What is Spirit Tao?
Meditative and Martial Teachings of the
Shang Ch'ing Taoist Tradition
Spirit Tao's curriculum is derived from the Shang
Ch'ing Taoist tradition of southern China.
"Shang Ch'ing Tao" can be translated as "The Way of Great Purity" or "The Way of Highest Clarity" or " The Way of Pure Energy." The Heavenly dimension of Shang Ch'ing is thought to be the Spiritual Dimension responsible for the Mastery of Time and Space.
The Shang Ch'ing tradition was a shift from the external, ritualism of medieval Chinese taoism to a more personal, experiential taoist path which allowed the practitioner to have a personal experience and relationship with the powers of the Universe and summon these powers for personal and physical transformation.
During the Tang Dynasty, the Shang Ch'ing's reputation for mystical power spread throughout China. During this period, many people came to the monastery to learn Shang Ch'ing principles of Healing, Mysticism, Exorcism, Meditation, Longevity and Transformation. It would not be an overstatement to say that most or all of the modern taoist traditions are founded mostly or at least in part by the Shang Ch'ing tradition.
As time went on and other taoist traditions sprang up all over China, Shang Ch'ing Taoism's popularity began to slowly fade as newer traditions began to become more prominent. Shang Ch'ing's reputation for mystical power continued and became legendary.
In the 11th century A.D. The Shang Ch'ing sect experienced a resurgence with a stronger emphasis on exorcism and shamanic martial arts. These monks became known as powerful wizards and sorcerers capable of fighting evil spirits with their bare hands. This reputation engendered both admiration and fear. As a result, folk shamans and black magicians would falsely use the Shang Ch'ing name to enhance their reputation which resulted in the false identification of Shang Ch'ing with Black Magic.
Monks and Nuns continued to study the mystical Shang Ch'ing arts until WWII when the Japanese military destroyed many of the taoist temples. After WWII, the communist red army continued the destruction of the temples and closed down the mountains completely. The Chinese gov't has reopened the mountains as tourist attractions but the original Shang Ch'ing priesthood is not represented anymore in China...
A small group of Shang Ch'ing masters fled to the U.S.A. before WWII and began teaching Shang Ch'ing internal martial arts and mysticism to a local chinese community. As time has spread, these teachings have trickled down to a few. What I have learned is a combination of Shang Ch'ing martial arts and meditations, Chi Kung, Nei Kung and mysticism. It is my desire to teach what I have learned to those who are called to continue this sacred tradition.
"Shang Ch'ing Tao" can be translated as "The Way of Great Purity" or "The Way of Highest Clarity" or " The Way of Pure Energy." The Heavenly dimension of Shang Ch'ing is thought to be the Spiritual Dimension responsible for the Mastery of Time and Space.
The Shang Ch'ing tradition was a shift from the external, ritualism of medieval Chinese taoism to a more personal, experiential taoist path which allowed the practitioner to have a personal experience and relationship with the powers of the Universe and summon these powers for personal and physical transformation.
During the Tang Dynasty, the Shang Ch'ing's reputation for mystical power spread throughout China. During this period, many people came to the monastery to learn Shang Ch'ing principles of Healing, Mysticism, Exorcism, Meditation, Longevity and Transformation. It would not be an overstatement to say that most or all of the modern taoist traditions are founded mostly or at least in part by the Shang Ch'ing tradition.
As time went on and other taoist traditions sprang up all over China, Shang Ch'ing Taoism's popularity began to slowly fade as newer traditions began to become more prominent. Shang Ch'ing's reputation for mystical power continued and became legendary.
In the 11th century A.D. The Shang Ch'ing sect experienced a resurgence with a stronger emphasis on exorcism and shamanic martial arts. These monks became known as powerful wizards and sorcerers capable of fighting evil spirits with their bare hands. This reputation engendered both admiration and fear. As a result, folk shamans and black magicians would falsely use the Shang Ch'ing name to enhance their reputation which resulted in the false identification of Shang Ch'ing with Black Magic.
Monks and Nuns continued to study the mystical Shang Ch'ing arts until WWII when the Japanese military destroyed many of the taoist temples. After WWII, the communist red army continued the destruction of the temples and closed down the mountains completely. The Chinese gov't has reopened the mountains as tourist attractions but the original Shang Ch'ing priesthood is not represented anymore in China...
A small group of Shang Ch'ing masters fled to the U.S.A. before WWII and began teaching Shang Ch'ing internal martial arts and mysticism to a local chinese community. As time has spread, these teachings have trickled down to a few. What I have learned is a combination of Shang Ch'ing martial arts and meditations, Chi Kung, Nei Kung and mysticism. It is my desire to teach what I have learned to those who are called to continue this sacred tradition.