ABSTRACT
The chief dietary rule for Taoist adepts is to eat abstemiously. Taoist adepts, though they drink wine and spirits in moderation especially when the weather is damp or cold, regard even occasional drunkenness as a departure from the Way, since it is not good for health and far from conducive to progress in yogic meditation. The sexual yogas advocated by the followers of some schools of Taoism involve very strict male continence. Effective yoga is, above all, directed at attaining exalted states of mind; and, since matter is but one of mind’s manifestations, all that pertains to the body is of secondary importance. Of the characteristic Taoist yogic breathing exercises, most cannot be usefully or safely practised without a teacher, but there are some from which everyone can derive benefit without the least danger. In all yogic matters, mind is the king; there are no limits to its powers when properly employed.
