Seven taoist masters (Shambhala Publications Inc)

History and legend are interwoven in this folk novel that both entertains and instructs. Written by an unknown author, "Seven Taoist Masters " is the story of six men and one woman who overcome tremendous hardships on the journey to self-mastery. These characters and their teacher, Wang Ch'ung-yang, are all historical figures who lived in the Southern Sung (1127-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties. Wang is regarded as the greatest patriarch of the Complete Reality school, a highly purified branch of Taoism having a strong affinity with Zen Buddhism. The novel brings to life the essentials of Taoist philosophy and practice, both through the instructions offered by Wang--on topics such as the cultivation of mind and body, meditation techniques, and overcoming the obstacles to enlightenment--and through the experiences of the characters.