Daoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religion in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion. At that time Lao-Tze became deity. Daoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became the three great religions of China. With the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Daoism ended. Most of the Daoist heritage was destroyed during the next period of the warlords. After the Communist victory in 1949, religious freedom was severely restricted. Close to seven million monks were reduced to fewer than 50,000 by 1960 (The Taoist Restoration Society (TRS), 1998). During

Clark, Laura & Brown, Suzanne (1998, June 30). Taoism Online. Inernet 9 December 1999. Available HTTP: ssd1.cas.pacificu.edu/as/students/vb/Taoism.htm

The first healing art is meditation. Daily meditation helps reconfigure the energetic body, aligning body, breath, and mind. Meditation is a way to stay centered in an otherwise crazy existence. The second healing art is nutritional science. Chinese nutrition, like herbal medicine, is based on the laws of Yin and Yang and the theory of the 5 Elements. Rather than concentrating on calories or vitamins and minerals, the Chinese combine food and prescribe diets based on the energetic qualities of food and the specific needs of the individual. The third healing art is the art of movement. There are too many Daoist movement arts to mention all of them here, therefore a few of them are mentioned. Many movement arts are martial arts that train both the physical and energetic bodies. They are complex and deadly martial sciences. Some of the most common are Taiji (Tai Chi) and Bagua. There are also thousands of systems of energy circulation exercises known collectivly as Qigo!

nifestation of Qi. For example you have blood, which is a very physical and visible manifestation of Qi. One type of Qi known as Ying Qi, or nutritive energy, courses through the body in channels. This system of channels is like rivers and tributaries that supply the entire body with energy. These channels cannot be seen or dissected, but they can be felt during the course of an acupuncture treatment or meditation. At certain locations along these channels, or meridians as they are often called, the Qi can easily be manipulated. These are acupuncture points and can be stimulated with pressure, needles, heat or even electricity and lasers. These are the same points used in acupuncture, shiatsu or even East Asian martial arts (McCann, 1999).

male and female energies are exchanged during intercourse (McCann, 1999)

The fourth healing art is herbal medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine has one of the world's most extensive pharmaceutical properties. Every herb has an energetic quality. After a trained herbalist diagnoses a patient, the herbalist creates a formula unique to the individual or suggests a pre-made formula. Herbs are powerful medicines that should only be taken under the supervision of a trained practitioner of Chinese medicine. The fifth healing art is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points along the body with needles, finger pressure, herbs, heat or even electricity and lasers. Acupuncture has a complex theory and ancient history. The Chinese believe that there is an all-pervasive ener

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