The Magus of Java: Teachings of an Authentic Taoist Immortal

Fascinating look into a nei kung practitioner's life. Danaos has a tremendous knack for descriptive storytelling and provides much information via [Sifu] John Chang regarding the inner workings of metaphysics and the fabled chi energy. However I question (and this may be a slightly cynical side of me) how the author managed to recall (or even take notes on) the numerous conversations he had with Chang so accurately. Either he has a near-Elephantine memory, or he was embellishing many experiences and details- and if the latter occurred it questions his credibility. It should never be underestimated writers' ability to overdramatize (and perhaps outright BS) for the sake of a more interesting book, and although there is no proof of this here, I think it's a valid question esp. given the subject matter (psychic abilities and the like) which has long been associated with unscrupulous individuals. Danaos either took phenomenal practically word-for-word notes of conversations, or he fudged here and there which calls into question the witnessed telekinesis, levitation, etc. All this being said- whether the book represents the unblemished truth, imaginative fictions or a combination of both, it's a fascinating read as it gives a close and detailed look into the life, philosophies and workings of a truly remarkable man. Students of metaphysics, spirituality, psychic phenomena, paranormal and the mental/spiritual aspects of martial arts should find this a must-read.

I notice a lot of sceptical reviews herein. In this context, sceptics are those who have not had training (or proper training) in the internal arts (nei gong). If you have, you have experienced at least some level of the "supernatural" occurrances described in this book. With more training, the human starts to flower and what people should realize is that people like John Chang (the 'Magus of Java') is a certain flowering of human potential. The point is, that unless you have done the work (or unless you have a fortunate karma in this direction), you must remain sceptical. However, the book is written by a sceptic, or former sceptic, and I found this aspect of it a bit annoying as it is a waste of time. Training of this sort is given by a live teacher to a student: it is not imparted in how-to books. The author makes the point that it is karma that brings you to a teacher. Do the work: taiji, qigong, meditation, internal work (which taps the yin) and you will realize that there is no supernatural: IT'S ALL NATURAL. Scientific truth is a temporary constuct: remember when there were no genes and no relativity and no electricity and when the earth was flat with the sun revolving around it? It's the same today(!) except updated. I found the book enjoyable and inspiring and would like to thank Mr. Danaos for his contribution and his refernces to Greek myth and folk beliefs.

I thought this book was incredibly beautiful and thought provoking. Although as a student of metaphysics most of this was not news to me. This text is definitely aimed at the skeptics, the sleepers, the hardened people who have never set foot in this world. But even I was skeptical of a lot of the instances this author gave. I didn’t realize this amount of human potential could actually be reached! It gives me a lot of hope. But I trust this author and his subject, and I trust my field of study enough as well to not discredit any of it as bogus. I truly do believe in this book. The writing was okay. This read more like a very very long personal blog post. If you’re expecting a work of literary art than look elsewhere. I like to read more artistic and thoughtful works, but i do have to appreciate the practicality of this book. It was easy to understand, gave me many new concepts to chew over, and I’m sure I’ll be going back and forth again and again to soak up as much as I can that wasn’t written in the lines. That is extremely important for the audience this book targets, so I don’t fault the writing too much. My only unfulfilled wishes was the lack of application advice. Again, the purpose of this was to open minds and light a spark rather than guide you through a practice. So I don’t fault it, but I would’ve absolutely loved if I could understand more about how one could go to set on this journey for themselves. They reference very specific exercises from a specific book but there is no outline for anyone who would want to learn it. That makes sense, because you don’t want to give this type of information out willy nilly, it is a tradition and passed down through instruction. But still, I wish we could’ve been at least pointed in a few directions. I trust Kosta and John and would really appreciate some approved works by them that I could explore myself. I’ll have to see the foot notes and other credited references to see what I can find. Or, as any occult student is well accustomed to, I’ll just have to launch my own weeks long research to hopefully find something worthwhile. All in all, achieved what it set out to do and gave me many things to further research and incorporate into my journey. Thank you very much Kosta Danaos! EDIT: i wrote this when Kindle prompted me to at the end of the read. This author does have a more informative and instructional neikung book that I am making my way through now. (: EDIT 2: Don’t waste your time with that one. Pick up Enter Mo Pai by James Van Gelder instead.

I sought out Kostas Danaos' book about THE MAGUS OF JAVA and have read it more than once. Having met John Chang personally after being a skeptic I can only attest to his powers, which I have felt pass through my flesh. Although only using 5 percent of this power he treats dozens of individuals daily at his home using a combination of acupuncture and a type of physical electricity generated from below his chest. Being a disbeliever I had asked him to take his shirt off expecting to see wires, there were none. My wife was one of his patients and I was asked to take my shoes off and hold her ankles. John then touched her and she started screaming. The current passed through me as I felt my heals fluttered with the current he generates. I have heard of many other stories and have personally watched him testing iron knives brought to him be the towns people for spiritual powers they may contain. John has changed my outlook of how I see the world and religion. This book and "Nei Kung: The Secret Teachings of the Warrior Sages" are both fascinating reads, however without a personal belief I can see a skeptic not getting more than an interesting story line out of them. Again, I personally know this man, he is real.

Authentic story of a Kung Fu master.

I've been really into Nei Gong, Tai Chi, Qi Gong for quite some time now and only happened to view the Ring of Fire clip on Youtube this year. After seeing that and doing some research, I couldn't believe the stories I was reading about John Chang. I read both this book and Searching For The Master of Mo Pai, and I've got to say that this book is the better pick. Jim McMillan, while I love that he put Searching For The Master of Mo Pai out there for us, really just whined and complained throughout most of his book. That contrasts deeply with what Kosta Danaos has done in this book. The only thing that I wish either Jim or Kosta would have done for us is reveal the details/"Secrets" for level 2 or 3 of Mo Pai. Now that John Chang has passed, it doesn't seem like this school is going to survive. Maybe one day they will come out with that knowledge- but for now this account of John Chang and Kosta's experiences with him is a fascinated reading for anyone looking to learn more about The Magus of Java.

The book was okay, not a great read in my opinion. Could much better, but overall I liked it. However, I didn't learn nothing new or useful or method or practice out of it. The book is just stories and trying to proof that supernatural power exists but does not walk you through any practical practice just FYI.

This book presents you a more in-depth approach to qigong/neigong. It's really childish to think that you could become an olympic athlete, or a master of neigong by reading a book. Instead, the book can tell you what might be the ultimate goal to all qigong/neigong practice and what might be the only, in a sense, empiric (based on observation) method to actually know if there are spirits, afterlife and even God. Even if you don't believe in any form of chi energy manifestation, you probably like the vividly told and spiritual stories that by itself satisfy martial art practicioners and philosophers alike. A number of different references to different religions and even modern lifestyles connect many aspects together. This book really made my mind race.

Do yourself a favour and read this book. Tackling not only humans current problems of existence, rampant capitalism, global warming and how to be a better human, the author also explains the history of his master, concepts of Kung fu, Tai chi, chi gung and neiking. I couldn’t stop reading this. Just wow.

I Used to be a sceptic but im less now. It will only truly go away when I experience it first hand however, this book really makes you think. What an enjoyable story as well. Even if you don't believe this stuff its a great read for an awesome story. Just makes you think how remarkable a person can be, and what potential we have as humans if we put our minds to doing great things.

J'adore. Dommage que la traduction en français n'existe pas, il faut passer du temps à traduire pour les non anglophones.

The best book!

Muitos detalhes interessantes da vida desse grande Mestre. Muito bom mesmo. Recomendo para quem deseja entender um pouco mais de Mo Pai.