CBD 2026: Interactive Workshop - Inner Ecology in Taoism: Practicing Fire–Water Harmony in Daily Life with Dr. Mao Shing Ni

Building on the keynote theme, this experiential workshop deepens participants ’understanding of Fire and Water through guided breath work, embodied awareness, and reflective dialogue. Participants will explore personal patterns of over-activation (“Fire”) or depletion (“Water”) and practice specific Taoist techniques that cultivate intrinsic regulation and contemplative harmony. Through direct experience, the session supports alignment between will and spirit — fostering resilience, clarity, and harmonious engagement in daily life.

To extend the knowledge and skills you develop during this interactive workshop, please consider attending Dr. Mao's keynote lecture titled Taoist Wisdom for Today: Fire and Water in an Age of Extremes— Contemplative Harmony and Sustainable Longevity, on Thurs., Oct. 22 at 2:00pm and his guided practice session titled Fire and Water: At Taoist Meditation for Inner Balance on Fri., Oct. 23 at 7:30am. You are welcome to join one or all three of Dr. Mao's Summit sessions.

Dr. Mao Shing Ni is a 38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine and co-founder of Tao of Wellness and Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles. A bestselling author and internationally recognized expert in longevity and integrative medicine, he bridges classical Taoist contemplative practices with modern healthcare.

For over four decades, Dr. Mao has taught meditation and internal cultivation while caring for leaders, entrepreneurs, and families seeking sustainable vitality and resilience. His work integrates acupuncture, herbal medicine, Qi Gong, and internal alchemy within a practical framework that harmonizes physiology, psychology, and contemplative awareness—offering timeless methods for cultivating balance in body, mind, and spirit.

This session is part of the FREE Contemplation by Design Summit, Oct. 14-25, 2026.

The full summit schedule for this year will be posted at: https://med.stanford.edu/contemplation/summit.html.