Daoist Cultivation of Qi and Virtue for Life, Wisdom, and Learning

by Tom Culham, Jing Lin

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030449469
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	07/04/2020
Series:	Spirituality, Religion, and Education
Edition description:	1st ed. 2020
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why This Book Is Relevant and Critical Today.- 2. A Personal Journey and Introduction.- 3. Daoist Cosmology and Axiology, or the Philosophy of Qi and Virtues.- 4. Virtue and Qi: The Pursuit of Immortality in Daosim.- 5. Daoist Epistemology: Integral Cultivation of Knowing and Being.- 6. My Personal Journey and Is It Good for You to Be Good?.- 7. A Brief Comparison of Daoist Philosophy and the Enlightenment.- 8. Integrating Reason, Emotion, Subjectivity, Spirituality, and Neuroscience.- 9. The Technology of Cultivating Virtue and Qi—An Overview.- 10. Alignment of Being Human with Virtue and Qi.- 11. Insights from within the Daoist Tradition: Incorporating Qi and Virtue into Contemporary Education.- 12. Cultivating Qi and Virtue, Daoist and Current Thought: Education Insights.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“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

“A courageous undertaking that bridges ancient wisdom to modern aspects of education and personal growth. This is a very well researched and very practical book and it ‘moves the needle forward’ considerably as we collectively evolve into this ‘second axial age.’ In this time of global health and climate challenges, business leadership scholarship and practice will benefit by taking this work to heart.”
—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

“The dynamic interplay between spiritual and scientific ways of knowing, between scripts and rituals/practices, and between time and space, are nicely covered in this book. Jing Lin, grounded in years of Daoist practices, provides a rigorous reading and knowledgeable understanding of the classic Daoist texts, while Tom Culham, equally grounded, examines Daoism through the lens of Western philosophies, reasons, science, and research. Finally, the authors share pioneering insights on how Daoism might inform contemporary educational practices. It was really a joy to read this exciting book, and I would highly recommend it!”
—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