Kung Fu students at traditional schools (such as Shaolin) will learn to stand in a horse stance (Ma Bu) for between 15 minutes to an hour in order to build their foundation framework. Tai Chi students will stand in the Three Circle Stance for hours as part of their stance training (Zhan Zhuang) in order to create rooting and to generate strong flows of energy through the meridians and develop explosive power in Fa Jin. Is it important to develop a standing practice within the context of Taoism?
An answer
No it's not important at all. The Tao Te Ching is very clear as to what is required to return to the Tao:
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
Another answer
There are several meditations suggested within the Taoist framework for those who like the idea of following a specific path that leads them to this emptiness. Most revolve around the idea of development of the Three Treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen) using Neidan exercises. To provide an extremely simplified overview, we can say that activating the lower dantian under the navel will cause the Jing (bodily essence) to rise and be refined into Qi (vital energy) that flows along the spine into the middle dantian. Activation of the heart dantian will allow the Qi to rise and be refined into Shen (Spirit Energy) that is pushed up the spin and flows into the dantian of the Third Eye. Activation of the Third Eye dantian will allow the Shen to rise and attain emptiness (returning to the Tao).
There are two main energetic circuits that allow development of the tree treasures - the small heavenly circuit (Xiao Zhou Tian) and the large heavenly circuit (Da Zhou Tian). The small heavenly circulation can most easily be developed from within a traditional sitting meditation posture where the legs are crossed to isolate the inner circuit from the earth. The large heavenly circuit can be practices both from a sitting position (on a chair with the back held up straight) and in a standing position such as the Three Circle Stance practiced in Tai Chi Chuan. Once the large heavenly circuit (or Marocosmic Orbit) is established, one can develop this flow also in moving exercises or while walking in the forest.
The benefit of a standing practice within the context of Taoism is that this is a very effective way to develop the Tree Treasures. The analogy is often made to gardening in that one has to apply constant care and attention in order to create a beautiful garden. Daily standing will allow one to dedicate time and focus in their schedule towards reaching their spiritual goals.
Summary
During certain periods in their spiritual development, people may want to establish a meditation practice that allows them to follow a structured path to attain the Tao. Incorporating a standing practice and establishing the large heavenly circuit will help to develop health, energy and spiritual connections to mind, body and nature. One can lean on the structure but one better avoids identifying with it. Will your garden grow to be beautifully groomed -- or become wild and seemingly chaotic? Does it matter?