In this episode I am joined by Johan Hausen, Taoist teacher, translator, Chinese medicine practitioner, and founder of Purple Cloud Press.

Johan shares his life story from years of competitive Tae Kwon Do, through his travels and travails in China in search of a master, and to his eventual training and discipleship in the Wu Dang mountains.

Johan reflects on his years learning Classical and spoken Chinese, considers the challenges of translating ancient literature for modern readers, and reveals the unique metaphors and analogies used in textual descriptions of Internal Alchemy.

Johan also describes the Taoist quest for immortality, explains his research into the dantien and the mineralogy of cinnabar, and recounts stories of his own encounters with spiritually advanced beings.

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Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:57 - Admiration for Mattias Daly
02:56 - Learning Chinese to better learn Taoism 
04:53 - How Johan learned Classical vs Spoken Chinese
08:11 - Language is about communication 
08:47 - Should we consult living masters about textual translation problems?
10:24 - Metaphors and analogies used in Internal Alchemy
12:53 - Why are there different ideas about the dantian?
14:12 - Is the dantian constructed or inherent?
16:12 - Elixir fields?
17:37 - Johan’s research on the mineralogy of cinnabar using Chinese texts
18:04 - The old alchemists’ surprisingly good understanding of organic chemistry
20:56 - Johan’s childhood and training in Tae Kwon Do
22:47 - Johan’s competitive Tae Kwon Do career of over 100 fights
25:18 - Injury and travel to China for healing
26:24 - Travelling to China at 20 years old to train Shaolin kung fu
28:48 0 Training methods of Shaolin kung fu
30:35 - Demystifying the myths of Shaolin training
33:08 - Recovery routine
34:26 - Illness and leaving China
36:15 - Returning to Germany and feelings of failure
37:47 - Leaving a film course in London to train in the Wu Dang mountains
40:32 - Meeting Li Shifu at the Five Immortals Temple 
41:54 - Curriculum at the Five Immortals Temple
43:08 - Studying acupuncture and dedication to learning
44:19 - Years of study under Li Shifu and joining the lineage 
47:26 - Struggles with being treated as a foreigner in China
50:50 - Growing resentment and leaving China
55:26 - Johan’s Dragon Gate Lineage
56:28 - The quest for immortality
58:53 - Details about Taoist Immortals
01:00:34 - Difficulty of becoming an Immortal
01:02:10 - Consolation prize if you fail to achieve immortality
01:03:38 - Ethical rules of the Dragon Gate Lineage
01:04:59 - A typical daily practice routine
01:06:47 - Singing the scriptures to communicate to spirits 
01:09:26 - Taoist patron spirit of Wudang 
01:14:45 - The remarkable qualities of Li Shifu 
01:15:52 - Praise is bad in traditional Chinese teaching
01:17:05 - Is Li Shifu an Immortal?
01:18:02 - Johan’s reverence for his teacher
01:19:29 - Explaining culture clashes to Lif Shifu 
01:20:33 - Is charisma and spiritual power inherent or cultivated?
01:24:45 - Li Shifu does not have attained disciples
01:26:05 - Is it really possible to achieve success in Taoism, or is it mostly just natural talent?
01:33:11 - Using gifted practitioners as inspiration 
01:34:18 - Purple Cloud Press 
01:35:56 - Johan’s goal to create community and preserve texts 
01:37:09 - Search for location and funds 
To find out more about Johan Hausen, visit:
- https://purplecloudinstitute.com/about-us/who-we-are-2/ 

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit.
- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep312: Disciple of Wu Dang - Johan Hausen

The Guru Viking Podcast specializes in in-depth interviews with remarkable figures in the world of meditation, spirituality, and self development.

Steve travels internationally teaching somatic practices and meditation, and leads explorations in contemplative, mystic, & relational realms.

Ep312: Disciple of Wu Dang - Johan Hausen

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