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COLLEGE OF TAO
SEPTEMBER 2024
NEWSLETTER
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Autumn: Harvesting Wisdom and Cultivating Inner Peace
By Dr Mao Shing Ni
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🍁On my early morning walks in the last few days, I can feel the crisp cool air of autumn on my skin. I am reminded of the profound wisdom embedded in the changing seasons. Autumn is a time of harvest, a season where the fruits of our labor are gathered, and we reap what we have sown throughout the year. It is a period of reflection, gratitude, and preparation for the inward journey that winter will bring.
Autumn, in the Taoist view, is the season of Metal Element, which governs organization, setting limits, and the process of discernment. Just as farmers harvest their crops, we too are called to gather the results of our actions, thoughts, and intentions. It is a time to reflect on the seeds we have planted in the spring and nurtured through the summer. Are the fruits we are harvesting aligned with our deeper values and goals? Have we cultivated kindness, wisdom, and harmony in our lives and relationships?
This season teaches us that the energy we invest and the actions we take have consequences. It is a powerful reminder of the law of cause and effect—what we sow, we shall reap. By consciously observing this process, we can gain insights into our life patterns and make adjustments where needed.
Just as nature transitions from the fullness of summer to the stillness of winter, we too experience seasons in our lives. These transitions, whether they are periods of growth, challenge, or rest, bring invaluable lessons. Autumn, with its cooling temperatures and waning daylight, invites us to slow down and turn inward. It is a time to evaluate our achievements and learn from our experiences.
The falling leaves remind us of the impermanence of life and the beauty of letting go. In letting go of what no longer serves us—whether it be outdated beliefs, unhelpful habits, or relationships that have run their course—we make space for new growth and opportunities. Autumn encourages us to embrace change with grace and wisdom, knowing that each season in our lives has a purpose.
In the Tao, there is a deep awareness of the interconnectedness of all things. Autumn exemplifies this interconnectedness as it reflects the natural cycle of life—birth, growth, decay, and renewal. Just as the trees release their leaves to nourish the soil, so too do our actions and choices impact the world around us. This season reminds us to be grateful for the abundance we have received and to be mindful of our impact on the planet and each other.
Autumn is also a time for restoration and self-cultivation. As nature prepares for the quiet of winter, we are encouraged to turn inward and focus on nurturing our inner world. Practices such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Dao-In and meditation are particularly powerful during this season. These ancient arts help us balance our energy, strengthen our bodies, and calm our minds, allowing us to harmonize with the natural rhythms of the season.
By engaging in these practices, we not only restore our vitality but also deepen our connection to the Tao—the underlying principle of the universe. This connection fosters inner peace, clarity, and resilience, helping us navigate the challenges and changes that life inevitably brings.
A Special Invitation to Retreat: Reconnecting with Nature and Self
As autumn unfolds its wisdom, I invite you to join me in a special retreat in the breathtaking Alps of Switzerland from October 24-27, 2024. This retreat will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, practice self-cultivation, and reflect on the deeper meanings of the season. Together, we will explore the teachings of Taoist philosophy, engage in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Dao-In yoga and meditation, and cultivate a sense of gratitude and peace.
In the serene and majestic landscape of the Alps, we will reconnect with the natural world and with our own inner selves. This retreat will provide the space and time to restore your energy, gain clarity, and prepare for the inward journey of winter.
Let us come together to honor the wisdom of autumn, to reflect on our lives, and to cultivate the inner peace that will carry us through the seasons to come. I look forward to sharing this transformative experience with you. Space limited. Reserve yours today.
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UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS | |
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Attention All College of Tao
Certified Teachers
It's that wonderful time of the year to honor your teaching dedication and commitment that benefits yourself and all the lives you touch. We are here to support you with an easy online renewal process.
From Now through December 31, 2024 you may renew your Certifications for 2025 and continue making a positive impact on the world.
Also you may consider getting certified to teach some of the wonderful classes being offered.
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It's still only one payment of $95 to renew all your Certifications. Please click the link below to remain Certified.
RENEW HERE
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It's not too late to join us!! | |
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Oregon Retreats
College of Tao
Shrine and Retreat Center
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Harmony Tai Chi Sword Level 1 Barbara Wolff
Saturday September 14 - Sunday September 15
$275.00 - 2 days
Harmony Tai Chi Level 4 - Step 50 Dr. Mao &Peter Stege
Thursday September 19 - Monday September 23, 2024
( Dr. Mao September 22 - 23, 2024)
$725 - 5 days
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Includes Dedication Ceremony of the College of Tao Shrine of the Eternal Breath of Tao on the Autumn Equinox, Sunday September 22, 2024 Available on Zoom (use Sunday Renewal Link)
The daily schedule of all retreats includes
three components of the Integral Way:
Taoist movement arts cultivation
Taoist sitting meditation cultivation
Contemplative work service
Price of each retreat includes Tuition, Food and Lodging
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Join our Tai Chi Sword Form Retreat from September 14 to15, as we follow the sun’s rhythm and sweep away self created trouble to settle contentedly in natural being.
If you would like to learn, or refine your learning of this graceful movement form, Click here to enroll.
The cost for the two day retreat is $275.
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SELF HEALING
QI GONG
Zoom Course
Saturdays
Starts - September 28 - November 30, 2024
7:00 am PT
INSTRUCTOR
Edward Sullivan
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Only $59 for
all 10 classes
Please Enroll Here
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Qigong is an Ancient Chinese Healing art that draws positive energy in and negative energy out of the body. This Self Healing Qigong class consists of time-tested gentle health movements for encouraging Vitality and Wellness. They can be done standing or sitting.
Promotes:
stomach strengthening
liver cleansing
kidney fortifying
lung/immunity boosting
heart circulating
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8 TREASURES
QI GONG
Zoom Course
Mondays
Starts September 23 - November 25, 2024
7 pm PT
INSTRUCTOR
Edward Sullivan
Only $60 for
all 10 classes
Please Enroll Here
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These Energy conducting exercises originated from the Eight Immortals during the Han Dynasty and was passed down through many generations of the Ni family. It is an effective way to lengthen your years and can be practiced by anyone at any level of fitness. It is based on the natural motion of the heavenly bodies and integrates the body with the mind and spirit.
· Releases tension
· Stimulates vitality
· Promotes self-healing
· Strengthens immune system
· Clears stagnation
· Assists in uplifting and balancing the mind & emotions
· Assists in increasing spiritual awareness
Any questions please contact
SullivanE888@gmail.com
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Reserve Your Spot with the Dragon in the Swiss Alps this fall. We invite you to participate in a four-day Retreat of self-healing, self-nurturing and self-strengthening, sharing our common humanity with a small group of fellow travelers along the way.
This retreat will be led in English by Dr. Mao Shing Ni, an anti-aging specialist, bestselling author, master coach and lineage caretaker of the 75-generation Integral Way tradition. Nourished by this beautiful setting and inspired by Dr. Mao, we will explore time-tested meditative exercises that reach the core of life, receive gentle coaching in our contemplative experiences and exchange in the warmth of our retreat group. Using Qi Gong healing and self-transformative practices, we will strengthen our balancing power, rejuvenate our vitality and awaken our universal compass, leading toward a healthy, harmonious life.
A companion skill for healers and anyone engaged in stressful lives, the Taoist Integral Way practice releases the human being from ego-centered isolation to unite with the environment, the expanding universe and cultivates a harmonious co-evolution with all creation. The practices are known to revitalize the body, mind and spirit which will help you on the road back to complete health physically, emotionally and spiritually. These self-regulating practices are an effective tool for replenishing personal vitality, avoiding burnout and depression.
You will profit from Dr. Mao's clear updated transmission of these ancient treasures and his kind support of each participant's learning path.
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College of Tao
Annual 2025 Retreat
April 08 - April 13, 2025
Temescal Canyon Park
Pacific Palisades LA, CA
The Alchemy of Transformation
Cultivating Wellness, Longevity and Spirituality
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In this Retreat we will take a fresh approach, learning the essential and prehistoric methods of practicing Tao as they have been handed down through the millennia via the Ni Family Tradition. In particular, the arts of:
服餌 (Fu Er), Using external nutrition to aid one’s health and spiritual development
行蹻 (Xing Qiao), Walking for the purpose of gathering and refining one’s energy
氣功 Qi Gong), 太極拳 (Tai Chi) To enhance and develop one’s energy
符咒 (Fu Zhou), The ancient art of secret talismanic writing and invocations for your personal spiritual development
Learning these arts will strengthen, develop, and integrate your spiritual elements and refine your energy, leading you to know and understand how to use the masterly spiritual energy to enhance all aspects of your life.
Our retreat meals begin with carefully sourced whole food, free of pesticides and additives and prepared the ancient Chinese way that considers food as medicine. All participants are encouraged to join the kitchen team and learn how to make a balanced, simple meal for our whole community. Your service promotes fellowship, learning and is a joy.
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Join Drs Mao Shing Ni, Daoshing Ni, the Mentors and Teachers of the College of Tao for this amazing communication with Mother Nature
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Save $100 with Early Bird Registration Now | |
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Work to Serve and Teach
by Alannah Fitzgerald
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What is the Value of Service
to
Those Who Cultivate the Tao?
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What is service? Service is defined as... "an act of helpful activity; help; aid. To do someone a service."
What is the deeper meaning of service? It can mean walking in another person’s shoes and often making connections with people you’ll stay in touch with well beyond the experience. Service is a form of cultivation upon which Master Ni has expressed quite eloquently, “Taoist practical cultivation therefore uses the expressive development that one has attained to serve the public and thereby integrate individual attainment as part of the whole.”
What we are striving for at the College of Tao is building a real sense of community through service to others. For example, when we create time together, serving in various capacities, we may well find that our relationships deepen and grow as a natural result. Certainly, one way we can come to know ourselves better is through our relationship to others. Quite often, what we may easily see in another is, in reality, reflecting what we may not see as apparent within ourselves.
Service to others presents a wonderful opportunity to help our community and transform your personal and spiritual growth. When heartfelt service is given, we truly come to realize that it is an honor to serve. It is a privilege to serve. It is unifying to serve. Unprovoked, joy arises from the depths of our being, filling us with a sense of profound wholeness. Is this not the simple Way of Tao?
In conclusion, we will soon offer ways in which you may desire to contribute to our growing community and, as I often love to do, leave you with a quote from our beloved spiritual teacher and friend, Master Ni, “Nourish the body with calmness. Nourish the heart with giving to others; the more you give to others, the more you will abound.”
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"The mind is rectified and the body reflects its balance. Old physical maladies gradually and completely disappear. One is no longer tempted by former bad habits, nor does one chase after worldly pleasures. One stands firmly on one's own feet. Deep calm pervades one's internal and external atmosphere. One has both the time and the energy to accomplish any task. One purifies one's self and is at peace with one's environment. One never becomes violent and has untiring patience with one's fellow beings. One is free of worry and always has a joyful heart."
Tao The Subtle Universal Law and the Integral, Hua-Ching Ni, p141
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Lao Tzu Study Group
the first Wednesday of each month
No September study group, see you on
Wednesday October 2, 2024
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm PT
We'd love for you to join us!
For zoom link contact:
amira.cultivating.harmony@gmail.com
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“If you wish to recognize the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.”
from Hsin Hsin Ming’s treatise,
Cultivating Pure Mind,
Taoist Inner View, Chapter 19
by Hua-Ching Ni
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Tao of Life
Tele-Study Group
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This month's selection is from Ina Sabanoglu, the book:
The Power of Natural Healing
by Hua-Ching Ni
From the Invocation:
The Universal Way
"...The Universal Way conveys the deep truth of all conscious elaborations of the human mind. It contains the vast and profound essence of the human spirit. ...The Subtle Essence that is sought by all sciences and all religions transcends all attempts to reach it by means of thought, belief or experiment.The Universal Way leads directly to it and guides you to reach it yourself by uniting with the Integral Nature of the Universe. The Universal Way is like a master key to all doors leading to the inner room of ultimate truth."
On page ii, 3rd paragraph: “Tao is not a religion. This very old, yet very new, direction unites all three spheres of life - body, mind and spirit – and could be called the Integral Way that encompasses the natural vitality of all life.”
How can we discern the Integral Way from the Universal Way and Tao? Please elaborate.\
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Dr. Daoshing Ni, a 38th generation doctor of the Ni family lineage facilitates this monthly tele-study group.
If you have any questions, please contact
vladimiriliev@sbcglobal.net
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Sisters of the Heavenly Way
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Last month we considered how slowing down, softness and moving inwards are keys to knowing the Truth of Life and the Truth of Being. When we self reflect deeply as human beings, we come to realise “that we do not need to reunite with Nature, as we are already an immutable part of Nature”; it cannot be otherwise. Rather, we decompress from all the ideas and thoughts that are simply untrue, and soften and simply be what is True.
The feminine qualities of softening and easing allow for innate intuitive knowing. We may come to know, or be aware directly, without thinking or sensing, that there are no objects separate from other objects, but energy relationships moving as One Whole—as expressed by the Tai Chi symbol and experienced within our own bodies. Caring for another is, therefore, caring for oneself. This seems to be implied in this simple sentence written by an unknown Franciscan:
If you want world peace, care for creation.
All creations, ourselves included, arise from and are enfolded within Tao or the Universal Essence.
Thus caring for, respecting and loving the Essence within our being is caring for, respecting and loving the Essence within all forms. And caring for, respecting and loving the Essence within another creature, is caring for, respecting and loving the Essence within our being.
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Quokka from Western Australia | |
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Sisters are retreating in Oregon in September.
Our Sisters gathering will resume in October.
If you would like to join our monthly gathering,
please contact Barbara Wolff at:
sistersofuhw@gmail.com
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Brothers of the Heavenly Way | |
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August 4, 2024
In August’s meeting, we continued to discuss our spiritual center and what it means to connect with it. The Integral Truth is reaching out to us at all times. But we are not turned towards it all the time. We are too often focused on the world of ego that surrounds us. In the book Eternal Light, we read again the Prayer at the top of page 42: “Beyond all dualistic exaltation such as purity, brightness, wisdom and power, there is the Integral Truth, the deepest spiritual unity, which is what embraces you.”
We began to see that while purity, brightness and wisdom are all wonderful things, they still remain in the dualistic world. If we attach ourselves to such qualities we are missing the true goal. One of the brothers quoted Grandmaster Yo San’s warning to Omni when he was young, “You are behind the darkness of your brightness.” This advice points out that attachment to virtue actually creates a shadow. So go beyond all dualistic exaltations, for behind worldly virtues there is the Integral Truth where all these expressions unify into one wonderful energy.
The Brothers meet the first Sunday of each month at 10:00 am PT
The next Brothers meeting is September 1, 2024 @10:00 am PT
Please join us, contact Rob Bruce at: rbtbrc@yahoo.com
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Every Sunday at 7:00 am PT, you are invited to join via Zoom in Spiritual Renewal Ceremony facilitated by the Ministers of the Integral Way, including, James Tuggle, Sue Sullivan, Arnold Tayam and Jono Howard along with others… followed by a talk on how to apply the wisdom of the Integral Way. This service is free for the College of Tao community, friends and family.
Join Zoom Meeting Here
Meeting ID: 136 428 813
Passcode: 006090
Find your local number: Click Here
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Morning Qi Cultivation Sessions
Starting September 3, 2024
In Person every Monday - Thursday
8:00 - 9:00 am PT
Qi Studio 2nd floor
Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
13315 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90066
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Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursday
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Self Healing Qi Gong
Dao In
Self Healing Qi Gong
Harmony Tai Chi
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- Learn Feng Shui with an International group
- Start your home study course as soon as you register
For more information & to learn how to become certified:
fengshuischool.net
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Thank you for joining us.
Volunteer Editors:
Sue, Alannah, Mike and Amira
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