Introduction to the New Talk Series

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 ...

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...