Glossary of Taoist Terms

ch'i:

vital energy or vapor

ching:

generative energy

Earlier Heaven:

describes an ideal state of existence, in which everything is in harmony and connected to the Tao.

Later Heaven:

describes the nature of the phenomenal world in which there is a lack of harmony, and the Tao has been forgotten.

ming-men:

an area on the spine between the kidneys said to conrol the movement of generative energy in the lower tan-t'ien. Sometimes referred to as the Mysterious Gate, but the Mysterious Gate has a spiritual significance that transcends the body.

pa-k'ua:

a pattern which captures the essence of something; the way in which something manifests itself through a pattern.

shen:

spiritual energy; also known as ling-ch'i

si-fu:

teacher

t'ai-chi:

a state of differentiation of the Tao into yin and yang, in which each of the opposites nonetheless embodies the essence of the other. This concept originally developed in Confucianism. Compare with wu-chi and wang-chi.

tan-t'ien:

A human being's life force consists of three energies (generative, vital, and spiritual). These energies are said to become impure through attachment and craving. Spiritual growth corresponds to the purification of these three energies. This purification is said to occur at three different tan-t'ien (fields) within the human body. The lower tan-t'ien is one inch below the navel. The middle tan-t'ien (also known as the Golden Palace) is centered at the solar plexus. The upper tan-t'ien is centered between the eyebrows. The tan-t'ien are thought of as cauldrons within which the three energies are refined until they have acquired their original purity. Within the tan-tien, there is also a transmutation of lower energy into higher energy (i.e. from generative to vital to spiritual energy).

Valley Spirit:

On a physical level, refers to the ming-men. On a spiritual level, it is consciousness emptied of sensations, emotions, and thoughts.

wang-chi:

a state of polarization of the Tao into yin and yang, in which yin is completely distinct from yang, and yang is completely distinct from yin. Compare with wu-chi and t'ai-chi.

wu-chi:

the origin or source of all things, the undifferentiated, primoridal void; often used interchangeably with the Tao and with Yao-chi. It is symbolized by the circle. Compare with wang-chi and t'ai-chi.

wu wei:

Non-action, non-volitional living, obeying the Tao (p. 235, The Way of Chuang Tzu)

yang:

movement; purity; spring; the sun; the sage; male; weightless
Compare with yin.

Yao Chi:

Used interchangeably with wu-chi.

yin:

stillness; impurity; autumn; the moon; the ordinary person; female; heavy
Compare with yang.