In search of monastic tradition

[Anonymous]

I’ve reached a point in my life where I can no longer resist the urge to set all things aside and devote myself fully to a spiritual work. It seems ideal to find an authentic Taoist monastery. If anyone could help me find my way towards such a place, that would be amazing! I’m interested in all branches of Taoist studies – medicine/healing arts, meditation/neigong, sexual arts, feng shui/astrology, rituals/talismans, and of course martial arts. I have no formal training in any of these except for martial arts(taiji,xingyi,bagua) which I have been practicing since a relatively young age(12 – I’m now 21). As for the other spheres, I haven’t been able to find any teachers. I would really like to emphasize the seriousness of my intention/desire for at least a periodical absolute devotion aka monastic situation. A friend of mine just recently entered the sangha of Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism in India quite easily, but Taoism as a tradition seems so inaccessible!(I’m sure this is no news) Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew,

here are some links to get you going…

http://www.wudangtao.com/content/index.php/sanctuary/us-temple
http://thetaobums.com/topic/1935-taoist-monastery-in-america/
http://www.tao.org/

I have no idea about the legitimacy of any of these and no idea what the situation in China is like.

Bruce seems to be moving towards a meditation focus in his teachings these days so enrolling in the Taoist Meditation program would help to lay a good foundation, if you haven’t already done so.

Kind regards

Trevor

[Anonymous]

By all means go for it, but don’t get in the trap of thinking you have to do all that to progress spiritually. It can be enough just to reside in the unborn mind (as Bankei would call it) during ordinary circumstances and wait for the inevitable to happen. Read up on that guy. You can do Taoist stuff in parallel with his way quite easily, and you don’t have to GO anywhere to do it.

[Author]

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