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