Stuart Alve Olson has been a practicing Taoist for over 30 years and has studied with the famous Taoist master T. T. Liang (1900-2002). He lectures throughout the world and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1
The Development of Qigong
Taoist Longevity Practices and the Three Treasures
Taoist Longevity practices
Arts of Nourishing Life
Abdominal Breathing
The Three Treasures
Ching
Qi
Shen

Part 2
The Eight Brocades--The Physical Practice
The Traditional Method, with Commentaries
Author's Introduction to the Eight Brocades
The Development of the Eight Brocades
Practicing and Finding a Teacher
Li Ching-yun
Li Ching-yun's Introduction to the Original Text of the Eight Brocades
The Methods of the Eight Diagram Active Kung
Secrets of the Eight Brocades
The First Brocade: The Heavenly Drum
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Second Brocade: Shake the Heavenly Pillar
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Third Brocade: The Red Dragon Stirs the Sea
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Fourth Brocade: Rub the Court of the Kidneys
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Fifth Brocade: The Single Pass Windlass
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Sixth Brocade: The Double Pass Windlass
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Seventh Brocade: Supporting Heaven
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
The Eighth Brocade: Grasping with Hooks
The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
Concluding Exercises and Comments
Concluding Exercises: The Original Text
Li Ching-yun's Commentary
Author's Instructions
Concluding Comments
Appendix to Part 2: Summary of Instructions

Part 3
The Lesser Heavenly Circuit--The Spiritual Practice
Three Interrelated Techniques
Author's Introduction to the Lesser Heavenly Circuit
Development of the Lesser Heavenly Circuit
The First Regime: Externally Patting the Eight Subtle Meridians and
Twelve Cavities
The Eight Subtle Meridians
The Twelve Cavities--Methods for Self-Massage
The Second Regime: Internally Opening the Eight Subtle Qi Cavities
The Eight Subtle Qi Cavities
The Third Regime: The Lesser Heavenly Circuit


Appendix to Part 3: Summary of Instructions

Suggested Reading

About the Author