Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind

Great book on Taoist Philosophy. A must read for anyone walking the path of Taoism. If you are interested in achieving internal alchemy, health, longevity, taoisim, or on the path of spiritual enlightenment then I highly recommend this book. This is a book that can be read over and over again."If you want to attain the Tao, you must train and discipline yourself. You must be steadfast like stone and iron, you must not waiver. Do not crave riches. Do not crave sexual pleasure. Do not be daunted by threats and fear. Your will must be centered, or you will abandon the path along the way. You must isolate your body from fame, fortune, possessive love, liquor, sexual pleasure, and emotions. You must cut them off with a sharp knife. You must cultivate yourself from within. Then you will receive the Tao" -- Eva Wong

It is written by someone who understands the texts well from an early age. Ms. Wong is professional in her approach as well as with genuine heart throughout her work. It’s a lot more difficult to translate sacred texts and authors than to come up with one’s own work because translations have to be as close as possible to the original texts, and yet they have to make sense in the language those texts are translated into. It isn’t an easy task. Taoism isn’t a joke. For many of us Taoists, it isn’t a religion but a philosophy of life which we keep front and center day-in and day-out. So this book is a heartfelt invitation to ease the mind. It is an invitation to see the body for what it is — a tool that serves the mind, and not the other way around. It is an invitation for mind and body to live in harmony, and that transcends words. It is daily reflection without pushing or pulling for outcomes. Bottom line, we can only thank Ms. Wong for her heart work!

Other reviews here will give you an idea of the basics of this book. It is quite worthwhile if you have an interest in 1) the variety of the basic Taoist texts (the primary text 'Cultivating Stillness', written under the name of Lao Tzu but more likely by a later, anonymous follower of Lao Tzu, is a wonderful almost poetic take on the nature of the Tao), or 2) information on Taoist alchemy (Wong's introduction does a good job of interpreting alchemical symbolism/metaphor). I would specifically point out a few things, however. Most of the book is taken up by a commentary by Shui-ch'ing Tzu (likely written somewhere between 1644-1911 CE.). Shui-ch'ing has some very idiosyncratic views on the text, and writes from what I would call an overt sectarian standpoint. He constantly attacks those who don't see the text his way and promulgates a harsh, puritanistic practice ("You must isolate your body from fame, fortune, possessive love, liquor, sexual pleasure, and emotions. You must cut them off with a sharp knife" p. 90). He also believes in the inner gods, beings who supposedly live in our bodies and report our sins back to "the Jade emperor" (p. 48 e.g.), even though such notions were long eschewed in other mystical Taoist texts centuries before. In discussing section 16, which quotes Lao Tzu: "The honorable ones have nothing to argue. The dishonorable ones like to argue" -- Shui-ch'ing then follows by launching into a rant where he, indeed, argues on and on about religion and behavior. This happens again with section 17. Well, I could continue pointing out Shui-ch'ing's hypocrisy and rather irritating tone, but the bigger issue here is Eva Wong's choice of commentator. As she notes, several commentaries on 'Cultivating Stillness' exist, so why this is the one she chose, frankly says something about her own point of view. While her translation is very well done, and she is eminently knowledgeable about Taoism, she herself plainly comes at it from the point of view of one invested in a particular aspect of religious practice. She claims in her introduction that her "own understanding of many passages in this text was a result of the experience of changes within [her] body" and pays homage to her personal teacher for this (p. xxvi). One certainly can't deny her claim, but without such knowledge ourselves, and without access to an alternative view of this material, we're left at the mercy of highly religious people. Don't get me wrong, it is worth buying this book (you just have to read between the lines a bit and take the commentary with a grain of salt, and again there's much basic information here that can fill in a lot of gaps for you), but you have to deal with the perspectives of the translator and commentator. I would get this, but make sure you balance it out with other books by, say, Thomas Cleary and Fabrizio Pregadio.

Cultivating Stillness is a text from the Taoist canon. Its Chinese name is the T'ai Shang Ch'in-ching Ching. Cultivating stillness is a short text of twenty-four segments. An exoteric interpretation will produce a reading of Taoism that focuses on the ideas of wu-wei, simplicity, and peaceful and harmonious living. An esoeric interpretation will reveal hidden instructions on internal alchemy and meditation, nd will offer advice on a lifestyle that is conducive to the cultivation of health and longevity.Taoist methods of health, longevity, and immortality were often presented in the esoteric terminology of alchemy, which was intended both to reveal and to hide. To those initiated in the practice, the symbolism revealed a world of inner experience. To the uninitiated, the terminology would appear confusing if not meaningness.This book does use the language of alchemy which will be more suitable for those who are actually practicing Taoist Inner Alchemy (being familiar with I Ching will also help), but it also contains commentaries on the benefits of cultivating stillness, practicing the experience of "nothingness", and points out the obstacles on the path which need to be dealt with.The contents of the book point the way to raising one's conscousness, merging with the spirit / Tao."The teachings presented in Cultivating StillnessAre suitable for men and women, young and old alike.When the golden metal and the jade ston merge as one substance,Ch'ien and k'un will acend to the highest realm of heaven.Hurry and find the center of true stillness,Tame your nind and recover your original nature,Distance yourself from the east and return to the west,Gather the herbs and complete the alchemical transformation of the pill,Let your body shed its mortal shell and ascend to the realm of heaven.The book Cultivating Stillness and its associated illustrationsAre a raft that carries us across the sea of suffering,The text helps to see through the illusion of lif and eath,The commentary is a shaft of light through the dark well of ignorance."

I find this book essential for understanding Taoist philosophy. It clarifies the vocabularies used in Taoist texts to describe the anatomy and philosophy pertaining to quieting the mind and heart. I enjoyed this text, and am glad to own it as a resource to return to over and over again.

Now this is Cultivating Stillness!Very informative and deep.

Very good

Eva Wong has done a great service to all who practice Qigong and cannot read the original material in its native tongue. This manual was originally given to neophytes who were starting to walk the path and it is still just as fresh and important as it was when first written.The book uses the format of starting each section with an illustration of the original page. These illustrations are very interesting and informative (such as the use of the original form of the taiqi symbol) in their own right. Then there is the primary verse followed by the commentary. No suprises here, format-wise, to anyone who has seen western books on Zen sutras and koans.Wong's commentary displays deep insight into the lessons and there is much to be learned here. I read the book at least once a year and never fail to learn/notice something new. I suspect anyone who practices will come to a similar conclusion.Excellent!

This book is digestible and accessible. It enables a lay reader to gain greater understanding of Daoism and Daoist practice. The original text is explained clearly and with insight for the western mind.