29/04/06 I've created a weblog here drop in to comment on the site or to ask any general questions.

27/06/06 I've just added a general theory section here and an outline of how those theories impact upon TJQ here. I'll be expanding this when time allows.

17/03/08 New biginners classes starting in Stockport in mid April. If you have been thinking about having a go at Xingyi or Taiji this is a geat time to start, with the nights getting lighter and the jump in energy most of us feel with a bit of daylight. It doesn't matter if your interest is health or self defence come along and give it a go. Details of days and times are here, all public classes are £5.

For information regarding private tuition on any subject please contact me via the details here.

Below you'll find details of books that I have read and found, to greater and lesser degrees, interesting.

Where possible I have provided a link to Amazon's UK store.

Over the last decade a great deal of interesting material has emerged from China, this corresponds to a relaxing of Government policy towards religious practce in China which has also increased the amount of access by western scholars to various groups within China.

Amongst the most prolific western writers on Daoism is Thomas Cleary. It is fortunate that Mr Cleary's area of interest is in Quanzhen Daoism and Chan Budhism, both of these traditions are of particular interest to students of Chinese Martial Arts.

The Secret of The Golden Flower. This book provides an excellent explanation of the core methods of meditation designed to quieten the mind.

Although it is written in reasonably straight forward language, if you are completely new to the subject you may find some of the concepts a little difficult to grasp on the first reading.

The Daoist I Ching. This presents a slightly different view of the origins and purpose of the I Ching.

Whereas most versions present the text as a method of seeking advice and divination this text presents the I Ching as a source of guidance to those seeking self development.

The Art of War. There are many excellent versions of this book available, I particularly like this edition as it contains several versions of the text with a variety of commentaries.

For those not familiar with the Art of War it is a classic of military strategy, still used today in both military education and in modern business planning and management.

Understanding Reality. This is the core text of the Quanzhen School of Daoism.

Even though the aim of the author was to create a text that improved accessibility to key knowledge it is still written in a style that at first is hard to follow.

The heavy use of metaphor requires the reader to think over every paragraph. This, like so many books on this page, repays rereading.

The Inner Teachings of Taoism. By the same author as Understanding Reality.

This text includes the Four Hundred Words on the Golden Elixir, which outlines the process of internal alchemy.

The Book of Balance and Harmony. This is one of my favourite books on Daoism. The author provides good information on various Daoist practices and explaines to what level each practice is valued.

Taoist meditation is a collection of translated Taoist meditation teachings from six sources.

This book does not provide a detailed "how to" of meditation techniques.

There are no commentaries to the verses, it is purely translated text; therefore, unless you have read such material before, it may seem a little abstract and hard to follow.

Vitality, Energy and Spirit, are referred to within Daoism as the "three treasures".

This volume presents a selection of Taoist texts from both ancient times and from the present day which deal with the subject three treasures.

The majority of Cleary's works are also available in four hardbound volumes that make up his collected works on Daoism.

Below are details of other works about Daoism by a variety of authors.

An introduction to Taoism, divided into three sections: history of Taoism, systems of Taoism and Taoist practices.

The book follows Taoism from its Shamanic roots in Chinese prehistory to the classical period of Lao-Tzu, through to the Taoism of today. It examines the various schools and their practices.

Seven Taoist Masters. As with much of Daoist folk lore history and legend are interwoven.

Written by an unknown author, Seven Taoist Masters is the story of six men and one woman who overcome tremendous hardships on the journey to self-mastery.

An easy, yet thought provoking and entertaining read

The Mind Seal Classic does in fact contain three different texts, one of which is the Mind Seal Classic. The other texts being; The Immortals, from the Pao P'u Tzu by Ko Hung and The Three Treasures of Immortality, from the Dragon Gate Sect.

Olson accompanies his translations with informative commentary that explains the historical context of the texts as well as demonstrates the practical applications

Taoist Master Chuang. This was, I think, my first ever book on Daoism.

It was a fascinating read, detailing Mr Saso's experiences in Taiwan as he researched and studied with local Daoist practitioners.

The Gold Pavilion is an interesting work that outlines practices of the "Highest Pure School". The practices are somewhat esoteric and make an interesting comparison with the more basic Chan /Zen like practice of the Quanzhen sect featured in much of Cleary's works.

Original Tao is a truly scholarly work. This work contain the oldest surviving expressions of a method for mystical "inner cultivation," which the author identifies as the basis for all early Taoist texts, including the Chuang Tzu and the world-renowned Tao-te Ching.

The Web That Has No Weaver, whilst not strictly a work about Daoism is featured here because it is one of the best books for getting to grips with the Daoist concepts that underpin Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is not in any way a "how to" book. But is none the less a most useful text.

The I Ching is probably the oldest book in existence. There are many translations available, the most famous probably being the Willhelm Baines edition. That editions fame probably stems from the fact that it was one of the first.

Being one of the first, Willhelm had no point of reference except his own previous experience in European psychology. So the W B edition is noticeably Jungian in flavour.

This edition however is clearly written and gives good instruction on the use of the I Ching for divination.l

Where else could I start this section, except with my own teachers work. This book deals extensively with the concepts of "inside the door" training and the inner art. This includes both therapeutic and martial aspects of Taoist internal alchemy.

It is THE authoritative work on Practical Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi Ancestors is an interesting work that looks at the "internal" tradition before the arrival of TJQ as we know it today.

Tai Chi Boxing Chronicles is a book I value greatly. What I find of particular interest is are the translations of the various Taiji classics.

The Author, Kuo Lien Ying, had a massive reputation as a highly skilled martial artist from the Yang Ban Hou lineage.

His translations and explanations of the classics make an interesting contrast to the majority of works available.

Scholar Boxer is an ambitious work by Marnix Wells. In it he has translated the texts left behind by Master Chang (1724-1783). He claims his research reveals the true origin of today's internal martial arts. Much of the subject matter is also covered in the item above (Tai Chi Ancestors).

It is however a difficult text to follow as the translation style is very literal.

This is an interesting little book. Far from encyclopaedic and a little hard to follow in places, but there are a few interesting bits and pieces buried inside.

Wu style Tai Chi Chuan. Dr Wen Zee, medical doctor and TJQ practitioner has focused his effort on the health value of Tai Chi. This book includes case studies and published medical research into its multiple health benefits.

An interesting read for those whose interest is directed more towards the health aspect of practice.

This is a privately published work by Marcus Brinkman.

It is a rare text written by Wu Mengxia, one of China's most famous teachers of Bagua, Xingyi, and Taiji during the 1930's thru 1950's. Approximately 93 pages; black and white printing and photos. Photos of Wu are somewhat unclear, but visible. Partial contents include: Synopsis of Practice and Theory Song, The Thirteen Character Training Song, The Confounding Round Song, The Eighteen Locations, The Long Lance Art of Yang Lu-Chan, Original Skill of Taiji Boxing

This book can be ordered from;

http://www.gaostylebagua.com/annotations_on_taijiquan.htm

Robert Smith has a lot to answer for. It was reading his early works, including this particular volume in the 1970's that triggered my interest in Chinese Martial Arts.

Whilst a little dated and some of the historical information has been superseded, this is still a classic.

Di Guoyong on Xingyiquan Vol 1 & 2. These are the first two of three volumes written by Di and translated by Andrea Falk.

This is an excellent book outlining the fundamental practices of XYQ.

Andrea has also done an excellent book that can be used to accompany Di's VCD series

All of which can be found at;

http://www.thewushucentre.net/information_pages/di_guoyong.html

Another classic. Sun Lu Tang was one of the first people to claim mastery of the three major internal Chinese schools: Xingyiquan, Taijiquan, and Baguazhang.

Sun's knowledge went beyond pure martial arts to Daoist philosophy and practice. In this text he explains clearly the connection between XYQ and Daoism.

Andrea also has several other translations available including this version of Li Tianji's "Skill of XYQ" which is excellent. This can be found here;

http://www.thewushucentre.net/service_pages/sales_page/xingyi_books_and_videos/