Opening Dao: a documentary film on Taoism and martial arts
Opening Dao
is a short documentary film on Taoism and martial arts filmed in China in 2009. Scholars, top martial artists and monks explain the principles of the way, a treasure of wisdom that survived thousands of years. The film highlights the interconnectedness between the philosophy and the natural world and how its principles manifest in certain martial arts and meditative arts.
The film contains exclusive interviews with Prof. Chad Hansen and Prof. Chris Fraser from the University of Hong Kong, Dr Wang Daoke from Wudang Taoist Association, Master Yuan Xiu Gang (Wudang Gong Fu Academy) and martial arts performances from Master Heng Wei (Tang Long Kung Fu), Master Yongxing Guan and the students of the Wudang Taoist Kung Fu Academy in Wudang Shan, China.
The documentary also features a master narrative of the Dao De Ching by Edward Petherbridge, former leading actor of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Category: Consciousness, Film Library, Films
About the Author
View Author ProfileGennaro Ambrosino is the founder of Life Arts Media, editor, film maker and multimedia producer.
View Author Profile
Based on what i learned on Mt.Wudang, i think tai chi is a kind of thing that you can change your mind with your body movement. anyways Good Job
There is a tradition of thousands of years, carrying the secret of breathe control called ‘pranayam’(meaning the practice of life) in the yoga. I believe that the chi is an advanced technique of the same. The way we learn to deal with this materialistic world is the reason for the growing chaos all around us. To find peace all around, we must have to find peace in ourselves first.
The documentary was filmed very thoughtfully, and with artistic skills. People behind the scenes did a real good job. Filming, Editing, and Sounding are highly appreciated.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alexander Brill and K Whelan-Enns, Michael Burke. Michael Burke said: A documentary film on Taoism and martial arts http://www.lifeartsmedia.com/opening-dao-taoism-martial-arts-documentary [...]
Nicely done! Very well put together and sweet camera work especially – you got skills.
I think there are philosophical subtleties to Lao Tzu which the Prof’s, in their eagerness, may have let slip through the cracks. Or maybe that’s on purpose, who knows?
Either way, as a 20 minute minidoc, this is awesome.
this post is very usefull thx!
Really nice post,thank you
Audio began playing when I opened up this webpage, so annoying
Thank You For Spreading This
Find Life Balancing Issues On My Side
http://iameverywhere.posterous.com
Taoism and Spontaneity, and your Physical Health…
I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
…
Really beautiful little video that shares useful wisdom from the philosophy, arts and science of Daoism. I’ve tweeted this and shared on facebook and http://www.lishi.org so more people can watch and enjoy.
Thank you
[...] CLICK HERE FOR FULL DOCUMENTARY [...]
[...] … is a short documentary film on Taoism and martial arts filmed in China in 2009. Scholars, top martial artists and monks explain the principles of the way, a treasure of wisdom that survived thousands of years. The film highlights the interconnectedness between the philosophy and the natural world and how its principles manifest in certain martial arts and meditative arts > http://www.lifeartsmedia.com [...]
thank you, what a lovely film
Thank You. Good Job. I shared on Facebook and mentioned the link in my newsletter. Helpfull to see my Masters while I’m not in the mountains.
thanks!
My life prior to Taoism was good. Now I would describe it as exceptional, purposeful and filled with joy. I attribute this to working with and applying Taoism to my life. Taoism now is my life.
[...] “We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel, and it is where there is nothing that the usefulness of the wheel depends. We turn clay to make a vessel, and it is on the space where there is nothing that the usefulness of the vessel depends. We pierce doors and windows to make a house, and it is on these spaces, where there is nothing, that the usefulness of the house depends, therefore, just as we take advantage of what is, we should recognise the usefulness of what is not…” – Opening Dao (lifeartsmedia, 2010) – [...]
[...] Opening Dao is a short documentary film on Taoism and martial arts filmed in China in 2009. Scholars, top martial artists and monks explain the principles of the way, a treasure of wisdom that survived thousands of years. The film highlights the interconnectedness between the philosophy and the natural world and how its principles manifest in certain martial arts and meditative arts. [...]
Thank you, really inspiring stuff.
thank you!
This is a well presented documentary in which a very short of time span you expose the concept of the Tao. No more “logic” that to start appreciating what is void, in fact the voidness is what really give the “use” of most of the things that we possess…
love your style I will subscribe for your feed please keep posting!
He who knows he has enough is rich. -Lao-tzu
Well the information is very basic, and the martial arts ? Some of the people represented have some internal harmony, and many others are just cable of doing flowing movement for the camera’s. There is a distinct Wu Shu flavour in many of the movements, which is never a good sign. For where Wu shu exist the influence of government adminstration is never far behind. It is often the case in Taoism the superficial publicly available, and the authentic is hidden. It is amazing to still see some western academics are making the mistake of reducing Taoism to a philosopy, where in fact is it a religion. Certainly doing this makes it easier to reconcile Taoism with Christanity. If you find some of the more enlighten Christan mystics you find, that saying the same sorts things as the central tenets of Taoism. Remember reading Taoist texts does not make you and expert, only a tangible practice will give you a deeper understanding.
For Edwin:
Presenting your strong view point with broken, non-sensical phrases like,
‘If you find some of the more enlighten Christan mystics you find, that saying the same sorts things as the central tenets of Taoism’
makes your opinion lose all credibility.
It’s a nice video with a good general explanation of what Dao represents by experts from both East and West – I would improve your written english and be a bit more humble if you genuinely want to reach people with your views.
Also, just because something looks outwardly authentic doesn’t mean that it can’t be exactly that underneath.
[...] Opening Dao is a great little documentary short focused on Taoism and the martial [...]
Wow!thak you for clarifying Martial Aerts and Taosim it realy is an eye opener
I would name your blog the dreamland! While Santa knocks at our door just once per year, you blog is open the whole year – wow!
nice, thank you!
[...] filmmaker Gennaro Ambrosino, it would be ‘Inspired’. I first saw Ambrosino’s short film “Opening Dao” and was immediately interested in him, and his story. Fortunately for me, the wonderful people [...]
the mind that can be spoken is not the mind. lol
Nicely done. Clear illustrations/interpretations of the Tao “in a nutshell”.