Is there a Taoist version of Dream Yoga?

[DarkMind]

Hi,

 

anyone here knows if there is a Taoist version of Dream Yoga?

 

Just asking. (Maybe we can compare notes; I'm into Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist spiritual practice)

[Spirit Ape]

Yes a master of daoism which I believe is now immortal was known for his sleep and dream Qi kung methods and lived for a few hundred years.

[Thunder_Gooch]

Yes a master of daoism which I believe is now immortal was known for his sleep and dream Qi kung methods and lived for a few hundred years.

 

who was he?

[Zhuo Ming-Dao]

You might want to look into Lieh Tsu, who lived at around the same period as Chuang Tzu. His writing style is very similar, if you like Chuang Tsu, but he tends to focus more on some of his lucid dreams and astral projections as metaphors for his Taoist philosophy. It is one of my all time favorite books. While he does not list any methods, he does give some very interesting stories.

 

I also recomend reading the Songs of Chu (also translated as "The Songs of the South" or "The Lyrics of Chu"). These songs predate Chuang Tzu, but many scholars believe that the old hermit came out of this tradition since he was also originally from Chu. Granted, their songs seem to be more about astral projection than lucid or clear light dreams, but it is still in the same vain.

 

Here is an example of one of the songs:

 

We gazed down of the Middle Land [China] with its myriad people

As we rested on the whirlwind, drifting about at random.

In this way we came at last to the moor of Shao-yuan:

There, with the other blessed ones, were Red Pine and Wang Qiao [famous immortals].

The two Masters held zithers tuned imperfect concord:

I sang the Qing Shang air to their playing.

In tranquil calm and quiet enjoyment,

Gently I floated, inhaling all the essences.

But then I thought that this immortal life of the blessed,

Was not worth the sacrifice of my home-returning. (tr. Hawkes 1985:240)

[DarkMind]

Yes a master of daoism which I believe is now immortal was known for his sleep and dream Qi kung methods and lived for a few hundred years.

 

What's his name or lineage?

 

Any way to contact him? (via meditation, in dreams for example)

 

You might want to look into Lieh Tsu, who lived at around the same period as Chuang Tzu. His writing style is very similar, if you like Chuang Tsu, but he tends to focus more on some of his lucid dreams and astral projections as metaphors for his Taoist philosophy. It is one of my all time favorite books. While he does not list any methods, he does give some very interesting stories.

 

I also recomend reading the Songs of Chu (also translated as "The Songs of the South" or "The Lyrics of Chu"). These songs predate Chuang Tzu, but many scholars believe that the old hermit came out of this tradition since he was also originally from Chu. Granted, their songs seem to be more about astral projection than lucid or clear light dreams, but it is still in the same vain.

 

Here is an example of one of the songs:

 

We gazed down of the Middle Land [China] with its myriad people

As we rested on the whirlwind, drifting about at random.

In this way we came at last to the moor of Shao-yuan:

There, with the other blessed ones, were Red Pine and Wang Qiao [famous immortals].

The two Masters held zithers tuned imperfect concord:

I sang the Qing Shang air to their playing.

In tranquil calm and quiet enjoyment,

Gently I floated, inhaling all the essences.

But then I thought that this immortal life of the blessed,

Was not worth the sacrifice of my home-returning. (tr. Hawkes 1985:240)

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

What does the author of the song mean by "home-returing"? Does it mean returning to his Original Nature or just his native home (town or village)?

 

To all:

 

Plus, please see this help thread of mine : http://www.thetaobums.com/Hello-t10329.html

 

Thanks.

[sheng zhen]

Hi,

 

anyone here knows if there is a Taoist version of Dream Yoga?

 

Just asking. (Maybe we can compare notes; I'm into Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist spiritual practice)

You can try searching for "Shui Gong" on this forum. There was one thread here some time ago where YMWong posted an ancient text on Shui Gong - Dream Practice.

 

Her is the link: Shui Gong

Edited June 8, 2009 by sheng zhen

[DarkMind]

You can try searching for "Shui Gong" on this forum. There was one thread here some time ago where YMWong posted an ancient text on Shui Gong - Dream Practice.

 

Her is the link: Shui Gong

 

Wow. Thanks!

[Ya Mu]

 

Any way to contact him? (via meditation, in dreams for example)[/color]

Thanks for sharing.

 

 

Yes, call 1-800-Taoist-Immortal

 

Actually there is a dreaming qigong form. It helps a person awaken to who they really are in dreamtime. This practice carries through into normal awake hrs as well.

[Martial Development]

Zhuangzi said, and I quote:

 

"A real man does not dream when he sleeps."

[bukejian]

Hi,

 

anyone here knows if there is a Taoist version of Dream Yoga?

 

Just asking. (Maybe we can compare notes; I'm into Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist spiritual practice)

 

 

Micheal Winn of Healing Tao USA sell material on Taoist Dream Yoga. I tried it I could never get much out of it. It supposedly has to do with the body being asleep but the mind being awake and consious during a dream state.

 

Bu

[Pietro]

I am generally impressed by the lvl of knowledge of this group.

 

Regarding the HT:

Micheal Winn of Healing Tao USA sell material on Taoist Dream Yoga. I tried it I could never get much out of it. It supposedly has to do with the body being asleep but the mind being awake and consious during a dream state.

 

Bu

 

If you want to go the HT root, the person specialised in dream yoga is actually Juan Li. He is from New Mexico and teaches in Spain and I think in Germany (his wife is a HT senior instructor from Germany).

[Sunya]

Edited June 9, 2009 by mikaelz

[evZENy]

"A real man does not dream when he sleeps."

 

In fact similar for the Buddha, who used to "sleep" in the way we see him depicted in the big statues we have around today. I believe he said, that since he is Awaken he is always in this state hence does not dream.

So not sure what the developers of the religion Buddhism came up with later :-)

[Zhuo Ming-Dao]

I was just reading the sayings of Taoist master Danyang last night ("Taoist Meditation" translated by Thomas Cleary) and I thought I could add one of them:

 

"The subtlety of preserving nonvolatile energy is in keeping vitality complete.

 

It is most important to be guarded while sleeping. When you are going to sleep, keep accurate mindfulness present, so myriad thoughts disappear.

 

Lie on your side, breathing softly through the nose, the soul not stirring within, the spirit not roaming outside.

 

Do this, and your energy and vitality will naturally stabilize."