The nine fields of Taoist knowledge

The nine fields of Taoist knowledge are a grouping of the practices and theoretical knowledge of the Tao. They are also called the "Nine Taoist Dragons".

They include :

Geobiology or Feng Shui

The art of Feng Shui, or geobiology in modern language, comes from an ancient art, called Kan Yu, which, according to the Ancients, consisted of finding suitable places to set up tombs, or mortuary sites, in order to allow the souls of the deceased a positive reincarnation, or at least to allow a serene journey without the disturbance of negative waves. This art has been extended by extrapolation to the world of the living, seeking to promote harmony in the circulation of vital energies. Some people also claim that the art of Feng Shui has its origins in an earlier martial and high energy level. It is said to embody the art of calling the Wind (Feng) to push the clouds and make the rain fall, or the water (Shui) on the opposing troops in order to win the battle, thanks to an alchemised spirit (Red Front).

The knowledge and study of the "sacred" texts of the Taoist canon (Yi Jing, Dao De Jing, etc.)

Meditation

The practice of internal martial arts ( Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Quan , Tai Ji Quan , Liu He Ba Fa )

As with the internal martial arts, the practice of Dao Yin remains a major part of the teaching of some Taoist schools. We will attempt here to modestly enlighten the reader through the varieties of traditional energy practices and their different schools.

The study of Taoist medicine (science of acupuncture, phytotherapy, massages, stones...) and the Dao diet

The Tao Diet, gathers a sum of knowledge accumulated over time resulting from the race to Immortality, central pivot of Taoist practice. This knowledge is based on the cycle of the 5 elements, the classical application of Tai-Ji (Yin-Yang) and on the art of anticipating the seasons in order to prevent the various organic weaknesses. It also takes into account the energetic identity of the different foods in order to be able to best apply to the different constitutions.

Teaching

Teaching is an important part of the realisation of the Way. As Confucius said, "One realises oneself half by practice, half by teaching". This quotation shows how much emphasis can be placed on the necessity of disseminating the teaching, thus making a tradition perennial but also allowing spiritual realisation for the Ancients. We will try here to talk about the Great Masters of history, and some of the current ones, by trying to highlight the difference in teaching styles, sometimes lightning like lightning, or gentle as the wind.

Compassion

Compassion is a vast subject, if we agree that it should touch all beings... Although the Taoist hermit is sometimes accused of being a loner living in his cave, he works for himself, but also for all beings, who are as much part of the Tao as he is. Although this notion is less present, a priori, than in Buddhism, particularly that of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana), it is nevertheless one of the nine pillars of the Way of the Tao. Let us try to find some examples, such as Lü Dong Bin, the Most High of Stork Mountain, to support these remarks.