The National Taoism Examiner was recently emailed a YouTube video regarding the top 10 longest living creatures. You will notice that the Taoism Examiner removed “human” from the list which did appear as #9, as Taoists view humans as belonging to their own kingdom or category, distinct from all other life.

Taoists have always been fascinated with longevity and since the time of Fu Xi, Nuwa (both approx. 8,000 B.C.E.) & Shen Nung (3,500 B.C.E.) have rigorously researched and catalogued all life that met the characteristics of longevity, i.e.: a life span of at least 100 years. The life forms studied included: minerals, vegetation, animals and humans, as these constituted the kingdoms that are “visibly living”.

Some of the minerals, vegetation and animals had such an extraordinary lifespan and contained a very high level of energy or Qi (Chi) that they were included in the Chinese Materia Medica as Forgotten Foods or Herbs. Shen Nung, the father of herbology, spent his entire life studying, testing and formulating many herbs or forgotten foods.

The ancient Taoists also created many Internal Exercises that would increase a person’s longevity, many of the exercises are named after animals with longevity; for example the turtle and crane exercises. Huang Di (over 5,000 years ago) in “The Classic of the Internal”, named the Internal Exercises: Yang Shēng Shù which can be defined as the achievement of a happy, healthy, and long life through the utilization of mental and physical movements to prevent and correct ailments, reverse the aging process, and improve all functions of the body.

It is in the Taoist tradition of studying longevity, that we explore this list of some of the animals with the longest life spans. Enjoy the list, ponder the possibilities and challenge for a moment your preconceived notions of: time, space and aging.

10) Tuatara lizard, over 100 years
9) Lobster, over 140 years
8) Red sea urchin, over 200 years
7) Bowhead whale, over 211 years
6) Koi carp, 226 years
5) Giant tortoise, over 250 years
4) Arctica Islandica, 405 years
3) Actarctic sponge, 1,550 years
2) Black coral, 4, 265 years
1) Immortal jellyfish, infinite!

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The National Qigong Association’s 2012 annual conference will be held at the Vancouver Hilton in Vancouver Washington, July 27-29. NQA describes their organization as the “premiere membership organization for Qigong. (NQA.org)” NQA is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for people to learn about Qigong. They are well known for developing and distributing promotional information to the general public as well as promoting the workshops and seminars of their members, faculty and instructors. In addition to membership they also offer several types of professional membership certifications.

This is the 17th annual conference and this year the focus will be on Renewal-Realignment-Rebirth. There are several key note speakers scheduled as well as smaller workshops over the course of the weekend.

Solala Towler will speak about the Taoist Roots of Qigong. “Solala Towler has been editor/publisher of The Empty Vessel: The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice since 1993. He has had eleven books published and his work has been translated into Dutch, French and Spanish. He is one of the founding board members of the NQA as well as past President. He has taught qigong and Daoist meditation for 23 years. Solala has been a student of the Eastern philosophy since 1969 and leads yearly tours to visit Daoist temples in the sacred mountains of China. He has also recorded four CDs of music for qigong, taiji, meditation, yoga and relaxation. (nqa.org)”

Master Zhongxian Wu is leading a workshop on Fire Dragon 12 Meridian Qigong. “Zhongxian Wu is the recognized lineage holder of various forms of classical Qigong, Taiji and martial arts. He synthesizes wisdom and experience for beginning and advanced practitioners, as well as for patients seeking healing, in his professionally designed workshops. He has authored 9 published books on Qigong, Taiji and other martial arts. Please visit www.masterwu.net for further details. (nqa.org)”

Ying Yang will present the Six Healing Sounds Qigong through a unique musical program. “Ying Yang was the featured solo instrumentalist for the Chinese National Song and Dance Ensemble, the premier traditional music troupe in China. A longtime qigong practitioner, Ying has taught Six Healing Sounds qigong at Kripalu Yoga Center, national tai chi events in the United States and at the May Clinic/University of Chicago Annual Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (nqa.org)”

Other presenters and workshops include:

• Debra Lin Allen: A Healers Guide to Qigong Therapeutics
• Christopher Anderl: Integral Qigong & Taiji: Practices for Renewal, Realignment, Rebirth
• Chris Bouguyon: Smiling Heart Qigong – Elderly Care Renewal and Rebirth
• Vicki Dello Joio: The Three Gates of Enlightenment: Wisdom, Joy and Abundance
• Francesco Garripoli: Qigong: A Tool For Personal Empowerment
• Gary Giamboi: Realigning Your Breath to Your Purpose
• Jan Gyomber: Tai Chi (Taijiquan) as Qigong
• Gayl Hubatch: Extraordinary Vessel Qigong As A Continuum for Renewal
• Eric Imbody: Empowering Intention
• Mark Johnson: Integrated Qigong: Which includes Renewal, Realignment and Rebirth
• Rebecca Kali: Qigong: Path of Renewal, Transformation & Rebirth
• Jessica Kolbe: Ancient and Modern Animal Frolics
• Gary F. Paruszkiewicz: Therapeutic Tai Chi in-a-Chair
• Michael Rinaldini: Intensive Practice: Qigong, Meditation and Silence
• Sandy Seeber: 8 Energy Circle Walking
• Cari Shurman: Kids and Qigong = Focus, Self-Esteem and Peace
• Matthew Sweigart: Taoveda Qigong Yoga Flow

Several registration options are available including a full conference fee ($395) which includes: all workshops, Friday keynote address, demos & reception and the Saturday keynote address and entertainment/social. NQA members receive a $15 discount off the full conference fee and partial day registration options range from $25-$175.

You can find more information and register from the following links:

Online conference registration

Printable registration form

Conference schedule

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https://youtu.be/xfSMn7DvwII

Recently, Robert Downey Jr. was honored with the 2012 Robert Graham Visionary Award by Yo San University. According to Yo San University President Larry Ryan, Yo San’s highest honor “is named after the late Robert Graham, an international artist and sculptor, and husband of Anjelica Huston. Mr Graham is best known for his work on the FDR Memorial in Washington DC, the Duke Ellington Monument in NYC and the great bronze doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels in Los Angeles. Until his death Mr. Graham was a supporter and member of the Board of Trustees of Yo San University. [The] Robert Graham Visionary Award is conferred every year to an individual who is an advocate of Traditional Chinese Medicine and whose life is characterized by outstanding achievements. (January 2012 issue of Wellness Magazine)”

Robert Downey Jr. was chosen for this award because of his tremendous recovery over the last 10 years, in both his professional and personal life and to his commitment to Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese Medicine. Downey, overcame many hurdles, obstacles and dark days to achieve his current level of success and peace of mind.

In an interview with Men’s Journal Magazine (May, 2010), Guy Ritchie (Director of Sherlock Holmes), Eric Oram (Downey’s Wing Chun Sifu/Teacher) and Robert Downey Jr. describe how he went from not being able to get insurance companies to bond him for movies and how he could not get any roles, to his current phenomenal box office success with both the Sherlock Holmes and Iron Man franchises. Downey stated that Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese Medicine saved his life and he attributed both to his remarkable recovery. According to Downey, “this is all about focus…Wing Chun teaches you what to concentrate on, whether you’re here or out in the world dealing with problems. It’s second nature for me now. I don’t even get to the point where there’s a problem. (Men’s Journal Magazine, May, 2010)”

If you have been following the Taoism Examiner then you already know that Taoism is the root of Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese Healing/Medicine. Since Taoism has over 6,000 years of success perfecting the Body, Mind & Spirit it is no surprise that its “branches” would produce these dramatic changes.

Congratulations Robert Downey Jr. on this award as well as your dedication to self improvement and cultivation. May you become an example for others of how they can find hope even in their darkest days.

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Taoism has a long history of conservation; including botany, zoology and biology, in fact the ancient Taoists are the originators of these sciences. According to the late Professor Joseph Needham in Science and Civilization in China, “The Han time [206 BCE-220 CE] was one of the relatively important periods as regards the history of science in China… Much was done in… the beginnings of systemic botany and zoology… (Volume I, Sections 1-7, p. 111)”

Dr. Needham, further elaborates in the same volume of the “…numerous botanical and zoological monographs, of which Han Yen- Chih’s, ‘Chu Lu’ (Orange Record) of 1178 [CE]…it deals in detail with all aspects of citrus horticulture, and was the first book on the subject in any language—but besides this there were monographs on bamboos, lichis, aromatic plants, cucurbits, and flowering trees, as well as Crustacea, birds and fishes. (p. 135)”

Animals from around the world were brought to China so they could be studied and “cared for” at the Imperial Zoo. The imperial zoo was incorporated into the Forbidden City during the early 1400’s and visiting the zoo remained one of the favorite activities of the imperial families throughout the dynastic/imperial period. There are many paintings of exotic animals being presented for safe keeping at the imperial zoo, including animals from Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas.

It is in this Taoist tradition, especially through the sciences of biology, botany and zoology that the world is waking up to its responsibility of conservation. The recent Earth Day celebrations at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park featured two days full of activities.

The events coincided with the release of a Disney Nature film: Chimpanzee (a collaboration with The Jane Goodall Institute). Last year’s Earth Day event coincided with the release of African Cats.

Some of the activities included (Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks):

• “Asia (Maharajah Jungle Trek)—Families [could] play a supermarket game and learn how their purchases…make a big difference for wildlife and wild places.
• Africa (Pangani Forest Exploration Trail)—Children [could] observe and identify chimpanzee tracks and clues left behind along trails as they move through the forest.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch, courtyard—Outside Conservation Station, guests [discovered] fun ways to spend time in nature with their families and find “Chimpanzee”-related merchandise, as well as face painters and caricature artists.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch, inside Conservation Station—Families [could] visit the Chimpanzee Research Station and participate in a variety of activities based on real conservation work. Guests also [could] talk with cast members who work on conservation projects around the world and learn about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.”

Visitors were thrilled when Jane Goodall made a surprise visit and answered questions from the crowd/guests. VIP guests were able to take part in a Safari weekend which included: “a campfire with the doctor complete with s’mores and stories and a breakfast with Dr. Goodall and Disney characters in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Backstage Prop Shop. In addition, a special Backstage Safari Tour [gave] guests the opportunity to see Animal Kingdom in a different, behind the scenes light. (Melinda Gregory, Walt Disney World for Grown Ups)”

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Erica Orden reported in the Wall Street Journal that “a Los Angeles-based entertainment group plans to co-develop a $3.1 billion theme park and resort in China‘s Hubei province with a local investment firm, two people familiar with the project said. Ikonic Entertainment Group will plan and design a martial-arts-themed park, as well as a $50 million live show, one of the people said… Ikonic is a new entity co-founded by Tony Christopher, head of Landmark Entertainment Group LLC, an entertainment production company. Landmark has a history of creating amusement-park attractions, including “Terminator 2: 3D” for Universal Studios Florida and “Jurassic Park—The Ride” for Universal Studios Hollywood.”

To place this in more relative terms, a Hollywood amusement park company; which has built some of the most successful amusement park rides in the U.S. is planning on building a major theme park at the foothills of Mt. Wudang, the birthplace of Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan).

On the surface, this may sound like an exciting opportunity, probably a dream come true for most kids growing up in the 1960’s-1980’s, which arguably was the golden age for Kung Fu & Martial Arts movies. Some historical and background information is required, however, to fully understand the ramifications of this plan.

What is Tai Chi?

Taiji Quan (aka Tai Chi Chuan), is a highly sophisticated Internal exercise developed by Taoists for the specific purpose of cultivating the body, mind and spirit. Many people describe Tai Chi as an internal martial art; however, this view focuses only on the minor benefit of practicing Tai Chi while neglecting the major purpose and original intention.

Tai Chi as practiced today is based on the cultivation exercise created by Zhang San Feng (Chang San-feng). Zhang San Feng was a famous Taoist Priest/Minister who developed the Tai Chi system on Mt. Wudang, and eventually built the Wudang Temple as a Taoist School/University. Most accounts state that Zhang San Feng was already an accomplished Taoist when he traveled to the famous Shaolin Temple and after a few years mastered all of the Shaolin techniques and then founded the Wudang Temple to further practice and teach Taoist cultivation.

Based on two Classical Taoist texts, the I-Ching and the Tao Teh Ching, Tai Chi is rooted in Taoist philosophy and science. This is why, if you were to literally translate Taiji Quan into English, you would get a rough translation of “The Supreme Ultimate…” Tai Chi was designed to be the Supreme Ultimate cultivation, which is unfortunately, rendered down by many of its practitioners to just a martial art or merely an exercise. It is this lower form of Tai Chi that the theme park will most likely feature, as the highest and truest form of Tai Chi would never be used for the purposes of entertainment.

Mt. Wudang is considered to be one of the holiest sites among Taoists and is a very special place for a Taoist to practice the cultivation of their body-mind-spirit. It was with this consideration in mind, that Zhang San Feng chose Mt. Wudang as the location to build the Temple. Several of the Taoist buildings on Mt. Wudang are from the 7th century C.E. and were made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Ancient Temple built on a mountain considered to be Holy

There are several questions raised in this article that you are asked to reflect on. If Tai Chi was designed and is practiced as a Spiritual exercise, should this exercise be rendered down to a performance/entertainment level similar to dancing or acrobatics? Is Mt. Wudang the appropriate location for ANY theme park, given that it is regarded as a Holy Site and the Wudang Temple is a spiritual training center?

Would we applaud or approve of a theme park at another major religious holy site? How would we react to a Catholic theme park at the Vatican, a Jewish theme park at the Western Wall/Wailing Wall, or a Muslim theme park located around the Kaaba, in Mecca?

What is to become of humanity if we turn everything into a commodity, or if we begin to view everything through the lens of progress and advancement, all the while losing site of our wisdom and history?

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If you followed the London Summer Olympic Games or watched any news afterwards, then you are probably aware of the strange obsession the media in general and petty people in particular have with “celebrities” appearances.

In general, this might not be a major issue or anything new, however, when people via Twitter, Facebook and even during televised interviews, begin to question the hairstyle and appearance of a 16 year old girl who is representing her country in the highest level of athletic competition, then this definitely reveals a more sinister element at work.

Not long after Gabby Douglas won gold in the ‘Women’s Individual All Around Final’, there was a tremendous response through various social media networks, in particular Twitter. Comments ranged from support & admiration on one side to mean-loathing-hateful and petty on the other. The trending comments of the petty nature mostly revolved around people harshly critiquing the appearance of Gabby’s hair, and why her hair was not “done” or styled properly. Some of the worst comments began to verbally attack her mother and family for letting her appear on TV “looking like that”.

To the credit of every decent and self respecting person, for every negative comment there were thousands of comments supporting and encouraging Gabby to ignore the negative people.

Several things were revealed through this incident. One is the power of social media and the internet to increase the collective ability for petty people to bully others. This is balanced by good people using the same sites and service to elevate people and humanity through mutual support and universal love and compassion. Perhaps, the most serious is the complete disconnect some people are developing with reality. The people writing the condescending comments had no concern of the impact their comments would have on a child’s self esteem and emotional well-being.

What we will never know is what affects the negative comments had on Gabby’s performance in the individual events of the uneven bars and balance beam. What we do know, is that the people leaving the negative comments would not care anyway.

In a classic text of Taoism, Chuang Tzu, there is a wonderful section that reminds us that not only are petty people nothing new, but that it is the petty person who is hurting and suffering the most!

“The sage regards what is thought to be necessary as unnecessary, and therefore he is not at war with himself. The multitude of men think that what is unnecessary is necessary, and therefore they are at war with themselves. Those who rely on this strategy of war resort to it in all their activities. But reliance on such a war leads to destruction.

The understanding of the small man [emphasis added] does not go beyond the details of giving presents and writing memoranda. He wears out his spirit in what is inconsequential and meaningless but wishes to participate in guiding others to the dao and bring about the unity of all things. But he falls into error regarding space and time. Restricted by his bodily form of finite existence, he is kept from the knowledge of the great beginning. In contrast, the perfect man focuses his spirit on what was before the beginning and finds repose in the unknown, in the realm of nothingness. Like water, he flows on without the constraint of matter and flourishes in great purity.

It is a pity! People are engrossed in things as insignificant as a hair [emphasis added] and do not comprehend the great rest! (Zhuangzi, Hyun Hochsmann and Yang Guorong, p.303)”

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Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.

Bonsai is the Japanese term for “plants in a tray”; it is based on the word bon which is a tray like pot. The art is based on ‘an earlier meditation and self cultivation practice of Taoism called penzai, which means “tray scenery”.

The main distinction between the two styles is bonsai focuses on the tree and tray, where as penzai is designed to create (or recreate) an entire scene, whether a mountain, plains, seaside etc… all contained within the small tray, with the tree(s) only being one component of the overall scene, rather than the focal point as in bonsai. The art of bonsai came about when Buddhist monks and Imperial diplomats returned to Japan from China and brought with them many examples of the Taoist art of penzai. The National Taoism Examiner will address this connection in future articles on bonsai and penzai.

You can learn this wonderful meditative and contemplative art by attending workshops led by masters of the tradition. This weekend (Sun. Jan. 20th 9a-12p) The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, FL is hosting “The art of Bonsai for beginners”.

According to the organizers:

“The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree that has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students will become familiarized with horticultural aspects of growing bonsai including styling, care and maintenance.

Materials: Fee includes bonsai learning manual, pruning tool, one beginner’s bonsai tree, bonsai pot and use of wire and bonsai soil. Additional trees will be available for students to work on with an option to buy from the instructor

5-week session: Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17
Cost: $91 (Members $81) + Material fee of $35 of total for 5 weeks payable to the instructor”

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Do you have a story, photo or video from your area that would be of interest to Taoists? Feel free to email (TJ@theQiInstitute.com) and they may be included or featured in a National Taoism Examiner article.