International Conferences & Global Engagements
Over the past three decades, Taoist-Lifestyle and the Taoist Alchemical Studies Centre (TASC) have organised and participated in international conferences, research seminars, and cross-cultural study trips that contribute to the academic and cultural understanding of Taoist philosophy, internal alchemy, and Chinese traditional practices.
Historical Engagements & Highlights
1990 — Lecture Tour in USSR
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen presented on the history of Taijiquan, including a televised interview.
1992 — 1st International Conference on Taoism & Chinese Medicine
Organised by TASC at the universities of Antwerp (UA) and Ghent (UGent), with support from the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research.
Speakers included: dr. Vercammen, dr. Hu Fuchen (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing), dr. Kristofer Schipper 施舟人 (1934–2021), drs. Vladimir Ando (Oriental Institute, Academy of Science, Prague), dr. Jan de Meyer (UGent).
1994 — 1st International Conference on Taoism & Chinese Medicine
Suzhou Taoist Music Troop performs Taoist traditional music in Belgium and comes to visit the Belgian Taoist Association (China Arts) in Antwerp.
1995 — 2nd International Conference on Taoism & Chinese Medicine
Organised by TASC in collaboration with the Ethnographic Museum of Antwerp, as part of the exhibition “Eastern Medicine.”
Speakers included: dr. Dan Vercammen, drs. Jan van Alphen (Ethnographic Museum), prof. dr. Li Genghe (Shanghai Medical College), dr. Jan de Meyer (UGent), prof. dr. Kristofer Schipper 施舟人 (1934–2021).
1998 — Baguazhang Research Publication
The first scientific study on Baguazhang was published in the work:
Baguazhang, the Palm Techniques of the Eight Trigrams: History, Text Tradition, and Secrets of Internal Martial Arts (Prof. Dr. Dan Vercammen).
1998 — Second International Taoist Culture Conference (China)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen and Master An Woestenborghs participated in the Second International Taoist Culture Conference at Huanglongguan / Yellow Dragon Temple, Luofu Mountains (China).
Dr. Vercammen lectured on the deeper meaning of Yuanqi / Primary Qi (later published in Hong Kong / Taiwan).
1999 — Taijiquan Translation Publication
The first scientific translation of classical Taijiquan texts into Dutch was published in:
Taijiquan, the classical text tradition (Prof. Dr. Dan Vercammen).
1999 — Invitation to Chinese Conference on Southern Taoist Alchemy
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen was invited as the only Western expert to lecture at the Chinese Conference on the Southern Tradition of Taoist Alchemy (Fujian, China).
His lecture addressed key terminology and practical applications of Taoist Alchemy; text later published by the Belgian Taoist Association (China Arts) and in China.
2000 — International Seminar “The Way of Qi” (Antwerp)
International seminar “The Way of Qi” in Antwerp, accompanied by the publication of a book of the same name with contributions by dr. Hu Fuchen (CASS, Beijing) and dr. Dan Vercammen.
2001 — Seminar “Food for Thought” (Antwerp)
Seminar “Food for Thought” in Antwerp and the publication of a book of the same name, featuring new scientific articles by Dr. Dan Vercammen.
2002 — Research Trip to Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen and Master An Woestenborghs conducted research at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, investigating the history and influence of the Southern Tradition of Taoist Alchemy.
They visited and interviewed Prof. Hu Haiya, disciple of famous alchemist Chen Yingning.
2002 — International Seminar “The Mystery of Taijiquan” (Antwerp)
International seminar “The Mystery of Taijiquan” in Antwerp, followed by the publication of a book of the same name by Dr. Dan Vercammen.
2003 — Research Field Trip to Tiantai Mountains (China)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen and Master An Woestenborghs conducted field research at the Tiantai Mountains, linked to the historical origins of the Southern Tradition of Taoist Alchemy (Zhejiang, China).
2004 — Research Trip: China Academy of Fine Arts (Hangzhou)
Research trip focusing on traditional Chinese fine arts, including interviews and discussions with professors at the China Academy of Fine Arts, Hangzhou.
2005 — Research Trip: Chinese Diaspora
Research trip to British Columbia (Canada) and Seattle (USA) to investigate the Chinese diaspora.
2006 — Research Trip: Taiwanese Taoist Culture & Fine Arts
Research trip to the Taipei region, Taiwan, focusing on Taiwanese Taoist culture and fine arts.
2006 onwards — Development of Neidan Program at China Arts College
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen developed a program for China Arts College students to study Taoist Internal Alchemy (Neidan) and continued researching, lecturing, and publishing on the subject.
2008 — Visit to the Ritman Library (Amsterdam)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen and Master An Woestenborghs visited the Ritman Library, Amsterdam (Now Embassy of the Free Mind), discussing the continuation and expansion of collaboration with the Taoist Alchemical Studies Centre (TASC).
2013 — Lecture on Taoist Alchemy (Netherlands)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen lectured on Taoist Alchemy at the symposium “De Wijsheid van het Grondeloze Tao”, at the Rosicrucians’ Conference Centre Renova, Bilthoven (The Netherlands).
Text later published in a book of the same name.
2022 — Lecture at the Embassy of the Free Mind (Amsterdam)
Online & offline lecture: “Jumping Tiger, Soaring Dragon: Taoist Internal Alchemy” at The Embassy of the Free Mind, by Dr. Dan Vercammen.
2024 — Collaboration with the Embassy of the Free Mind
Taoist-Lifestyle becomes actively involved in establishing the Academy of the Free Mind, contributing to Taoist Wisdom, philosophy, alchemy, and related practices.
2025 — Transition into Taoist-Lifestyle.com
Taoist-Lifestyle.com evolves from the earlier work of China Arts College and TASC, bringing programs and study materials into a structured online platform.
2026 (planned) — Opening of the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy
The Taoist-Lifestyle Academy is scheduled to open in September 2026 as a multi-year study path in Taoist Internal Alchemy (Neidan), grounded in the lineage and educational foundations developed over previous decades.
This timeline represents selected historical highlights. Additional conferences, publications, invitations, and collaborations will be added gradually as the archive is completed.