Taoist Qing Cheng Mountain

On July 8, 2023, we embarked on an unforgettable journey to climb the renowned Taoist Mountain, Qing Cheng Mountain.

For years, I had been fascinated by the ancient stone path that meandered through a lush green forest, adorned with hidden Taoist temples. Finally, we decided to make the trip, taking a high-speed bullet train from my hometown of Xi'an to Chengdu, covering the distance at an exhilarating 230 miles per hour.

Opting for the old original path allowed us to experience a more secluded trek, where the presence of fewer people was overshadowed by the breathtaking beauty of nature. However, it wasn't without challenges as my sons, who had been working with their peers in America until 3 am due to the time difference, were quite exhausted when I called them to rise around 6 am for our grand hiking adventure.

As we passed through the gate into the mountain, we immediately felt the temperature drop by 8 degrees, signifying the transition from two contrasting worlds. Surprisingly, instead of feeling drained, we found ourselves gaining more energy as we ascended towards the Taoist temples. By 7 pm in the afternoon, the boys were bounding up the steps, leaping five at a time!

During our ascent, I caught sight of an elder Taoist monk seemingly floating down the path as he walked with such effortless grace, resembling a figure from a martial arts novel. His hair and beard were as white as a crane's feathers, yet his face held the serenity of a newborn baby.

Taoists have inhabited these mountains for generations, leading a simple life disconnected from modern amenities like cell phones and Wi-Fi. When we had lunch atop the mountain, my boys couldn't help but remark on the delightful taste of the meal. It consisted of humble zucchini and tomatoes, which had absorbed and thrived on the nourishing energy of nature and the Taoist light.

The experience of climbing Qin Cheng Mountain and immersing ourselves in the profound simplicity of the Taoist way of life left an indelible mark on our spirits, reminding us of the timeless wisdom that can be still found.

We sincerely hope that you will join us for these upcoming sessions. We look forward to your participation and seeing you soon.

* Taoist Light Qigong Level I for Beginners/New Trainees:
For those who are new to Taoist Light Qigong, we are offering a new series of Level I training sessions on September 5, 12, 19, and 26, every Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

*Thursday Group Practice Sessions:
Our Thursday group practice sessions will take place on the following dates: 

June 15, June 22 (Guided by Chiyan)

June 29, July 6, and July 13 (Guided by Rhonda Richey)

* Sunday Group Practices:
There will be no group practices held on June 18 and July 2. However, we will resume our Sunday group practice on July 16, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The session will be conducted both in person and on Zoom, subject to a sufficient number of participants.

* I-Ching Qigong Training:
We are excited to announce the upcoming I-Ching Qigong training, which is the level II training following the Taoist Light Qigong level I five sections. The training sessions will be held on September 2, September 16, and September 23, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays. The total cost for the training will be $380.

* Advanced One-Year Training Program:
In addition, we are introducing an advanced one-year training program exclusively for individuals who have completed the Taoist Light Qigong training. This program will consist of 50 weekly in-person meetings. The starting dates for this training are yet to be determined, and we will provide further updates in due course.

Who is responsible for our health and well-being?

When one is under the stress of one or more chronic health conditions, one inevitably feels fear, worry, and even desperation, in addition to spending time/energy on constant doctor visits and procedures.

But who can really heal you, the complete you? The answer is yourself.

Yes, you may feel vulnerable and depleted after many struggles to get well, but you can take responsibility for your own health and so regain health, joy, and inner-peace.

A question often heard goes like this: “I have been on good diet and exercise, go to sauna... why I am still not well?”

What about your thoughts, emotions, and most important your Qi/energy which is the connector for your body, emotions, mind, and spirit. When Qi is stuck somewhere, things just cannot flow well anymore.

Taoist Light Qigong is an ancient, authentic, and powerful light form of practice to help people heal themselves, so as to bring the life-force and the light of hope back to one's life. It also makes affinities with the right student who can respectfully carry on this practice for the benefit of self and others.

A student who is sincere, committed, open-minded, heart-centered, humble, and transparent in nature can obtain the true essence of Taoist Light Qigong, and with daily practice with good self-discipline, the results will show. It is satisfying to see how after your joyful practice, the list of the health issues can be crossed off one by one, so that ultimate health can be restored.

Taoist Light Qigong not only helps people to heal themselves and find inner peace and joy; it further helps people to live a free-flowing life with less and less obstacles, because you have merged into the WAY of Life.

New Taoist Light Qigong training is starting soon.

For details:

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Tao Te Ching - 49

The master is not fixed in his mind,

He is open to others' minds:

He treats the kind with kindness,

He treats the unkind with kindness;

Thus kindness is attained.

He trusts the trustworthy,

He trusts the untrustworthy;

Thus trustworthiness is attained.

The world is complex,

He keeps his mind simple.

Most people are absorbed in what they hear and see,

But the master keeps his mind pure.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by R.Smitheram and Noah Wang

Tao Te Ching – 60

Governing a large country

is like frying a small fish.

When the Tao is centered in the world,

Dark force will lose its power;

Not just lose its power,

Dark force cannot harm people;

Not just dark force cannot harm people,

Saints would not harm people.

Since both will not cause harm,

People can return to virtue.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by Robert Smitheram

Tao Te Ching - 59

When leading people and serving the world;

Nothing exceeds moderation.

Moderation means being in alignment with the Tao;

Alignment with the Tao means building up virtue.

Building up virtue leads to a universal competence;

With universal competence one cannot be limited;

Not being limited means one can rule the country.

Being like a mother to the country enables one to last long.

This is known as having deep roots and a solid base,

Which is the Way to long life and lasting existence.

Translated by Chiyan Wang, edited by Robert Smitheram

Food therapy in Autumn

The autumn season is the time to take care of lung Qi; grief and sadness can affect lung health. While in autumn, people can naturally have feelings of isolation and sadness.

But there are five seasonal foods used as herbs in autumn to nourish Lung Qi:

1. Bai Luo Bu (White dakon)

2. Shan Yao (Chinese yam)

3. Asian Pear

4. Bai He (White lily)

5. Lian Ou (Lotus root)

If you can not find these foods, you can eat more white-colored food to support Lung Qi; warm soupy food/teas are also good for lung health in autumn.

May you have a healthy and happy Autumn!

Moonlight and free annual checkup

Greetings from Taoist Light Wellness! I hope this email finds you well.The moonlight becomes very bright this week because of the full moon festival in mid-autumn. Moon-Yin energy will be at its peak this weekend on Sept. 10 & 11, so it is time to collect the Moonlight Qi for purification, inner - tranquility, and self - nurturing.
On Dec. 3, Saturday 2:00 - 4:00 PM, we will hold a free annual checkup session for Taoist Light Qigong students who have taken Taoist Light Qigong training. I hope to help cultivators who may have drifted away from TL qigong to come back to this practice, and help old students to look through postures and pronunciations and answer any questions for Taoist Light Qigong practice to support your practice on the right track. This will be held in person and it is free of charge. Please mark your calendar and rsvp.