JADE WRITING  (Yellow Court Classic)

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Book "Jade Writing (Yellow Court Classic)", with a subtitle: "Individual Phase Space User Manual" was published on December 21st 2010. Here are listed the independent reviews of the text.

PUBLICITY REVIEWS

ForeWord Clarion Review   (April 5th 2011)

This wonderful and important first attempt to fully translate the Yellow Court Classic, a portion of the “Taoist Immortality Cannon,” is a pleasure to read on many levels. Imios Archangelis and Miaoyu Lanying have done an exemplary job of bringing an obscure alchemical Chinese Taoist text vibrantly to life and making it relevant to the twenty-first century. Brilliantly designed, Jade Writing provides readers with an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Chinese characters from the original text, and the romanization of each for pronunciation. The English translations are found on the left side of every page. While on the right side are the flowing verses of the commentary, with extensive footnoting that is tremendously helpful in understanding the ubiquitous symbolism and allegory.
The book’s forty-page introduction, which is densely academic, offers editorial explanation and insight into the Jade Writing's history and profundity. Its author, Archangelis, a Qigong healer and practitioner of Taoism, with more than thirty years devoted to the study of esoteric and scientific systems, seems eminently qualified to interpret the document. He is passionately attached to the content and his Bodhisattva-like desire to share its timeless power to transform is palpable. Lovers of poetry will be delighted by the translators’ careful use of words and rhythm to enhance the intrinsic beauty of the ancient text. For example: “Courtiers of the Yellow Castle are all clothed in silk brocade, a splendid purple flying robe that has been woven with cloud Qi. It’s red and green seams are numinous boughs of the Spirit.”
Lovers of poetry will be delighted by the translators’ careful use of words and rhythm to enhance the intrinsic beauty of the ancient text. For example: “Courtiers of the Yellow Castle are all clothed in silk brocade, a splendid purple flying robe that has been woven with cloud Qi. It’s red and green seams are numinous boughs of the Spirit.”
For those with an interest in Chinese traditional medicine, the many references to body systems and health practices should more than satisfy. One such passage suggests, “Prevent a dissolution of the teeth and hair by practicing biting in five directions. Bring the saliva from the Mystical Well to front and upwards, into the Hall of Light.”
Students of philosophy will be challenged by the intellectual depth of the original document: “Tranquility brings inner happiness and clear worries, helping to achieve the lightness potential, an ability to float over the obstacles or to dissolve them. Always prosperous, deep understanding will finally overcome everything.”
Teachers and students of Chinese history and lovers of the Chinese language will also find Jade Writing to be an invaluable resource.
The merits of this superlative book are truly manifold. In fact, the final verse recommends that readers, “Go through it 10,000 times, trying to understand its meaning, to refresh yourself. Loosen your hair, have no lust, so you can live forever.”

Patty Sutherland

AMAZON.COM REVIEWS

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA), February 6th 2011

"A thoughtful and fascinating read, enthusiastically recommended" (5 of 5 stars on Amazon.com)

Alchemy was more than a scientific pursuit. "Jade Writing: Individual Phase Space User Manual" is a translation of a third century alchemy manual from China. With much philosophy drawn from Taoist tradition and history, the practice became a spiritual and scientific one, and one that still proves quite intriguing nearly two thousand years later. "Jade Writing" is a thoughtful and fascinating read, enthusiastically recommended.

"Jade Writing" (Paperback) was featured in the February release of "Small Press Bookwatch" and "Internt Bookwatch" by Midwest Book Review.

The US Review of Books (Titusville, NJ USA), February 28th 2011

"To maximize efficiency in passing the information, a direct experience is used whenever possible in this work."

A classic manuscript of Taoism, this English translation uses symbolic descriptions of the human body and spirit. The book speaks of the potential of the individual through "his or her interaction with (the) environment." The translation speaks of many points to ponder, such as, "Mystical teachings, each in its own terms, usually define a system of questions rather than answers. ... In depth understanding of ancient wisdom... is a never-ending process that continues from one challenge to another."
A reader could spend a lifetime studying this text, and many people have. An elementary description of the subject is the seeking of personal and spiritual harmony and simplicity to become one's true self. The book describes areas of the body and their functions. "A practitioner [of the study of Taoism] works on the integration of the Oneness and Uniqueness, Cosmos and Man, by accepting and recognizing the mystical designations (from without) and driving (from within) their practical fulfillment in the own, specific circumstances."
The original Chinese symbols are included, as well as their definitions and designations in English. Although translations may not describe the actual designations exactly the verses are translated from the Chinese, and attempts to be true to the original. The editor explains, "The contemporary interpretation of the mystical subject is presented in the hope and attempt to be valuable for everybody, ... but not guaranteed to work for others (as every person is unique, ...), without adaptation."
This book is recommended as a beautiful work of ancient scholarship. Some of the perspective differs significantly from that of some other works of Western scholarship, and may be savored all the more for its insights and wisdom.

"Jade Writing" (Paperback) is featured on the main page of The US Review of Books.

READER REVIEWS
 
Amazon.com Reader  (5 or 5 stars)  "A revolutionary work of the New Aeon, that returns a scientific honor to the Internal Alchemy, ancient Virtues and Sages"   (Read More...)
 
Amazon.com Reader  (5 or 5 stars)  "Good translation of the important ancient text, full original Chinese, deep scientific analysis"   (Read More...)