Alex Anatole

Dr. Alex Anatole

Alexander Anatole (born 1948 in Moscow, Russia) is an ordained Taoist priest who claims lineage to Lao Zi. He professes to teach original, unadulterated Taoism, but actually teaches "Religious Taoism" (Daojiao 道敎) - A family of organized Chinese religious movements originating from the Celestial Masters movement during the late Han Dynasty and later including the "Orthodox" (Zhengyi 正一) and "Complete Reality" (Quanzhen 全眞) sects, which claim lineages going back to Lao Zi (老子) or Zhang Daoling in the late Han Dynasty.

Immigrating to the United States in 1976, he began teaching the physical elements of traditional Taoism, including Qigong and martial arts. By the early nineties Grand Master Anatole had built The Temple of Original Simplicity near Boston, Massachusetts, recognized as one of the few authentic Taoist temples outside China (both mainland and Taiwan). He established close ties to established temples in Shanghai. He has been affiliated with the New England Center of Tao, and is now the head priest and president of the Center of Traditional Taoist Studies located in Weston, Massachusetts

With the collapse of communism in 1991 Master Anatole returned to Russia to help open Taoist temples in Moscow.

He teaches a classical program of philosophy, religion, meditation, chi gong, and martial arts. He writes and lectures throughout the United States, Europe and Asia to clearly explain the wisdom of the Tao.

Publications

• The Truth of Tao (2005), an accessible, plain-spoken interpretation, and explanation of the Taoist philosophy and religion, from its historical roots to its current application in the modern world.

• The Essence of Tao (2009) A lineage master's interpretation of the core chapters of the Tao Te Ching. Chapters are grouped according to the core principles of Taoism. Easy to read format.

References

• "Tracing the Contours of Daoism in North America" by Louis Komjathy Nova Religion November 2004, Vol. 8, No. 2, Pages 5–27 (university of California Press)
• "Daoist Teachers in North America" compiled by Professor Louis Komjathy of Pacific Lutheran University, p. 1
• Harvard University's Pluralism Project.