Yin Shih Tzu - Tranquil Sitting: A Taoist Journal on Meditation and Chinese Medical Qigong

The Dao is simple.

The healing method that follows the Dao is simple.

A harmonious life is simple.

Qigong is a way of life and a way to help people live simply in health and happiness.

In my audio CD, Three TreasuresThe Medicines of Shamanic Healing and Internal Alchemy, published by Chinese Wisdom Traditions, I emphasize that there is only one type of disease: Qi stagnation (or blockage). The NeiJing (one of the most important classical texts of traditional Chinese medicine) mentions this ideaBuTongZeTong Where there is obstruction, there is pain. This obstruction forms irregular patterns in the body on either energetic or physical planes. Left unchecked, these areas of stagnation are then later diagnosed as the myriad of diseases known to modern medicine. The NeiJing further states that all pain is related to the Heart. The Heart in this context refers to the mind and to our Shen , the spirit within our body. In other words, the classics tell us that an uneasy mind or a weak spiritual body will cause a weakness in the physical body. This connection should never be ignored.

By learning to work with Heart and Qi within the body, one may recover from illness, restore health, and maintain wellbeing. In Tranquil Sitting, the remarkable Qigong master JiangWeiQiao ( CE 18731958) teaches us some simple traditional Chinese sitting meditation methods to work with our Heart and Qi. He personally recovered from tuberculosis and other significant health issues through his dedicated cultivation practice. These simple methods originate from Daoist internal alchemy meditation and the TianTai school meditation techniques. The TianTai school is one of the Eight Buddhist Schools in China. The founder master, ZhiYi ( CE 538597), created the TianTai school based on his knowledge of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.

In 1914, JiangWeiQiao introduced these ancient meditation methods to the general public through his book YinShiZi JingZuoFa (YinShiZis Tranquil Sitting Methods. In Tranquil Sitting, this title is translated by Shifu Hwang and Cheney Crow as Yin Shi Zis Meditation), which was published under his spiritual name YinShiZi . To my knowledge, this marked the first time these ancient methods were explained in modern language, without any mention of traditional internal cultivation terms such as YinYang, Five Elements, KanLi (water and fire), or Lead and Mercury, making the content very accessible to the general public. While JiangWeiQiao focused on the practical aspects of traditional meditation techniques, he also included stories of his personal insights in order to give his audience an idea of the long-term process involved in achieving deep healing results. Over the years, his book has been very well received throughout China, having been republished over twenty times, and is widely considered to be a modern classic Qigong self-healing book. There are countless individuals who have recovered from all manner of illness and disease by studying and practicing methods from his book. In honor of his great contribution to our people and to our culture, all throughout China we regard him as the Grand Father of modern Qigong.

I am so pleased that Singing Dragon is republishing the English version of Master Jiangs tranquil sitting methods. It is my honor to write this foreword and help re-introduce his exceptional work to the Western world. If you are looking for some simple methods to help you recover from illness, and live in health and peace, I believe that with devotion to your daily practice, this marvelous book will help you achieve your dreams.