Da Liu (1904–2000)

T'ai chi ch'uan is known primarily as a martial art. It was developed, however, as an active meditation to achieve harmony with the natural world and to improve health.

This book is an ideal inroduction to t'ai chi ch'uan, providing clear descriptions of the methods of meditation and exercies and illuminating the underlying theory in a way that enables readers to understand, as well as practice, the techniques in their daily routine.

Master Da Liu believes that spiritual and physical health should be the primary aim of t'ai chi ch'uan rather than self-defense. For Da Liu, the ultimate goal of the t'ai chi practitioner is to turn the body's sexual essence, ching, into inner energy, chi, and with further practice refine the chi into shen-pure spirit.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Meditation is an invaluable resource for students, practitioners, and general readers alike.

Master Da Liu, born in 1906 in Kiangsu Povince, China, has been studying t'ai chi for more than fifty years. When he came to the United States in 1956, he was halied by Newsweek as one of th first t'ai chi ch'uan teachers in this country. He has written nine books on t'ai chi ch'uan, meditation, and Taoism, which have been translated into many languages, and has taught and lectured widely. He currently holds classes at Teachers College at columbia University in New York.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
1 The history of meditation and exercise in China
2 T'ai chi T'u: Diagram of the supreme ultimate
3 Fundamentals of Chinese physiology
4 The tao of breathing (Ch'i)
5 The waxing and waning of Ch'ien and K'un
6 Standing meditation
7 Sitting meditation
8 The five concentation ponts
9 Breathing meditation for health
10 T'ai chi ch'uan movements for meditation
11 Daily life: Sitting, standing, walking, sleeping
12 Sexual energy: Production, retention, transformation, and circulation
13 Prevention and cure of sickness
14 Questions and answers
Index… (more)

Here is a practical, down-to-earth guide for all those in need of an easy, balanced health regimen. This is a simple book because it is the spirit of Taoism that strength be found in simplicity.

These exercises incorporate the basic principles founding the ancient wisdom of the I Ching and of T'ai chi Ch'uan. Included are chapters on physical and mental health teachniques (sleeping, walking, sitting, and mind relaxation), the longevity exercises of Master Li Ch'ing Yuen, excess and its antidotes, acupuncture, and herbs. For this expanded edition, two new chapters have been added on foods and Chinese patting.

Like the philosophy it's modeled on, this program provides a means to finding the unity and balance that is acheved when the obstacles to natural healing processes are overcome and wholeness of mind, body, and spirit is restored.

Da Liu is widely regarded as a t'ai chi master. He has studied and taught the I Ching and t'ai chi ch'uan for more than fifty years and has written many books on these subjects. At seventy-eight years of age, he has not been sick in twenty years.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
Lao Tze
Physical and mental health techniques
The longevity exercises of Master Li Ch'ing Yuen
Excess and its antidotes
Acupuncture
Herbs
Foods
Patting the eight psychic channels
P'eng Tzu… (more)

Here is a practical, down-to-earth guide for all those in need of an easy, balanced health regimen. This is a simple book because it is the spirit of Taoism that strength be found in simplicity.

Lao Tze said: 'There is nothing in this world more supple and pliant than water. Yet even the most hard and stiff cannot overcome it.' When applied to health, it is the essence of Taoism that man abandon his rigid and aggressive relationship to life and seek to cultivate the relaxation andf lexibiity that bring his life forces into harmony with the cosmic flow of the universe; it is only through the wholeness and balance that is then achieved that the obstacles to natural healing processes can be overcome and wholeness of mind, body and spirit be restored.

For more than forty years Da Liu has studied and taught the I Ching (Book of Changes) and t'ai chi ch'uan. The Taoist system of exercise presented in this book incorporates the basic principles of the I Ching and t'ai chi ch'uan. Included are chapters on physical and mental health techniques (sleeping, walking, sitting and mind relaxation). The Longevity Exercises of Master Li Ch'ing Yuen, Excess and Its Antidotes, Acupuncture and herbs. There are brief biographies of Lao Tze and of P'eng Tzu, a Chinese herbalist who practiced many of the exercises included in the book and who is reputed to have lived 250 years.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
Lao Tze
Chapter One Physical and mental health techniques
Chapter Two The longevity exercises of Master Li Ch'ing Yuen
Chapter Three Excess and its antidotes
Chapter Four Acupuncture
Chapter Five Herbs
P'eng Tzu… (more)

This book is designed to provide the rader with the means to combine the philosophy and techniques of Taoism in such a way as to obtain spiritual as well as physical nourishment and achieve a long and healthy life.

Initial chapters deal witih the historical development and the main techniques of taoism and confucianism as they relate to health and longevity. Da Liu then offers the reader practical instruction on such subjects as the four types of breathing and their benefits, 'swinging arms.' an exercise that has become popular in both Communist and Nationalist China and helps the circulation and digestiion, 'eight treasures,' a series of exercises whose benefits include strengthening the appetite, increasing the activity of the nervous system, and improving vision and sitting meditation. There are also chapters on self-treatment-massage and acupressure-and herbal food, with a list of their uses for various ailments. The importance of sex to health and longevity is discussed in a special chapter in which readers of all ages will learn how to reproduce and sustain the generative force.

Da Liu has practiced and taught t'ai chi ch'uan for almost half a century. Besides teaching at the United Nations and the China Institute, he has written several books that deal with either the philosophy or the techniques of Taoism, conributed articles on the subject to magazines and newspapers, and made frequent appearances on television.

Contents

Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Health and longevity in the wisdom of ancient China
Taoism
Confucianism
Chapter 3 T'ai chi ch'uan and the systems of the body
T'ai chi ch'uan and health
The central nervous system
The digestive system
The respiratiory system
The circulatory system
The endocrine system
Chapter 4 Breathing
Chapter 5 How to perform the t'ai chi ch'uan form
Chapter 6 Additional exercise techniques of the taoist tradition
A simple standing form
Swing arms
Eight pieces of teasure
Sitting meditation
Chapter 7 Health in dailiy life
Food
Clothing
Shelter
Dailiy activity
Chapter 8 Self-treatment: The methods of massge and acupressure
Massage
Acupressure
Moxa and fire treatment
Chapter 9 Chinese health food
Taoist medicine and nutrition
Barley
Water meals
Spices and vegetables
Vegetarian diet
Fruits
Chinese teas
Chapter 10 The relationship between man and woman
Chapter 11 Peace of mind… (more)