How live online neidan instruction works

What happens in the live meetings

Classes last one hour and follow the school’s curriculum. The instructor explains the work and students can ask about what they are learning. A live meeting allows an unclear instruction to be discussed while the teacher is present.

For example, if you are unsure whether you understood the sequence of an explanation, you can describe your understanding and ask where it needs correcting. That exchange is one reason to arrive with a specific question from your practice.

Online communication also has practical limits. A teacher can respond to what you communicate, but should not be expected to infer every difficulty through a screen. Say when you could not hear, when a demonstration was outside the camera view, or when a term needs explaining. A clear connection helps; a clear question is still necessary.

The work between classes

Beginners should allow about 20–60 minutes a day for practice. Attending two meetings a week does not account for that personal practice time. When planning your week, treat them as two parts of the commitment.

Keep the instructions you have received distinct from material you happen to read or watch elsewhere. If another source appears to disagree, make a note of the question. The useful next step is to understand the difference before changing your work on that basis.

A short note after practice can help you remember what to ask. Record the particular point that was unclear, rather than trying to reconstruct a whole week from memory during class. Personal matters that you do not want to discuss in a group can be raised privately with the instructor.

Attending from another time zone

The US in DaoDeUS reflects our aim of making neidan classes easier to attend for U.S. students. Applicants from any country are welcome, provided they can attend at the scheduled times and are approved after the free, private introductory interview.

The regular meetings are Monday and Wednesday, 7–8 PM in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh uses the America/New_York time zone. It follows Eastern Standard Time in winter and Eastern Daylight Time in summer.

Use a calendar or converter that recognizes America/New_York and enter the date of the class. A fixed conversion written down once can become wrong when clocks change. Countries do not all change on the same dates, and some places do not change at all.

For recurring calendar entries, set the event’s time zone to America/New_York. Your calendar can then display the corresponding time where you live. Check the local day as well as the hour: for students farther east, a Raleigh evening can fall on the following morning.

The interview calendar allows you to select your own time zone for that appointment. Its available interview times should not be confused with the recurring class timetable. If your work or travel schedule creates a conflict, discuss it before enrolling.

Can practice fit into life at home?

Foundational study can take place within ordinary life, with home practice in a quiet setting and limited disturbance. Later retreat conditions belong to a different part of the school’s account. A mountain retreat is therefore not a requirement for beginning the course.

You must be alone in the room during class. Other people are not permitted to be present. Choose a private space where you can hear, speak and follow the instructor without interruptions. Let other people in the household know the class times and that they must not enter the room during class. Silence unrelated notifications before joining.

For the practice itself, ask what space the assigned work requires. Do not judge the necessary room from an illustration or assume that every activity can be performed while seated at a desk. Foundational work can fit different settings, but the practical arrangement should fit the instruction you receive.

Getting ready to meet online

You will need a device that runs Zoom, a working camera and microphone, and a reliable connection. A camera is mandatory for all students. A larger screen may make demonstrations easier to see, but it is optional.

• Use the required Zoom display name. Your Zoom display name must use the format Surname First name, with your surname first and your first name second. This is a mandatory school rule.
• Test your camera and sound beforehand. Make sure your camera works, you can hear clearly and your microphone is working.
• Position the device securely. If you need to stand or move, check that you can still see the screen without holding it.
• Check the room and camera view. Make sure nobody else is in the room. Ask the instructor what needs to be visible for the work being taught.
• Keep the joining details accessible. Allow time to locate the link and resolve a software prompt before the class starts.

If your connection drops, rejoin and explain what you missed. Do not guess at instructions because the sound broke up. If attendance is regularly difficult, discuss the situation; arrangements for missed classes should be clear before you make an enrollment decision.

How access begins

The first step is a free, private introductory conversation. You do not need a student account to request it. The booking form asks for your name, email and phone number so the school can arrange the meeting and contact you if needed.

Approved students receive enrollment and account instructions after the interview. Once enrollment is arranged, the members area provides access to classes. The fee is $154 USD for eight classes in a month; the Classes & Joining page brings the current arrangements together.

Use the conversation to settle practical questions as well as questions about the method. If holidays, missed sessions or a changing work schedule will affect you, raise them before joining. Understanding how you will attend is part of choosing a course you can follow consistently.