Taoist Meditation: Methods for Cultivating a Healthy Mind and Body

by Thomas Cleary

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.

Genres: Taoism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion, Meditation, Nonfiction, Eastern Philosophy

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dr. Thomas Francis Cleary, Ph.D. (East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University; J.D., Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley), was a prolific translator of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Muslim classics, with a particular emphasis on popular translations of Mahāyāna works relevant to the Chan, Zen, and Soen systems.

Reviews

[Bill W · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part was the bit about how beautiful women are far more dangerous than “vixen sprites.” This validated my long-held suspicion.

Seriously, Taoist Meditation offers a lot to reflect on. Despite the fact that entire sections make no sense whatsoever, the language is clear and direct. Most of the comprehension limitations are mine and not indicative of any lapse in the translation.

The simplest advice for finding our Way is often the most challenging. For example, consider the suggestion that we “stop burdening ourselves with schemes.” This got me thinking about how I will do something or act a certain way because I want something else. It seems like the more hopeless my desire (for example, wanting people to like me), the more attached I become to my schemes and the less motivated I am to change. It is frightening to contemplate letting go of all psychological pretenses and devices. The teachings seem to assume an uncommon level of self confidence on the part of the practitioner. Thus, I am curious about the back story of these ancient masters. How did they arrive at the teachings documented in Taoist Meditation? What struggles did they overcome to arrive at their enlightenment? Did they practice what they taught? What the hell are vixen sprites?

[Tim Weakley · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of this books strengths for me was its demonstration of the parallels between Taoism and Buddhism. It came through a little more clearly than the last Taoist book I had read. Other than that I'm afraid Taoism still escapes me for the most part.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, but not really for those who don't have a basic knowledge of Taoism and the internal alchemy theories it puts forward. Most of the texts included talk about the same subject matter, although the 'Anthology on the Cultivation of Realization' is very different and interesting. The whole book is subtitled 'Methods for Cultivating a Healthy Mind and Body', and contains some fairly basic instructions for achieving these goals.

[Marie Mimosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

good reminder, and not even redundant!

[Enzo Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you can’t finish in a day. Yeah, it’s 130 pages but it’s taken me four years to understand it. You have to read it with no hurry; if it calls you, read — if it doesn’t make sense, stop. For me, it all started with the books by Alan Watts on Eastern philosophy where I began to understand the concept of the “flow-state”.

Then I ran into “Zen in the Art of Archery” by Eugen Herrigel and “The Secret of the Golden Flower” translated by Thomas Cleary. The core theme is that meditation is an experiential practice with several stages of awakening. Certain knowledge cannot be understood unless it is experienced.

I’m inclined to believe that this book requires previous knowledge and exploration of Taoism and Zen. As someone who had forgotten about the Way, I appreciated the spark notes style refresher towards the end (the Anthology on the Cultivation of Realization reads like the Silmarillion). I know the messages would have been lost to a younger me — which is likely why it took me 4 years to read the book. It was finished when it was meant to be finished, no need to force it.

It’s like hunting a fly. Are you gonna chase it around if it’s in your room? No, you breathe easy and react accordingly when it’s within reach. You act when you need to act and in Taoism that all starts with the breath; it’s not about sitting in a certain position and saying a mantra, it’s about letting go of attachments and letting the body be.

“Letting go of attachments” can be misunderstood and may result in a person living off the grid to be a recluse monk. There’s an attachment to an idea that enlightenment is achieved by doing X activity; in this case letting go of material attachments turned into mental attachments. lol

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd blend of practical wisdom and bull, but the practical wisdom outshines the bull. What I especially like are the clever turns of phrases and the figurative language that frame the spiritual practices here. Much of it is really taken up with meditation and uses Taoism as the philosophical underpinning to meditative practice. Meditation emphasizes being in the moment, no matter what ordinary activity a person is doing, all the while regulating breathing, not getting overly worked up inside. The philosophy emphasizes a harmony we ought to seek to create between heaven and earth. Calmness of breath is like the harmonizing of heaven and earth. Whether you take any of this metaphorically or literally doesn't matter much, I don't think. Learning how to simplify one's life and calm down and be flexible and adaptable to life's challenges is something many people need, so if this can do something for those people, all the better.

[Alex Sippel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this selection of texts and feel like I learned a lot and will revisit portions focused on meditation practices. I found that, compared to other Taoist texts I've read, these are a lot more accessible, though they still have elements of poetry and mysticism. As a newcomer to this and other spiritual practices in other traditions (yoga, chakras, etc), the commonalities between these systems are fascinating.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will increase the thinking capacity and broaden your mind to better understand your surroundings.

[Liam Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a lot of great insights from this book. Had a long break too while reading so I was a little confused by some parts. Definitely a book I want to revisit in the future with a new lens.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Cleary is expert at translating these texts from the Eastern traditions. fascinating books such as Taoist Meditation profoundly enlighten the reader in vast spaces on spiritual activity as the Way itself comes to light. Taoism to the Westerner is an interesting new territory open with acceptable insights in fresh literature appealing to young and old alike. I highly recommend this book as an entertaining and informative volume that shines light on philosophies perhaps unfamiliar to first time readers.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent guide to meditation.