Sanctuary of Dao

The Sanctuary of Dao is an educational, spiritual, and literary organization dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Daoism. Materials on Daoism are produced and distributed, along with in-depth commentaries to help people apply Daoist teachings to their lives and practices. Offering services to its members and the public in the form of Dao Talks, Daoist texts and lectures, meditation sessions, and retreats, the Sanctuary of Dao also provides teachings through a number of courses on a range of Daoist subjects. All these various teachings are offered so as to create skilled and knowledgeable students of Daoist self-cultivation. It is not a matter of cultivating just one aspect of the self, but the entire self. It is no small matter when Lao Zi states, “It is because of the transformation of a person that it is called ‘obtaining the Dao.’”

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Thirty spokes share one hub to make a wheel. Through emptiness,one makes use of the carriage. The vessel holds food and water. Doors and windows are cut out for a house. From their emptiness, the house is made suitable for living. Therefore, there is benefit from that which exists, and use for that which is empty. -Lao tzu chapter 11, scripture on Tao and virtue

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This text is considered to have been written in the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), attributed to the famous immortal Lu Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals). It is a wonderful, yet short and succinct overview of nine fundamental principles for Daoist cultivation leading to the attainment of the Dao.

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The Hun and Po Spirits Diagram 魂 魄 圖 Hun Po Tu The Yang Spirit (陽 神, Yang Shen) is called “the Cloud Spirit (魂, Hun).” The Yin Spirit (陰 神, Yin Shen) is called “the White Spirit (魄, Po).” The Cloud Spirit is joined with the White Spirit, as they exist together in one another’s room [organs of the body] and mansion [the body as a whole]. The Cloud Spirit is the spirit of the qi, it contains the abilities of clarity and turbidity, and is breathed by the mouth and nose. The exhale is the yang extending out [advancing] and the inhale is the yin bending back [converging]. The White Spirit is the spirit of Essence (Jing). It contains the abilities of depletion and repletion, and gives the ears and eyes the ability to hear and see. Seeing is the clarity of yang, and hearing is the keenness of yin. 

From the perspective of life it is called “Essence” and “Qi.” From the perspective of death it is called “Cloud Spirit” and “White Spirit.” From the perspective of the entirety of Heaven and Earth it is simply called “Soul” and “Spirit.” “Spirit” (鬼, Gui) and “Cloud” (云, Yun) make the character for “Cloud Spirit” (魂, Hun). “Spirit” (鬼, Gui) and “White” (白, Bai) make the character for “White Spirit” (魄, Po). The cloud represents the wind, and wind is wood [i.e., the liver]. The white represents the qi, and qi is metal [i.e., lungs]. Wind disperses and so is light and pure. Being light and pure the White Spirit follows the ascent of the Cloud Spirit. Metal Wind is solid so it is heavy and turbid. Being heavy and turbid, the Cloud Spirit descends and the White Spirit follows. Therefore, sages use the Cloud Spirit to move the White Spirit. Common people use the White Spirit to grasp at the Cloud Spirit. In the daytime, the White Spirit resides in the eyes. In the nighttime the Cloud Spirit dwells in the liver. When it resides in the eyes a person can see; when it dwells in the liver a person can dream. For those who dream [and sleep] much, the White-Spirit is controlling the Cloud Spirit. For those who are often awake [alert and mindful], the Cloud Spirit is conquering the White Spirit. Therefore, because of the White Spirit there is Essence, and because of Essence there is the Cloud-Spirit. Because of the Cloud Spirit there is Spirit (神, Shen), because of Spirit there is mind-intention (意, Yi, the will), and because of mind-intention there is the White Spirit. The Five Activities (五 行, Wu Xing) circulate unceasingly. As a result, my True Mind [真 心, or Original Spirit] roams the Heavens for millions upon millions of years, it is the Illimitable (無 極, Wu Ji). A seed and a sprout mutually create each other. But it cannot be known how many thousands of plants will be produced [from them]. Although Heaven and Earth are great, they cannot produce a sprout from a seed in nothingness. The female of a species and an egg mutually create each other. But it cannot be known how many myriads of birds will be born [from them]. Although yin and yang are subtle, they cannot make a female bird give birth to an egg without the male. Therefore, as 10,000 things are being born, sages rely on their Before Heaven nature [to understand them], not their minds [the After Heaven temperament]. The Before Heaven nature does not sprout the mind. When there’s no mind, then there’s no mind-intention; when there’s no mind-intention, there’s then no White Spirit. When there’s no White Spirit, life is not received, and the Revolving Wheel (輪 回, Lun Hui, of life and death) ceases forever

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The Sanctuary of Dao is an Internet-based Daoist community resource center that also offers local weekly ceremony and meditation sessions, seasonal meditational retreats, and Daoist festivals in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area.

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We have a blog with a lot of material. You can sign up for our monthly newsletter and receive news on the new projects we are working on.

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Master TT Liang talking about taiji

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News from the Sanctuary of Tao and Valley Spirit Arts. If you wish to no longer receive these emails, please use our Unsubscribe link.View this email in your browser March Newsletter Today is Master T.T. Liang’s Birthday (1900 to 2002). Master Liang was born during the 1st Moon, 23rd Day, and to celebrate his life and acknowledge his great influence, we recite his favorite text, the Tai Ji Quan Treatise, and chant theGreat Compassion Mantra (Da Bei Zhou) in his honor, as well as offer incense and flowers. Master Liang was Stuart Alve Olson’s teacher and great friend from 1982 to 2002. He is missed by the many thousands of lives he has inspired, and continues to effect, through his humor and teachings. We hope everyone takes a moment to remember him on his birthday.  Check out our recent blog post showing an interview with Master Liang filmed in 1993 when he was 93 years old.   The Sanctuary of Tao has just added a new service for online teaching and consultations with Stuart Alve Olson and instruction from Patrick Gross and Deni Gendron (with other teachers being added soon). We realize how difficult it is for people to travel to us. It’s hard to set aside the time and traveling is expensive, so we added this new feature for those who want to learn or gain insight into Taoist practices and philosophy through a Distance Learning Program. You may now register for online classes (via Skype or FaceTime) or receive detailed answers to questions via email. Please visit our website for more information. We’ve finally finished Stuart’s new book Refining the Elixir. It started out as a simple 100+ page book, but Stuart decided to go much deeper with the explanation of internal alchemy so that readers could better understand the physiological and psychological underpinnings of this incredible meditation art and process of attaining immortality. Check out our blog post featuring an excerpt from the book.   We also want to announce that Denis Gendron (longtime student of Stuart’s since 1985) in now teaching in Winnipeg, Canada (see also our Online Session page). If you are interested in group classes or private lessons with him, please email him [email protected].   We wish to thank everyone for all the great compliments we’ve received on our addition of the instruction and videos of Chen Tuan’s Four Season Qigong and the24 Dao Yin Exercises, and Hua To’s Five Animal Frolics. We will continue to provide more programs like those in our Celestial Membership Area.   May everyone have great good fortune, prosperity, and longevity within thisYear of the Fire Monkey. Peace in the Tao, Sanctuary of Tao Staff    To help support us continue providing Taoist materials and teachings, please become a Celestial Member of the Sanctuary of Tao today! Copyright © 2016 Sanctuary of Tao / Valley Spirit Arts, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list   update subscription preferences  Copyright © 2016 Sanctuary of Tao / Valley Spirit Arts, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list   update subscription preferences  

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March Newsletter from the Sanctuary of Tao and Valley Spirit Arts from CM Browser)

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I would like to say thank you for everyone that has followed us on Tumblr. Second, i would like to apologize for my inactivity on here. It has been a busy last year for sanctuary of dao, with all of the new books that have been translated and published this last year. Third i would like to wish you all a belated happy lunar new year! I will be posting some of the new works that have been published soon and we hope that you will use them and study them to help improve your practice.

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Peaceful Spirit Chant 安 神 咒 Ān Shén Zhòu

DAOIST CHANT

This chant comes from The Highest Truth Scripture (至 寶 真 經, Zhi Bao Zhen Jing) and is attributed to the Daoist immortal Lu Dongbin of the Tang dynasy (one of the Eight Immortals). Master T.T. Liang (1900 to 2002) acquired this scripture in Taipei, Taiwan, during the late 1950s when he was studying as a disciple under the famous Daoist Master Liu Peizhong (1911 to 1974?). With each edition of this newsletter we will provide the individual chants from this scripture.

  Peaceful Spirit Chant

安 神 咒

Ān Shén Zhòu

Today, all former merits have come together,

Gōng céng zhí rì, 

as the Earthly Spirit is venerated,

Tǔ Dì zhī líng

and the gods preside over this abode.

Zhái sī zhēn zǎi, 

With the incense alight, the spirit is bright.

Xiāng huǒ shén míng

Reverence is given to the multitude of sages,

Yǒu xián shèng zhòng, 

safeguarding the recitation of the scriptures.

hù wèi sòng jīng

Accompanying and receiving immortal companions,

Sòng yíng xiān lǚ, 

the hall altar is pure and clean.

jié jìng tán ting

Cultivating the fruits of the Dao,

Tóng xiū dào guǒ, 

I give praise to the Exalted Precious Jade Transformation.

zàn huà yáo jīng

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Happy Father’s Day from TIP + and the Harris family!

We’re celebrating all day on VH1.com with Major’s adorable bloopers, the best of T.I.’s fatherly lessons + MORE!

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Purify the altar chanting.

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Sorry i haven't posted in a while.

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New Release from Valley Spirit Arts!

Clarity & Tranquility: A Guide for Daoist Meditation

150 pages Price: $18.95 Black & White on Cream paper ISBN-13: 978-1512087963 ISBN-10: 1512087963 BISAC: Philosophy / Taoist

Clarity & Tranquility: A Guide for Daoist Meditation is an in-depth work on the method of Tranquil Sitting, a crucial and important practice for all Daoist practitioners. Stuart Alve Olson’s introduction provides a great deal of valuable advice, history, and purpose for Tranquil Sitting. The main body of the work is divided into three integral sections that provide a comprehensive overview for anyone seriously seeking to practice meditation, whether one is a beginner or a longtime practitioner. Each section is distinct, yet they all work together to ensure the meditation practitioner has not only the insight of purpose for Daoist meditation, but the correct method. The Supreme Exalted One’s Clarity and Tranquility of the Constant Scripture is a central and key text on Daoist meditation. During the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), Bai Yuchan (Jade Toad immortal) said the following on its importance: “The main theme of this text is to reveal that the attainment of clarity and tranquility are the source conditions for obtaining immortality.” In 1927, Li Qingyun, the 250-Year-Old Man, gave the following advice on Tranquil Sitting: “Meditation is the first important rule for the fundamentals of longevity. This stabilizes the Jing [Essence], concentrates the Shen [Spirit], and controls the Vital-Energy [Qi].”

Clarity & Tranquility, along with Refining the Elixir and The Seen and Unseen are all companion works to Olson’s Being Daoist: The Way of Drifting with the Current, which focuses on the philosophical foundations of Daoism. Whereas Clarity & Tranquility confines itself to the practice and philosophy of Tranquil Sitting meditation, Refining the Elixir addresses the Daoist Internal Alchemy teachings, and The Seen and Unseen presents the practice of Daoist contemplative meditation. Stuart Alve Olson is also working on two other key meditation texts: The Yellow Court Scripture and The Secret of the Golden Flower.

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Now Available!

Daoist Sexual Arts: A Guide for Attaining Health, Youthfulness, Vitality, and Awakening the Spirit

Translation and Commentary by Stuart Alve Olson $29.95 5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm) Black & White on Cream paper 214 pages The subject of Daoist sexual teachings and practices has often been confusing to Western readers. This confusion is a result of how Daoism has intrinsically bound sexuality with spirituality and internal alchemy, making the language of its literature difficult to grasp by Western readers. In Daoist Sexual Arts, Stuart Alve Olson demystifies this specialized language through his insightful instructional notes and comments, culled from his many years of intense study and practice of Daoist arts. This book presents two of the most important texts of Daoist restorative and transformative sexual alchemy teachings, augmented with excerpts and insights from a variety of Daoist schools, all of which makes this book a valuable source guide for anyone interested in Daoist health, longevity, sexual-spiritual philosophy, and internal alchemy teachings. This work pays great attention to issues concerning sexual health and practices for women, as well as delving into methods for couples and advice for men. In the end, this book is about bringing harmony, not only in sexual partnerships, but for the individual as well. Those who practice sexual arts from any tradition will find this book both informative and enlightening.

Yellow Court Scripture (Audio Recordings)

The Yellow Court Scripture is one of the rarest and oldest Daoist texts on longevity and internal alchemy. The text is divided into two part. The first book (the External Illumination), attributed to Lao Zi, includes three chapters that detail the internal spirits in the three Yellow Court areas of the body. The second book (the Internal Illumination), written by Madame Wei Huacun, consists of thirty-six chapters that explain the function and outcomes of the Yellow Court Scripture. Click here to read the Sanctuary of Dao blog article that provides extensive information on the Yellow Court Scripture and its history.

You can purchase all 70 recordings at once, or get each book (and corresponding recordings) in separate orders.

The first recording is available for free as a Sanctuary of Dao podcast. Click here to listen to it. Sales from these recordings help us to fund publishing Stuart Alve Olson's translation of the Yellow Court Scripture, with commentary by Tang dynasty Daoist immortal Wu Chengzi. We deeply appreciate any support we receive for completing this incredible project!

Coming Soon

Clarity and Tranquility: A Guide to Daoist Meditation Practice Translation and Commentary by Stuart Alve Olson 5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm) Black & White on Cream paper This classic text, attributed to Lao Zi, is one of the most important meditation works in Daoism. What the Heart Sutra's importance is to Buddhists, the text of the Clarity and Tranquility of the Constant is of equal significance to Daoists, as it goes to the very essence of how a Daoist should perceive and practice meditation. Within this work, Stuart Olson provides a lucid line-by-line commentary on the  text, making it accessible, insightful, and useful for anyone who practices meditation, Daoist or otherwise. Although it deals with Daoist meditation subjects, this book is easy to read, as Stuart's notes and commentary make clear the cryptic language so often found in such works. Beyond its accessibility, this work will inspire and renews a person’s interest and purpose for undertaking consistent meditation practice. In addition to the main text, Stuart has supplemented this work with instructions on Tranquil Sitting by the famous Meditation Master Yinshizi and a text by the great immortal Lu Dongbin on the Nine Fundamentals for Meditation Practice, called the Celestial Record.

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Yellow Court Scripture (Audio Recordings)

Stuart Alve Olson’s lectures on the entireYellow Court Scripture, with commentary by Tang Dynasty Daoist Priest Wu Zhengzi, is now being offered to all customers of Valley Spirit Arts and members of the Sanctuary of Dao. The information in these 70 audio recordings is simply not attainable anywhere else. Recorded from online classes that Stuart conducted with a student over the past year and a half, this commentary on the Yellow Court Scripture touches on Daoist philosophy, meditation, internal alchemy, medical qigong, and the spirit world like no other Daoist material provides.

Almost all Daoist internal alchemy texts have been modeled on the Yellow Court Scripture.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to listen to this unique explanation of the text. This offer includes the 70 recordings (each around an hour) and a PDF of Stuart’s complete translation of the entire Yellow Court Scripture text, making it much easier to follow the commentaries.

The Yellow Court Scripture is one of the rarest and oldest Daoist texts on longevity and internal alchemy. The text is divided into two parts. The first part (the External Illumination), attributed to Lao Zi, includes three chapters that detail the internal spirits in the three Yellow Court areas of the body. The second book (the Internal Illumination), written by Madame Wei Huacun, consists of thirty-six chapters that explain the function and outcomes of the Yellow Court Scripture.

Click here to read the Sanctuary of Dao blog article that provides extensive information on the Yellow Court Scripture and its history.

Cost: Only $595.00 for all 70 audio lecture recordings (just $8.50 per lecture). Plus, a FREE PDF book of the entire text (in English, Chinese, and Pinyin).

Order Now! This sale price is available for only a short time. After February 15, the offer will be increased to its regular price of $700.

The first recording is available for free as a Sanctuary of Dao podcast. Click here to listen to it.

The Eighteen Lohan Skills: Traditional Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Training Methods

Available February 15, order your copy now!

This book belongs in every martial artist’s library, as the Eighteen Lohan Skills are a foundational system for the development of kung fu—not only traditional Shaolin Temple Kung Fu, but for nearly all martial art systems created thereafter. Through its yoga-like stretching aspects, the Eighteen Lohan Skills are not only a qigong practice (combining breathing with body movements), they also train martial applications, and promote internal alchemy skills because they stimulate and develop the internal energies of jing (body/essence), qi (breath/vitality), and shen (mind/spirit). The Eighteen Lohan Skills presents a complete system for health, longevity, and spiritual development. More …

Tai Ji Tui Shou: Mastering the Eight Styles and Four Skills of Sensing Hands (Volume 4)

The latest volume in the Chen Kung Series is now available. Only three books left to be published in this seven-volume series: Tai Ji Quan (vol. 3), Tai Ji San Shou & Da Lu (vol. 5), and Tai Ji Wen (vol. 7).

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Sanctuary of Dao Podcast Now Available

Check out our Podcast page featuring Stuart's first lecture on the Dao De Jing.

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The Immortal: True Accounts of the 250-Year-Old Man, Li Qingyun - Valley Spirit Arts

5.5" x 8.5" (13.97 x 21.59 cm) Black & White on Cream paper 412 pages Valley Spirit Arts BISAC: Biography / Philosophy / Taoism In 1927, General Yang Sen invited Li Qingyun to Wanxian, China, to teach about health and longevity. Li Qingyun was reported to be 250 years old at the time, and his visit to Wanxian was big news. In 1970, Yang Sen compiled a book of his and other’s accounts of Li Qingyun, titled An Authentic and True Record of a 250-Year-Old Man, which Stuart Alve Olson started translating into English in 1982. Besides the notion of someone living to 250 years of age, this book goes well beyond the biography of Li Qingyun’s life. It has great historical value, especially for Westerners who are unfamiliar with much of Chinese history towards the end of the Qing dynasty. It also explains incredible health therapies and provides information on what is now called Medical Qigong. Much is explained about Daoism on meditation, breathing, qigong exercise, food, sex, and philosophy for Daoist living. Another true gem of this book is the philosophical teachings, as much of this material has never been presented in English. The depth of information provided in this book surpasses any previously published work on Daoist health practices and philosophy. It is rare to come across a text with such abundance of insights and written with such clarity as this material provides. Although Qigong Teachings of a Taoist Immortal: The Eight Essential Exercises of Master Li Ching-yun was published in 2002, which includes translations from Yang Sen’s book, the entire translation is now finally available. This book belongs in everyone’s library who studies or has an interest in Chinese philosophy, qigong regimes, and biographies.