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Title: Cultivating Stillness by Eva Wong ISBN: 0-87773-687-1 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 24 November, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.17 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Not for the Neophyte, maybe not for the Experienced
Comment: Eva Wong has done a great service in translating this mystic tome and that effort, and the excellent commentary, is deserving of 4 stars. But a word to the not so wise, this is not for the beginner. One reviewer noted that it took reading many other books before they could begin to understand this one and that may indeed be the case for all of us, because at first sight, I've got nothing. Its completely symbolic and even the commentaries generalize important aspects of the Taoist Path. It is not an instruction guide...at all. As another reviewer put it, it is a book to meditate upon.
The introduction hints at much of the Taoist meditation techniques including circulating qi and the stages of enlightenment but the book does not elaborate and the reader may find, like i did, their taste buds had been whetted for a meal that never came.
A most interesting work for anyone seeking the Tao but it is not a detailed guide, it is scripture to wrap your mind around.
Rating: 5
Summary: very useful ...
Comment: (Revised/corrected,12/16/'03)
Interested in refining your approach to health matters? Then GET THIS BOOK!
The Taoist oriental philosophy perspectives are a useful supplement to western, largely physically-based perspectives on health, relaxation, and meditation.
For greater enrichment, add Wong's 'Tao of Health, Longevity, and Immortality,''Cultivating the Energies of Life,' and Thomas Cleary's excellent 'Taoist meditation.' These all together should help many. Don't be turned off by the Chinese alchemy material: there is much usefulness in these volumes for health issues, above and beyond any complex - and dare I say, risky - alchemical descriptions/approaches. You can orient yourself a bit by also studying classic western alchemy texts on the internet(start with Michael Meyer's 'Atalanta Fugiens.')
I would also suggest adding Michael Saso's delightful 'The Gold Pavilion' to your shelf, in spite of its price. It is tremendously useful for health and meditation perspectives.
Oriental perspectives are one thing. But don't stop there, however. Western perspectives ought not to be entirely eschewed.
Might I recommend Louise L. Hays' 'Heal Your Body,' a very useful book, if thoroughly studied, about the psychological causes of illness. Joel Goldsmith's classic 'Art of Spiritual Healing' ought also to be considered as a useful and powerful addition to your health library. Finally, many will find Shakti Gawain's basic 'Creative Visualisation' text useful for health, as well as other life matters in general.
Getting back to oriental perspectives, I can't do much better than recommend you study 'Science of Breath' by Yogi Ramacharaka: it is certain to become a permanent part of your health library. You might also consider adding Durckheim's 'Japanese Cult of Tranquility' to your armementarium. The first half of Durckheim's book is definitely worth the price of the whole thing. (It is not about 'cults' but lifestyle orientation.) Also, do not ignore 'Nature's Finer Forces' by Rama Prasad. Touted by the current publisher as 'the best book on breathing,' it was published in 1894, and is available now reprinted. Israel Regardie, all too often ignored or avoided as an occultist, but actually a great champion of breathing and relaxation methods for health, considers Prasad's book a 'must-have.'
...see my recent reviews (note dates) for most of the above volumes, and consider them for inclusion in the less western portion of your personal health education. And see my recent Amazon.com review of Carl O. Simonton's book, 'Getting Well Again,' for some more recommended titles (my review is entitled: 'a book for all those interested in health')
Rating: 5
Summary: Practice until you understand...
Comment: Eva Wong has done a great service to all who practice Qigong and cannot read the original material in its native tongue. This manual was originally given to neophytes who were starting to walk the path and it is still just as fresh and important as it was when first written.
The book uses the format of starting each section with an illustration of the original page. These illustrations are very interesting and informative (such as the use of the original form of the taiqi symbol) in their own right. Then there is the primary verse followed by the commentary. No suprises here, format-wise, to anyone who has seen western books on Zen sutras and koans.
Wong's commentary displays deep insight into the lessons and there is much to be learned here. I read the book at least once a year and never fail to learn/notice something new. I suspect anyone who practices will come to a similar conclusion.
Excellent!
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Title: Cultivating the Energy of Life by Liu Hua-Yang ISBN: 1570623422 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 17 February, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Tao of Health, Longevity, and Immortality : The Teachings of Immortals Chung and Lu by Eva Wong ISBN: 1570627258 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 05 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Harmonizing Yin and Yang by Eva Wong ISBN: 1570623066 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 12 August, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Taoist Meditation by Thomas Cleary ISBN: 1570625670 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 05 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Seven Taoist Masters : A Folk Novel of China by Eva Wong ISBN: 0877735441 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 21 April, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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