T'ai chi ch'uan is known primarily as a martial art. It was developed, however, as an active meditation to achieve harmony with the natural world and to improve health.

This book is an ideal inroduction to t'ai chi ch'uan, providing clear descriptions of the methods of meditation and exercies and illuminating the underlying theory in a way that enables readers to understand, as well as practice, the techniques in their daily routine.

Master Da Liu believes that spiritual and physical health should be the primary aim of t'ai chi ch'uan rather than self-defense. For Da Liu, the ultimate goal of the t'ai chi practitioner is to turn the body's sexual essence, ching, into inner energy, chi, and with further practice refine the chi into shen-pure spirit.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Meditation is an invaluable resource for students, practitioners, and general readers alike.

Master Da Liu, born in 1906 in Kiangsu Povince, China, has been studying t'ai chi for more than fifty years. When he came to the United States in 1956, he was halied by Newsweek as one of th first t'ai chi ch'uan teachers in this country. He has written nine books on t'ai chi ch'uan, meditation, and Taoism, which have been translated into many languages, and has taught and lectured widely. He currently holds classes at Teachers College at columbia University in New York.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
1 The history of meditation and exercise in China
2 T'ai chi T'u: Diagram of the supreme ultimate
3 Fundamentals of Chinese physiology
4 The tao of breathing (Ch'i)
5 The waxing and waning of Ch'ien and K'un
6 Standing meditation
7 Sitting meditation
8 The five concentation ponts
9 Breathing meditation for health
10 T'ai chi ch'uan movements for meditation
11 Daily life: Sitting, standing, walking, sleeping
12 Sexual energy: Production, retention, transformation, and circulation
13 Prevention and cure of sickness
14 Questions and answers
Index