Daoism : A Short Introduction

by Miller, James

• ISBN13: 9781851683154
• ISBN10: 1851683151
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-01
• Publisher: Pgw

Summary

In this guide, James Miller emphasizes the role of Daoism as a livingradition not only in China, but also in the West. He examines the classicaloots of Daoism and Chinese mysticism, exploring such key areas as cosmology,estivals, meditation and shamanic journeys. He also explains the linketween Daoism, ecology and the growing popularity of Chinese medicine in theest.

Author Biography

James Miller is Assistant Professor of East Asian Traditions at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgements	xiv
Timeline of Daoist History	xvi
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION	1	(15)
Proto-Daoism	4	(3)
Classical Daoism	7	(4)
Modern Daoism	11	(2)
Contemporary Daoism	13	(2)
Suggestions for further reading	15	(1)
1 IDENTITY	16	(20)
Daoism as Chinese Religion	17	(9)
Daoism as Lineages of Transmission	26	(3)
Daoism as Universal Path	29	(5)
Conclusions	34	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	35	(1)
2 WAY	36	(17)
Way	37	(8)
Power	45	(1)
Communication	46	(6)
Suggestions for further reading	52	(1)
3 BODY	53	(22)
Qi: The Breath of Life	54	(6)
Correlation, synchronicity and resonance	60	(5)
Longevity practices	65	(6)
Transcendent bodies	71	(2)
Suggestions for further reading	73	(2)
4 POWER	75	(18)
Daoist Millenarianism	78	(4)
Daoist Messianism	82	(5)
Daoism in contemporary China	87	(2)
Negotiating with destiny	89	(3)
Suggestions for further reading	92	(1)
5 LIGHT	93	(14)
The development of Shangqing Daoism	93	(3)
Light practices	96	(8)
Contemporary visualization practices	104	(2)
Suggestions for further reading	106	(1)
8 ALCHEMY	107	(15)
Alchemy and the quest for immortality	108	(1)
Laboratory alchemy	109	(3)
Internal alchemy	112	(2)
The Way of Complete Perfection	114	(4)
Transformation	118	(3)
Suggestions for further reading	121	(1)
7 TEXT	122	(17)
The religious origins and functions of Daoist texts	123	(9)
Transformations of meaning in Daoist texts	132	(6)
Suggestions for further reading	138	(1)
8 NATURE	139	(13)
Natural space as sacred space	140	(7)
Marvellous nature	147	(1)
Caverns and texts	148	(2)
A Daoist aesthetic of spontaneity	150	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	151	(1)
Glossary of Chinese Terms	152	(5)
Bibliography	157	(7)
Index	164