Advanced Traditional Practice Program (ATP)
The Advanced Traditional Practice (ATP) Program is for personal healing and spiritual development and was founded and taught by Grandmaster Hua-Ching Ni (Omni), in 1995 at the USIW Annual Retreat, and is currently continued by College of Tao Co-Chancellor Dr. Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao) and the ATP Program Dean, Peter Stege. ATP is a long-term program of instruction in the esoteric, closely guarded practices of the Integral Way tradition as taught by the Ni Family.
Originally, the ATP Program consisted of 36 levels of instruction with a student learning one level per year resulting in 36 years of continuous cultivation “in a spiral that spans the height and depth of self-development.” These 36 levels are divided into three twelve year cycles focusing on the energy realms of Earth, Humanity, and Spirit. Recently, the ATP Program was redesigned so that participants in the program can learn up to 2 ATP levels per year thus completing the 36 levels of instruction in 18 years. Participants now have the option of learning 1 to 2 levels per year based on their own motivation and learning capacities.
ATP initially focuses on development of skills to aid participants in their own cultivation and well-being. As one progresses through the levels, one is instructed in how to use ATP as a spiritual healing modality to help others in need.
ATP instruction is done one on one or in small groups, either in person or on ZOOM, based on the ancient method of an oral tradition. Instruction is offered in April around the time of the annual College of Tao Retreat and the first weekend of August. The only written teaching can be found in The Universal Path of Natural Life, Chapter 19 by Hua-Ching Ni (Word document or hard copy available upon request).
According to Omni, “learning the ancient arts was a privilege, a lifetime opportunity, and a useful pursuit and a challenge… By doing these practices, you change yourself from being on a heavy physical level to having a light energy body, from being on the stubborn mental level to being the flexible universal mind, and from being on the ego-centered level of life, you uplift yourself to the universal soul"
Originally, the ATP Program consisted of 36 levels of instruction with a student learning one level per year resulting in 36 years of continuous cultivation “in a spiral that spans the height and depth of self-development.” These 36 levels are divided into three twelve year cycles focusing on the energy realms of Earth, Humanity, and Spirit. Recently, the ATP Program was redesigned so that participants in the program can learn up to 2 ATP levels per year thus completing the 36 levels of instruction in 18 years. Participants now have the option of learning 1 to 2 levels per year based on their own motivation and learning capacities.
ATP initially focuses on development of skills to aid participants in their own cultivation and well-being. As one progresses through the levels, one is instructed in how to use ATP as a spiritual healing modality to help others in need.
ATP instruction is done one on one or in small groups, either in person or on ZOOM, based on the ancient method of an oral tradition. Instruction is offered in April around the time of the annual College of Tao Retreat and the first weekend of August. The only written teaching can be found in The Universal Path of Natural Life, Chapter 19 by Hua-Ching Ni (Word document or hard copy available upon request).
According to Omni, “learning the ancient arts was a privilege, a lifetime opportunity, and a useful pursuit and a challenge… By doing these practices, you change yourself from being on a heavy physical level to having a light energy body, from being on the stubborn mental level to being the flexible universal mind, and from being on the ego-centered level of life, you uplift yourself to the universal soul"
The First Twelve Levels of ATP
1. 26 Healing Movements: Opens all the channels, and promotes spiritual clarity and communication.
2. Summoning and Establishing Protective Energy: Protective energy; directs healing energy.
3. Spinning the Wheel of the North Star: Strengthens life energy and the will to live.
4. Pre-Heaven Bagua Healing: Promotes returning to the original oneness; and cleanses prior karma.
5. a. Issuing Protective Energy: Protective: Disables harmful energy.
5. b. Five Elements Practice for Conquering Trouble: spiritual energy Harmonizes and guides.
5. c. Five-In-One Invocation: Awakens and harmonizes spiritual energy.
6. Infinity Practice: Unties spiritual “knots” and breaks repeating cycles of self-defeating behavior.
7. Aligning with the 28 Constellations: Orients spiritual direction and balances emotional/spiritual
tendencies
8. Union with the Big Dipper: Promotes clarity and purpose.
9. Hun and Po Meditation: Purifies and refines spiritual energy.
10. Untying the Spirit: Assists a soul in transcending at the completion of life.
11. Soul Purification: Purifies and aligns the spiritual energy.
12. Ultra-vision: Develops internal spiritual “vision”.
2. Summoning and Establishing Protective Energy: Protective energy; directs healing energy.
3. Spinning the Wheel of the North Star: Strengthens life energy and the will to live.
4. Pre-Heaven Bagua Healing: Promotes returning to the original oneness; and cleanses prior karma.
5. a. Issuing Protective Energy: Protective: Disables harmful energy.
5. b. Five Elements Practice for Conquering Trouble: spiritual energy Harmonizes and guides.
5. c. Five-In-One Invocation: Awakens and harmonizes spiritual energy.
6. Infinity Practice: Unties spiritual “knots” and breaks repeating cycles of self-defeating behavior.
7. Aligning with the 28 Constellations: Orients spiritual direction and balances emotional/spiritual
tendencies
8. Union with the Big Dipper: Promotes clarity and purpose.
9. Hun and Po Meditation: Purifies and refines spiritual energy.
10. Untying the Spirit: Assists a soul in transcending at the completion of life.
11. Soul Purification: Purifies and aligns the spiritual energy.
12. Ultra-vision: Develops internal spiritual “vision”.
The following sections are divided into MENTORS and ITMI GRADUATES. Please scroll down to your applicable section.
Who May Apply for the ATP Program
MENTORS
MENTORS
A.) Those who have completed Level 1 COT Mentor Certificate requirements may apply and be instructed in ATP Levels 1-4.
B.) Those who have completed Level 2 COT Mentor Certificate requirements may apply and be instructed in ATP Levels 1-8
C.) Those who have completed Level 3 COT Mentor Certificate requirements may apply and be instructed in ATP Levels 1-36.
For more info and to apply to the ATP program,
atp.cot@gmail.com
For more info on the Mentorship program,
taoistmentorship@gmail.com
B.) Those who have completed Level 2 COT Mentor Certificate requirements may apply and be instructed in ATP Levels 1-8
C.) Those who have completed Level 3 COT Mentor Certificate requirements may apply and be instructed in ATP Levels 1-36.
For more info and to apply to the ATP program,
atp.cot@gmail.com
For more info on the Mentorship program,
taoistmentorship@gmail.com
ATP Application Process for Mentors for April 2023 Instruction (apply prior to 4/1/23)
An application for instruction will be sent to you. The fee for each level of ATP instruction is $300.
Please do not pay the $300 until Steps 1 - 4 have been completed and your application has been submitted & approved.
Please do not pay the $300 until Steps 1 - 4 have been completed and your application has been submitted & approved.
After the completion of your application and payment of the $300 tuition fee, ATP instruction is scheduled either at the Chinese New Year Annual COT Retreat or the first weekend in August. In person ATP instruction is recommended but ZOOM instruction is available upon request.
Note: Generally, one learns and practices one or 2 levels per year. While advancing through the ATP program, one is not required to practice all levels. For example, if you have progressed to Level 12, you are not required to practice Levels 1-11. You may want to continue with the practice of certain levels, but it is not expected that you practice all previous levels.
Contact info: Peter Stege, ATP Program Dean, atp.cot@gmail.com
ITMI Level 3 Graduates
All ITMI Graduates who have completed ITMI Level 3 Certification and Teacher Training can apply for ATP Instruction.
Application Process for New ATP Participants:
ITMI Graduates
Please Note: The main difference between the application process for Mentors and ITMI Graduates is that because of their extensive experience of consistent meditation practice, the ITMI Graduates are not required to become COT Mentors before applying to ATP. This requirement is being delayed so that an individual may enter the program and begin ATP instruction. However, it is understood that ITMI graduates will be working on becoming Mentors while learning the various ATP Levels.
1. Complete ITMI Level 3 Certification and Teacher Training.
2. Read The Universal Path of Natural Life, Chapter 19 by Hua-Ching Ni. Word Document or
hardcopy available upon request.
3. Submit to the ATP Dean a statement of your interest in the ATP Program and also submit a brief
statement of your life journey.
4. Once the above three steps are completed, reviewed and approved by the ATP Program Dean, an not pay
application for instruction will be sent to you. The fee for each level of ATP instruction is $300. Please
do not pay the $ 300 until Steps 1-3 have been completed.
5. Enroll in Part 1 of Introduction to Spiritual Self-Development Course. Contact jonohoward@gmail.com
6. After you have submitted your completed application and paid the $300 tuition fee, instruction in ATP
will be scheduled either around the time of the Chinese New Year in February, or the first weekend
of August. The tuition for each level of ATP instruction is $300.
2. Read The Universal Path of Natural Life, Chapter 19 by Hua-Ching Ni. Word Document or
hardcopy available upon request.
3. Submit to the ATP Dean a statement of your interest in the ATP Program and also submit a brief
statement of your life journey.
4. Once the above three steps are completed, reviewed and approved by the ATP Program Dean, an not pay
application for instruction will be sent to you. The fee for each level of ATP instruction is $300. Please
do not pay the $ 300 until Steps 1-3 have been completed.
5. Enroll in Part 1 of Introduction to Spiritual Self-Development Course. Contact jonohoward@gmail.com
6. After you have submitted your completed application and paid the $300 tuition fee, instruction in ATP
will be scheduled either around the time of the Chinese New Year in February, or the first weekend
of August. The tuition for each level of ATP instruction is $300.