"Do you want to come to China with us?"

Yensoon and Master Cheng stunned me.​

Did I want to go to China with two Masters?

In triple fast motion, I was packed and raring to go.

An incredible adventure was in store!

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Taoist Masters, A Confucist Master, Natural Masters, a 'living Buddha', even China's 'super psychic', I had no idea what was in store.

Significant cultural and spiritual centers of ancient China, a University researching Ch'i, and meeting the head doctor of a  Ch'i hospital.

Robert, another student of Master Cheng was invited to join us 

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Millions of people on pushbikes were weaving in and out of millions of people on motorbikes and in cars. All under a heavy haze of a mixture of who knows what in pollution in the ordered chaos of Beijing,.

 

Relief!

Our first stop. The White Cloud Temple in Beijing, also known as Baiyun Temple, is “The First Temple under Heaven”. One of the most influential Taoist centers in China. Centuries old, not just a preserved piece of the past, it is still both vital and tranquil as a Taoist temple and monastery, and a place of 'connection and communing with the 'Gods'.

It was also an introduction to how poetic the language of Taoism often is; many names in Taoist Temples conjure up an experience in themselves. 

Three entrance gates to the temple symbolize Desire, Substance and Emptiness.

Entering, you cross a single-span stone bridge, the Wofeng (Stopping the wind ) Bridge.

In a deep pit in the courtyard, a large copper coin hung. In an empty square hole, at the center of the coin, is a bell.

Throw a coin; if it hits the bell, good luck will follow you in the coming year.

I slowly took aim, threw, and was rewarded with the sound of the bell ringing out across the courtyard.

 Feeling lucky, I was then prepared to explore the temple, looking over my shoulder to make sure my newfound luck was following me

More luck was in front of me.

The stone gate has three columns, delicately engraved with clouds, cranes, and flowers.

Three monkeys ( it is said that the monkey is the incarnation of a god), in relief sculptures, are hidden around the temple, and it is believed that if you touch all three monkeys, your wishes will come true.
How could I go a step further without finding and touching them?
Examining almost every centimeter of the entrance, my first wish was granted ... number one found! It was easy, rubbed so many times  it stood out from the surroundings. The other two were more like cheeky monkeys hiding, challenging to be found.

With a cheeky grin, Master Cheng watched Robert and me searching high and low, obviously he knew where they were hiding, but he wouldn't even give us a clue. To earn the luck, you have to find them through your own efforts! 

 I eventually found the other two, and now feeling double lucky, proceeded to explore and immerse myself in the beauty and energy of the temple.

I believe these entry 'exams' were multipurpose, hitting the coin was a device to make you focused and present so you could fully experience being present in the temple, and the monkeys sharpened your eyes to finer details and appreciation of the craft that had gone into creating the temple.

Thick, fragrant incense smoke curled up out of huge incense burners standing in the immaculately kept courtyard.

a sense of ‘quiet’ vibrance seemed to emanate from the brightly colored buildings, which were  homes to the statues of colorful Taoist “Gods.'  

The reverence with which  Master Cheng and Yensoon approached and knelt before the 'Gods' was contagious, and as I offered incense and knelt before them, thanking them for their 'hospitality', I felt a deep sense of respect and contemplated what each represented.

Each of the temples felt like a storehouse of strong energy.

Over 50 halls, spanning an area of about 2 hectares, highlighted the creativity of the buildings, intricate carvings, brilliant, vibrant colors, and life-like sculptures, creating atmospheres conducive to contemplation and reflection.

In the center of a beautiful garden, at the back of the Temple, is the Yunji Garden, and Yunji Hall, where Taoist teachings are shared.

Paying respect to the Taoist gods in the various temples, and the scholars and priests, and enjoying the pleasure of the beautiful gardens, we headed off feeling blessed ...and extra lucky.