Being Daoist: The Way of Drifting With the Current provides an interpretation on the basic philosophical ideals of living and thinking as a Daoist. It serves as a primer for Westerners on Daoist teachings and practices, encapsulating the heart of what Stuart Alve Olson has learned from his teachers, from his many years of practicing, and from his study and translation of Daoist works.  The chapters on Understanding the Way, The Way of Renewing Life, The Way of Wei Wu Wei, The Way of Immortals, and The Way of Sincerity, Silence, and Gentleness offer insights into what it means to be Daoist by integrating Lao Zi’s philosophy of naturalism into our lives in a Western context.  One of the cornerstones of Being Daoist is living according to our Personal Dao, which allows us to achieve greater peace and contentment in our lives. In this book, Stuart Alve Olson explains the meaning of Personal Dao, and provides guidance on how we can connect with ours. Just as the Chinese character for Dao shows a person drifting along with the current of a watercourse way, finding and then following your Personal Dao is the essence of Being Daoist.

Being Daoist: The Way of Drifting With the Current

Politics & Social Sciences

Olson, Stuart Alve

Philosophy

Valley Spirit Arts

This book contains an in-depth analysis of Zhang San-Feng's Tai Ji Quan Treatise, the most important document of all Tai Ji Quan classical literature. Olson's commentary provides clear descriptions on each verse of the treatise and how it applies to actual Tai Ji practice. Zhang San Feng (Three Peaks Zhang), a Daoist priest of the 12th century, is credited with the creation of Tai Ji Quan and several works on Nei Dan (Internal Alchemy). Reportedly living 170 years, his life spanned from the late Song dynasty through the Yuan and into the early Ming dynasty. Zhang s life exemplified the Chinese ideal of a true wandering immortal. The Tai Ji Quan Treatise shows not only the depth of his knowledge, but the great historical influence Tai Ji Quan has had in the world.

Tai Ji Quan Treatise: Attributed to the Song Dynasty Daoist Priest Zhang Sanfeng (Daoist Immortal Three Peaks Zhang Series) (Volume 1)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Stuart Alve Olson

Exercise & Fitness

The sword, saber, and staff weapons of Taijiquan are implements for improving your health, expressing qi, and issuing intrinsic energy (jin). Even though these three weapons are complete training systems of Taijiquan within themselves, each has a primary focus in its practice: Sword develops the skill of extending intrinsic energy through the arms and hands. The handling of the sword is likened to the skills of a Chinese calligrapher with a writing brush, making use of very refined yin and yang movements. Saber develops the skill of issuing qi from the spine. The handling of the saber is equated to the skills of a Chinese archer pulling a bow, making use of movements for drawing-in and releasing energy. Staff develops the skill of directing intrinsic energy through the waist. The wielding of the staff relates to the skills of a Chinese fisherman poling a boat across the water, moving the entire body as one unit with steady, relaxed, and flowing motions. All practicers of Taijiquan and other martial arts and health regimes should definitely consider training one or more of these incredible weapon arts. The Yang Family was truly genius in making these weapon practices “part and parcel” to their Taijiquan system of training. Without learning the skills inherent to each weapon, your level of skill can not reach its highest potential, as each weapon becomes an extension of the body, providing the skills of expressing intrinsic energy, qi, and spirit—whether within a self-defense situation or in your daily activities.

Tai Ji Bing Shu: Discourses on the Taijiquan Weapon Arts of Sword, Saber, and Staff (Chen Kung Series)

Sports & Outdoors

Kung, Chen

Individual Sports

<p>Taijiquan is Internal Alchemy in motion, and the Taiji Qigong Form and supplemental exercises in Tai Ji Qi (Volume One of the Chen Kung Series) represent the very foundation for the Internal Alchemy aspects in the practice of Taijiquan. The information in Stuart Alve Olson’s six-volume Chen Kung Series, available to the Chinese reader for nearly eighty years, covers the entire Yang family system of Taijiquan practice and philosophy. Chen Kung’s original Chinese book, published in 1936, is a distinct and invaluable resource that is now accessible to English readers through the brilliant translation work and insightful commentary of Stuart Alve Olson. No matter what style of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) you practice or what level of skill you have achieved, the Chen Kung Series will greatly broaden your knowledge and skills, as it is truly a “Master’s Program” on the art of Taijiquan.</p>

Tai Ji Qi: Fundamentals of Qigong, Meditation, and Internal Alchemy (Chen Kung Series: From the Private Family Records of Master Yang Luchan)

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Books by Valley Spirit Arts