Wudang
Between heaven and earth, in the heart of the great middle kingdom, lie the legendary Wudang Mountains, silent witness of time and history. Beneath the mist of thousands of years, through peaks and rivers, it shows us its secrets as ancient as its hills and forests. Cradle of martial arts and philosophy, Wudangshan tells a story of centuries, and charms with hidden temples and palaces.
Taoism
Taoism (pronounced dow-ism) is an ancient philosophy indigenous to China, which emphasises living in harmony with Nature. Taoism is based on the teachings of Lao Tzu contained in the Tao Te Ching. As the story goes, Lao Tzu was a wise man who lived in the city of Chengzhou (known today as Luoyang). Lao Tzu began to grow tired of the moral decay in Chengzhou, and predicted the kingdom’s decline. He decided to venture west to live as a hermit in the unsettled frontier at the age of 80. At the western gate of the city, he was recognised by one of the guards, who, seeing that this wise old man was leaving for good, asked the master to record his wisdom for the good of the country before he would be permitted to pass. The text Lao Tzu wrote was said to be the Tao Te Ching, the text that forms the foundation of Taoist Philosophy. Taoism emphasises the philosophy of wúwéi (translated as non-action, effortless action, or spontaneous action), naturalness, or living in harmony with nature, simplicity, patience, and compassion.
Wellness
Perhaps the greatest legacy of Taoism is the art of wellness, how to preserve one’s health. Wellness is talked about very much today, but what does it actually mean? What are the characteristics of Taoist practice? People often only focus on the well-being of their bodies, but Taoism offers a holistic approach of cultivating not only physical, but also mental and spiritual well-being.
Taoism teaches us to become aware of Qi (pronounced chee), the universal life energy that flows through and sustains all things. By becoming aware of the Qi within us, we can cultivate our Qi, learn how to let it flow unobstructed, and learn how to balance our own life force with the life force of other living beings and of Nature itself. Taoist wellness teaches us that true health and well-being comes from balance and harmony—with oneself, with others, and with our environment.
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