Stuart Alve Olson | Tai Chi, Taoist Alchemy, Buddhist Chanting, and a Bowing Pilgrimage
Manage episode 407268163 series 3561706
For over 40 years, Stuart Alve Olson has been studying Taoist and Buddhist philosophy and Chinese language while practicing Taoist meditation and ceremony, Qigong, Taijiquan, Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and Internal Alchemy.
He is the founder, director, and head teacher of the Sanctuary of Tao. Born in the year of the White Tiger (1950) in Minnesota, he is an author/translator of nearly 40 works on Taoist Philosophy, Taijiquan, Qigong, and Taoist internal practices. In his late 20s and early 30s, Stuart began learning from teachers such as Chan Master Hsuan Hua, under whom, on Christmas day 1979, he took refuge as a disciple at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Stuart became the disciple of the renown Tai Chi Master T.T. Liang, and learned under many other notable teachers, including Kung fu and healing master Oei Khong-hwei and Dharma Master Cheng Yi.
In the spring of 1982 through 1984, Stuart undertook a Buddhist bowing pilgrimage, “Nine Steps One Bow,” from the Minnesota Zen Center to the border of Nebraska, traveling along state and county roads during the spring, summer, and autumn months. During the winter months, he stayed at Master Liang’s home and bowed in his garage.
Our discussion went deep into many of these areas, as well as others and, as always, Stuart is the consummate gentleman and scholar.
0:00 Introduction
2:12 A Love for His Work, The Taoist Immortal, A Backward Lived Life
11:55 Considering Misfortune and Good Fortune, Hit By A Train In 1988,
16:00 A View on Mortality and So-Called Immortality, Buddhist Suffering and Daoist Appreciation
19:44 A Two-Year Bowing Pilgrimage
45:36 Fish Out of Water and Cultural Appropriation
49:51 T.T. Liang, Minnesota Zen Center, Tai Chi, Losing to Win
1:11:09 Art of Living, Dying Well, Immortality, First World Arrogance, Food and Longevity
1:24:22 Theravada, Mahayana, Celibacy, Vegetarianism
1:27:19 Stuart’s Embrace of Asian Culture
1:30:45 Xu Yun, Hsuan Hua, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
1:42:38 Mentors and Teachers, Taoist Alchemy, Dao De Jing, Prof. Wu Yi, T.T. Liang
1:45:45 Stuart’s Books In China, Teaching In Indonesia
1:53:58 Remembering Ven. Hsuan Hua, Chanting In China
1:59:26 Do What You Can, Try Your Best
2:01:23 A Dislike for New Age, Limits of Mindfulness
2:06:28 Clean Up Your Retribution
Stuart’s Links
45 episodes