Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians : Stories of Taoist Mystics

Here Is An Introduction To The Magical And Mystical Realm Of Taoism Through Biographical And Historical Sketches Of Taoist Adepts Over Two Thousand Years. This Panoramic View Of The Many Faces Of Taoism And Its Intimate Connection With Chinese Culture And Society Includes Intriguing Accounts Of The Taoist Secret Societies That Carried Out Mystical Exercises Using Powerful Consciousness-altering Techniques Including Sensory Deprivation, Incantation, Visualization, And Concentration. This Collection Of Sketches, Compiled By Zhang Tianyu, A Taoist Priest Of The Fourteenth Century, And Translated By Renowned Translator Thomas Cleary, Portrays More Than One Hundred Remarkable Individuals From The Eleventh Century B.c.e. To The Thirteenth Century C.e. It Introduces Us To A Broad Range Of Personalities Including Philosophers And Scholars, Mediums And Magicians, Alchemists And Physicians, Seers And Soothsayers, And Artists And Poets, Among Many Others.--jacket. Zhou Dynasty (1122-221 B.c.e.) -- Qin Dynasty (246-206 B.c.e.) -- Western Han Dynasty (206 B.c.e.-8 C.e.) -- Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) -- The Era Of The Three Kingdoms (221-265) -- Jin Dynasty (265-420) -- Southern Dynasties (420-588) -- Sui Dynasty (589-618) And Tang Dynasty (618-906) -- Five Dynasties (907-960) -- Song Dynasty (960-1278). Translated And Edited By Thomas Cleary. Translated From The Chinese. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [193]-194). Here is an introduction to the magical and mystical realm of Taoism through biographical and historical sketches of Taoist adepts over two thousand years. This panoramic view of the many faces of Taoism and its intimate connection with Chinese culture and society includes intriguing accounts of the Taoist secret societies that carried out mystical exercises and powerful consciousness-altering techniques, including sensory deprivation, incantation, visualization, and concentration. This collection of sketches, compiled by Zhang Tianyu, a Taoist priest in the fourteenth century, and translated by renowned translator Thomas Cleary, portrays more than one hundred remarkable individuals from the eleventh century B.C.E. to the thirteenth century C.E. It introduces us to a broad and fascinating range of personalities including philosophers and scholars, magicians and mediums, alchemists and physicians, seers and soothsayers, and artists and poets, among many others. Cleary’s expert translation and informative footnotes make this collection a lively and accessible read. The dynamic relationship between the individual and society has been a central concern of Taoism from its ancient beginnings—which is perhaps why certain Taoist classics, like Sun Tzu’s Art of War, are so often consulted these days for leadership advice. This anthology presents a wide range of texts revealing the processes of integrating personal spirituality with social responsibility central to Taoist tradition across the centuries and throughout the schools. There are a wealth of approaches to life in the world presented here, but at the heart of each is an understanding that even a mystic must be socially responsible and that self-cultivation is primary preparation for anyone called to lead.