Chapter V, Taoism, Augmented Power: Taoist Hygiene and Yoga, Summary and Analysis

Where Philosophical Taoism seeks to reduce activity, this second type of Taoism aims to increase activity through ch'i, or vital energy. In order to accomplish this end, they worked with matter, movement, and mind. In terms of matter, by experimenting with natural herbs and foods, they were able to develop a remarkable pharmacopoeia of both cures and preventatives. They worked with breathing, using air (the lightest form of matter) from which to draw ch'i. Supplementing the use of matter, they developed programs of bodily movement such as t'ai ch'i chuan, thought to circumvent blocks to eternal flow. Included in this study was the development of acupuncture. The third methodology involves something strikingly similar to the Hindu practice of raja yoga. It involved exploring the inner...