Words on
the way of Zen
Reflections on practice, tradition, and the everyday path of Zen.
Tao Te Ching: Cultivated in the World, Virtue Becomes Universal
The well-established cannot be uprooted; the well-embraced cannot be broken off. Cultivate it in the self, and its virtue becomes true; cultivate it in the family, and its virtue abounds; cultivate it in the village, and its virtue endur...
ReadEffective, Practical Methods for Clearing Away Distracting Thoughts
Methods for clearing the mind can be described in two contexts:
ReadKey Essentials of Refining Essence in Taoist Internal Alchemy
Since ancient times, Daoist practice has always advocated the dual cultivation of life and nature. There is a Daoist saying: "To cultivate life without cultivating nature is the first illness of practice." So what exactly are nature and ...
ReadThe Dual Cultivation of Nature and Life in Neidan: Refining Nature Through Movement, Refining Life Through Stillness
In the late Qing dynasty, [internal alchemy](/ddjy_29/3703.html) scholar Huang Yuanji shared a teaching on “cultivating nature in activity, cultivating life in stillness” that offers deep guidance for body-mind cultivation. He said: “The...
ReadHow Can Those Who Descended from Heaven to Undergo Tribulations Release Their Seals?
Long ago, a celestial being in the heavenly court was revered as Heaven’s Chosen One, destined to descend to the mortal world to undergo tribulations as part of their cultivation, and attain the supreme illumination. The ancients had a s...
ReadInsights from Daoist Alchemical Inner Nature Cultivation Practice for Human Health
‘Dual cultivation of life and innate nature’ is a specialized term in Daoist practice. However, many people misunderstand this phrase, mistaking it for a practice involving joint cultivation by men and women. In fact, what sets ‘dual cul...
ReadThe Six Syllables Qi Formula
Tuna refers to expelling stale, turbid qi from the chest through the mouth, then slowly drawing in fresh qi through the nose. The term appears in the Zhuangzi · Deliberations: "Blowing and breathing, exhaling the stale and inhaling the f...
ReadNan Huaijin on Bottle Breathing — "Strengthening the Lungs" Works Wonders
Bottle Breath strengthens the body and heals illness with swift, tangible results because within just four or five days it dramatically elevates and fortifies our lung function. As lung function improves, red blood cells throughout the b...
ReadThe Yellow Emperor's Yinfu Jing: Complete Text and Translation
In Chinese history, two books have long been regarded as heavenly texts. One is [The Yellow Emperor's](/ddjy_100/45.html) "Yinfu Jing" (Classic of the Hidden Talisman), the other Master Huangshigong's "Su Shu" (Plain Book). The Yinfu Jin...
ReadDaily Practice in Taoist Cultivation
Yesterday I mentioned that Daoist practitioners must first "break free from superstition." A friend pushed back: if a disciple doesn't even believe in their master, how can they possibly summon the determination to learn the master's tea...
ReadDaoist Dragon Gate Sect: Seated Practice for Longevity and Agelessness
This is a complete system of practices—done a little each day and repeated regularly, they keep qi and blood flowing briskly throughout the body, prevent physical aging, and let you live out your full lifespan in good health. The system ...
ReadThe Southern Daoist Lineage's Secret of Restoring the Cosmic Source and Rejuvenation
The Qiankun Fanyuan Huichun Secret (Returning to the Source and Rejuvenating through Heaven and Earth) is a set of male cultivation methods secretly transmitted within our lineage. The practice is simple yet profoundly effective: after a...
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