Facilitated by Zhenbao Jin

Meditation is not simply a practice, but a philosophy-based practice, or a practice-based philosophy. With philosophy I mean our fundamental understanding of life and the cosmos, and especially, our understanding of life and death.

Each of us begins the practice of meditation with a certain philosophy. The point is, what is our purpose to do the practice of meditation? Are we trying to prove that philosophy is true?

It depends on the philosophy itself. A philosophy that holds death is an inevitable and natural result of life will have effect upon the practice of meditation very different from a philosophy that holds death is not the end and life, including body and soul, has a potential of perpetual development.

Taoism belongs to the latter category. I would like to introduce my practice and research on these issues and expect a lively discussion with other members of the community.

I will talk about Daoist philosophy for about 20 minutes and then we will have a discussion. In the last 20 minutes I will introduce the practice of Daoist meditation and lead a 10-minute session. After that, we will discuss about the experience.

For more information on Daoist meditation, the following links would be helpful:

• MEDITATIONTAOIST
• Written Evidence, submitted to the UK parliament on the significance of meditation to help elder people lead healthy, independent and fulfilled lives