Entering the Dao: A Weekend of the Daoist Arts of Meditation, Qigong and Tea Ceremony with Solala Towler
This weekend will be a full immersion into the Daoist arts of qigong, meditation, Daoist philosophy, and tea ceremony. Drawing on Solala’s 28 years of study of the Daoist arts we will delve into the ancient Daoist text the Dao De Jing, revealing the many practices that contained therein. We be diving deeply into Daoist meditation as well as learning a little dao-in or Daoist yoga.
We will also be spending some time with Daoist tea Ceremony (pin ming lun dao). We will be sampling some special teas and taking part in a ceremony designed to open your heart and hara. By tuning into the sacred plant medicine we will experience an opening to higher spiritual and psychic planes.
The qigong practice we will learning is an ancient cosmological form of qigong, Wuji (Primordial) Qigong, which was created by Zhang San Feng, a Daoist master and legendary originator of Taijiquan, (Tai Chi) 800 years ago, in the Wudang Mountains. This ancient magical Daoist qigong form combines circular movement, breathing and visualization, stimulating the flow of qi (vital force) for health, longevity and spiritual opening. By working with the primal energies of the five directions and the qualities of each — (East: The Green Dragon, South: The Red Phoenix, West: The White Tiger, North: The Black Turtle and Center: The Yellow Dragon) — the practitioner is performing an energetic ritual that has been done for hundreds of years. The movements, done in a circling pattern, guide us into a powerful and primordial state of grace and healing.
Tuition
Tuition: $180
On the register page, tuition, accommodations, and meals are included
Schedule
Friday Night: Introduction to Daoist philosophy utilizing Solala’s interpretation of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) as well as Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu). Healing meditation and some gentle qigong.
Saturday: Morning meditation, dao-in (Daoist yoga) and Wuji (Primordial) Qigong.
After Lunch: Daoist Gongfu Tea Ceremony (pin ming lun dao). Wuji Qigong practice.
Saturday evening: Lecture, healing meditation, stories from the Daoist tradition.
Sunday morning: Moving meditation, Wuji Qigong.
Teacher
Solala has been teaching qigong for 28 years. He has been the publisher of The Empty Vessel: The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice, since 1993. He has had 12 books on the Daoist arts published and has recorded four cd’s of meditation/qigong music. He is past president and founding board member of the National Qigong Association and leads tours to China to study qigong and meditation with Daoist teachers in the sacred Wudang Mountains.
Food
Our menus are based on group preferences and budget. We offer delicious, balanced vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals which typically include raw salads and hot vegetable dishes. Upon request, we will gladly prepare unseasoned blanched or steamed dishes for lunch and dinner. We easily accommodate gluten/dairy free needs, and many of our seasonings and oils are provided on the side for guests to season meals to taste. Several rooms have refrigerators, so guests are welcome to bring food that suit their needs if they have issues we cannot accommodate. Please note that we are unable to reduce meal costs due to food allergies.
Payment Policy
A $50 non-refundable deposit is taken at the time registration occurs.
The full balance is collected 7 days prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy
Other than the deposit, no fees are incurred if cancelled up to 7 days after reservation date.
50% of the total cost is retained if cancelled less than 4 days prior to event.
The $50 deposit given at registration is non-refundable.
Testimonials
As a beginner I had almost no “expectations”. Even Friday evening, I knew this would be a very positive experience. Many thoughts dove-tailed nicely with present perspectives and others opened up new paths. Solala proved to be wonderful teacher, making learning for a newcomer such as myself enjoyable, pleasant, and beneficial!