Thanks to my friend Chris Cinnamon, head instructor of Chicago Tai Chi, for reviewing my recent book, Taoism: A Journey Towards Unity. He offers an overview of what's included in the book as well as more on the context about the teachings that I think you might find useful.
Chris Cinnamon:
|
Paul’s new book offers a thoughtful framework for understanding the Water Method of Taoism and how it applies to daily life and practice.
|
|
| Paul Cavel with Master Bruce Frantzis; the late Taoist Master Liu Hung Chieh pictured in the background. Energy Arts Training Center, Longmont, CO. |
|
What is the Water Method of Taoism?
|
|
|
As Paul describes it, the Water Method originated in ancient China and has been passed down from Taoist masters to students for millennia.
Paul’s main teacher (and mine), Master Bruce Frantzis, traveled and trained intensively for many years in the Far East, achieving high levels of mastery in martial arts, qigong, neigong, and meditation. That led to training in the spiritual practices of the Taoist priesthood—an extraordinary path for a Westerner.
That path eventually led Bruce to Taoist Master Liu Hung Chieh, who was living quietly in Beijing during the tumult of the Cultural Revolution. Bruce trained one-on-one with Master Liu for three years.
During that training, Master Liu passed the Water Method of Taoism to Bruce. Bruce has been teaching these practices and principles for nearly 50 years through his Energy Arts system.
|
|
Who is Paul Cavel?
Paul Cavel is a longtime student in the Energy Arts system and one of Master Bruce’s senior instructors.
He is a deeply experienced practitioner and teacher of Taoist arts, having taught tai chi, bagua, qigong, neigong, and Taoist meditation throughout Europe and the U.S. for more than 30 years.
I’ve benefited from Paul’s teaching and guidance since my first Energy Arts training 17 years ago, and during many training events since then.
It was an honor to host Paul last year for his first-ever Chicago workshop.
|
|
| Paul's 2025 Workshop at Chicago Tai Chi. |
|
A framework for the Water Method
In Taoism: A Journey Towards Unity, Paul provides a clear structure and outline for understanding this tradition.
In this concise and accessible book (just 82 pages), Paul describes both the underlying theories and practical applications of key principles. These include:
- The principle of moderation (the 70% Rule)
- The importance of releasing and letting go
- The primacy of direct perception—feeling and sensing in the body—rather than visualizing or imagining
- The constancy of change and developing the ability to adapt
- Five Element theory—working with the elemental energies of water, fire, wood, metal, and earth
- The 16 Neigong—specific internal practices to develop the physical body, its energy, and ultimately, the spirit
- What Paul calls the "Energetic Matrix of a Human Being"
Even if these ideas are new to you, Paul presents them in a way that is clear and approachable.
|
|
Is the Water Method relevant today?
|
|
|
Paul's book presents the Water Method as a living, evolving, practical tradition, connecting its principles and practices to what many people yearn for today, including:
- Developing a healthy body and mind
- Healing from injuries and trauma
- Cultivating greater balance and calm
As Paul writes, “Water Method Taoism is and always has been a pragmatic approach to health, healing, martial arts and spirituality, all a part of one continuum.”
I recommend this book to anyone curious about how ancient wisdom can support meaningful change today.
The book is available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback formats. Click below to purchase your copy.
Taoism: A Journey Towards Unity
|
|
Join a CourseĀ ā€” Online or In Person
SeeĀ why people have trained the Water Method for 4,000 years!
Feel Your Qi
