Opening Dao

[OzPaul]

Hi All,

I came across another documentary. I have not watched it as yet so do not know if it is any good.

http://www.lifeartsmedia.com/opening-dao-taoism-martial-arts-documentary

Cheers, Paul

 

[clfsean]

So... why not watch it & give a synopsis...

 

[OzPaul]

I've got to go out shortly so don't have time but thought others may be interested. Here is the description of the website,

[h=4]Opening Dao[/h]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.

 

[DennisBreene]

It is a nice concise description of Daoist concepts and philosophy. Not being a Daoist, I can't speak to it's accuracy but I came away with a bit better understanding of Daoism conceptually. I don't know if I really got the connection to martial arts except for the concept that knowing nature requires knowing ones body and ? martial arts (Tai chi) is a way of learning ones body.