Acknowledgments We extend our gratitude to the many generations of Taoist masters who have passed on their special lineage, in the form of an unbroken oral transmission, over thousands of years. We wish to especially thank Taoist Master Yi Eng for his patience and openness in transmitting the formulas of Taoist Inner Alchemy. We also wish to thank the thousands of unknown men and women of the Chinese healing arts who developed many of the methods and ideas presented in this book. We offer our eternal gratitude to our parents and teachers for their many gifts to us. Remembering them brings joy and satisfaction to our continued efforts in presenting the Universal Tao System. As always, their contribution has been crucial in presenting the concepts and techniques of the Universal Tao. Thanks to Juan Li for the use of his beautiful and visionary paintings and drawings, illustrating the Taoist esoteric practices. We thank the many contributors essential to this book’s final form: The editorial and production staff at Inner Traditions/Destiny Books for their efforts to clarify the text and produce a handsome new edition of the book and Nancy Ringer for her line edit of the new edition. We wish to thank the following people for their assistance in producing the previous editions of this book: Pierre Morton for his writing and editorial contributions; Udon for his illustrations, book layout, and cover design; Dennis Huntington and Jean Chilton for their editorial and proofreading assistance; and Jettaya Phaobtong and Saumya Comer for their editorial contributions to the first revised edition of the book. A special thank you goes to our Thai Production Team: Raruen Keawpadung, Computer Graphics; Saysunee Yongyod, Photographer; Udon Jandee, Illustrator; and Saniem Chaisarn, Production Designer. Finally, we wish to thank our certified instructors, students, and sponsors throughout the world for their ongoing contributions to the system and for preserving the vitality of the Universal Tao practices. Contents Cover Image Title Page Acknowledgements Putting Tendon Nei Kung into Practice Chapter 1— Words on the Tao Benefits of Being Aware of the Tao The Cause of Illness according to Taoist Philosophy and Chinese Medicine The Key to Health and Happiness Is the Tao Chapter 2— An Introduction to Tendon Nei Kung Tendons and Ligaments General Characteristics Chapter 3— Tendon Power The Western Concept of Athleticism vs. the Ancient Taoists’ Understanding Taoist Practices for Today’s Athletes Required Practices That Support Tendon Nei Kung The Importance of Practice Chapter 4— Tendon Nei Kung Practice The Different Forms of Chi Chapter 5— Tendon Nei Kung Forms General Information about Tendon Nei Kung Chapter 6— Tendon Nei Kung Partner Forms Chapter 7— Ten Supplementary Tendon Exercises Chapter 8— Mung Bean Hitting Apparat us: The Mung Bean Sock Chapter 9— Recommended Practice for Today’s Lifestyle The Universal Tao System and Training Center The Universal Tao System The Universal Tao Training Center Resources About the Author About Inner Traditions • Bear & Company Books of Related Interest Copyright & Permissions Putting Tendon Nei Kung into Practice The practices described in this book have been used successfully for thousands of years by Taoists trained by personal instruction. Readers should not undertake these practices without receiving personal transmission and training from a certified instructor of the Universal Tao, since some of these practices, if done improperly, may cause injury or result in health problems. This book is intended to supplement individual training by the Universal Tao System and to serve as a reference guide for these practices. Anyone who undertakes these practices on the basis of this book alone, does so entirely at his or her own risk. The meditations, practices, and techniques described herein are not intended to be used as an alternative or substitute for professional medical treatment and care. If any readers are suffering from illnesses based on mental or emotional disorders, an appropriate professional health care practitioner or therapist should be consulted. Such problems should be corrected before training begins. Neither the Universal Tao nor its staff and instructors can be responsible for the consequences of any practice or misuse of the information contained in this book. If the reader undertakes any exercise without strictly following the instructions, notes, and warnings, the responsibility must lie solely with the reader. This book does not attempt to give any medical diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or remedial recommendation whatsoever, in relation to any human disease, ailment, suffering, or physical condition. 1 Words on the Tao It has been said that the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. This phrase suggests that the Tao (God, universe, life) is so unfathomable that to think we can understand all of this wonderful life is simply an unrealistic notion (fig. 1.1). Besides, is it not the great unknown that keeps us going, that keeps us so fascinated and intrigued with this multifaceted, infinitely fantastic thing we call life? In the West, there is a tendency to try to intellectualize every possible aspect of life and strive to give a logical explanation for it. The truth of the matter is that if we spend all of our time thinking about life, we will never move into the feeling of it, and we will miss life’s greatest vehicle for joy and happiness. Fig. 1.1. Limitless Tao We should not let the realization that there will always be an aspect of mystery in life, that there will always be something that we cannot understand, create any notions of insecurity or fear within us. Rather, we should learn to embrace this mystery and allow its unfathomable greatness to inspire us. In this way, all sacred knowledge will unfold within us in due course (fig. 1.2). We do know that the word tao means “the way” or, more to the point, “the natural way.” Contrary to what seems to be today’s popular belief, Taoists believe that human beings’ natural state is to be joyful, healthy, and virtuous. Therefore, in order to lead a fulfilling existence we need only to get and stay in touch with our inner being. In other words, we must be at one with the Tao. This, of course, is easier said than done. However, it is still a great relief to tap into the powerful truth and simplicity of the Tao. So wherever you go and whatever path you follow, remember the Taoist philosophy: you are inherently “good,” made out of pure joy, love, and infinite potential. Fig. 1.2. Limitless Tao within BENEFITS OF BEING AWARE OF THE TAO With today’s artificial lifestyle we inevitably encounter experiences that pull and push us out of our primal states of being. From childhood we encounter numerous confusing experiences and are taught a variety of behaviors that contradict our natural and happy state. The results of these experiences are that we are eventually led away from our inner being and ultimately forget how to live without struggle. Running here and there chasing our tails, we forget what it is we really want. Caught up in the vicious circle of cause and effect, we forget who we really are. Many religions supply us with a multitude of rules and regulations in an effort to help stop this cycle, but in many cases they only add more frustration to our lives and contribute to the problem, not the solution. Being aware of the Tao entails simply quieting our “monkey mind,” or intellect, and going inside. The intellect, of course, serves a good purpose, but most present-day cultures place so much emphasis on developing the intellect in early youth that it soon dominates our other thinking or choice-making mechanism—our heart or instinct. When we are in our natural state our choices are always made based on what our heart tells us. The heart is an unfailing choice-making mechanism, but most of us don’t recognize its fantastic intelligence, and because of our upbringing we spend our lives referring to our intellect for information about all levels of life. Never taking the time to still our intellect and go inside results in this hyperactive, overstimulated, and ultimately out-of-control mind that is responsible for much of our unhappiness. The worst part of the problem is that people don’t realize what the problem is! Fig. 1.3. Guidance from our inner Tao The Universal Tao System provides a number of great techniques, such as, among others, the Inner Smile, to help us regain our “heartmind.” There are also meditations, such as the Microcosmic Orbit, that allow us to reconnect with our internal energy. Using these techniques, we are able to again sense the ebb and flow of life’s rather predictable patterns. We can then simply align ourselves with them instead of repeatedly trying to force and struggle our way upstream against the current (fig. 1.3). THE CAUSE OF ILLNESS ACCORDING TO TAOIST PHILOSOPHY AND CHINESE MEDICINE The cause of illness, according to Taoist philosophy and Chinese medicine, intimately coincides with the phrase “being aware of the Tao.” On a physical level, when we are aware of the Tao and in our natural state our bodies are relaxed and supple. The vital energy, or chi, is able to flow freely through our energy pathways or meridians. When this energy is allowed to flow freely, it nourishes our body’s cells, yielding a healthy, strong body and a youthful appearance. Our immune system becomes strong and we are able to think with more clarity. On the other hand, when we are ignorant of the Tao we inevitably run into fear-provoking situations. As the ancient Taoists discovered, fear causes tension and ultimately causes kinks in our meridians. The blockages of these meridians are the causes of all illness (disease) (fig. 1.4). Fig. 1.4. Ignorance of the Tao leads to disease. THE KEY TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IS THE TAO