Awards

• Runner-up for Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2019 (United States)

Overview

This book examines one of the world's most enduring and influential literary works, the Dao De Jing, through the timeless art of qigong. In his words, Lao Tzu (or Laozi), author of the Dao De Jing, embodies qigong principles, advocating the cultivation of mind and body. Only when we know qigong can we know Lao Tzu -and only when we know Lao Tzu can we know the Dao De Jing. Lao Tzu's writing has been read, translated, and discussed around the globe. It deals with principles that transcend time and culture. That is why this ancient text has been reimagined countless times in books on business, relationships, and parenting-but never with a focus on the art of qigong. This makes Dao De Jing: A Qigong Interpretation unique and indispensable.

Full Product Details

9781594396199

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Reviews

A writer offers a translation of a famous Chinese work with commentary from a qigong perspective. The Dao De Jing is an ancient Chinese classic by Lao Tzu that serves as the foundational text of Taoism as well as an influence on the development of Confucianism and Buddhism. Qigong is a holistic practice of movements, breathing, and meditation that can aid in healing, spiritual growth, and martial arts training. The Dao De Jing was based on Lao Tzu's personal understanding about the Dao and the De through his personal qigong practice, writes Yang (Pain-Free Joints, 2017, etc.) in his introduction. Since the Dao of managing the body is similar to the Dao of managing a country, Lao Tzu offered moral guidance to historical Chinese rulers. After some preliminary material supplying a context for Lao Tzu and his work--along with a rundown of some of its underlying philosophical concepts--Yang provides all 81 chapters of the Dao in both the Chinese original and in his English translation. He then delivers both a general interpretation of each chapter's meaning and a qigong-specific analysis. In the case of Chapter 29, for instance ( Doing Nothing--Be Nature ), the general interpretation discusses the concept of wuwei (doing nothing) as it applies to governance: A ruler should govern according to Nature. Too much of acting on the world (using force) will fail. The qigong analysis, in turn, is focused on the importance of regulating the mind: When you practice qigong, your mind must be in a neutral and calm state. Yang's translations capture the delicate precision of the original while presenting it in highly accessible language. The dual interpretations of the text are an enlightening feature, even for those readers with no prior interest in qigong. The general interpretation is more outward-facing, toward the world; the qigong one is inward-facing, toward the self. Between the two, the full picture of the Dao emerges as an intriguing symmetry. This is a long book (nearly 540 pages) for a relatively short text, but Yang's commentaries greatly aid in understanding Lao Tzu's words and the worldview behind them. An elegant and comprehensive critical edition of the Dao De Jing.--Kirkus Reviews, September 2018

A writer offers a translation of a famous Chinese work with commentary from a qigong perspective. The Dao De Jing is an ancient Chinese classic by Lao Tzu that serves as the foundational text of Taoism as well as an influence on the development of Confucianism and Buddhism. Qigong is a holistic practice of movements, breathing, and meditation that can aid in healing, spiritual growth, and martial arts training. The Dao De Jing was based on Lao Tzu's personal understanding about the Dao and the De through his personal qigong practice, writes Yang (Pain-Free Joints, 2017, etc.) in his introduction. Since the Dao of managing the body is similar to the Dao of managing a country, Lao Tzu offered moral guidance to historical Chinese rulers. After some preliminary material supplying a context for Lao Tzu and his work along with a rundown of some of its underlying philosophical concepts Yang provides all 81 chapters of the Dao in both the Chinese original and in his English translation. He then delivers both a general interpretation of each chapter's meaning and a qigong-specific analysis. In the case of Chapter 29, for instance ( Doing Nothing Be Nature ), the general interpretation discusses the concept of wuwei (doing nothing) as it applies to governance: A ruler should govern according to Nature. Too much of acting on the world (using force) will fail. The qigong analysis, in turn, is focused on the importance of regulating the mind: When you practice qigong, your mind must be in a neutral and calm state. Yang's translations capture the delicate precision of the original while presenting it in highly accessible language. The dual interpretations of the text are an enlightening feature, even for those readers with no prior interest in qigong. The general interpretation is more outward-facing, toward the world; the qigong one is inward-facing, toward the self. Between the two, the full picture of the Dao emerges as an intriguing symmetry. This is a long book (nearly 540 pages) for a relatively short text, but Yang's commentaries greatly aid in understanding Lao Tzu's words and the worldview behind them. An elegant and comprehensive critical edition of the Dao De Jing. KIRKUS Review

Author Information

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is a world-renowned author, scholar, and teacher of qigong and Chinese martial arts. He has been involved in martial arts since 1961 and maintains over 55 schools in 18 countries. Dr. Yang’s writing and teaching include the subjects of qigong, kung fu, tai chi chuan, massage, and meditation. He is the author of over 35 books and 80 videos. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming teaches and resides in McKinleyville, California. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Gongfu training at the age of 15 under the Shaolin White Crane Master Cheng, Gin Gsao. Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts. With the same master he also studied Qin Na, Tui Na and Dian Xue massages, and herbal treatment. At the age of 16, Dr. Yang began the study of Taijiquan under Master Kao, Tao. Dr. Yang's tai chi can be traced back to the Yang family through Master Kao's teacher Yue, Huanzhi, an indoor disciple of Yang, Chengfu. After learning from Master Kao, Dr. Yang continued his study and research of Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong. Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese Gongfu since 1961. During this time, he has spent 13 years learning Shaolin White Crane, Shaolin Long Fist, and Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has more than thirty years of instructional experience.

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