Our primary Daoist affiliation is the Huàshān 華山 (Mount Hua) lineage of Quánzhēn 全眞 (Complete Perfection) Daoism. (Read “Primer on Quánzhēn Daoism”). We also have established the Clarity-and-Stillness Order (Qīngjìng dào 清靜道; CSO), a Daoist mountain contemplative and New Monastic order. It is inspired and informed by the anonymous eighth-century Qīngjìng jīng 清靜經 (Scripture on Clarity and Stillness; HDP #4). That being said, we primarily teach from a Daoist ecumenical and inclusive (“non-sectarian”) perspective. For more information see the About page.

What is the focus of your community and your teachings?

The Daoist Foundation is rooted in an apophatic and quietistic approach, with an emphasis on inner cultivation and refinement. This kind of Daoist practice-realization centers on stillness as the ground of our being, with particular attention to alignment and attunement with the Dao-as-Source. We further utilize a unique study-practice model in which Daoist scripture study (jīngxué 經學) provides a foundation for Daoist cultivation as a whole.

How do I study with you and/or join your community? Can I take classes without being a formal member of the Daoist Foundation community?

We are an open Daoist community, welcoming anyone and everyone. We specifically work with individuals to identify and live their fundamental affinities and aspirations. At present, we primarily teach through open monthly meetings, retreats, and seminars. We also are in process of developing a more integrated curriculum and series of programs, which will enable more intensive training and fuller community participation. We are further beginning to accept formal students, which requires a single-path commitment.

How should I address you?

In traditional Chinese Daoist custom, we would be addressed formally as dàoshì 道士 (“Daoist priest”), dàozhǎng 道長 (“Daoist elder”), and, for affiliated students and initiates, shīfu 師父 (“master-father”), regardless of gender. However, in our community, we do not use any formal titles, preferring more egalitarian relationship. We use our given first names, with occasional reference to our Daoist names. Outside our community, we appreciate being addressed in a manner appropriate to context.

Do you offer physical retreats and do you have a Daoist temple?

Most of our current offerings are remote. However, we are beginning to develop our Daoist sanctuary and retreat center in Vermont, which will have a consecrated Daoist altar (dàotán 道壇). The first phase has just been initiated and our first on-site Daoist retreat will be offered in late spring/early summer of 2024.

Can you ordain me as a Daoist priest?

We are not yet offering formal clerical training nor accompanying ordination. After our Daoist sanctuary and retreat center is more fully operational, we will offer an investiture track for established and long-standing members of our community.

Can you help me go train in China, including a place where I can be ordained?

We only offer training through our own community, which is independent. We are intentionally developing tradition-based global/local Daoism, specifically tradition-based “Western Daoism,” “American Daoism” and even “New England Daoism” and/or “Vermont Daoism,” beyond Sinocentrism and Orientalism. Further, we view Daoist clerical identity as a vocation, which requires a process of spiritual discernment and formal training. It is primarily ontological (being), rather than functional (performance). It is not about credentializing, identity politics, legitimation narratives, parlor tricks, and the like.

What is the purpose of Daoist spiritual direction (DSD) and Daoist contemplative mentionship (DCM)?

The purpose involves attuning ourselves with innate nature (xìng 性), our original and inherent connection with the Dao 道, through dialogic exchange and interpersonal exploration. Through this exchange, we (re)learn to listen more deeply to original spirit (yuánshén 元神) and divine energy (dàoqì 道炁), including accompanying insights, inspiration, and intuition. This helps clarify one’s affinities, aspirations, and vocation (life-purpose).

What do you think about this teacher or that organization?

We are focused on our own community and associated projects. We do not give undue attention to other organizations or comment on other teachers. If there are confused or mistaken teachings, we offer informed, tradition-based alternatives.

Can you recommend another Daoist teacher?

We are committed Daoist practitioners, teachers, and ordained priests with a deep root in the Daoist tradition and lifelong Daoist practice-realization. We welcome anyone with shared affinities and sincerity who would like to study and practice in our Daoist community. Please do not contact us asking for external referrals.

What are some key qualities of committed Daoist students and practitioners?

Affinity, diligence, generosity, gratitude, honesty, resilience, respect, sincerity, and so forth. Specifically, within our community, Daoist students engage in dedicated and prolonged inner cultivation and practice-realization with an understanding of Daoism as a religious path and way of life. This involves learning with openness and enthusiasm as well as developing deep understanding of the Daoist tradition, including willingness to remedy mistaken views and approaches. In terms of traditional Daoist culture (dàojiào wénhuà 道教文化), there also is formal teacher-student ritual protocol and conduct, including mutual care and holy vision.

Can you conduct a ritual for me?

We are primarily xiūliàn 修煉 (cultivation-and-refinement) and qīngjìng 清靜 (clarity-and-stillness) Daoists. We emphasize an apophatic and quietistic approach, rooted in personal commitment and communal support. While we have some training in formal Daoist ritual, currently our primary communal and public ritual offering is the annual Three Refuges Ceremony 三皈儀. This is one of the “Initial Steps on the Way.”

Can you provide information on your community and/or visit school or college classes?

This website is the primary vehicle for information on our Daoist community. We have further prepared the following Information Sheet on the Daoist Foundation. Interested individuals also may access the following independent website and/or read Dream Trippers, in which Louis Komjathy is the featured Daoist scholar-practitioner. Time permitting, we occasionally agree to provide lectures, talks, and dialogues in a variety of venues, whether physical or remote. In acknowledgment for our time, and finances permitting, we ask individuals to make a donation to the Daoist Foundation to support our work. For colleges, universities, and organizations, an honorarium is required.

Which books on Daoism do you recommend?

The Daoist Tradition by Louis Komjathy provides our community’s primary historical and interpretive framework; Entering Stillness by Louis Komjathy and Kate Townsend is our primary practice manual; and Handbooks for Daoist Practice by Louis Komjathy is our primary sourcebook. These are reliable tradition-based resources. Additional information may be found on the Texts page.

Why has so-and-so used your work and teachings without acknowledgment or permission?

Again, we do not concern ourselves with deficient virtue and questionable conduct on the part of others. You will have to ask them.