Early Chinese mysticism

By Livia Kohn

Book Description

Discover the hidden continuity of Chinese mystical traditions in this groundbreaking scholarly exploration that challenges conventional wisdom about Taoist spirituality. Livia Kohn dismantles the widely held belief that Chinese mysticism disappeared for centuries, only to reemerge through Buddhist influence, revealing instead an unbroken lineage of profound spiritual practice.

Through careful analysis spanning from the foundational Daode jing to the Tang dynasty's end, this comprehensive study unveils how ancient Chinese mystical traditions evolved and flourished independently while engaging with Buddhist teachings. Kohn demonstrates how seemingly disparate elements—the contemplative withdrawal advocated in the Daode jing, the ecstatic individualism of Zhuangzi, immortality practices, and Buddhist meditation techniques—wove together into a sophisticated spiritual synthesis.

The author traces this remarkable integration process, showing how Chinese practitioners combined quietistic social philosophy with transformative personal practices, immortality beliefs with Buddhist insights about karma and mental cultivation. Rather than viewing these as conflicting approaches, Kohn reveals their harmonious convergence into a uniquely Chinese mystical path.

This scholarly yet accessible work illuminates how Tang dynasty mystics achieved a spiritual zenith that would later inspire Song dynasty innovations in Inner Alchemy, Chan Buddhism, and Neo-Confucian thought. For readers seeking to understand the deep roots of Chinese spirituality and its sophisticated approach to mystical realization, this study offers invaluable insights into a continuous tradition of profound wisdom.