Abstract

Master Cherng's translation of Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting, an 8th century classic text on meditation by Si Ma Cheng Zhen, is accompanied by his extensive explanatory commentary, unique in its ability to make this complex text accessible to the Western reader.

In the introduction to the text, Master Cherng explains how to practice the Purification of the Heart method of meditation and photographs clearly illustrate the correct postures. He deciphers the Chinese metaphors and abstract language of Si Ma Cheng Zhen to give a clear explanation of the processes involved and the resulting changes to mind, spirit and body. His translation and explanatory commentary present the classic text in a way that can be easily understood and applied, allowing Western students of Daoism, and anyone with an interest in meditation, direct access to the meaning of this text in practice.

Wu Jyh Cherng (1958-2004), was a Taoist High Priest and Master of Meditation, Rites and Ceremonies. He was born in Taiwan, Republic of China, and moved with his parents to Rio de Janeiro in 1973. His first contact with Chinese Medicine, Oriental Arts and Meditation was with his father, Wu Chao Hsiang, a physician in Taiwan and Master in Tài Jí Quán (Tai Chi Chuan). He furthered his education in acupuncture, philosophy, science, art and mysticism with regular visits to the Far East, where he was ordained as a priest by the World Central Committee of Taoism based in Taiwan. In 1991 he founded the Taoist Society of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, and acted as its first regent master. Master Cherng spread the Taoist doctrine of the Orthodox Unitary Order and passed on his knowledge of this Tradition to his disciples and followers. He translated Taoist texts into Portuguese, such as the Tao Te Ching, The Book of the Path and Virtue, by Lao Tse. He also wrote several books, such as, I Ching – The Alchemy of Numbers, Tai Chi Chuan - The Alchemy of Movements and Initiation to Taoism (volumes I and II).
In Daoist Meditation, Master Wu Jyh Cherng guides us through the Seven Steps of Obtaining the Dao as taught by Master SiMa ChengZhen (647–735 CE), renowned ancestral master of the Daoist TianTai ShangQing tradition. Master SiMa's pivotal work, ZuoWangLun, is one of the most important Daoist internal alchemy classics ever written. It is our great fortune that Master Wu Jyh Cherng's translation and insightful commentary of this historical work - the one that marked the shift away from external alchemy and towards internal alchemical processes – has brought this practice back to life. Daoist Meditation is an essential addition to the library of any serious student of authentic Daoist internal cultivation practices.
Master Zhongxian Wu, lifelong Daoist practitioner, lineage holder of four schools of qigong and martial arts, and author of 12 books on Chinese wisdom traditions
It has been a true pleasure to read this book on the arts of 'sitting and forgetting' and 'emptying the heart'. Though not an easy practice, perseverance and diligence can help a person to enrich every aspect of their life. Any assistance whilst walking this path is always welcome and I am sure that the guidance in Daoist Meditation will help many in their training.
Damo Mitchell, author of Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change and Heavenly Streams: Meridian Theory in Nei Gong