work in progress!

In this page, we will attempt to reflect the best of our current undersatnding ont the fascinating and perplexing Taoist arts of cultivation...

The Elixir of Life and Yang Sheng

Firstly, we would like to point out that Taoism has a rich and varied history. - consisting of many paths, through different eras, traditions and sects.  We have no pretensions to being able to give such a varied history and its full range of practices justice here - this is only a minor reflection on some of what is known:


What is energy?

All forms of energy described in the article on 'qi' - jing, qi and shen are mentioned in the Tai Chi Chuan classics.


  Jing (essence) the left of the character depicts a rice plant, and the right side means 'to give birth' and the lower represents the colour of plants. 


chi (vital energy) represents rice being cooked over a pot and giving off vapours.  The process of change (alchemy) contained in this concept is important.


                                                                                                           shen (spirit) represents - on the left - the sky and heavenly bodies, on the right two hands extending a rope; the idea of expansion.  Together we have the sense of man reaching (for the stars) to receive the will of the heavens.

Without ample qi, jin would be lacking, and the shen agitated.  If shen is not tranquil, the breathing is affected so the ability to retain or produce jing is adversely affected.

The qi should

be excited to activity

While the Shen must

be internally hoarded

- The Tai Chi Chuan Discourse