Mandala Books
4 total works
This book, first published in 1980, comprises separate sections on Taoist and Buddhist contemplative yogas, each divided into a theory part (summarising their fundamental principles and outlook) and a practice part (detailing their various practices).
A religion with roots stretching back nearly five thousand years, Taoism combines elements of folklore, occult sciences, cosmology, yoga, meditation, poetry, and exalted mysticism. Mysterious and charmingly poetic, it is a living remnant of a way of life which has almost vanished from the world.
In this comprehensive study, John Blofeld explains the fundamental concepts of Taoism, tells many stories of ancient masters, and provides incisive reflections on Taoist verse. He writes in a colorful and unique way about his visits to Taoist hermitages in China and his interchanges with contemporary masters. Taoist yoga, a little known aspect of Taoist practice, is also discussed in detail. This book captures the spirit of the Tao, communicating the serenity and timeless wisdom of this tradition.
In this comprehensive study, John Blofeld explains the fundamental concepts of Taoism, tells many stories of ancient masters, and provides incisive reflections on Taoist verse. He writes in a colorful and unique way about his visits to Taoist hermitages in China and his interchanges with contemporary masters. Taoist yoga, a little known aspect of Taoist practice, is also discussed in detail. This book captures the spirit of the Tao, communicating the serenity and timeless wisdom of this tradition.
Kuan Yin is the celestial Bodhissatva of Compassion, the Chinese goddess of love and compassion. In this book on the mysticism of Buddhist China and Tantra in Tibet, John Blofeld explores the many-faceted cult that surrounds Kuan Yin and the rites and rituals associated with her. Worshipped as a charming and benign folk goddess she is believed in by peasants and fishermen throughout the Far East. Yet she can also be depicted as a symbolic personification of divine compassion or as a yogic vehicle through which it is possible to attain Enlightenment and perceive the ultimate nature of reality. Illustrated with reproductions of Chinese and Tibetan sacred art, the book includes a number of devotional poems and yogic texts translated by the author and descriptions of contemplative meditation techniques.