Taoist Meditation [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 5, 2000

The ancient meditation techniques of Taoism encompass a wide range of practices—with an aim toward cultivating a healthy body as well as an enlightened mind. These selections from classic texts of Taoist meditation represent the entire range of techniques—from sitting meditation practices to internal alchemy. Most of the texts appear here in English for the first time.

Selections are taken from the following classics:

   •  Anthology on Cultivation of Realization: A document from 1739 (Ming Dynasty) that emphasizes development of the natural, social, and spiritual elements in human life.
   •  Treatise on Sitting Forgetting: A Tang Dynasty text that sets meditation practice in terms familiar to Confucians and Buddhists.
   •  Sayings of Taoist Master Danyang: Wisdom of the Taoist wizard and representative of the Complete Reality School.
   •  Secret Writings on the Mechanism of Nature: An anthology taken from one hundred sixty-three Taoist sources, including ancient classics and works on meditation and spiritual alchemy, along with admonitions and teachings of the great Taoist luminaries.
   •  Zhang Sanfeng's Taiji Alchemy Secrets: A treatise on the inner mediation practices that are the proper foundation of the martial art Taiji.
   •  Secret Records of Understanding the Way: A rare and remarkable collection of talks by an anonymous Taoist master of the later Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Traditional teachings with a sometimes strikingly modern bent.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These five Taoist treatises, written from the 7th to the 19th century, offer Chinese sages' thoughts on meditation, "alternative" medicine, body energy, human nature, the martial arts and life and death ("Everyone likes life but not the path of long life. Everyone dislikes death but not the things conducive to death"). The first selection, "Anthology on the Cultivation of Realization," is a vivid assortment of reflections taking up nearly half the book's text; it is long but fascinating. The esoteric "Treatise on Sitting Forgetting" is also a jewel, closing with some fundamental principles of Taoist meditation ("Arrest thoughts as they arise, in order to make your mind peaceful and quiet").

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Thomas Cleary holds a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. He is the translator of over fifty volumes of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Islamic texts from Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Pali, and Arabic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; First Edition edition (July 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570625670
• ISBN-13: 978-1570625671
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a lot on meditation, but a lot of good material May 16, 2002

By Steven Savage

Format:Paperback

First, the name is somewhat misleading. Think of it more as documents that meditate on Taoism and have some information useful to meditation.

That being said, this is a great book. It has a variety of interesting and useful essays, and is well worth repeated reading and comparative studies. Indeed, I can honestly say that some of it helped me in integrating meditative techniques effectively.

This isn't for beginners - this is for people seriously studying Taoism, but its definitely worth it.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars classical wisdom August 18, 2000

By Chaz

Format:Paperback

This book is not actually a "how to" manual, rather, it is a series of talks on selected subjects such as "Virtue, Respect, Thoughts, etc." It not only speaks on these relevant subjects but makes it clear that a person should carry meditation through everyday life. Attention, and Awareness is the cornerstone of Buddhism and Taoism and in this book, it is presented in the taoist version. Benefits of meditation are also discussed. These include physical as well as psychological. A very relevant book for our fast paced lifestyles.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible July 2, 2002

By David A Adler

Format:Paperback

quite possibly the most amazing book i have ever picked up. in only thirty minutes with this book i reached a level of stillness that i could not even concieve of beforehand, much less attain. i recommend it for anyone interested in taoism or meditation... or even their mental or physical health. the passages are short, gripping, and insightful. a truly wonderful book.