Tranquil Sitting: A Taoist Journal on Meditation and Chinese Medical Qigong

by Yin Shih Tzu, Cheney Crow (Translator), Shifu Hwang (Translator)

Tranquil Sitting is the Taoist Master Yin Shi Zi's practical guide and inspirational testament to the healing power and spiritual benefits of meditation and Chinese medical Qigong.

The book explores the theory and physiological aspects of meditation and offers practical instruction in traditional meditation techniques. It also documents Yin Shi Zi's personal experiences with meditation, his own self-healing which he attributes to his Taoist practice, and his initiation into the Tibetan tantric practice of opening the crown of the head. Thus giving the reader an idea of the long-term process of meditation practice and the deep healing that can result from it.

Faithfully translated from the Chinese, this is an influential text that belongs on the bookshelves of everyone with an interest in Taoist practice and meditation.

Genres: Meditation

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manual is an English translation of a work earlier published in Chinese. It is nominally on Taoist meditation and is written by a Taoist author, but it does include discussion of Buddhist practices as well (specifically Mahamudra.) Also, part of the author's declared intent with this text is to write in a manner approachable to a wider audience, and because of this sect is rendered less important. So, for example, the book employs more scientific and physiological modes of explanation as opposed to meridians and other conceptual approaches from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The book is presented in two parts. I found the first part much more beneficial and productive. Said first part is a general guide to meditation. It discusses fundamentals, theory, physiology, and how to align one's living with a meditative practice (i.e. how diet, breathwork, sleep, etc. influence one's practice.)

The second part consists of long and fairly detailed descriptions of the author's experiences with both Taoist and Mahamudra meditation. I didn't find this part useful, and I believe it may be counterproductive. Discussion of the author's subjective experience may lead readers to get hung up on chasing identical experiences to the detriment of just practicing. It may give false ideas about "correct" and "incorrect" experiences of the meditation.

Overall, it's a fine guide to meditation, particularly the first (i.e. larger) part. I can't say that it breaks a lot of ground. A reader well-versed in meditation may not gain much insight from this book, but it's as good as any to get started.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to practice with personal account

As a practicing Taoist/Buddhist I enjoyed this book. It was a great personal account, which included how the author saw practice, theory and the context to put it all in. This was helpful for me, a western student.

The context was practices all contribute to your greater goal and intent.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly a very interesting work. I enjoyed the early sections on advice for meditation and so on. The records of the author's own experiences of meditation over his life were startling.

[Woodpecker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Brings nothing new. A self centered book of the writer.

[Dorum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of it is good, but to be honest there are much better books to introduce one to meditation. Even short ones.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was intended as a simple guide for laypersons on meditation but the translators could have done more to illustrate the various meridien points for the uninitiated and the Chinese references for an English speaking audience better. I found the basic approach similar to yoga and other medication practises but the other portions don't resonate with me. As it is a thin book, it is a bit hard to "get into" the subject matter much and the writing style didn't appeal to me.

Still, I note that the author and his books are popular in China and that many have found inspiration from him.