Zhao Yizhen (?-1382), sobriquet Yuanyangzi, was a native of Anfu (now part of Jiangxi), a famous Taoist in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, and an important successor of the Qingwei and Jingming schools. Zhao Yizhen loved reading since childhood and was well-versed in classics, history, and various schools of thought. Later, due to a prolonged illness that could not be cured, he abandoned Confucianism and turned to Taoism. Initially, he studied under Zeng Guikuan, the master of the Qingwei school, learning the essentials of the Qingwei Dharma. Later, he studied under Zhang Tianquan, a Taoist of Taiyu Temple in Jizhou, and obtained the tradition of the Changchun Northern School.
He also became a disciple of Li Xuanyi, a Quanzhen Taoist from Jiangnan in the early Yuan Dynasty, and studied Bai Yuchan's Southern School, which also revived the Jingming Taoism that was on the verge of extinction at that time, and was revered as the fourth-generation successor of the Jingming Taoism. In 1352, Zhao Yizhen traveled west with his disciples, passing through Xiang and Shu, visiting Wudang, paying homage to Longhu, visiting the relics of the Han Tianshi, and later settled in Ziyang Temple in Jiangxi. In 1455, Emperor Daizong of the Ming Dynasty posthumously honored him as "Revered Scholar, Expansive Tao, Pure Virtue, Yuanyang Zhao Perfected Person."
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Types of Daoist Practitioners
| Category | Chinese | Description | Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quanzhen | 全真 | "Complete Perfection" - Monastic tradition | Celibate, monastery-based |
| Zhengyi | 正一 | "Orthodox Unity" - Liturgical tradition | May marry, community-based |
| Lay Practitioners | 居士 | Devoted followers maintaining secular life | Family life, part-time practice |
Core Principles We Live By
The Dao (道) - The Way
The Dao is the source of all existence, the ineffable principle that underlies everything. As the Dao De Jing teaches us: "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao." We spend our lives trying to align ourselves with this cosmic principle, not through force, but through wu wei - effortless action.
Wu Wei (無為) - Non-Action
This doesn't mean laziness or passivity. Rather, it's about acting in accordance with natural flow, like water flowing around obstacles. In my daily practice, I've learned that the most profound changes often come from knowing when not to act, when to step back and allow the natural order to unfold.
Yin-Yang (陰陽) - Complementary Opposites
Every experienced Daoist understands that life consists of complementary forces in constant dance. Light needs darkness, strength requires flexibility, action balances with stillness. We don't seek to eliminate one in favor of the other, but to harmonize them within ourselves.
Our Practices and Cultivation Methods
Internal Alchemy (內丹)
This is perhaps our most profound practice - the transformation of our inner energy to achieve spiritual immortality. Through specific breathing techniques, meditation, and energy circulation, we work to refine our qi (life force) and unite it with the Dao.
The Three Treasures (三寶)
| Treasure | Chinese | Meaning | Cultivation Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jing | 精 | Essence/Vitality | Conservation of physical energy |
| Qi | 氣 | Life Force | Breathing practices, qigong |
| Shen | 神 | Spirit/Mind | Meditation, contemplation |
External Practices
While internal cultivation is central, we also engage with the world through various means:
- Ritual ceremonies for community healing and blessing
- Divination using the I Ching and other traditional methods
- Herbal medicine based on Daoist understanding of natural harmony
- Martial arts like Taijiquan, expressing Daoist principles through movement
- Calligraphy and poetry as forms of spiritual expression
The Daoist Lifestyle
Living as a Daoist means embracing simplicity. We rise early, often before dawn, to practice meditation and qigong when the world is still and the qi is pure. Our meals are simple, often vegetarian, taken mindfully as another form of cultivation.
We study the classical texts - the Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi, and various alchemical manuals - not as dry academic exercise, but as living guidance for daily life. Each reading reveals new layers of meaning as our understanding deepens.
Relationship with Nature
A true Daoist maintains deep connection with natural cycles. We observe the changing seasons not just as weather patterns, but as manifestations of cosmic principles. The way water flows, how trees bend without breaking in wind, how animals move with instinctive wisdom - all these become our teachers.
Common Misconceptions
Many in the West confuse us with fortune tellers or exotic mystics. While some Daoists do practice divination, our primary focus is spiritual cultivation and serving as bridges between the human and cosmic realms. We're not trying to escape the world, but to live in it more harmoniously.
Neither are we passive quietists. Throughout Chinese history, Daoists have been innovators in science, medicine, and even military strategy - all informed by our understanding of natural principles.
The Path Forward
The Daoist path is not about accumulating knowledge or achieving supernatural powers, though these may come naturally through sincere practice. It's about returning to our original nature, before conditioning and desires clouded our perception.
As I often tell my students: "The highest good is like water, which nourishes all things and does not compete." In a world increasingly driven by ambition and conflict, perhaps the ancient wisdom of yielding, of finding strength in flexibility, offers something essential for humanity's future.
The Way is always present, available to anyone willing to quiet their mind and open their heart. Whether you're drawn to formal practice or simply wish to live more harmoniously, the principles of Daoism offer timeless guidance for navigating life's complexities with grace and wisdom.
May your path be illuminated by the eternal light of the Dao.
道法自然 - The Way follows what is natural
