Taoist meditation- Introduction

Taoist meditation has been inherited from the long history of Tao’s tradition.  This could be traced back  three thousand years  in the past  and  is supposedly connected closely with the concept and philosophy of the early Taoist classic text consisting of Tao De Ching , I-ching and so forth.

Taoist meditation-Why is it good for health ?

The key reason to learn  Taoist meditation is to gain good health and longevity.

Tao mentions that  for any  element in the universe, regardless how tiny or  how large in size,  to work  efficiently with its full capacities, two vital chi : Ying and Yang(energies) must work  in perfect balance. Excessive ying or yang is destructive .

With regards to  human body, Tao’s concept suggests that the five essential organs of the body could be symbolized by the five fundamental elements in  nature. ( lung-metal, liver-wood, kidney-water, heart-fire, stomach-earth). Typically,  the organs are  inter related; the condition in each organ  can affect the condition of the others. In this instance, Ying and Yand play  an important task in balancing the body’s system. Whenever Ying and Yang are running  in harmony, the organs will also function together in harmony.
Nevertheless, in case Ying and Yang are not balanced,  some organ might not work in its full capacities that could later upset other organs as well. As a result, the body would get weaker causing various kinds of illnesses.

By means of  Taoist meditation, one will learn the way to build up  and accumulate Chi(energy) in the body . Should  the meditation be carried out  in the right way, Chi could be generated.   Following some period of meditation, plenty of chi would be accumulated. It will then overflow  and circulate via the chi channels in the body particularly “Ren” and “Du” channels. As a result, Ying and Yang get into harmony. The body will tune itself into  the ideal and perfect condition.

It has been said that both the Taoist Meditation and Traditional Chinese Medicine follow the same theory based on chi and concept of Ying and Yang.

Therefore, it is obvious that the rewards of Taoist meditation are robust health, boosting immune system and eventually  heading to  longevity.

Moreover, it should be noted that the traditional acupuncture, renowned for healing certain ailments, is in fact employing the same principle as  the Taoist meditation because both equally work  to channel the Chi to circulate freely, unobstructed  along its routes.

Picture of Ren and Du Chi(Energy) Channels 任督二脉

(Left: Ren  任 脉)                                                              (Right: Du督脉）

Chi (energy)-  is said to flow through channels called ‘meridians’. The important two are Ren and Du channels. 任督二脉

Chinese medicine suggests that  the blockage or incorrect movement of chi through the body will lead to mental and physical disease.

Through Taoist Meditation,   Chi would be generated and accumulated to a sufficient extent.   Then, Chi would flow  and follow the proper channels in the body. Hence the body is tuned  back  its natural , perfect and healthy condition.

Understanding some basic Taoist philosophy  would help greatly in the learning  of Taoist Meditation as discussed below.

Important Taoist Concept- Wu Wei (无为)

Wu Wei may be  translated as “not doing”or “doing without doing”.

when we practice doing nothing, our body and mind relax and we feel at peace.

During meditation, we begins with breathing out (process of  emptiness ) and pay little or no attention when breathing in.

This is to say that the correct way for doing  Taoist meditation should be that the  time spending in  breathing out must be  more than the time used in breathing  in.

Consequently, “emptiness” is attained  and the Chi will then be generated , accumulated and  flowed freely along the meridians.