The Taoist Alchemy of Wang Liping: Volume One Kindle Edition

Don't look any further. You found what you are looking for! Twenty years ago I read the book "Opening the Dragon Gate" which is the authorized biography of Nathan Brine's teacher, Wang Liping. After reading that book I felt a depression come over me. I thought to myself I will never be able to learn any of Master Liping's teachings. He is too far off, language would be a barrier, and the level of training required to practice the Dragon Gate method of alchemy overwhelming. Twenty years later Mr Nathan Brine did all the work that was impossible for me to do. Anyone who knows anything about Taoism has read books such as The Secret of the Golden Flower and other books about the Complete Reality Schools of thought. The teachings are dense and veiled in esoteric impenetrable language that requires a teacher to unlock. This information can only be transmitted from Master to disciple.Anyone starting out on the path will have to tirelessly search for an instructor and read hundreds of books to grasp the cosmic implications of these methods. This book will unlock those mysteries. Now here is the problem. Americans think they know everything and they think the more complicated the meditation the bigger the end result will be. They don't want to build the foundation of the practice and skip just about every vital step to lay the groundwork for more advanced practices. Then run around in circles in their minds. They have been glammored by charlatans who promise cosmic awakening. Anyone who knows knows that those promises will get an honest seeker nowhere. The simplicity and eloquence in which Mr Brine presents these techniques will be wasted on readers looking for immediate grandiose results (self gratification which is an illusion). There is no fast and easy way for obtaining the Way. These teaching are genuinely transmitted from a living Master. It takes a lifetime, no many lifetimes, to master these meditations. I am hoping that I might possible be able to achieve the techniques taught in this manual within the next twenty years. Knowing the depth in which these techniques can lead a person, for me at least, feels overwhelming. Nathan Brine has achieved a monumental goal for Westerners who want to train in authentic Complete Reality School meditation, indeed those who wish to open the dragon gate. Oh he also offers these techniques online so I would recommend checking that out. I am planning to.

This is the book that we have been waiting for. Anyone interested in Wang Liping's system of Taoist Alchemy (or even just Taoism in general) should order this gem and keep an eye out for future volumes. This book is excellent and is truly a gift for both practitioners and those who are just curious.In the author we have a dedicated practitioner of Wang Liping's system who not only has years of experience in personal practice, retreats and in teaching the system, but who has also studied Taoism and Chinese language academically. Combined with a knack for teaching and explaining things in an easy-to-grasp manner, Nathan Brine has created a truly exceptional book.The book takes a multi-dimensional approach of combining personal experience along with theory and lots of practical information and instructions for practice. Illustrations, diagrams, and boxes explaining key concepts are sprinkled throughout making the content very approachable and enjoyable to read through. The book has a great glossary and outlines of the systems of practice in the back. Many of the terminology throughout the book are written along with their original Chinese names (with both pinyin and the Chinese characters) which adds clarity and the opportunity for further learning for those reading.Giving this one 5 stars was an easy choice!

The author has the right mind, but perhaps trying a little too hard in his practice. It's best to take a practice like Nei Dan slowly and systematically, allowing sufficient time for the teaching and practice absorb into the body and mind. Note, this is not to cast any dispersions on Wang Liping's teachings and/or methods - they just don't seem to come through properly in the book.I've been studying Nei Gong and Nei Dan on and off for a few decades but only recently have reached an understanding of what this type of practice requires and how to accomplish it's goals. A teacher is helpful - for example, I've had two Chinese masters who taught me Crane Style Qi Gong (and other standing meditation techniques) and demonstrated what Yin Qi and Yang Qi feels like and how they can be used to heal and manipulate the world around you. A valuable experience, needless to say, but not having a teacher and learning from books would be possible while studying thoroughly and practicing gently until an understanding is reached.The process of Nei Dan seems to first require some proficiency in Nei Gong (a martial art is helpful as well, but not necessarily required), which itself requires some knowledge of Chinese medical arts. For a beginner, rather than purchase this book, a good place to start would be to study Damo Mitchell's 'A Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Nei Gong', followed by his books on Channels/Meridians, then finally 'White Moon on the Mountain Peak' - a Nei Dan practice much more thorough than the book being reviewed here. For me, studying each a little per day worked out well. For standing meditation and sinew-changing exercise practice maybe consider 'Crane-Style Chi Gong and It's Therapeutic Effects' by Daoshing Ni and view a Sinew-Changing YouTube video to get a 'body feel' for how to do the practice properly - although one would have to study the first Damo Mitchell reference above to practice this Qi Gong form correctly. I'm sure other references would be equally well suited.Again, take it slow, reach health of body and mind first, then attend to merging with the Dao via Nei Dan - but by no means should any effort be undertaken which might cause damage to the body or mind - try not to force it. Relax, have gentle satisfaction with the patient progress of practice. A satisfying life journey will be the result (wink!).

Author and practitioner Nathan Brine presents here the basics of Daoist meditation and alchemical practice.He does so from personal experience of training with Wang Liping, and shares generously much detailed knowledge and advice that up until recently would have been closely guarded, esoteric “inner door” information.As such what you get here is a highly practical and illuminating guide rather than a dry, scholarly description of the Dragon Gate Lineage.Particularly fascinating are the two sections in which Nathan vividly describes his inner journey through various retreats and intense extended sessions.His descriptions of various feelings and markers of progress are immensely helpful in the jungle of obscure metaphor and vagueness that tends to typify Daoist writings.Nathan’s genuine desire to pass on his love of Daoist practices shines through in this highly readable and enthusiastic guide.I’d recommend this book, along with his online material, to anyone with a nascent interest or even existing experience in Nei Dan.

I would say this book is the best starting point for anyone interested to know and practice daoist internal alchemy. Very well explained and with lots of practical info to start practicing. The author offers also a videocourse for anyone interested in having audio guided sessions on yin xian fa and more advanced practices. Recommended.

Ein auf den ersten Blick exzellentes Buch zur Theorie UND Praxis des Neidan. Ich persönlich praktiziere seit vielen Jahren täglich ca 1,5 bis 2 Stunden Qigong und Taichi, und wenn auch Sitzen und Stehen ein Teil dessen ist, habe ich Neidan, die innere daoistische Alchemie nicht bei meinem Lehrer gelernt. Einfach weil er es nicht unterrichtet. Das ist mir nur wichtig zu sagen, um meine Rezension ins rechte Licht zu rücken. Ja, ich habe Erfahrung mit inneren Künsten wie Taichi, Qigong und ein Stück weit Neigong. NEIN, ich habe keine Erfahrung mit Neidan.Also, zum Buch aus meiner begrenzten Sicht:Das Buch ist klar strukturiert. Von Theorie, was Neidan aus Sicht der daoistischen Drachentor Linie ist alles prima erklärt. Von den drei Feldern (Tian) über Jing Chi Shen bis zu Dao und wie der Körper bzw die Umwandlung aus daoistischer Sicht geschieht.Der Praxisteil besteht aus der ganz konkreten Beschreibung des Sitzens im Sinne der taoistischen Alchemie. Mit den verschiedenen Atemtechniken bis zum Ablauf einer kompletten Sitzsession. Auch Zeitangaben sind vorhanden. Genau sieht man schnell, dass eine Neidan Sitzung eben nicht nach 30 bis 45 Minuten zu Ende ist, wie es aus so manch anderer Tradition vielleicht bekannt ist. Eine Neidan Session kann zwei Stunden oder länger dauern, wenn man nach der Anleitung geht.Weiter hinten wird noch ein Abriss über das Stehen in der Wuji Position gegeben.Ob das ganze in der Praxis auch funktioniert, ob es tatsächlich ohne persönliche Unterweisung funktioniert, ehrlich gesagt habe ich davon noch keine Ahnung (Qigong und Taichi sollte man zumindest in den ersten Jahren nur MIT Lehrer lernen, könnte es da bei Neidan anders sein...?. Denn das ist ja ein wirklich langer und komplizierter Prozess der Entwicklung und Umwandlung von Körper und Geist. Aber wer weiß, vielleicht funktioniert es ja mir vielen Vorkenntnissen...man wird sehen.Es folgen wohl noch mehrere Bände, in denen es dann tiefer geht. Das Buch ist in gut zu verstehendem Englisch geschrieben.Ich habe mir das Buch gekauft, um einen Überblick zum Thema Neidan zu bekommen und kann darüber hinaus einige wertvolle Tipps für meine tägliche Qigong Praxis nutzen.Dies erfüllt das Buch zu 100 Prozent und bekommt deshalb von mir 5 Sterne. Wie gesagt, ob der beschriebene Prozess wirklich funktioniert, das weiß ich nicht. Diesbezüglich kann ich also keine Sterne verteilen.Herzliche GrüßeA. Klaus

Me gusta porque da instrucciones claras sobre cómo hacer uno de los elixires internos. Esto es algo que nunca había leído en ningún otro libro.

This book is highly recommended for those interested in the international arts... But even more so to those whom have been walking the Kundalini path for a while....