Daoism Basics: California Workshop with Livia Kohn, May 2011

Daoism Basics

Livia Kohn

Come to the spectacular northern California coast and explore Daoism, an age-old tradition that reaches back 2,500 years. Emerging from the well-known philosophy of Dao as first expressed in Laozi’s Daode jing, it has been the indigenous higher religion of China with complex ethics, cosmology, and rituals. Daoist practices actively promote health, well-being, and spiritual awareness. The tradition is a veritable treasure trove of health practices, longev-ity techniques, and meditation methods for individual self-cultivation as well as ethical and ritual ways to social cohesion, environmental peace, and universal harmony.

During this three-day workshop we explore five fundamental forms of Daoism—modern, medical, philosophical, immortality, and organized—in each case learning about history and world-view as well as actively practicing relevant techniques. In addition we begin our day with qigong and jointly cook a Daoist-style vegetarian dinner at night. There is also free time to enjoy the local scenery and relax in the hot tub, pool, and sauna.

Livia Kohn is Professor Emerita of Religion & East Asian Studies at Boston University. Her specialty is medieval Daoism and the study of Chinese longevity practices. She has written and edited numerous books and is a long-term practitioner of taiji quan, qigong, yoga and meditation. Seen as one of the world’s foremost scholars, Livia is an expert at placing each practice in its historical and cultural context, relating its current application and efficacious-ness to modern western living.

Dates: May 12-15, 2011

Location: The Sea Ranch, Sonoma County, California

Price: $420 (includes room, board, tuition, and textbooks); $300 local (non-residential)

Textbooks: Daoism and Chinese Culture; Health and Long Life: The Chinese Way

To register and hold a place, send a deposit of $100 to Livia Kohn, P. O. Box 609, Dunedin, FL 34697 (include your e-mail address)

For questions, email liviakohn@hotmail.com or call 727-501-6915

SYLLABUS

Day Time Topic
Thu 5:00 pm Arrival
Hiking or Pool & Sauna
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Orientation, introductions, overview

Fri 7:00 am Qigong
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Lecture: Modern Daoism: Qigong and Taiji quan
10:30 am Practice: Qigong (“Release”)
11:30 am Pool & spa
12:00 noon Lunch
2:30 pm Lecture: Medical Daoism: Healing exercises
4:30 pm Practice: Daoyin
5:30 pm Hiking or Swimming
6:00 pm Daoist Cookery
7:00 pm Dinner

Sat 7:00 am Qigong
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Lecture: Philosophical Daoism: Laozi and the Daode jing
10:30 am Practice: Quiet sitting
11:30 am Hiking or Swimming
12:00 noon Daoist Cookery
3:00 pm Lecture: Immortality Daoism: Zhuangzi and Highest Clarity
4:30 pm Practice: Visualization
5:30 pm Hiking or Swimming
6:00 pm Daoist Cookery
7:00 pm Dinner

Sun 7:00 am Qigong
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 pm Lecture: Organized Daoism: Ritual, community, and the pantheon
10:30 pm Practice: Tea ceremony
12:00 noon Lunch
Departure – Free time

SITE

The Sea Ranch is a community of private homes, sited with careful attention to the natural landscape along a 10-mile stretch of the Sonoma County coast in Northern California (www. tsra.org/index.php). The nearest town of Gualala (“walala”) has two grocery stores, a drug-store, a bookstore, several art galleries, gift shops, restaurants, medical and dental clinics, and nearby Gualala Point Regional Park:

Local flora and fauna: http://www.tsra.org/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=229

We have rented “Pelican’s Rest,” a home toward the north end of The Sea Ranch and a short walk to the bluff-top trail, Walk-on-Beach, swimming pool and sauna, and tennis courts. The reverse floor plan takes full advantage of the north coast views, and the house features a gourmet kitchen and outdoor hot tub and shower. With four bedrooms and three+ baths, the house accommodates 8 people. Couples are welcome, as three of the bed-rooms have queen or double beds (we will supplement as necessary with comfortable Aer-oBeds).

The Sea Ranch is approximately three hours by car north of San Francisco and Oakland air-ports (SFO, OAK); 1 ½ hours from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (http://www. sonomacountyairport.org/). TSR is also accessible from the airports by bus, with a connec-tion in Santa Rosa (http://airportexpressinc.com/home.html; http://www.4mta.org /schedule_maps.php, rte. 95). Depending on timing, we will organize a group car rental or may pick you up in Santa Rosa.