Hexagram #1, Creativity of Heaven, is a hexagram that carries pure Yang energy. It is the most active, generative force in the Yi Jing and is characterized as strong, initiating, and forward-moving. It is about doing, leading, creating, and pushing forward with clarity and intention. It favors initi...

May 5 – August 6

Introduction

In this seasonal blog series, we offer Taoist perspectives on living in accordance with the larger seasonal changes unfolding throughout the year.

Rather than treating Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter as fixed blocks of time, the traditional Chinese system observes t...

Zhang Sanfeng is one of the most famous and mysterious figures in Taoism and martial culture. He is traditionally depicted as a wandering Taoist immortal, internal alchemist, martial artist, and spiritual teacher. Placed somewhere between the late Yuan dynasty and early Ming dynasty periods, he is p...

On the 14th day of the 4th moon, which this year will fall on May 30th, Taoist observe the birthday of one of its most famous figures, Lu Dongbin. Lu Dongbin is one of the Eight Immortals, a legendary group of enlightened beings who embody different paths to spiritual realization. He also holds crit...

The session begins with an introduction to Tim Burkett and the launch of a new seven-month talk series on The Secret of the Golden Flower.

Connections are drawn between Taoism and Zen, and between Tim’s background and the legacy of Stuart Alve Olson. The series is described as an exploration of “tu...

In conjunction with Tim Burkett’s current talks on The Secret of the Golden Flower, we are also making available on the blog a rare archival audio series by Stuart Alve Olson recorded in 2014. These recordings have long been part of our Internal Alchemy Membership library, and we wanted to make them...

In this second session on The Secret of the Golden Flower, Stuart Alve Olson explores the distinction between “original spirit” and “conscious spirit,” clarifying how the upper, middle, and lower dantians function within Taoist internal alchemy practice. Stuart discusses emotional regulation, the ro...

In this third session on The Secret of the Golden Flower, Stuart Alve Olson explores the practice of “returning the light” and clarifies important translation issues surrounding Chapter Three. Stuart explains the meditation posture involving the third-eye region, the alignment of the eyes and breath...

In this fourth session on The Secret of the Golden Flower, Stuart Alve Olson explores the practice of “returning the light” and “regulating the breath,” while clarifying several important translation issues in the Wilhelm edition. Stuart focuses on the two major obstacles to meditation—dullness and ...

In this seventh session on The Secret of the Golden Flower, Stuart Alve Olson explores one of the central themes of Taoist cultivation: learning how to practice within ordinary life rather than escaping from it. Stuart discusses the meaning of the “invisible light,” the relationship between occupati...

We hope our newsletter finds you well as we welcome the Water Dragon, the ruler for the month, which comes soaring in on April 17th. The Dragon marks pivot or transition points. They store energy, and the specific element combination can determine how that stored energy expresses. Dragon months tend...