Taoist Faith: A Guide To Their Spiritual Practices

Taoism, or Daoism, is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China. The religion is centred around the concept of 'Dao' or 'Tao', which is believed to be the life-force of the universe and the source of all existence.

Taoist practices vary depending on the lineage or school, but they are all based on the principles of 'Dao'. Taoist practices generally focus on health, vitality, and living in harmony with nature.

Taoist meditation is a popular practice, with the simplest form being inner alchemical meditation, which aims to calm and empty the mind and circulate 'chi' or 'qi' (life energy). Other Taoist practices include martial arts such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan, and Qigong, which combines breathing exercises, body postures, and visualisations to cultivate life energy.

Taoists also place great emphasis on accumulating merits and doing good deeds to benefit society.

Taoist meditation: calming and emptying the mind, circulating chi, repeating mantras, visualising energy, etc

Taoist meditation is a unique form of meditation that, although similar to Buddhism, has a far stronger emphasis on energy flow, healing, breathing techniques and visualisations.

Stillness Meditation

This is a form of Taoist meditation that involves closing your eyes and relaxing your entire body. You should then imagine a point of energy at your lower dan tian (in your lower stomach area), which is your centre of gravity. You can then imagine a ball of energy that you allow to expand and contract gently. This ball of energy is then moved in a cyclical pattern, from the lower dan tian, to the base of your spine, lower back, upper back, neck, top of the head, forehead, face, neck, heart and back down to the lower dan tian. At each stage, you imagine the healing energy from the ball flooding that part of your body, releasing any tension or blockages while healing and cleansing the area.

Colour Healing Meditations

This form of Taoist meditation involves imagining a bright, beautiful colour that then floods your body. This can be done in a wave from your head down to your toes, in a body cycle like small universe breathing, or in any other way you like. As you breathe in, you imagine the colour flooding to where it is needed, such as an injury or illness, and then as you breathe out, you imagine a dark smoke rushing out of your body.

Taoist Meditation Techniques

Taoist meditation techniques include Daoyin "guide and pull" breathing exercises, Neidan "internal alchemy" techniques, Neigong "internal skill" practices, and Qigong breathing exercises.

Mantras

Repeating mantras is not mentioned in the sources as a Taoist meditation technique.

Taoist diet: simplicity, whole foods, no chemicals or processed foods, little meat, etc

The Taoist diet is based on the belief that food is fuel for the body, mind, and spirit. Taoists believe in eating natural, whole foods that are easy to digest and free from chemicals and artificial additives. This means avoiding heavily processed foods like white flour and sugar, as well as limiting the consumption of meat, especially red meat.

Taoists believe in keeping things simple and natural, so their diet consists mostly of fresh fruits and vegetables, with whole grains also being an important part of their modern diet. They avoid foods that are hard to digest, such as dairy products and spicy or acidic foods. Herbs, spices, and pungent foods like garlic and onions are also consumed in moderation.

The Taoist diet is about more than just physical health; it is also about spiritual health and maintaining a connection with nature. Taoists believe that food can affect a person's energy and spiritual state, so they are mindful of the types of food they eat and how they are prepared. For example, steaming or stir-frying vegetables is preferred over boiling, as it is believed to retain more of the natural goodness.

Taoists also believe in the concept of "qi", or life energy, and choose foods that are thought to have a high amount of qi. They also avoid foods that are believed to disrupt the balance of yin and yang energies in the body, such as tropical fruits, which are considered too strong in flavour.

In addition to their dietary practices, Taoists also place importance on other aspects of wellness, such as meditation and physical movement. They believe that a healthy body and a healthy mind are interconnected and that a holistic approach to health is necessary for overall well-being.

Taoist martial arts: T'ai Chi Ch'uan, combining the principles of yin and yang

Tai Chi Chuan, or Tai Chi, is a popular Taoist martial art that combines the principles of yin and yang. It is characterised by slow, graceful, and sweeping movements, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. The art was founded by Yang Luchan in the early 19th century, who studied under Chen Changxing. Yang Luchan's son, Yang Chengfu, modified the practice to remove explosive power (fa jin), jumps, and foot stomps, instead emphasising a large frame combined with expansive opening and closing movements.

Tai Chi is designed to stimulate and harmonise chi, or life energy, for health, vitality, and self-defence. The practice uses breath, awareness, balance, and concentration to produce an internal mediation and achieve outward mobility and strength.

Yang-style Tai Chi is one of the five primary families of Tai Chi and is the most popular and widely practised style today. The other four families are Chen, Sun, Wu, and Wu Hao.

Taoist qigong: breathing exercises, body postures, visualisations, cultivating life energy, etc

Taoist qigong is a practice that focuses on the cultivation and use of qi (the body's subtle energy or life force) to promote health, martial prowess, and spiritual insight. It is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of exercises and practices, including meditation, martial arts, and energy cultivation techniques. Here are some key aspects of Taoist qigong:

Breathing Exercises

Breathing is a vital aspect of Taoist qigong, and practitioners aim to breathe with their entire body in a relaxed, circular manner without holding their breath. This type of breathing is believed to enhance the ability to dissolve and release energy blockages, improve well-being, and increase spiritual awareness. Taoist breathing techniques emphasize kidney breathing and lower/upper back breathing, always using both nostrils without breathing into the front of the chest. Additionally, Taoist breathing does not involve holding the breath, as it is believed to create tension and negatively impact the nervous system. Instead, the focus is on lengthening the inhales and exhales, proper body alignment, and creating a relaxed and stable breathing pattern.

Body Postures

Taoist qigong also involves specific body postures and movements that are practiced in repetition for various purposes. These postures are designed to change consciousness and Qi flow through the body and are often combined with repetitive movements to enhance their effects. The position of the spine is considered crucial, as it affects the functioning of internal organs and the flow of Qi. Correcting and maintaining proper spinal alignment helps improve overall health and prevent musculoskeletal degenerative diseases.

Visualizations

Visualization is another important aspect of Taoist qigong, where practitioners may visualize specific mental images, such as deities, cosmic patterns, or lights in the body's organs. Visualization techniques are often used in conjunction with breathing exercises and body postures to enhance their effects.

Cultivating Life Energy

Taoist qigong aims to cultivate and enhance Qi, which is believed to be the vital energy that animates the physical body and its functions. By practicing various Qi Gong exercises, such as breathing techniques, body postures, and movements, practitioners seek to improve their health, increase longevity, and cultivate spiritual insight. In Taoist philosophy, the cultivation of Qi is closely linked to the concept of the Tao, the natural order that enables all things to exist and dominate every action.

Taoist rituals: incense, flowers, lamps, water, fruit, etc

The Taoist altar is central to the practice of Taoism. The altar is used for ceremonies and rituals, and its arrangement varies from sect to sect. However, there are certain objects that are always present, and their symbolism remains the same regardless of the ritual.

The five offerings, or "Five Elements", are always present on a Taoist altar. These are incense, flowers, lamps, water, and fruit.

Incense is an important element in Taoist rituals, acting as a communication tool between the Taoist and the deities. The smoke from the burning incense is believed to carry the wishes and blessings of the priest to the heavenly deities and spirits in the netherworld. It is also thought to get rid of negative elements and purify the altar.

Flowers are offered at the altar to create a serene and pleasant environment and to show sincerity to the deities.

The lamp symbolises the light of Tao and is placed in the centre of the altar, in front of a picture or statue of the deity being honoured. It is never lit or extinguished, symbolising the light of Tao, which remains forever untouched by cycles of creation and dissolution.

Water is believed to purify and cleanse the spirits of the netherworld, allowing them to regain their "true self".

Fruits are offered to the deities of the heavenly realms, signifying a wish that all beings will realise the truth and ascend to the heavens. Five plates of fruit are usually presented to represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in their prenatal form.

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