I particularly enjoyed the short introduction to Chinese
Alchemy. It gave a good intro framework
and supported with historical records.
Neidan (inner alchemy) is still very popular among Chinese internal
art. These are living lineages that were
hidden and not destroyed by the Chinese Culture Revolution and many other
lineage holders have escaped to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and rest of Southeast Asia
that many of their spiritual heirs still practicing today! Especially in Taiwan since the official
language is in traditional Chinese which all the ancient texts were written
in. The spiritual heirs of these
internal arts are still able to fully comprehend and have a great command of
the original authentic “traditional” Chinese language in an unadulterated
manner. In other words, new well written
commentary is flourishing. Most importantly, the secret oral pith
instructions were retained by these masters in Taiwan mainly she escaped the 10
years of Culture Revolution! Another
example is all Taoist or Chinese alchemist’s talismans (Fu) are drawn in
Traditional Chinese characters embedded with some very ancient characters. With over thousand years of lineage blessing
in them and been proven through many dynasties.
This popular practice is still practice today in Taiwan unlike in China.
On the other side of the continent, the famed Elias
Ashmole’s – English alchemist works are
fascinated by a glance. But, I think one
needs to be well verse in Latin before diving deeper to understand these
alchemical manuscript.
Hi Ben! I like your synthesis of the Chinese Alchemy article we looked at in class. So much of what inspires me to practice Chinese medicine is that alchemy is at the heart. I feel so inspired and empowered learning that, for centuries, people have been able to alchemize their internal (and in some legends, external) environments.
ReplyDeletethanks, yah, there cools stuffs out there :)
DeleteHi Ben,
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken the time yet to read the article you are referring to, but it sounds fascinating and a good read. Just from reading your comments, I learned that many Chinese escaped to Taiwan during the Cultural Revolution. I didn't know that many of those people carried on the ancient language and culture. I find that so fascinating and would like to read more about that part of history.
Hi Amanda,
DeleteI was just as surprised that on one of my trips to China, I learned that the Confusious Temple society in China has requested Confusious society in Taiwan to demonstrate and to learn the original Confuscian ceremonies dated back at his time 551BC!
Glad these important historical & artful ceremonies are not lost :)