Daoist Immortality and Internal Alchemy: The Dao and its Three Treasures of Jing, Qi, and Shen, Elixir Fields and Three Dantian, Heavenly Cycles, Nei ... & Tai Chi (Esoteric Religious Studies)

Reading this book feels like having a personal guide on a journey towards spiritual awakening. The author’s clear explanations and step-by-step instructions make the complex concepts of Inner Alchemy approachable. The book inspires confidence in the reader to seek guidance from experienced practitioners and to engage in consistent practice.

Having spent a few years in China and having read a few books about daosim and TCM and the likes, this is a good refresher and introduction. It's not as extensive and applied as e.g. books by Daniel Reid, but it's pretty good nonetheless. It would've benefited from more diagrams and visual explainers. Helpful either way.

"Daoist Immortality and Internal Alchemy" is a detailed and comprehensive guide to the esoteric practices of Daoism. The book thoroughly explores Daoist philosophy and techniques, covering topics such as the Three Treasures, Nei Gong, and Qigong. It is well-researched and highly informative. As a practitioner of TCM , I was impressed with the information the author provided in regards to and as such I would recommend for this topic!

The learned, wise, and comprehensive explanations of Daoist philosophy and practices contained in “Daoist Immortality and Internal Alchemy . . .,” by Diohka Aesden,” filled me with wonder. I picked up this book because I have several friends abroad who have achieved mastery of certain Dao practices, and I wanted to understand these practices better. “Repetition IS the mother of learning”—especially when complex terms are as unfamiliar as are “The Three Treasures”—“Jing” (Essence), “Qi” (Vital Energy) and “Shen” (Spirit). I found myself very relieved that, as all effective teachers, the author repeated these terms in each section introducing new aspects of the Tao (pronounced “Dao”). As a spiritual, not a religious person, I also now comprehend why I was drawn to study Tai Chi with a master from Beijing—to learn the spirit, the breathing, the healing purpose, the energy of that “martial art.” For me the greatest reward for having literally studied Aesden’s book, was getting to chapter XLIX: “Cultivating the ‘Three Treasures’ in Poetry and Literature.” Having been a lifelong student of literature and poetry, I am thrilled to understand why, and how, these have nurtured my heart, mind, and Soul. Truly, I have lived the reality that “Through the medium of poetry and literature, individuals can explore and express the depths of their inner experiences, connect with the beauty of the natural world, and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.” This book is a cogent, inspiring masterpiece, and I am truly grateful to have found it.

encore un "ouvrage" inutile. c'est une compilation à la Prévert qui liste très très succinctement toute la panoplie taoiste. ex : l'acupuncture traitée en 7 pages ! et des redondances ad nauséum. le trio jing/qi/shen est ainsi répété à l'identique des dizaines de fois. il n'y a rien à apprendre de ce livre.

Diohka Aesden's "Daoist Immortality and Internal Alchemy" offers a broad introduction to the complex world of Daoist practices. This book casts a wide net, covering topics from the Three Treasures to Tai Chi, making it a solid starting point for newcomers to Daoist philosophy. Aesden's approach is comprehensive, if sometimes overwhelming in its scope. The writing is clear, but the sheer volume of information might be challenging for absolute beginners. While it doesn't dive too deep into any one topic, it provides a useful overview that could guide further study. If you're curious about Daoism and its various practices, this book offers a valuable bird's-eye view. Just be prepared for a dense read that might require some additional research to fully grasp all the concepts presented.