Turning Towards the Dao - Part I
Dao Yin and Meditation Retreat
Led by Shi Jing
2 - 5 May 2008, Hourne Farm
3 day retreat: Friday - Monday
This year we are introducing two longer retreats in response to
the interest expressed by students who wish to go deeper with their
cultivation. This retreat will allow us to go beyond simply learning
the movements of dao yin and will help us open up to the meditative
quality of this important cultivation. We will look at how dao yin
dissolves restless qi and enhances the sense of tranquillity and
vitality from which clarity arises. We will also explore the passive
and active aspects of the movements and work on developing a smooth
transition between the postures, which is an integral part of dao
yin.
The cultivation of softness and receptivity are the key qualities
of dao yin, which involves purifying and invigorating our qi to
restore vitality and well-being. This is done, firstly, by way of
self-massage to warm the body and smooth the circulation of body
fluids. Secondly, the sequence of simple stretching movements of
the body helps to establish the inner circulation of qi and gently
release the blockages that inhibit the flow and flexibility. Easy
and undemanding, the movements are done in a soft and slow rhythm
to ensure the breathing becomes relaxed and natural.
Cultivation of dao yin comes to fruition in meditation, which seamlessly
integrates all the aspects of dao yin. This is expressed in the
meditation posture which is stable, aligned and relaxed, allowing
the qi to follow its natural pattern. To help internalise this cultivation
and facilitate an understanding that goes deeper than just the physical
level, meditation will be introduced on the retreat.
This retreat will provide a good understanding of how these practices
will be used on the five-day meditation retreat in July. We feel
that dao yin is an ideal place to enter into Daoist cultivation
and this retreat is open to all.
Shi Jing has been following the path
of Daoism since mid-1970s. In 1995 he was ordained as 31st generation
Daoist priest (dao shi) in the Longmen (Dragon Gate) branch of Quanzhen
(Complete Reality) School. In 1996 he co-founded the British Taoist
Association and became its chairman shortly after its inception.
As the BTA’s main teacher, he has been leading retreats and
teaching Daoist cultivation in UK, Europe and USA.
He was introduced to Daoist cultivation by Gia Fu Feng, well known
for his translations of the “Tao Te Ching” and the “Chuang
Tsu”, which first appeared in the early 1970s. At that time
Gia Fu Feng was one of the very few teachers whose cultivation was
rooted in sitting meditation, which is the foundation of the Quanzhen
tradition. He also taught Shi Jing the practices of dao yin and
tai chi as a way to become sensitive to the circulation of qi. Shi
Jing remained a student of Gia Fu Feng’s until his death in
1985. Gia Fu Feng instilled in Shi Jing a deep trust in his own
intuitive expression of the Dao. He has remained a major influence
on Shi Jing’s life.
Cost: £195 (BTA members) £215 (non
members)
Bookings should be received by 24th April
To book a place on this retreat, please print and complete the
booking
form and return it to: British Taoist Association, PO Box 2274,
buckhurst Hill, IG9 5YQ
If you have any further enquiries please contact: retreats@taoists.co.uk
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