Understanding Taoist Alchemy


Interpreting the Ancient Codes

Interpreting the ancient codes shrouding the esoteric Chinese arts is one of the great challenges facing any serious student of Taoist Nei Dan. Download the free paper now.

Day 7: Wudang Qigong and Purple Cloud Temple

Turtle and Snake, symbols of Wudang Mountain Taoism. From TCCII Journey to China

Today our group began their studies with Master Wang Li Sheng, a Longmen Daoist Priest and Xin Yi master who lives on Wu Dang Shan (武當山). He taught the original Wudang Daoist version of the Eight Pieces of Brocade called Shen [...]

Day 6: Journey to Wudang Shan

Chen Xili, Grandmaster Chen Quanzhong’s son, joined us at the hotel for an early morning class. Students reviewed the Eight Directions (Energies) of Tai Chi and he answered their questions. Afterwards, we loaded up our bus and headed to Wudang Shan. It is only about three hours from Xian to Wudang on the new highway, [...]

Day 5: Grandmaster Chen Quanzhong in Xian China

Grandmaster Chen Quanzhong (陈全忠) is my Chen Tai Chi (陈氏太极) teacher. Today our students had the chance to meet him in person for the first time. At nearly 90 years old, he is the senior most Chen Tai Chi Grandmaster in China and has practiced the art his entire life.

Grandmaster Chen Quanzhong with [...]

Day 4: Learning Chen Tai Chi and Curses in Xian China

The Terra Cotta Warriors of Emperor Qin were intended to protect him in the afterlife.

Emperor Qin (秦始皇) is legendary for uniting China, burning the books, burying the scholars, and building the most impressive tomb for himself in the known world. Our students got to check out a little of his handiwork at the [...]

Day 3: Taoist Immortality and Dragons in the Mosque

Bai Yun Guan, or White Cloud Temple (白云观) is one of the most important Taoist temples in China. This temple is the seat of the Long Men sect of Daoism. Our teacher, Chen Yang guided the group through the temple providing details on history and Taoism. The group was very interested in the philosophy and [...]

Day 2: Yong He Gong Temple

TCCII's Group of Adventurer's start their Journey to China at Yong He Gong Tibetan Buddhist Temple

One of the most important Buddhist temples in China is Yong He Gong. Built by a Qing emperor, it is the main Tibetan (Lama) temple outside of Tibet. As a special surprise for our guests, we brought our [...]

Day 1: Our Adventurers Arrive!

We finalized the arrangements at the hotel for our group. They arrived in three sets throughout the evening, although somewhat delayed by thunderstorms. The storms were welcome as they helped cool off the city and wash the coal dust out of the air. One of the China’s biggest problems is pollution. They have industrialized very [...]

The Beginning: DC to Beijing

Today we flew to Beijing from Washington DC. United Airlines has a direct flight from Dulles to the Beijing Capital Airport. It’s long. Damn, long, but not as long as it is if you have to change planes. I don’t think I’d go to China every year if I had to change planes every time. [...]

Journey to China 2011

This weekend TCCII and 20 of our closest friends will be heading to China for an unforgettable travel, learning and training experience. This is no ordinary tourist trip. Sure, we’ll see the Terra Cotta warriors and a few other famous sights. However, we get off the beaten path and enjoy the temples, markets and hangouts [...]

China Trip 2011

We’re headed to China and you’re invited! In August of this year we will take ourselves and few fortunate companions on an unforgettable trip to China. This won’t be an ordinary trip… no way, not with us! This will be a training immersion trip designed to experience traditional Chinese arts in the environment in which [...]