The Ancient Artform : Dao Yin Shu
What exactly is Dao Yin Shu? (导引述)
Dao Yin Shu (导引述) is an ancient Taoist art with a history dating back over 5000 years. The legendary Yellow Emperor, Huang Di (黄帝) of 2.500 B.C.E learned this art from the Taoist hermit, Guang Cheng Zi (广成子) of Kong Tong (崆峒) mountain.
In 1974, during the excavation of the Ma Wang Tui (马王堆) Tombs in Chang Sa (长沙) of Hunan (湖南) province, Chinese archaeologists found a silk painting of Dao Yin Shu (导引述) dated back to the end of the third century B.C.E. Based on the painting uncovered during the excavation, the Chinese Qi Gong Association of Health asked the University of Shanghai to recreate this ancient qi gong which today is widely known as Ma Wang Dui Dao Yin Shu. This form of Dao Yin Shu (导引述) is not the ancient Dao Yin Shu (导引述) but simply a set of exercises. |
A photo depicting the silk painting of Dao Yin Shu uncovered during the excavation of the Ma Wang Tui (马王堆) Tombs
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Where we can find the original form of the ancient Dao Yin Shu (导引术)?
The Divine Guidance Art; Dao Yin Shu, is a rare part of Daoism that has been hidden for thousands of years and only passed down to royalty and high-ranking officials. For millennia, it had remained obscure to even the most knowledgeable and informed practitioners of the Daoist arts. Most practitioners who have received genuine transmissions may know about Dao Yin Shu from their own masters, however, even they believe it to be long extinct. By most accounts, people today, even those who claim to be the most devout, will seldom ever even know of its existence. It is a mystery to most.
Fortunately in 1970, Taoist Master from Xiao Yao Pai (逍遥派) school decided to share Xian Tian Dao Yin Shu (先天导引述) to the masses. For the first time in centuries, the original ancient art of health preservation and spiritual evolution became available to the world. There is no specific requirement to learn this art form. No knowledge of Taoism is required. There is no prohibition or rule of life that must be adhered to. Nothing change in your daily life. Just spend 30 mins to an hour practicing Dao Yin Shu (导引述) daily.
You can get in touch with the Dao You (道友), practitioner of Tao, of Tai Shang Men Xiao Yao (太上门逍遥派) Spiritual School here in Singapore if you are interested. Don't miss this one in a lifetime opportunity!
Fortunately in 1970, Taoist Master from Xiao Yao Pai (逍遥派) school decided to share Xian Tian Dao Yin Shu (先天导引述) to the masses. For the first time in centuries, the original ancient art of health preservation and spiritual evolution became available to the world. There is no specific requirement to learn this art form. No knowledge of Taoism is required. There is no prohibition or rule of life that must be adhered to. Nothing change in your daily life. Just spend 30 mins to an hour practicing Dao Yin Shu (导引述) daily.
You can get in touch with the Dao You (道友), practitioner of Tao, of Tai Shang Men Xiao Yao (太上门逍遥派) Spiritual School here in Singapore if you are interested. Don't miss this one in a lifetime opportunity!
Who is doing the guiding and what is the guider?
Dao Yin Shu (导引述) means Guidance Art. The "Guidance," which is an element only found in the original art is facilitated by a form of highly refined, non-physical consciousness, or divine energy. The Hu Fa Shen (护法神) or Immortal mentor guiding you is an ascended spiritual being, that exists in the non-physical dimension, beyond the duality of Tai Ji (太极). This is the core difference between the root art of Dao Yin Shu, which is called Xian Tian (先天) or Pre-Natal Dao Yin Shu (导引述) and that of Hou Tian (后天) or Post-Natal Dao Yin Shu (导引述) where our outcomes are solely a product of our own efforts.
Components of Dao Yin Shu (导引述) : Shen Gong (神功), Qi Gong (气功) and Jing Zuo Gong (静坐功) or meditation
Tai Shang Shen Gong (太上神功)
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This exercise is like a "bridge" that connects the divine energy to the physical dimension. It is very good for maintaining vitality and physical dexterity of the body.
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Xian Tian Qi Gong (先天气功)
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This breathing exercise is very good to keep the energy within us and prolong our life.
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Jing Zuo Gong (静坐功)
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This is a meditative practice based on Zi Ran (自然) or naturalness and Wu Wei (无为) or non-interference.
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While practicing Xian Tian Dao Yin Shu (先天导引述), we will experience a sensation akin to that of magnetic force which will encourage our body to move in a natural but very specific way. It is important to understand that it is not a trance condition and while practicing the Dao Yin Shu (导引述), we will always remain in a fully aware condition. In shamanic practices, control of the body and mind is surrendered and consciousness is decreased in order to enter a state of trance. However, in the practice of Dao Yin Shu (导引述), a practitioner practice in a completely lucid and sober state and always maintain complete control of the experience through his or her will and intention. In fact, the Divine Guidance Art increases our consciousness and awareness.
Breathing exercises to prepare you for Qi Gong
There are 4 parts to the breathing exercise that you can practice daily.
1. Stand back against the wall with your head, neck, torso, and legs pressed against the wall and with toes gripping the floor
2. Pull up your perineum (提肛)
3. Pull in your stomach (缩肚)
4. Take deep breath
5. Let the Qi sink into the Dan Tian (气沉丹田)
6. Compress the Qi in the Dan Tian (气灌丹田)
7. Push the Qi out through your fingers (气通百脉)
1. Stand back against the wall with your head, neck, torso, and legs pressed against the wall and with toes gripping the floor
2. Pull up your perineum (提肛)
3. Pull in your stomach (缩肚)
4. Take deep breath
5. Let the Qi sink into the Dan Tian (气沉丹田)
6. Compress the Qi in the Dan Tian (气灌丹田)
7. Push the Qi out through your fingers (气通百脉)