COLLEGE OF TAO
JANUARY 2025
NEWSLETTER
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Letting Go and Blossoming Into the New Year
By Dr. Mao Shing Ni
As we step into the new year, nature offers a timeless reminder: transformation starts with letting go. Across my travels—from snowy mountains to serene beaches—I’ve seen how the rhythms of the earth and the wisdom of different cultures reveal the power of release and renewal.
Take the flower bud. It holds incredible potential but cannot bloom unless it sheds the casing that protected it. If it clings too tightly, it won’t fulfill its purpose. The same is true for us: holding on to past hurts, regrets, or emotional baggage can prevent us from growing into our full potential.
In Taoist philosophy, this idea is captured in wu wei, or effortless action. Nature doesn’t force change; it moves with the seasons, trusting the process. Winter doesn’t resist spring—it allows the warmth of the sun to bring new life. Letting go isn’t about loss but making space for growth.
Lessons from my Travels
In Japan, the art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—teaches us to embrace imperfections and see beauty in healing. Scars, whether physical or emotional, aren’t something to hide; they’re part of our story and can even make us stronger.
In New Zealand, I saw shepherds guiding their flocks with patience and trust and the help of their sheep dogs. The sheep didn’t resist—they followed the path laid before them. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it’s about trusting that we’re on the right path.
In Bali, daily altar offerings symbolize gratitude and a fresh start. By releasing the past each day, the Balinese cultivate peace and make room for new blessings.
Clearing the Mind, Creating Space
Holding onto the past is like carrying extra baggage on a long hike. It slows us down and drains our energy. Taoist teachings encourage us to “empty the cup” so it can be filled again. January is a perfect time to lighten your load—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Letting go of old grievances or unrealistic expectations allows clarity to take their place. The Tao Teh Ching reminds us “To grasp something new, first let go of the old.”
Just as the flower bud doesn’t resist its natural evolution; it trusts the process. We can learn from this simple yet profound act. By letting go of what no longer serves us—whether old habits, unresolved conflicts, or limiting beliefs—we create space for new opportunities and growth.
Practices to Incorporate
This year, take small steps to let go of what’s holding you back:
- Write down what’s weighing on your mind, then symbolically release it—burn the paper, bury it, or let it float away in water.
- Spend time in nature and notice how it embraces change effortlessly.
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Practice Stress Release Meditation or Wood Element Cleansing Qi Gong to help release the past and quiet a cluttered mind and restore balance.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or denying the past. It means learning from it, making peace with it, and moving forward with greater freedom and clarity.
Every culture and landscape I’ve encountered on my travels teaches the same essential lesson—renewal is part of life’s rhythm. When we let go, we create space for something new to emerge. Like the flower in spring, we are meant to bloom—not by force, but by allowing the natural process of growth to unfold.
As we step into the new year, may you find the courage to release what no longer serves you and the openness to embrace the possibilities ahead. I warmly invite you to join us for our annual retreat, Transformation Through Alchemy, taking place April 8–13, 2025, at the serene Temescal Canyon in Los Angeles.
This immersive experience will guide you in transforming negativity within yourself and your life into positive, empowering manifestations. Begin your personal journey of blossoming—sign up today and take the first step toward profound renewal and growth. Please Join Here
Here’s to a year of clarity, growth and unveiling of your true nature!
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It is the energy projected by an individual's own mind which creates his experience
Hua Ching Ni
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The great Tao
is in harmony
with all change.
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The Great Gathering Begins 2025 | |
INTERNATIONAL TAOIST MEDITATION SIGN UP TODAY | |
8 TREASURES
QI GONG
Zoom Course
Mondays
January 6 - March 10, 2025
7:00 pm PT
INSTRUCTOR
EDWARD SULLIVAN
Total Cost
Only $60 for
all 10 classes
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These Energy conducting exercises originated from the Eight Immortals during the Han Dynasty and was passed down through many generations of the Ni Family. It is an effective way to lengthen your years and can be practiced by anyone at any level of fitness. It is based on the natural motion of the heavenly bodies and integrates the body with the mind and spirit.
Releases tension
Clears stagnation
Stimulates vitality
Promotes self-healing
Strengthens immune system
Assists in increasing spiritual awareness
Assists in uplifting & balancing mind & emotions
Any questions please contact
SullivanE888@gmail.com
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Center for Tao and
The Integral Path
From Omsk, Russia
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College of Tao is pleased to announce
The First Eight Treasures series in Russian.
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Elena Babienko
Elena Babienko is an experienced Eight Treasures Qi Gong instructor in Omsk, Russia. Watching her demonstrate the beauty and energetic expression of the Eight Treasures QI Gong form is a testament to both her skill and flowing energy
Please Join Elena on Zoom for Eight Treasures Qi Gong on Tuesdays and Thursdays Starting
January 7th to March 13th, 2025 at 7:00pm to 8:00pm PST.
Please note all classes are in Russian.
Elena's teachings are usually $5.00 each class. But....
This wonderful series is now available for the introductory price of only $60.00 for 20 classes.
(That's Only $3.00 per classes
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SELF HEALING
QI GONG
Zoom Course
Saturdays
January 11 - March 22, 2025
7:00 am PT
INSTRUCTOR
EDWARD SULLIVAN
Total Cost
Only $59 for
all 10 classes
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Internal Alchemy
by Hua-Ching Ni
Thursday January 16, 2024
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PT
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Renee Aten has chosen the book: Internal Alchemy by Hua-Ching Ni.
I’d like to submit the Chapter “The First Class: October 28, 1977”, pp. 1-9 for consideration to be discussed in the study group. I would like to hear from Dr. Dao and others in the study group about their experiences with self-release and hear any advice they may have to offer.
On page 5, the paragraph: “Self-Release is the first step of self-discovery and it is done by uncovering your energy composition, which is affected by your psychological condition. The purpose of self-discovery is not to find out whether a demon or an angel is inside of you, because there are no demons or angels. It is to find out the patterns of your thinking that need to be improved and to discover and release any negative energies inside your body which might direct you to be like a demon or an angel. The purpose of self-release is self-purification. Then you put yourself back together in one piece.”
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Dr. Daoshing Ni, a 38th generation doctor of the Ni family lineage facilitates this monthly tele-study group.
If you have any questions, please contact
vladimiriliev@sbcglobal.net
CLICK HERE to purchase book
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Realize your Life through Virtuous Service |
Contact Amira Kusala at taoistmentorship@gmail.com to receive the Mentorship Handbook
with the guidance on this enriching Way of Life.
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Yearly Renewals for current Mentors
by Chinese New Year
January 29, 2025
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Advanced Traditional Practice Program-
2025 Instruction Dates
There will be instruction in the esoteric practices of the Ni family called The Advanced Traditional Practice (ATP) Program on February 2 and February 8 - 9, 2025. All instruction will be on ZOOM. The ATP program is open to those who are College of Tao Mentors or those who have completed International Taoist Meditation Institute (ITMI) Level 3. New students are always welcome to apply. This is an opportunity to discover and practice the 36 level program of spiritual practices unique to the Integral Way tradition. To learn more about this program, please go to collegeoftao.org and click “Pure Light Enterprise” at the top of the page. If you are interested in reading an overview of the program, please consult Ch.19 of Universal Path of Natural Life, by Hua-Ching Ni. A PDF document is available upon request. Applications for existing ATP students will be emailed January 10, 2025. Because there is a slightly longer application process for entry level applicants, those people should begin the application as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact me with questions: atp.cot@gmail.com@gmail.com
“The esoteric teaching is not a matter of merely giving or receiving information, it is a matter of totally plunging your life into the universal energy.” Hua-Ching Ni
Respectfully,
Peter Stege
ATP Director
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InfiniChi Medical &
Energy Qi Gong L-3
In-Person or Zoom Class
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Level 3 InfiniChi Program
Prerequisites: Completed Levels 1, 2A & 2B
February 21, 22, 23 2025
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
$300 Total for 3 days
This InfiniChi course includes protocols for the most
common ailments, advanced healing meditations,
long distance healing and invisible needle practices
(If you have already taken this course
you can audit the whole weekend for $89)
To Register (Click Here)
For More Information contact
Esullivan8@mac.com
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- Learn Feng Shui with an International group
- Start your home study course as soon as you register
For more information & to learn how to become certified:
Feng Shui School Apply Now
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Every Sunday at 7:00 am PT, you are invited to join via Zoom in Spiritual Renewal Ceremony facilitated by the Ministers of the Integral Way, including, James Tuggle, Peter Stege and Dr. Mao along with others… followed by a talk on how to apply the wisdom of the Integral Way. This service is free for the College of Tao community, friends and family.
Join Zoom Meeting Here
Meeting ID: 136 428 813
Passcode: 006090
Find your local number: Click Here
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Lao Tzu Study Group
This month we will meet the 2nd
Wednesday of January
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm PT
Everyone is welcome!
For zoom link contact:
amira.cultivating.harmony@gmail.com
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Work to Serve and Teach
by Alannah Fitzgerald
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As many of you are aware, as part of our outreach to our growing spiritual community, we are encouraging our serious Taoist cultivators to focus on expanding personal spiritual cultivation through practicing harmonious, virtuous service to others. As Master Ni has said, we complete our cultivation by way of selfless service to others.
One may wonder what virtuous service looks like? Very simply, it is to serve our fellow human beings selflessly, with a pure and kind heart. As I see it, there is no agenda to be sought. As an example, my personal experience so far has been to feel that the service I give to another is as I would give to myself. When there is no longer a sense of oneself as opposed to another, or my possessions versus theirs, I can care for all things in a sense as if they were my own. In this way, I can give with the fullness of a pure heart, with ease and grace. When I expect nothing in return, the purity expressed brings me closer to experiencing what Master Ni talks about when he says “Embody the Tao through service.” Another quote from Master Ni that is so beautiful and helpful to remember is, “Nature is long-lived because it does not live for itself.”
Many a time, however, I have exhausted myself through over doing it, but have since learned, as he says, “To be balanced is to be inexhaustible.”
So, as I write this, my heart knows that each of us, in our own way and in our own time, discovers a deepening fulfillment within, as the beauty, joy and grace of our cultivation shines out and blesses the lives we touch. Thus the title, Serve as Heaven Serves.
As a friendly reminder, should you be inspired to serve at our 2025 Annual Retreat, The Alchemy of Transformation, we have available opportunities. If you would like to arrive early and help us set up the retreat, please contact Ed Sullivan at esullivan8@mac.com. Lunch will be provided for early arrivals and registration at 2:00 pm. Thank you!
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One Virtuous being can destroy a thousand evils. One's sincere cultivation can brighten the whole universe
The Taoist Inner View p-186
Hua Ching Ni
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Brothers of the Heavenly Way | |
BROTHERS MEETING
December 1, 2024
The microcosm and the macrocosm. Shrinking and expanding. Those seemed to be the guiding themes of this month’s meeting. There were two practices we discussed on pages 46 to 50 of our text
Eternal Light. Both these practices involve bringing the Solar System into our bodies.
The second Diamond Practice involves visualizing a diagram of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury, drawing that diagram on the body. Using visualization, this diagram can be shrunk down and placed over different areas of the body. It is more than just a diagram. It is an energy field that we are creating.
Instead of shrinking and limiting our consciousness to only worldly ego development, these visualization practices invite us to expand our consciousness into the subtle energy of our Solar System and outward into the cosmos. Expanding instead of shrinking, we broaden ourselves to embrace even more.
You are welcome to join us for our next meeting
on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 10:00 am PT
Please email Rob Bruce at: RBTBRC@yahoo.com
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Sisters of the Heavenly Way | |
When James showed me this image he snapped of a spiralling leaf, positioned just right to produce a shadow, I immediately saw a Tai Chi symbol. I love how simple things can remind us of deep Truth.
Sisters have been contemplating the Tai Chi symbol, and just as this leafy Tai Chi shows, we have begun to recognise the transparency and transiency of all forms, which include thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Some of us wonder how it is we suffer, or even die, for something like a thought that is illusory and impermanent? It can be a strong habit to ‘see’ through.
When we truly want to know something, however, we give it our attention. So encouraged by the Tai Chi, sisters draw their attention inwards and open through the surface level of forms to attend to the unformed and unchanging True Nature, which is behind and through all form.
Gradually, attending in this way again and again, True Self— as pure, unlimited awareness with nothing special to talk about— becomes the stable way of being.
Such a simple reality!
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All women are welcome to attend our next gathering in January.
For West Australians we meet on January 12th at 7:00 am, and
For Californian women we meet on January 11th at 3:00 pm PT.
Contact Barbara Wolff to join our gatherings: sistersofuhw@gmail.com
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Want to know what is in store for January
and for Your Personal Horoscope?
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Thank you for joining us.
Volunteer Editors:
Sue, Alannah
Amira & Sybil
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