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The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity: A Modern Practical Guide to the Ancient Way »

Book cover image of The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity: A Modern Practical Guide to the Ancient Way by Daniel Reid

Authors: Daniel Reid, Daniel P. Reid, Reid
ISBN-13: 9780671648114, ISBN-10: 067164811X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
Date Published: July 1989
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Daniel Reid

Born and educated in the United States, with a master's degree in Chinese language and civilization, Daniel P. Reid now lives in Taiwan, where he has studied with numerous Taoist masters. He is the author of Chinese Herbal Medicine, which was hailed by The New York Times as "highly readable...a marvelous introduction to the field of Chinese medicine."

Book Synopsis

Written by a Westerner for the Western mind, here is the first book to explore in light of modern science the balanced and comprehensive system of health care used by Chinese physicians, martial artists, and meditators for over 5,000 years.

Drawing on original Chinese sources and years of personal experience, the author introduces the philosophy of Tao and gives detailed, practical information on:

  • diet and nutrition, including sample menus

  • food combining, and detoxifying the body

  • specific foods and juices as treatments for a wide range of diseases (including such modern Western concerns as hypertension, cancer, infertility, herpes, and AIDS)

  • fasting and excretion

  • breathing exercises

  • physical exercises for long life, total relaxation, and general health

  • acupuncture and massage techniques

  • Taoist birth control

  • sex therapy

  • bedroom arts and techniques to ensure complete satisfaction for both partners (considered essential for good health and long life)

  • herbal aphrodisiacs and other sexual aids

  • meditation — turning essence into energy and energy into spirit

With many helpful charts and clear illustrations, The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity makes the ancient "Way" easily accessible to those seeking the latest in New Age health care.


Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: The Tao
History of Taoism in China1
'The Way and its Power'6
The Parting of the Way10
The Tao Today19
Yin and Yang21
Complements of Yin and Yang23
The five elemental activities25
The dynamic duo today30
The Three Treasures32
Jing: the essence of life32
Chee: the energy of life34
Shen: the spirit of life41
The bridge of energy42
AppendixCast of Taoist Characters44
Part IThe Tao of Health
Chapter 1Diet and Nutrition51
Mother Nature's Menu52
The Human Dietary Devolution56
Trophology: The Science of Food Combining58
Enzymes: The Culinary Spark of Life69
Eating Right for Health and Longevity74
Food as Medicine80
Diet and Mental Health85
Appendix IFood Categories and Combination Chart88
Appendix IISample Menus for One Week90
Appendix IIITherapeutic Foods and Juices93
Chapter 2Fasting and Excretion127
The Colon: Sewer or Cesspool?127
Fasting130
Plumbing Your Colon with Water133
The Seven-Day Fast and Colon-Cleansing Program135
Mini-Fasts and Semi-Fasts140
Excretion: 'Squatters Do It Better'142
Chapter 3Breathing144
The Science of Breathing147
The Neti Nasal Douche153
The Art of Breathing155
Basic Breathing Exercises175
Establishing a Regular Regimen189
A Bonanza of Breathing Benefits191
Chapter 4Exercise195
The Hard Way versus the Soft Way195
The Martial Arts197
Warming Up199
Loosening and Stretching204
Long-Life Exercises213
Total Relaxation226
A Sample Regimen229
Chapter 5Taoist Healing Arts233
The Tao of Health and Disease235
The Five-fold Path to Natural Health Care239
The New Medicine253
Part IIThe Tao of Sex
Chapter 6The Tao of Yin and Yang257
The Nature of Man and Woman258
The Way of Yin and Yang263
Foreplay, the Four Attainments, the Five Signs, the Five Desires, the Ten Indications and the Five Virtues267
The Great Libation of the 'Three Peaks'276
Semen Retention277
Tao is a Two-Way Street278
The Harmony of Yin and Yang281
The Tao Comes Westward283
Essence and Energy286
Hormones and Health287
Absorbing Essence and Storing Energy289
Chapter 7Ejaculation Control293
Regulating Ejaculation Frequency294
Mastering the Methods of 'Contact without Leakage'299
Learning How to 'Lock the Gate'304
The Orgasmic Upward Draw for Women305
Taoist Birth Control306
Summary Remarks308
Chapter 8Taoist Bedroom Arts311
The Thrust of the Matter315
Adopting Different Positions318
Artful Accessories325
Sex Therapy330
The Legend of the Goat333
Cupid's Cornucopia335
Springtime in a Bottle339
Part IIIThe Tao of Longevity
Chapter 9Historical Perspectives on Longevity345
Some Enlightening Examples of Longevity346
Comparative World Lifespans Today351
Fundamental Factors in Longevity355
Chapter 10The Tao of Nurturing Life359
Pollution and Purification360
Cultivating the Three Treasures364
External Elixir Approach364
Internal Elixir Approach366
The Highway to Health and Longevity368
Chapter 11'Sitting Still Doing Nothing'373
The Eight Stages of Internal Alchemy375
Meditation for Health and Longevity379
The Microcosmic Orbit384
The Macrocosmic Orbit389
Shen-hsien: The 'Cosmic Astronauts'391
Opening the Central Channel394
Death and Immortality397
Additional Recommended Reading
Index

Subjects