Finding a Life of Harmony and Balance: A Taoist Master's Path to Wisdom

Description

This authorized biography of contemporary Taoist expert Wang Liping (1949-), an 18th generation transmitter of Dragon Gate Taoism, tells the true story of his apprenticeship in Taoist wizardry, as well as the specialized body of knowledge, mystical wisdom and ritualized practice accumulated and refined over eleven centuries. A seemingly chance encounter with three Taoist elders changed Wang's life forever when he was in just 5th grade. What follows is a philosophical quest in a coming-of-age tale like no other, playing out in mountainside temples and remote reaches of China. This is a story akin to the Dalai Lama's, as - like Tibetan Buddhists - Dragon Gate Taoists identify, raise and train specially chosen youngsters as the holders, guardians and transmitters of ancient and esoteric spiritual wisdom. While few of us will become spiritual gurus like Wang, his story speaks to modern readers who are on their own 'chosen paths', seeking their own forms of self-cultivation, enlightenment and wisdom and a life of greater harmony and balance

Chen Kaiguo and Zheng Shunchao are students and practitioners of Dragon Gate Taoism and longtime disciples of Wang Liping. They were educated in Beijing and currently reside in Shenzhen, China. Translation and Introduction by: Thomas Cleary is the internationally best-selling author and translator of a wide range of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Muslim philosophical and religious classics from Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Pali, and Arabic. He holds a Ph.D. in East Asian languages and civilizations from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.

"...an an amazing tale, told in a fast-paced and entertaining style. Cleary's masterful translation provides an exceptional prose encounter with one of the most interesting branches of Taoism." -- Publishers Weekly "...filled with magical characters, mysterious goings on, outrageous adventures, and sprinkled throughout with a goodly amount of Taoist alchemical teachings." -- The Empty Vessel