Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind

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 Stillness Are 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 illustrations Are 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."

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!

Eva Wong has done a great service in translating this mystic tome and that effort, and the excellent commentary, is deserving of 4 stars. But a word to the not so wise, this is not for the beginner. One reviewer noted that it took reading many other books before they could begin to understand this one and that may indeed be the case for all of us, because at first sight, I've got nothing. Its completely symbolic and even the commentaries generalize important aspects of the Taoist Path. It is not an instruction guide...at all. As another reviewer put it, it is a book to meditate upon. The introduction hints at much of the Taoist meditation techniques including circulating qi and the stages of enlightenment but the book does not elaborate and the reader may find, like i did, their taste buds had been whetted for a meal that never came. A most interesting work for anyone seeking the Tao but it is not a detailed guide, it is scripture to wrap your mind around.

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

This adept translation and commentary of an ancient text presents an amazing richness of information about Taoist Internal Alchemy. The open-minded reader who allows to the own rational expectations and rigidness to go away, will be able to sense and integrate deep vitality and peace of the living wisdom that blossoms and transforms for many thousands of years. Many expressions from the book, starting from the very title, offer the incredibly fruitful points for the practitioner's meditation. As most of the Taoist transmissions, "Cultivating Stillness" does not structure its amazing philosophical and pragmatic messages in a way that would show the full, coherent picture, like modern science does. This makes the underlying Truths sometimes not so easy to grasp. However, the playfully shuffled, "Post Heaven" arrangements have a deep meaning, as the invested efforts of the reader become a dynamic contribution to the body of knowledge and an essential part of the puzzle.

Arrived today I excellent state?

This book is advanced and requires a lot of revisiting to ensure that the mind hasn't skipped over what it does not wish to hear. It is instructional and leaves little doubt in the student's mind about what needs to be given up/renounced/let go of and what needs to be cultivated. There is a description of the three stages of enlightenment. Deep gratitude to Eva Wong for the effort and care in the translation.

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.

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!