The pinnacle of Chinese culture and civilization is their method of self-cultivation. The purpose of this method, called Nei Dan or internal alchemy is to bring you in union with the Tao.
The philosophical foundation of Nei Dan is found in the Yi Jing (I Ching) or Book of Change and the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching). The practical method of Nei Dan begins with sitting meditation, called “Sitting and Forgetting.”
Understanding Yi Jing and Nei Dan are the keys to understanding Chinese culture. They are like the trunk of a tree. Chinese philosophy, Taoism, Confucianism, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong, music, acupuncture, Feng Shui, divination, astrology, and medicine all grew from this one trunk. Even imported traditions such as Buddhism were absorbed, assimilated and refined, resulting in uniquely Chinese expressions. Examples include the Chan, Pure Land, and Mizong forms of Buddhism.
Our objective is to learn and preserve the best of Chinese culture and make it accessible to a western audience. Historically, much of it has been shrouded in mystery and secrecy. It can be difficult for Chinese and non-Chinese alike to penetrate the ancient and symbolic language, much less find a good teacher. The good teachers have never been available in great numbers and many of the best were lost in the upheavals of the 20th century.
We have been fortunate in our training to come across some of the best teachers we could hope to find. Each one is different, each one is unique. What they share in common is their high level of cultivation and understanding of the Tao. We hope to share a little of what we learned with you.
[...] Sit, Stand, Lie Down By Shawn Cartwright All of the traditional Chinese internal arts, whether Qigong, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, painting, music, or calligraphy, have a few things in common. First, they are all entry points to higher cultivation, Nei Dan, the pinnacle of Chinese civilization. [...]
[...] On the surface it appears that these two methods are separate, but in reality, nearly all schools agree that you must cultivate both together to reach the pinnacle of cultivation. [...]
[...] Summer Solstice Qigong By Shawn Cartwright Today is the Summer Solstice. This is the time of maximum Yang, when the first seed of Yin begins to regenerate. Like the Winter Solstice and the Spring and Autumn Equinox, it is an important time for Qigong and Internal Alchemy practitioners. [...]
[...] By Shawn Cartwright The Dragon and Tiger have long been totems of internal Kung Fu and symbols of Taoist internal cultivation. The highest levels of internal Kung Fu provide an entry point to Internal Alchemy (Nei Dan) [...]
[...] easy to forget this when studying China. The Chinese culture has reached very high levels, perhaps some of the highest. The central government is strong enough to provide a reasonable level of social order – you [...]
[...] or Nei Dan has its roots in the ancient Chinese tradition of self-cultivation. It is one of the gems of Chinese civilization. TCCII Internal Alchemy Class in Michigan April [...]
[...] Nei Dan, or Internal Alchemy. For those new to the concept of Nei Dan, you might want to read this short introduction and this short [...]