Opening the Dragon Gate: The Making of a Modern Taoist Wizard

Rating:
Summary: Personal Experience
Review: After reading this book, I had the fortune to meet a long time student of Wang LiPing and to study with this student for two years. He taught many of the techniques spoken of in the book and demonstrated a number of them. My teacher is now studying with a Buddhist master and has no vested interest in supporting Wang LiPing, however he vouched that Wang LiPing in fact demonstrated to him and many other students in china many of the techniques discussed in the book such as the weather changing, dream control and so forth. There were also a number of other things not discussed in the book. At any rate, based on my experiences with the techniques and based on my teacher's abilities and his stories of studying with Wang LiPing, this book is a true account of what Wang LiPing went through.

As for the way it is written, I found it to be mostly fascinating but it doesnt have the prose that Deng Ming Dao's books have and so it is difficult reading in certain places. On the other hand, this account is a true story, unlike Deng Ming Dao's trilogy and so if you are truly interested in Taoism this book is a must.

Rating:
Summary: Close the Dragon Gate
Review: Great disservices to people whom are searching for information and enlightenment on Taoism. The authors used a map of china and a few books on Taoism to take the reader on an almost 300 page fairy tale coated to read like a biography. The characters shift personality quicker than a chameleon does color. I think there is a story in the book but the contrived situations get in the way.

Rating:
Summary: Close the Dragon Gate
Review: Great disservices to people whom are searching for information and enlightenment on Taoism. The authors used a map of china and a few books on Taoism to take the reader on an almost 300 page fairy tale coated to read like a biography. The characters shift personality quicker than a chameleon does color. I think there is a story in the book but the contrived situations get in the way.

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable document of contemporary Taoism
Review: I can vouch that this is a truly astounding and brilliant book, as you would only expect it be - (look at the other books Cleary has translated, and tell me that a man with his skill and judgement would waste his time on something worthy of a one or two star review.) It comprehensively covers Wang Liping's full training and in doing so thoroughly discusses the philosophy and principles of Taoism. Along the way it details numerous Taoist practices, some only in as far as is safe or possible. Wang's apprenticeship takes place on the road over the Cultural Revolution, and is also unusual in that Wang has three teachers from two generations - a grandmaster and two mentors. The narrative is rich with annecdote, explanation and detail, though if your feeling sluggish, keeping an eye on the scope and depth of what is being gestured towards can prove a little testing at best. As such it can in fact make for disconcertingly easy reading - (most of it was related to two of Wang Liping's students by Wang Liping himself over a series of meetings.) As a document of Taoism as it stands today this book is particularly valuable: it sets out the monumental tasks, responsibilities and difficulties facing a lineage holder during China's uneasy settling after a century's upheaval and, perhaps most importantly, it unceasingly places Taoist philosophy and practice in the context of contemporary knowledge and epistemology. What becomes abundantly clear on reading the authors' lucid explanations is that in its interaction with modern knowledge Taoism is set to become the science par excellence and that, in essence, it is just that already. [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: The story that never was
Review: I found it very laborious to attempt to read this droning tale. Perhaps I was expecting something like 'The Wandering Taoist' trilogy.....I didn't come anywhere close to finding it. Having studied Daoism for the past decade, I found it utterly lacking in this poorly contrived story. The story itself was boring and had no fiber. There are a lot of boring stories, but few as poorly written as this. If you insist upon trying it, try the library or get a used copy. Don't waste yor money on this one. There should be several used copies available.....cheap. I was not able to get to the end of it, as there are so many good books to read.

Rating:
Summary: a very dry traditional recounting of a fascinating story
Review: I think many western readers will be disappointed at this rather dull tale. If, like me, you are expecting anything like the ripping (fictional) adventure story "Wandering Taoist" trilogy by Den Ming Dao you will be sorely disappointed.

This is one of those "the quest for enlightment: my journey" stories. This is the most detailed one published in English about a Taoist path. I have read a lot of these so I did not experience the wonder that some readers will on discovering someone's personal quest for spiritual growth, or some of the profound philosophy of Taoism. My main complaint about the book is in "the telling" - it is in a very Chinese mode so the whole thing reads like a Sunday School story - every exercise he tries works, no one is as virtuous as his teachers, he grows stronger and wiser every day. No real conflict, no human interest. This is some of the most fascinating material possible made dull. If you wish to contrast this with another relentless positive tale in the same genre, read "Autobiography of A Yogi"

In keeping with the strong Taoist traditions on secrecy, there is very little technical information in the book. Although compared with other accounts he actually does describe small amounts about some of his practice(s).

This is one of those "insight into history and culture" books that describes a way of life, a time, a place, a way of thinking that has been rarely described or is not accessible to western readers.

Rating:
Summary: a very dry traditional recounting of a fascinating story
Review: I think other western readers will be disappointed at this rather dull tale. If, like me, you are expecting anything like the ripping adventure story "Wandering Taoist" trilogy by Den Ming Dao you will be sorely disappointed. Also, if you are hoping to learn about Taoism, there is very little technical information, and the whole thing reads like a Sunday School story - every exercise he tries works, no one is as virtuous as his teachers, he grows stronger and wiser every day. No real conflict, no human interest. There are many better books in English on Taoist techniques [Mantak Chia, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, Luk Yu etc.], and the fictional tale (yes I know it is presented as truth) of the Wandering Taoist is much more entertaining. This is the first disappointing book I've read that Cleary is associated with. I can't recommend it for anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Quite a good tale...
Review: This book is along the lines of Deng Ming Dao's "The Wandering Taoist" series - it tells the tale of how a contemporary Taoist Master learned his art. In this case, it tells the story of Wang Liping's journey from ordinary youth to Master. Along the way the reader is treated to an overview of some of the trials and tribulations people used to undergo _before_ Masters would even consider teaching them the most simple technique.

The story mostly concerns the initial training (some very interesting techniques here...) and then subsequent journeys of Liping. As the story approaches its close the Cultural Revolution begins and the tale takes a twist similar to that in "The Wandering Taoist" - a complete break from tradition.

I have read this a couple of times since it came out and the trials endured by the young Liping never fail to amaze me when compared to the easy access we now enjoy. I suspect anyone who cultivates will enjoy the tale too.

Rating:
Summary: Seems to be a fake
Review: This book looks like pure advertisment of Wang Liping who is said to be chosen as 18th generation transmitter by one Taoist sect. Difficult to read because every second page I stumbled over direct or masked praise on Wang Liping / sect abilities. In the end (as expected) Wang Liping finishes with giving lectures to hundreds of students of Qigong. Special pages dedicated to how simple Wang lives, etc. Taoist teachings are scattered all over the book and don't give the impression of integrity.

One quote from the 1st page: "Over the preceding years the three Taoist masters had been engrossed in secret consultations about the matter of utmost importance, not only to them but to the world at large... trying to find a successor ...". Well after this matter important to the whole world I already assumed that money spent on book was wasted.

Rating:
Summary: Quite a good tale...
Review: This is a similar book to Deng Ming Dao's "Wandering Daoist" only the story of Wang Liping's training is not embellished in the manner of Saihung. Although I'm sure the average western practitioner of Qigong will likely shake his/her head regarding some of the 'training' methods used by the three old masters it is a good reminder of what one used to have to (and perhaps still should?) undergo before getting into serious practice. It is interesting how, right from the start, Wang Liping demonstrated many qualities essential to following the Tao including great patience and humility.

The book follows his initial training including stints in a hole in the ground and under a large cast-iron kettle. It then follows his journery with his masters into the mountains just as the Cultural Revolution began to sweep across China. Along the way many lessons are imparted including some interesting methods of cultivating with trees. The main portion of the story ends with Wang Liping's return to his village and subsequent marriage (!) as his masters admonish him to carry on the way in a form suitable for the new age.

The book finishes with some commentary on Wang Liping's present activities including some stories from his group training sessions - some of the first held in China as strict controls on Qigong began to be lifted.

I enjoyed the story as well as the information contained in here. There are some great views on meditation, including the aforementioned tree style, in addition to the overview of his training. There are also some very interesting tidbits about the location of the lower Dantien shifting in relation to the cultivator's distance from the equator. There is also an interesting comment that there are meridians within the body that are not terminated - that is, they are open to the universe.

Recommended...