The Department of Taoist Studies offers courses in the Taoist Tradition of the Ni Family.  The term “Taoism” is a broad umbrella that includes a diversity of many traditions (religious and non-religious), understandings, and practices which have been transmitted in a variety of ways and forms throughout the ages.  The Ni Family transmits a non-religious, non-monastic form of Taoism that is rooted in the Southern Branch of Internal Alchemy Tradition.  This form of Taoism focuses on the self-cultivation of one’s energy using a variety of holistic techniques and methods (energetic, breathing, meditation, nutrition & TCM, tai chi & qigong) to promote health, happiness, longevity, and spiritual development. This department offers instruction and courses in the non-movement art aspects of the Ni Family Taoist Tradition.  

The Introduction to Spiritual Self-Development is a three-part home study program that is designed to support students who have read one or more books on the Integral Way of life and who want to deepen their understanding and experience of the Integral Way by applying its principles in their daily lives. For information on the Introduction to Spiritual Self-Development correspondence course, write Jono Howard at jono9@shaw.ca.

Also see Sisters of the Heavenly Way and Study Groups below.

 

For information on these basic books on the Taoist tradition of the Integral Way, click HERE

Hua-Ching Ni (Master Ni or OmNi) is the author of more than 52 books on Taoism in English. His son, Dr. Mao Shing Ni, is a co-author of many titles and has written over five books on health and healing from the perspective of 38 generations of Ni Family healers. He can also be heard on CDs on the topics of meditation, stress relief, pain relief, and healing a broken heart.  OmNi, Dr. Mao, and his brother, Dr. Daoshing Ni, are featured in many DVDs teaching tai chi and qigong. For more information, CLICK HERE

There are four more practices in the Integral Way Tradition of studying Taoism:

1.  Taoist Meditation: Learn from our meditation CD's available
     in our Store or attend a class.

2.  Attend retreats, such as our 2012 Wellness Living Retreat

3.  Write self-evaluations and reflections. This is especially
     valuable at the very beginning or end of your day.

4.  Study Taoism by taking distance learning courses such as
     those below.

   
                                       
          Essence of Five Elements       Power of Natural    
                                                                 Healing               

         CLICK HERE                               CLICK HERE






Sisters of the Heavenly Way

The Sisters of the Integral Way is an informal network of women who support the re-emergence and spiritual leadership of feminine virtue, as guided by the teachings and practices of the Integral Way. The Sisters support all women to reconnect to the wholeness of universal nature. The nurturing, receptive energy of the feminine naturally complements and balances the more physical, creative energy of the masculine. When these forces work together in harmony they create and sustain life, but when either of them forsakes the other and moves to its extreme, the balance breaks down and trouble ensues. We know that life prospers and grows in a healthy, whole way through cooperation and the support of nurturing care. Therefore, we need to re-establish the softening power of feminine virtue if we are to restore balance in life.

All Sisters are encouraged to live the Path of Constructive Life (PCL) as guided by the teachings and cultivation practices of the Taoist tradition of the Integral Way, such as tai chi, meditation, invocations, reading spiritual books, service, and self-reflection.

Sisters groups have formed in the United States, Switzerland, and Australia. In Los Angeles, California, the Sisters group meets on Sundays in Temescal Canyon to practice tai chi and enjoy a short reading and discussion. Women everywhere are encouraged to form their own groups.

For more information or to join the Sisters' online Yahoo Group, contact Bita at byadidi@aol.com or Kumiko at kumiko92@hotmail.com.



Study Groups

Hua-Ching Ni has always encouraged people to start their own study groups. First you pick a book you would like to study, then you find at least one friend who wants to discuss the book with you, and finally . . . you begin.

It doesn't matter how much you know about spirituality; the important thing is nourishing your inner spirit by discussing your ideas with at least on other human being. There is no need to wait for someone to start a study group for you: just start a group of your own and the people will come.

People sometimes wonder how to start a study group. You can just sit in silence for a few minutes. Silence allows everyone to prepare in their own way [and] guides people away from superficial chatter. Or you can create your own "ceremony" with anything that settles and harmonizes the group energy, such as sharing herbal tea.

Hua-Ching Ni has written so many interesting books that it is difficult to choose. The Workbook for Spiritual Development and The Complete Works of Lao Tzu or The Key to Good Fortune are examples. To browse through information on all his books, visit our Store.

Find out more about study groups by contacting the
Wellness Living Store or by visiting our Directory of mentors,
instructors and coaches to find a contact near you. You will find study groups online at integralway.org.

If you live near Las Vegas, New Mexico, you can join Peter Stege's study group. They meet once a month and have already discussed more than ten Integral Way books. Their format is to read the books aloud. For more information, contact pstege@hotmail.com.

Peter is available if you wish to set up your own study group. He will tell you how to set one up and clue you in on what to do and not to do.