Overview
- Argues that the Daoists and Confucians have developed technologies that enables humans to live in sync with the animating subtle life energies of qi and virtue for wiser, healthier, and happier lives
- Discusses how to cultivate qi and virtues and how these ideas might be incorporated into educational institutions
- Provides an introduction to the technology of cultivating qi as articulated by western scholars and practitioners
Part of the book series: Spirituality, Religion, and Education (SPRE)
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Table of contents (12 chapters)
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Daoist Aspiration for Immortality through Cultivating Qi and Virtues
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Daoism as a Holistic Paradigm: A Unity of Spirit and Science
Keywords
About this book
This book explores Daoist philosophies of qi and virtue through inquiry into their potential as technologies for cultivating good among individuals and society within educational settings, as well as in the modern world. The first part of the book, authored by Jing Lin, examines Daoist cosmology, axiology, and epistemology. She illuminates qi cultivation’s reliance on the accumulation of virtues, leading to transformation of the body and even—extraordinarily—the abilities of Daoist masters to transcend physical limitations to achieve health, longevity, and immortality. The second part of the book, authored by Tom Culham, establishes an understanding of qi and virtue as a technology within the Daoist paradigm, outlining the benefits of its cultivation while illuminating how contemporary Western philosophy and science support this paradigm. Both authors explore new forms of education to incorporate Daoist wisdom in schooling.
Reviews
“Inspiring, insightful, and informative, this book illuminates a deeply transformative vision for the Daoist way of life and education in contemporary society. Blending philosophy, spirituality, and science, it calls for cultivating qi and virtues for well-being, compassion, integrative power, and ecological sustainability. Conveying profound wisdom and complex systemic thinking with accessible language, the collaboration of two authors from different backgrounds embodies the synergism of East/West dialogues.”
—Hongyu Wang, Professor of Curriculum Studies, Oklahoma State University, USA
—Don Morrison, Chair of Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, and former COO of Blackberry
“In the conventional perspective, learning is a function of logical analysis. Ego takes us to personal power. Yet, modern science is moving us to a radical perspective, one long recognized by the major religious traditions. Transcendence of ego and the embrace of virtue enlarges understanding and capacity. In this book, you will discover that for which you have long yearned.”
—Robert E. Quinn, Professor Emeritus at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA, and co-author of The Economics of Higher Purpose (2019)
“This rich volume on Daoism, qi, and virtue is an essential antidote for our warring, despairing world. Speaking deeply, holistically, personally, and approachably, this book addresses perennial spiritual questions. It reveals classical Daoist wisdom and cosmology and timeless Daoist practices and compares all these with themes from western philosophy and technology. Having long awaited such a book, I am grateful for and awed by this masterwork.”
—Rebecca L. Oxford, Professor Emerita and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, University of Maryland, USA, and Adjunct Instructor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
“In this book, Tom Culham and Jing Lin bring their deep understanding of Daoism to explain how qi and virtues are central to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Their scholarship and wisdom are evident throughout this book. In the last section they explore how Daoist principles can be applied to education. Education needs a new story that can address the problems we face today including climate change. Daoism, which is rooted in nature, can help in shaping a new story. Culham and Lin’s book helps us in this important work.”
—Jack Miller, Professor, University of Toronto, Canadato
“The book is a very interesting and insightful take on the Dao that can help Westerners understand Eastern thinking in new ways. The more holistic, systems-based approach embedded in Daoist thinking is much needed in Western approaches to societies and to the Earth itself.”
—Sandra Waddock, Galligan Chair of Strategy, Carroll School Scholar of Corporate Responsibility, and Professor of Management, Boston College, USA
“This well-researched volume looks at the application of Daoist thinking and practice to contemporary education from two unique perspectives. Jing Lin draws on personal experience and quality research in focusing on the importance of qi and the cultivation of values. Tom Culham utilizes a comparative approach, looking at these issues from western, scholarly understandings and practical application. Together they show how Daoist practice and virtue cultivation can help foster individual wisdom and goodness for the whole world.”
—Ramdaas Lamb, Professor of Religion, University of Hawaii, USA
—Xiaoan Li, Senior Program Officer, Fetzer Institute, USA
"This book is like the sages of the Dao that it describes. It is a teacher that imparts energy and wisdom as you read it. I heard about the Dao my whole life and thought it just meant 'going withthe flow.' After reading this book, my vision of our human potential is vastly expanded. I am inspired. The more people that read this book, the better off humanity will be."
—Judi Neal, CEO, Edgewalkers International, USA
Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
Tom Culham is Full-Time Lecturer and Researcher of Ethics in the Strategy Area of the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Jing Lin is Harold R. W. Benjamin Professor of International Education at University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Daoist Cultivation of Qi and Virtue for Life, Wisdom, and Learning
Authors: Tom Culham, Jing Lin
Series Title: Spirituality, Religion, and Education
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44947-6
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Education, Education (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-44946-9Published: 04 July 2020
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-44949-0Published: 05 July 2021
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-44947-6Published: 03 July 2020
Series ISSN: 2629-365X
Series E-ISSN: 2629-3668
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 210
Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations
Topics: Religion and Education, Educational Philosophy, Alternative Education, Spirituality