Customer Reviews

Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-yun

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This is one of the very few "how-to" books on Qigong cultivation for serious practioners only. Olson has turned what is mostly an anecdotal practice into both an erudite art and science. The practises (which are very detailed) travel the path from a basic fitness regime, if thats your motive for practice, to the full esoteric exposition of qigong. Study of this type of Qigong is a lifetime commitment. Highly recommended. !

I've always been indifferent to doing the eight brocades as many books that are around are very ill informed about how these ancient practices should be done. However; after studying qigong and taichi for several years I came across this book and it was presented completely differently from any other books on brocades I had seen and for some reason was compelled to buy it. Having read and practiced the exercises along with his book on the 'Jade emperors mind seal classic'; I can assure that Mr Olson has a very good understanding of the three treasures and the practice of qigong; and whats more can convey the information in a readable and interesting way without being pedantic. It is a valued addition to my regime of qigong that I've learnt from other qigong masters and one of the few qigong practices you could safely and competently learn from a book as the movements are simple; and the results speak for themselves.

The Author gives you through the 8 exercices a simple efficient internal work on energy . this book is a must.
Thanks for sharing Mr Olson.

I've praticed martial arts and chi kung for 30 years and this book answered many questions I have had for a long time. Very well written, photos and charts explaining the movements. Times to train, how to focus etc are there too. Beginners may not understand the treasure here but can still benefit from this book. A must buy!

i am not really fully qualified to review this work. i am not even 50 years yet. almost.

i am really happy to get more insight on the life and thought of li ching yuen. this is an honest attempt to present his take on qi gong. for that the author deserves full appreciation.

i have read the work and have spent about a month with it, reviewing the exercises. much of it is good.. however the 5th and 6th brocade are not clear in my mind even after repeated readings.

a lighter touch may have been better on a few other points as well.. but it is very good work and a pioneering effort.

the subject matter is great.. and belongs on the shelf next to mantak chia.. but the work needs more polish.. a finer touch is required.. since there is nothing else in english i can find at least, it is worthwhile .. 3.5 stars.

I've worked extensively with this book and I can only say that it is flawed in many ways. It reflects, as does his other books, a sort of spiritual grandstanding that Olson can't seem to control. All his books are "the first" or the "most complete". His book on his teacher, T.T. Liang, is considered by some people in the martial community to be disrespectful and, once again, really about Olson. Getting back to this text it shows the same tendency in a different way. He divides it up into the original writings and his own commentaries then goes ahead and sticks commentary everywhere he wants to say something. He focuses on details some of which are, frankly, arcane and not particularly useful also showing gullibility unusual in those who have hung around Chinese qigong and martial styles for any length of time ("This is the real meaning... Only my teacher... sort of thing). He dismisses out of hand the ONLY visual reference to the material, namely the surviving wood blocks and, worse, substitutes positions he thinks are right. His translational skills seem good but, again, too casually mixing his own "voice" so that you cannot distinguish the "original" sections from his own commentary (the sections are supposed to divide everthing but it often is not clear). This, ultimately, is the real problem: you get the feeling that Olson intentionally mixed his sources to add to his authority and that is a flaw that neutralizes much of what is interesting and insightful in the book.

This book was everything i expected and then some. It came brand new and still wrapped in plastic. Thank You.

The author obviously doesn't have a clue what Taoism actually is. Look at the book's own description - it claims that he has studied with numerous Taoist masters and then goes on to list as examples a collection of Buddhists and martial artists. Not a single Taoist makes the list. If you want to read about Taoism, try a book written by someone, anyone, who actually knows what it is!

As pointed out by another reviewer, what we have here is some one who trained as a Buddhist for many years, trying to pass himself off as a daoist. These two traditions have very different methods of training, having been trained in one tradition does not make one qualified to speak on the other tradtion. Reading or translating a book of daoist practice does not make one an expert on daoist practice or qualifed to teach these arts.