By René Wadlow

Baolin Wu and Jessica Riley, Eye of Heaven.
St. Petersburg, Florida: Three Pines Press, 2025, 107pp.

The subtitle of this book is The Daoist Secret for Opening the Third Eye. The Third Eye is a path to awareness. Opening the third eye frees one’s mind from certain limitations. This is the reason that in Daoism the third eye is often referred to as the Eye of Heaven (The title of the book). One finds the same approach in Hinduism, where the third eye, placed just above the other two, is one of the seven main chakras, energy centers in the body, symbolized as a turning wheel. In Buddhism, the third eye represents the eye of consciousness and wisdom. The third eye is widely developed in Tibetan Buddhism where it represents the Gate of Heaven.

Dr.. Baolin Wu entered the Daoist White Cloud Monastery in Beijing as a young boy and was trained there in Daoist medical practice, especially acupuncture as well as in spiritual practices. The White Cloud Monastery is a highly respected center for the study of Daoist philosophy and medicine. He worked for many years in a hospital in Beijing and emigrated to the USA in 1990. The information on spiritual practices in the book comes from Dr. Baolin Wu. Jessica Riley is one of his current students in California, and the English style of the book is hers.

Throughout Chinese history, philosophical and spiritual beliefs have often been related to healing. Some of the Daoist schools emphasize internal alchemy, often as a way to reach longevity. Internal alchemy helps one to become aware of sexual energy and how to circulate, balance, preserve and reuse the energy so as to heal.

The book provides illustrated qigong exercises useful for relaxation but which are also preparation for the opening of the third eye. Work on the third eye and the higher states of consciousness is usually done with a master Daoist. Thus the book is no substitute for efforts with an advanced Daoist practitioner. However, it is a good introduction to the approach and its role in Chinese culture.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.