Tea During Ordination
Priest Yolanda and Priest Mitch in a tea ceremony during their ordinations in 2013. More »
The ADGL Priest Ordination Ceremony
Priest Tim and Priest Dominique being ordained in 2012. More »
The Altar of the 3 Pure Ones
The Jade Pure One, The Supreme Pure One, & The Grand Pure One. More »
Daoist Tea Ceremony
Head Priest Shifu Rinaldini and Priest Tina during Daoist tea ceremony. More »
Attendees of the 2013 ADGL Retreat
Priets, Adepts, general members, and Qi Gong students of Head Priest Shifu Rinaldini attending the 2013 Retreat in Sebastopol, CA. More »
ADGL 2018 Retreat Photos
The ADGL 2018 Taoist Retreat took place at St. Dorothy’s Rest in Northern California.
ADGL Annual Retreat 2017
The ADGL was led by Head Priest Shifu Michael on another great retreat this year. Held in Inverness, CA in April 2017, at St Columba’s Episcopal Retreat Center, the retreat included qigong on the beach, gathering starlight energy at night, a Daoist priest ordination ceremony, qi-inspired cooking by retreat members, and of course Zuo Wang meditation throughout. Some retreat photos are below.
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- Shifu Michael blessing new priest Michael Bittner
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- Shifu Michael walking in the void
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- Priest Ordination Cermony
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- Retreat attendees cooking
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- Newly ordained Priest Michael Bittner
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- Afternoon Qigong
Review of “A Daoist Practice Journal: Come Laugh With Me” by Bryan Sweet
Review by Bryan Sweet of “A Daoist Practice Journal: Come Laugh With Me” (Author: Shifu Michael Rinaldini)
Section Nine
Daoism
In this section, you will learn about Daoism by reading my new book, A Daoist Practice Journal: Come Laugh With Me. This book was written from the perspective of a modern day western Daoist. For the written part of this section, write a 1-2 page report on your general impressions of the book. For instance, what was your favorite part or what didn’t you like. Give me a couple of your favorite quotes from the book. Was there anything in this book that surprised you on the practices of a modern day Daoist?
Review of “A Daoist Practice Journal, Book 2: Circle Walking, Qigong, and Daoist Cultivation” by Bryan Sweet
Review by Bryan Sweet of “A Daoist Practice Journal, Book 2: Circle Walking, Qigong, and Daoist Cultivation” (Author: Shifu Michael Rinaldini)
This book, A Daoist Practice Journal, Book 2: Circle Walking, Qigong, and Daoist Cultivation, is the second book written by Michael Rinaldini (Shifu Li Chang Dao). His first book, entitled A Daoist Practice Journal, Come Laugh with Me, was well received by a diverse audience. In this book Shifu Michael weaves together multiple strands of Daoist practices to form a captivating mosaic. The strands include Circle Walking, Qigong, Daoist Scriptures, acupressure, teaching, zouwang meditation, and the importance of cultivating serenity. It is Shifu Michael’s erudition that allows him to integrate, for instance, an ancient scripture with his thoughts which emerged while gazing at the sky on a starry, summer night, or how the seasons of the year can palpably influence the impact of Circle Walking.
Shifu Michael’s Journal Entry – 1.27.17
Well, it’s the Chinese New Year of the Fire Rooster (Phoenix). One resource I have says it started at 4:07 pm PST, and another resource I came across says it starts tomorrow, the 28th. Either way, another new Chinese year has started, or will start very soon. I even got a Chinese New Year email greeting from Ken Cohen and his wife, Grace. That settles it, it must be today.
Shifu Michael’s Journal Entry – 12.21.16
JOURNAL ENTRY (and beginning of Shifu’s 3rd book)
December 21, 2016
Today marks the beginning of my third Daoist journal book. Since the ending of my second journal on October 6, 2016, I have been keeping loose notes of things that I want to include in the beginning entries for this next journal.
A Daoist Practice Journal: Circle Walking, Qigong & Daoist Cultivation. 2016 Fall
May 16, 2016
11am
I would like to get back to my April 24, 2016 entry from Professor Esposito’s book, Facets of Qing Daoism. Remember, I said her last point referenced a direct connection to the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Anterior Heaven, which connects to our circle walking practice. Here’s a final quote from her book regarding the Central Channel:
Shifu Michael’s Journal Entry – 04.24.16
I just finished reading a second book by Professor Monica Esposito. Prof. Esposito was a prominent researcher and author in the field of Daoist studies. The two books I read are very different than other books on Daoist history that I have read. First, their titles are Creative Daoism, and the one I just finished reading is Facets of Qing Daoism. I don’t intend to go into the differences, but perhaps, to only say that Professor Esposito’s books are very dense and you almost need a background in understanding general Daoist history before attempting to read her approach to the history of Daoism. Her books are also more focused on specific time periods and topics. For instance, the book, Facets of Qing Daoism restricts itself to the Qing dynasty of 1644 to 1911. And the reason it was of utmost relevance to me was because it featured the Longmen school of Daoism, the tradition I was ordained into in 2003.
Pictures from the 2016 ADGL Retreat: Year of the Monkey
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- Original Qigong by Certification Students
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- Daoist Priest Entrance Procession
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- Priest Vow Renewal
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- Daoist Blessing of new Priest Candidates
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- Retreat Group 2016
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- Priests and Certification Student
Shifu’s November Retreat Journal: Sky Farm Hermitage
November 16, 2015
11:48 am
I arrived at Sky Farm Hermitage about an hour ago. I could feel the stillness and silence even before I unpacked. My chair was on the pouch of the hermitage and I immediately settled into it and before you know it I was in meditation. It was a restful meditation not a deep one, restful.