Taoism: Master the Art to Achieve Inner Peace and Happiness by Learning Taoism Today

Author:Sara Wilson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Learn Taoism, zen Buddhism, Zen, Taoism for Beginners, Meditiation, Taoism, zen mediation
Published: 2014-08-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4: Religious Practices of Taoism

Alchemy

There are two different forms of alchemy within Taoism, called Waidan and Neidan, or external alchemy and internal alchemy respectively.

External alchemy is concerned with creating elixirs or medicines that increase longevity and improve overall physical health. While, historically, the quest to discover new elixirs—particularly an elixir that would grant immortality—led to numerous poisonings, today there are some Taoist health elixirs that are quite safe. However, if you want to use a recipe to make an elixir, you should still be sure that the source is reputable and the mixture is safe.

Neidan is almost certainly the more common of the two Taoist forms of alchemy today. Internal alchemy seeks to cultivate an elixir of sorts within the body by using reproductive energy, life-force energy, and spiritual energy to enhance an individual’s health and come closer into alignment with the Tao. Internal alchemy is similar to meditation, as your focus is directed inwards to manipulate internal energies.

If you want to learn either Waidan or Neidan to improve your physical, mental, or spiritual health and to help bring you nearer to the Tao, there are plenty of resources available on both. The Internet is full of sites that provide detailed information about the history, concepts, and techniques of Taoist alchemy, and there have been a number of books published about both external and internal alchemy.

Reading and Reciting Scripture

Nearly since the very beginning of organized Taoism, recitation of key religious texts has been an important practice. Many Taoists gather to recite passages from the Tao Te Ching, or other important Taoist works.

Recitation offers a number of benefits to its practitioners. To start with, recitation helps Taoists to learn and remember the texts they recite. This was particularly important in the early years of Taoism, when literacy levels were lower than they are today. However, recitation continues to be a useful way to study and memorize key religious passages.

In addition, many Taoists believe that the words of the Tao Te Ching can offer healing powers, good luck, and unity with the Tao to those who recite them. In the right conditions, the words of the Tao Te Ching are incredibly powerful and can bring beneficial changes to the lives of Taoists.

Performing Music

Music is an important part of Taoist spirituality, and it may be used for a number of different purposes. Songs often accompany recitations of scriptures, rituals, and other deity-worshiping activities.

Taoist music often involves drums and singing, but makes use of a few other unusual instruments as well. The dizi is essentially a Chinese flute made of bamboo and has been used in China for thousands of years. The ruan is a lute with four strings and a straight neck that also originates from China and is believed to have been invented during the Qin Dynasty, roughly 2,200 years ago. Finally, the guqin is a seven-stringed zither that similarly dates back to antiquity. In fact, the guqin is likely the oldest of these three instruments, as many today believe it may be as old as 3,000 years.

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