The Secret of Everlasting Life

According to Bertschinger, the Chinese believe that “any mechanism will last longer if it’s cared for,” so preserving our bodies through stillness and meditation is not just mystical, it’s practical; and his translation reveals the technique for accomplishing it. – Foreword ReviewsThe Secret of Everlasting Life is the first translation of the earliest work on alchemical theory to survive, the Can Tong Qi…. The complexity of Chinese theory and thought is apparent throughout this book. Therefore, this book to be studied. Direct translation, commentary, symbolism, trigrams, references to Chinese medicine theory, and illustrations provide the landscape for readers to gain insight into Taoist and Chinese thought… The reader who is interested in securing the wisdom of the Masters of Chinese thought and practice could learn a great deal by studying the form and meaning of each of the large number of figures and hexagrams. According to Bertschinger, he Secret of Everlasting Life is a mediation manual that can be used as a practical guide… Richard Bertschinger’s translation of the Can Tong Qi. gives readers a glance into a different culture that will contribute to our understanding of Chinese practice of Qigong as well as other foundational information about ancient thought about energy. – Mary Ann Liebert Inc., Publisher, online

The Secret of Everlasting Life is the first translation from the Chinese of the second-century Can TongQi… This translation reveals for the first time the meditation methods practised for thousands of years by Taoist sages. Presented here with its original Chinese commentaries, the Can Tong Qi is full of practical information and advice about the process of human transformation and how to nurture and develop the natural life-energy within us… This book is an insightful read for anyone interested in Taoist thought, Chinese philosophy and culture, or Chinese medicine.

Richard Bertschinger studied for ten years with the Taoist sage and Master, Gia-fu Feng. A practising acupuncturist, teacher of Chinese healing arts, and translator of ancient Chinese texts, he lives with his family in the hills of south west England.