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Contents |
- Can one learn Qigong from a book?
- Why Do I Need A Teacher?
- Kundalini Bibliography by Kurt Keutzer - Excellent source of info!
The following books make a solid theoretical foundation for Qigong practice. It should be noted that after reading dozens of various books I have found neither one teaching that is superior to all others nor a single teaching that does not require qualified supervision to ensure safe progress.
The books are only of a limited value to a beginner and anyone who has not had exposure to a very good teacher. Building on top of an imperfect foundation is a complete waste of time, not to mention hazardous to your health. First, one must make sure that there are no problems in one's body and training methods. Be aware of the fact that years of training alone may not equal to one hour with a good qigong teacher.
Best Theory Books
NewQigong Empowerment - A Guide to Medical, Taoist, Buddhist, Wushu Energy Cultivation by Shou-Yu Liang, Wen-Ching Wu Excellent source of information on the four directions in qigong. One of the best books.
The Root of Chinese Qigong: The Secrets of Qigong Training by Dr.' Yang, Jwing Ming 'Good contemporary overview of most qigong styles and theory. About the best place to start.
Awaken Healing Light of the Tao by Master Mantak Chia A part and introduction to the complete library of Master Chia's method, contains a vast amount of information on the Taoist practice
The Great Tao by Stephen Thomas Chang, very good overview of Taoist practice. Includes exercises and a lot of great reference material.
Highest Yoga Tantra -- Daniel Cozort; This is one of the finest attempts to present the Tibetan writings about the highest level Buddhist meditation practice in a readable form.
Best Exercise Books
NewQigong Empowerment - A Guide to Medical, Taoist, Buddhist, Wushu Energy Cultivation - Shou-Yu Liang Excellent source of information on the four directions in qigong. One of the best books.
The Way of Energy : Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength With Chi Kung Exercise by Kam Chuen Lam (Very good book on practice of Zhan Zhaung, standing meditation that builds internal strength. This method is highly valued in martial arts)
Complete System of Self Healing by Stephen Thomas Chang. A wealth of information along with a good description of static and dynamic exercises.
Iron Shirt Chi Kung I by Mantak Chia. A good book to get if you like Zhan Zhaung. A lot of detail on the body internals, solid theory. Chia's books offer an overwhelming amount of information. So much, in fact, that one may think that a book can be a good substitute for personal instruction, which is in most cases, is not so.
Chi Kung for Health and Vitality : A Practical Approach to the Art of Chi Kung by Wong Kiew Kit. One of the best books for a beginner.
Awaken Healing Light of the Tao by Mantak Chia (a part and introduction to the complete library of Master Chia's method)
Meditation Books
NewThe Secret of the Golden Flower : The Classic Chinese Book of Life by Thomas Cleary(Translator) - 200 year old Chinese meditation manual that stands somewhere between Zen and Taoist teachings.
The Secrets of Chinese Meditation : Self-Cultivation by Mind Control As Taught in the Ch'An, Mahayana and Taoist Schools in China by K'Uan Lu Yu, Charles Luk (a book on meditation by the same guy who wrote Taoist Yoga!)
The Book of Secrets : The Science of Meditation : A Contemporary Approach to 112 Meditations Described in the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra - Excellent commentary by Osho
Tao & Longevity : Mind-Body Transformation by Wen Kuan P.H.D. Chu, Huai-Chin Nan Great book written by a master. One of the most clear books on advanced qigong.
Tibetan Yoga of Dream and Sleep by Tenzin Wangyal (practice while sleeping, what a deal!). Also see The Lucidity Institute (they have a number of high tech gizmos to help one become aware of REM sleep) and Dream Qigong entry in Online Library .
Best Sexual Yoga Books
Taoist Secrets of Love : Cultivating Male Sexual Energy and Healing Love Through the Tao : Cultivating Female Sexual Energy-- Mantak Chia. One of very few books that deal with this important subject in sufficient detail. Understanding of principles described is essential.
The Tao of Sexology : The Book of Infinite Wisdom by Stephen Thomas, Chang. The only alternative for now to the Mantak Chia's books. Consistent with Chia's works with less emphasis on the Microcosmic Orbit. Offers a different take on the exercises. Master Chang has a very respectable lineage which makes the book even more interesting.
also see the review of Art of the Bedchamber : The Chinese Sexual Yoga Classics Including Women's Solo Meditation Texts by Douglas Wile in the [#classics Classics] section.
Best Martial Qigong Books
Warriors of Stillness - Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts (Warriors of Stillness-Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts, Volume 1) by Jan Diepersloot - Excellent!
The Tao of Yiquan - The Method of Awareness in the Martial Arts (Warriors of Stillness - Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts, Volume 2) by Jan Diepersloot - Excellent book! Goes deeper into Zhan Zhuang practice than The Way of Energy. I am looking forward to Volume 3 of this Trilogy.
The Way of Energy : Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength With Chi Kung Exercise by Kam Chuen Lam (Very good book on practice of Zhan Zhaung, standing meditation that builds internal strength. This method is highly valued in martial arts)
Best Science Books
Zen and the Brain - Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness - James H. Austin (also available in hardcover) - There it is - 800 pages and 160 chapters of research and speculation from a Professor Emeritus of Neurology. An excellent read for those who are still wondering whether meditation and qigong is the pastime of lunatics. A decent attempt to explain the mysterious side and side effects of mediation with a Zen flavor. Beware, while being the most thorough of its kind, this book still barely scratches the surface.
The Body Electric - Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life by Gary Selden (non-esoteric point of view)
Scientific Qigong Exploration by Zuyin Lu. Book illustrates some of the Dr. Yan Xin efforts.
Biographies and Fiction
Opening the Dragon Gate - The Making of a Modern Taoist Wizard - Kaiguo Chen. Presented as a biography of an accomplished master, the transmitter of the art.
The Chronicles of Tao - The Secret Life of a Taoist Master - Deng Ming-Dao. Very entertaining.
Philosophy and Classics
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (~500 B.C.)
Cultivating the Energy of Life by Liu Hua-Yang (~1700's)
Taoist Yoga by K'Uan Lu Yu (Charles Luk) (explains the parts intentionally obscured in the classics. highly recommended)
Cultivating Stillness - A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind (classic Chinese text on Taoist meditation allegedly written by Lao Tzu)
Tsongkhapa's Six Yogas of Naropa - The classic of Tibetan Tantric Yoga. If you liked Highest Yoga Tantra, get this book.
Art of the Bedchamber : The Chinese Sexual Yoga Classics Including Women's Solo Meditation Texts - Douglas Wile. Excellent analysis of existing translations/interpretations of the classics and some contemporary works including Mantak Chia and Thomas Chang's books. A must for any serious practitioner of art to improve the understanding of this complex topic.
- The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine - Ilza Veith. Essential classics at the foundation of practice.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead - The Great Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo by Guru Rinpoche. (Ancient teaching shows how to view everything as a projection of one's mind. Written for the dead but quite useful for those not yet ready to kick the bucket).
Harmonizing Yin & Yang - The Dragon-Tiger Classic
Teachings of the Tao - Readings from the Taoist Spiritual Tradition (a compilation of selections from Taoist classic texts)
If All Else Fails
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi & Qigong -- Bill Douglas, Richard Yennie (bet you didn't know there was one)
Complete Idiot's Guide to Meditation - Joan Budilovsky,
Meditation for Dummies (For Dummies) -- Stephan Bodian
Books Recommended by Others
I have not read these, yet.
- Abundant Zhineng Qigong - translation book A landmark work expounding the theories and practice of qigong, meditation, physical, mental and spiritual cultivation for healing and health enhancement.
Chi Gung : Chinese Healing, Energy and Natural Magick -- L. V. Carnie. Sifu Wong Kew Kit recommended this book. It has a very different perspective.
NewWudang Qigong- China's Wudang Mountain Daoist Breath Exercises by Yuzeng Liu,
Other books
Just a temporary storage section
Tools for Tantra -- Harish, Johari
Tantra Unveiled : Seducing the Forces of Matter & Spirit -- Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
