Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet?

[DalTheJigsaw123]

Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet? The research I have done, seems to points to some kind of diet. A vegetarian diet perhaps?

[King Kabalabhati]

There's different "diets" depending on which monastery or Taoist you ask. Many Taoists are vegeterians but may eat meat if that's what they're offered, for example if visiting a house (it's the middle path all the way). Also in many monasteries there's a custom of serving meat to the meat-eaters and vegetarian to vegetarians. So probably few taoists are strict vegetarians.. unless they're on salt-free energy diet and avoid meat, eggs and all the five "stinky ones".. that is, onions, garlic, cilantro, asafoetida, leek (if I remember correctly). Then there's of course the breatharians who've gone beyond "meat or veggie?"

 

The Taoists are (or should be) quite aware of the energetic balances in foods, the Yin and the Yang, so the ideal "diet" would include things that bring the best balance to the system.

[Taomeow]

Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet? The research I have done, seems to points to some kind of diet. A vegetarian diet perhaps?

Wang Liping taught it at the seminar I attended. He mentioned an ancient taoist book, "The Treatise on Food," on which it is based. There's no one taoist diet though, rather there's a set of principles for a number of different types of diets a taoist might want to use at different points in cultivation.

 

As a general guiding principle, however, mild undereating is a taoist dietary rule, and its extent is determined by your subjective hunger. I.e. if you divide your "entire hunger" into 10 points, 0 being absolute starvation and 10, complete satiation, a taoist is advised to eat at 6-7 points at every meal, not below (unless on a special-occasion fast) and never at 9-10 (over 10 wasn't even mentioned, though I'm sure many people eat more than their "entire hunger" on a fairly regular basis. Not for taoists, this.)

 

There's lots more of course... but each specific dietary regimen goes with a specific practice and, moreover, a stage, place, phase within this practice. For instance, vegetarianism is not generally practiced during cultivation, but as certain things start happening to you, you are taught to take them as a sign to immediately stop eating not just meat but all "blood foods" (which include all fish, seafood, all dairy, eggs, and even a few uncommon vegetables) for a few days. Then you can resume eating those foods when the signs change and the stage in your cultivation moves on.

[Teddy]

There is a whole section on diet in Kenneth Cohen's book 'Qigong the art and science of Chinese energy healing'. However, reviewers almost unanimously say that this is the worst part of the book - I think this is because the advice goes against what most nutritionists would say. However, this is a fabulous book overall, and I highly recommend it.

[33865_1494798762]

Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet? The research I have done, seems to points to some kind of diet. A vegetarian diet perhaps?

No, except maybe modesty.

"Good enough" is indicated by the taste of our meal. When we experiences it to be best, then it is the peak of energy. It also indicates the level of energy from where we can expect all the following processes to start from. Even the next meal is considered to be more energetic this way.

[wudangspirit]

I know that most monastic Taoists are vegetarian but as previous replies have stated will partake in meat outside the temple if they are offered it as a guest. It's polite. I just got back from my temple at Wudang and the monastics are vegetarian. I would say vegan.

 

 

 

Is there such a thing as a Taoist Diet? The research I have done, seems to points to some kind of diet. A vegetarian diet perhaps?

[DalTheJigsaw123]

Wang Liping taught it at the seminar I attended. He mentioned an ancient taoist book, "The Treatise on Food," on which it is based. There's no one taoist diet though, rather there's a set of principles for a number of different types of diets a taoist might want to use at different points in cultivation.

 

As a general guiding principle, however, mild undereating is a taoist dietary rule, and its extent is determined by your subjective hunger. I.e. if you divide your "entire hunger" into 10 points, 0 being absolute starvation and 10, complete satiation, a taoist is advised to eat at 6-7 points at every meal, not below (unless on a special-occasion fast) and never at 9-10 (over 10 wasn't even mentioned, though I'm sure many people eat more than their "entire hunger" on a fairly regular basis. Not for taoists, this.)

 

There's lots more of course... but each specific dietary regimen goes with a specific practice and, moreover, a stage, place, phase within this practice. For instance, vegetarianism is not generally practiced during cultivation, but as certain things start happening to you, you are taught to take them as a sign to immediately stop eating not just meat but all "blood foods" (which include all fish, seafood, all dairy, eggs, and even a few uncommon vegetables) for a few days. Then you can resume eating those foods when the signs change and the stage in your cultivation moves on.

 

 

That was very helpful! Thank you very much.

[Taomeow]

That was very helpful! Thank you very much.

You're welcome.