Taoist Shaman: Practices from the Wheel of Life
Mantak Chia, Kris Deva North
Language: English
Pages: 192
ISBN: 1594773653
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
The shamanic roots of Taoist practice
• Explains the principles of the Taoist Medicine Wheel, including the Five Elements, the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the trigrams of the I Ching
• Includes exercises from the “Wheel of Love” to access the Tao of Ecstasy
• Contains illustrated teaching stories about the Eight Immortals
Thousands of years ago the immortals known as the Shining Ones shipwrecked on the Chinese coast. Passing their shamanic practices--such as ecstatic flight and how to find power animals and spirit guides--on to the indigenous people, they also taught them the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. From the Taoist Medicine Wheel came the principles of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the Eight Forces, the Chinese zodiac, and the I Ching. The Taoist Medicine Wheel can also be found at the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine and the esoteric sexual practices of Taoist Alchemy.
In the Taoist Shaman, Master Mantak Chia and Kris Deva North explain the shamanic principles of the Taoist Medicine Wheel, how it is oriented on the Five Elements rather than the Four Directions, how it relates to the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and the trigrams of the I Ching, and how it aligns with the Eight Forces of the Pakua. Through illustrated teaching stories, the authors show how the energetic principles of each of the Eight Forces are reflected in the Eight Immortals. Revealing the wheel’s application to sacred sexuality, they offer exercises from the “Wheel of Love” to strengthen and deepen relationships as well as providing a means to access the Tao of Ecstasy.
to choose to do what I could either do easily, or found impossible. In the submission of ego I had submitted to the shaman. I could not tell the thoughts in the minds of my colleagues. We had been told the process was of self-selection, that each of us would find our own glass ceiling. For some the glass ceiling arrived this early morning, on this first test of rolling naked on damp grass over piles of shit. The decliners were led away by the shamanic acolytes. They had been through this
nourish itself and grow; it can be awakened, nourished, and grown, or be left asleep, suppressed, or neglected. Like totems, guides, and guardians, spirit can seek another home or simply disappear into the cosmic soup. Personal spirit blends with Great Spirit at the ultimate level, reunion with the Tao. *2. For further details on the Fusion practices, including forming the pearl, see Fusion of the Five Elements (Rochester, Vt.: Destiny Books, 2007); for more information on the Kan and Li
be melted and shaped with warmth. Fig. 3.1. These trees growing around rocks illustrate the elements of wood and metal. Water can be still or stormy, destructive or compliant. Water fits into anything; it can turn to ice or steam, tears or tidal waves. Wood has focus and direction, competes for light, and grows in all directions. Different aspects of the elements exert influences on one another, some nourishing, some regulating. Their nourishing influences are expressed as the “Cycle of
learns to increase physical energy, release tension, improve health, practice self-defense, and gain the ability to heal him- or herself and others. In the process of creating a solid foundation of health and well-being in the physical body, the practitioner also creates the basis for developing his or her spiritual potential by learning to tap into the natural energies of the sun, moon, earth, stars, and other environmental forces. The Universal Tao practices are derived from ancient techniques
thunder and lightning. Chen is connected with the liver and the eyes, the wood element, and gathering power. Tui—Lake Tui is the power symbol of lake and rain, connected with the lungs and nose, the metal element, and contracting power. Kun—Earth Kun is the power symbol of earth, the stabilizing power of harmony. It is connected with the stomach and mouth, spleen and pancreas. Ken—Mountain Ken is the power symbol of mountain. It is a stable and strong energy, connected with the bladder, the