The Environmental Resonance of Daoist Moving Meditations

Author: Nixon, Denver Vale

Source: World Views: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, Volume 10, Number 3, 2006 , pp. 380-403(24)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Rather than focus solely on traditional philosophical categories, as has often been the case in the discourse on Daoism and ecology, this paper explores the connections between a Daoist theory of practice, moving meditations of Daoist origin, and environmental resonance. Major themes explored include internalized action tradeoffs, preventative and integrated health awareness, alternative epistemologies, and an extemporaneous ethic sensitive to ecological change. It is suggested that collectively, Daoist cultivational practices may contribute toward social behaviour that is at least neutral, if not benevolent, toward the non-human world. Autoethnographic journal entries vivify the arguments presented. It is hoped that this practice oriented approach will not only reveal some overlooked connections between Daoism and ecology worthy of further study, but also appreciate the religious heritage of the Daoism to which such practices owe their naissance.

Keywords: DAOISM; TAOISM; QIGONG; TAIJI QUAN; MEDITATION; HEALTH; ENVIRONMENT; ECOLOGY; AUTOETHNOGRAPHY

Document Type: Regular paper

DOI: 10.1163/156853506778942095

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