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ReviewsTai JiBeginner's Tai Ji Bookby Chungliang Al HuangSinging DragonSoftcover, 80 pages, $18.95Originally published in1989, our friends at SingingDragon have brought outa new edition of this finebook.This a quite wonderfuland magical book, filled withthe gorgeous photography ofSi Chi Ko. In it Chungliang,one of the first taiji teachers tocome from China to the West, writes not only about the externalmovements of taiji but of the spirit as well. In lines like the followinghe takes us on a journey into the magical realm of taiji.Do not forget that the only Tai Ji tools is the human body, alreadyperfectly attuned to move in the Tai Ji way. We must learn not tointerfere with its organic functioning, but instead, to trust it. Practiceeach time like it was the first time. Let your practice be like the sunrising anew each morning.Quantum SoupFortune Cookies in Crisisby Chungliang Al HuangSinging DragonOversieze softcover,New and enlargededition160 pages, $24.95Another favoriteof mine, this is aentertaining andenlightening rompthrough Daoist andZen culture, filledwith stories, jokes,aphorisms and manywonderful examples ofChungliang's dancingcalligraphy. It is thekind of book that youinto at any point andget new insights and new ways of looking at the world.One of my favorites says "The benefit and wisdom oflaughter is now crystal clear. And why do so many of us insiston cheerless sobriety? Our third eye is shut tight or turnedinward with a frown. Turn the eye around and take a goodlook at some of our cosmic jokes. Take the s out of cosmic andenjoy what's left."Simple yet deep wisdom from a heart-felt teacher ofjoy in movement.The Chinese Bookof Animal Powersby Chungliang Al HuangSinging DragonHardcover, 32 pages$18.95"A great way tolearn about the animalpowers is to drawthe animals and theirsymbols—and the bestway to draw them is todance them." So saysthe author, who has done an admirable job drawing eachanimal in a Chinese brushwork style. Also included is an explanationand description of each animal and how they mightmanifest in your life. This is the kind of book that works verywell for children as well as adults, the pictures do such a goodjob embodying the power of each animal.The Lost Secret of Immortalityby Barclay PowersGolden Elixir ProductionsSoftcover, 206 pages $16.95An interesting book, which is acompanion piece to the movie of thesame name, this book takes a lookat the immortality or enlightenmentpractices in Western alchemy (ThePhilosopher's Stone), Tantric Tibetan(Six Yogas of Naropa, Three Bodiesor Trikaya), Hinduism (Kundalini)and Daoist neidan practices (ThreeTreasures and the Golden Embryo).There are also sections on shamanism, quantum physics andChinese sexual yoga.The book starts out with some historical references tothe Tibetan practice of The Rainbow Body, wherein, upondeath, the practitioner's physical body disintegrates rapidly,shrinking down to a very small size or leaving just a few wispsof hair and fingernails. This is similar to the Daoist idea of"corpse liberation."Equating the Philosopher's Stone, the Zen idea of SeeingYour Original Face (the one you had before you were born)and the Golden or Immortal Embryo this books is a greatresource guide for anyone interested in field of cross fertilizationof spiritual paths and practices.Indeed we do live in exciting and amazing times! Inancient times one had to go through strenuous and oftendangerous travels to study with different teachers. Today wehave so much information and inspiration at our fingertipswith the Internet and books like this one. The most importantthing, though, is to be able to really apply ourselves in bothlearning these practices and then using them in our on-goingspiritual cultivation practice.This book is a good guide to these ancient practices ofthe West and East which, including the eve- growing field ofquantum physics, we can transform ourselves and our world.48 Summer 2011