Myths & Stories
Taoist creation myths and the parables of Chuangzi are two well-known examples of the importance of myth/story in the Taoist path. There are also many wonderful contemporary Taoist story-tellers & myth-makers ...
Some Stories of Chaungzi
Here are some stories from that trickster, Chuangzi, translated by Burton Watson ...
Here are some stories from that trickster, Chuangzi, translated by Burton Watson ...
A Selection Of Zen Koans
The Zen master Nan-in received a professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor, watching the overflow, exclaimed: "It is overfull. No more will go in!" "Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
The Zen master Nan-in received a professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor, watching the overflow, exclaimed: "It is overfull. No more will go in!" "Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
Immortal Lu Tung Pin and his son, Pai Shih Lang
A well-known Taoist fable, in which Immortal Lu Tung Pin's son offends the Kitchen God, who arranges for his "Immortal sinews" to be ripped out of his body ... but don't worry: it has a happy ending :)
A well-known Taoist fable, in which Immortal Lu Tung Pin's son offends the Kitchen God, who arranges for his "Immortal sinews" to be ripped out of his body ... but don't worry: it has a happy ending :)
Taoist Hermit Telling the Legend of Prince Zhenwu
A video clip of a Wudang Taoist hermit telling the Legend of Prince Zhenwu: " There was a prince who practiced and practiced Taoism and then became an Immortal, then continued practicing and became a Deity. The crows and black tigers led him to this deserted mountain and he stayed there and practiced for a total of 42 years ..."
A video clip of a Wudang Taoist hermit telling the Legend of Prince Zhenwu: " There was a prince who practiced and practiced Taoism and then became an Immortal, then continued practicing and became a Deity. The crows and black tigers led him to this deserted mountain and he stayed there and practiced for a total of 42 years ..."
Why Has Bodhidharma Left For The East?
You're unlikely to find a better visual representation of the spirit of Taoism & Zen Buddhism than Bae Yong-Kyun's ravishingly beautiful film, "Why Has Boddhidharma Left For The East?"
You're unlikely to find a better visual representation of the spirit of Taoism & Zen Buddhism than Bae Yong-Kyun's ravishingly beautiful film, "Why Has Boddhidharma Left For The East?"
Ed Young's "Beyond the Great Mountains"
"Beyond The Great Mountains" is a children's book written and illustrated by Ed Young. Its poetic language and beautiful collages tell the story of China's history, and introduce us also to the practice of calligraphy.
"Beyond The Great Mountains" is a children's book written and illustrated by Ed Young. Its poetic language and beautiful collages tell the story of China's history, and introduce us also to the practice of calligraphy.
Jet Li
Jet Li - aside from being a consummate practitioner of Taoist martial arts - has created two amazing movies: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" - which are wonderful examples of modern-day Taoist story-telling.
Jet Li - aside from being a consummate practitioner of Taoist martial arts - has created two amazing movies: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" - which are wonderful examples of modern-day Taoist story-telling.
"Kung Fu" Pilot, with David Carradine
The TV series "Kung Fu," starring David Carradine - despite its sometimes-bizarre "old west" settings - provides a very authentic glimpse of the life and training of a Shaolin Priest. This is the pilot for the series.
The TV series "Kung Fu," starring David Carradine - despite its sometimes-bizarre "old west" settings - provides a very authentic glimpse of the life and training of a Shaolin Priest. This is the pilot for the series.
The Tao of Steve
If you haven't already, check out "The Tao of Steve"!
If you haven't already, check out "The Tao of Steve"!
Puppetji: Are You A Puppet?
If you haven't already met Puppetji, well - you're in for a treat! Here, he waxes eloquent about the need to clarify our meridians, i.e. to free ourselves from habitual mental/emotional patterns - which keep us dangling like puppets on the strings of the past ... Enjoy!
If you haven't already met Puppetji, well - you're in for a treat! Here, he waxes eloquent about the need to clarify our meridians, i.e. to free ourselves from habitual mental/emotional patterns - which keep us dangling like puppets on the strings of the past ... Enjoy!
Matrix Dojo Fight: "You Think That's Air You're Breathing Now?"
"Don't think you are - know you are!" says Morpheus to Neo in this excellent fight scene, which is filled with Taoist philosophy as well as martial arts practices.
"Don't think you are - know you are!" says Morpheus to Neo in this excellent fight scene, which is filled with Taoist philosophy as well as martial arts practices.
The Muppet Matrix
Much has been written about ways in which "The Matrix" film trilogy resonates with mythological themes from Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and many other spiritual traditions. Here's a most excellent Muppet's version of The Matrix ... (The Muppets, I do believe, are distant cousins of Puppetji :)
Much has been written about ways in which "The Matrix" film trilogy resonates with mythological themes from Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and many other spiritual traditions. Here's a most excellent Muppet's version of The Matrix ... (The Muppets, I do believe, are distant cousins of Puppetji :)