immensely helps the serious study. I also fully enjoyed the first-hand experiences that author shared with us. The old saying that an ounce of practice is worth the tone of the theory is especially critical in the study of the secrets that mankind has been attempted to solve for millennia. In this domain there are no deterministic or fit-all solutions and so any sincere attempt to reveal the complex mysteries provides a precious new perspective.

It would be difficult to completely relate to all points some researcher would made, based on the own experience, or to fully agree with everything. For instance, I would argue against the author's point that Buddhism has higher moral aspirations than Taoism and would consider that their contribution to the world are just made in a different way and at the different stage of cultivation. However, there is no way for anybody to fully reflect deep and holistic, Pre-Heaven, Truths within the linear, Post-Heaven, timeline and terminology. As mentioned in Tao Te Ching, any term that can be named is not a part of the Eternal Truth. The reality is self-recursive and multi-faceted, rather than fully causal and it is the Intent, a devotion to the Way of Cultivation that counts.

I salute to the author for the dedicated efforts and a contribution he made to bring some great treasures of Tao to us.