Foundations of Internal Alchemy

Foundations of Internal Alchemy
Author: Mu Wang
Publisher: Golden Elixir Press
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2011
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0984308253

Originally written for Chinese readers, this book provides a clear description of the Taoist practice of Internal Alchemy, or Neidan. The author outlines the four stages of the alchemical practice and clarifies several relevant terms and notions, including Essence, Breath, and Spirit; the Cinnabar Fields; the "Fire Times"; and the Embryo. The book is based on the system of the Wuzhen pian (Awakening to Reality), one of the main sources of Internal Alchemy, and contains about two hundred quotations from original Taoist texts. Table of Contents Foreword, vii INTRODUCTION, 1 The Basis: Essence and Spirit, 3 STAGES OF THE ALCHEMICAL PRACTICE IN AWAKENING TO REALITY, 11 The Four Stages, 13 "Laying the Foundations," 15 Main Points in the Practice of "Laying the Foundations," 20 The Functions of Essence, Breath, and Spirit, 36 Terms Related to the "Coagulation of the Three Treasures," 52 Conclusion of the Stage of "Laying the Foundations," 63 "Refining Essence to Transmute it into Breath," 65 "Refining Breath to Transmute it into Spirit," 99 "Refining Spirit to Return to Emptiness," 109 CONCLUSION, 119 The "Arts of the Way," 121 Tables, 123 Glossary of Chinese Characters, 133

The Inner Teachings of Taoism

The Inner Teachings of Taoism
Author: Chang Po-tuan
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 141
Release: 2001-01-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834828359

Taoist inner alchemy is a collection of theories and practices for transforming the mind and refining the self. The Inner Teachings of Taoism includes a classic of Chinese alchemy known as Four Hundred Words on the Gold Elixir. Written in the eleventh century by a founder of the Complete Reality School, this text is accompanied by the lucid commentary of the nineteenth-century adept Lui I-ming.

White Tiger, Green Dragon

White Tiger, Green Dragon
Author: Simone Marnier
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 158
Release: 2000-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0595125751

White Tiger, Green Dragon follows the spiritual, erotic and psychic evolution of Tu Ming, a Taoist monk in Old China. Tu is apprenticed in sequence to five female adepts in the discipline known as the “dual cultivation,” a kind of tantra yoga in which sexual techniques replicate states of spiritual progress. This practice culminates in the creation of a spiritual embryo at the moment of enlightenment. The five masters who instruct Tu run the gamut of Chinese folklore characters, including the gentle pillow girl, Mei Cha, the doughty herb gatherer, Su Ba, and Lekshe Tsogyel, an acrobatic aristocrat from Tibet. Tu advances not only in his practice, but also in his understanding of life and love as he falls under the spell of five unforgettable women unequaled in religious literature. In the exciting conclusion, he experiences an epiphany that redefines what it means to attain the highest knowledge.

Taoist Inner Alchemy

Taoist Inner Alchemy
Author: Ge Guolong
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2024-03-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1645472124

A fascinating guide to the mental, physical, and esoteric spiritual transformative Taoist practices designed to increase longevity and unity with the world—with commentary and interpretation on the traditional text by a contemporary academic and meditation practitioner. Taoist alchemical practices are renowned for their mental, physical, and spiritually transformative benefits—including longevity and increased connection to the world around us. In this guide to Master Huang Yuanji’s Taoist classic, Ge Guolong presents the basics of inner alchemy and the tradition’s most essential meditation practices—along with explanations of the fundamental theories and methods one needs to actually start walking the path. Historically, Taoist teachers borrowed complex terminology from astrology, numerology, and metallurgical alchemy to describe the process of individual transformation that occurs as a result of long-term meditation practice. Ge Guolong demystifies that classical terminology, illuminating Taoism’s straightforward and eminently practical philosophy. These vivid explanations of Huang Yuanji’s discourses—a Taoist master from the late-Ming, early-Qing Dynasty (1636–1912)—are particularly striking for their clarity, relevance to day-to-day life, and close relationship to the philosophy of such works as the Tao Te Ching and Chuang-tzu. Synthesizing numerous streams of Chinese philosophy and elucidating their lived practice, Taoist Inner Alchemy is as an excellent entry point to discover the riches of traditional Taoist thought and meditation.

Taoism and Self Knowledge

Taoism and Self Knowledge
Author: Catherine Despeux
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2018-11-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 900438345X

In Taoism and Self Knowledge, Catherine Despeux develops a history of the "Chart for the Cultivation of Perfection" a text containing an array of meditative techniques for individual salvation and thunder rites. This chart was transmitted widely among Taoists in Quanzhen tradition.

Taoist Internal Alchemy

Taoist Internal Alchemy
Author: Fabrizio Pregadio
Publisher:
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2019-03-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9780985547554

This anthology presents complete or partial translations of sixteen important works belonging to the Taoist tradition of Neidan, or Internal Alchemy. While the selections are far from covering the whole field of Neidan-a virtually impossible task, given its width and variety-they are representative of several lineages and branches. d104s have been selected in this perspective and are arranged chronologically, in order to provide an overview not only of Neidan, but also of the history of its discourses and practices. Four of the sixteen texts are integrally translated. Six texts and two commentaries are translated in this book (entirely or partially) for the first time into English. The book is concluded by several tables and by an index of the main terms. CONTENTS (d104s marked with an asterisk are integrally translated) Foreword Sources 1. The Seal of the Unity of the Three (Cantong qi) 2. (*) The Hidden Agreement (Yinfu jing), with comm. by Yu Yan 3. Mirror for Compounding the Medicine (Ruyao jing), with comm. by Wang Jie 4. The Transmission of the Dao from Zhongli Quan to Lü Dongbin (Zhong-Lü chuandao ji) 5. Awakening to Reality (Wuzhen pian), by Zhang Boduan 6. (*) Four Hundred Words on the Golden Elixir (Jindan sibai zi), attr. to Zhang Boduan, with comm. by Peng Haogu 7. Pointers to the Mystery (Zhixuan pian), by Bai Yuchan 8. Model Images of the Golden Elixir (Jindan faxiang), by Weng Baoguang 9. Questions and Answers on the Golden Elixir (Jindan wenda), by Xiao Tingzhi 10. (*) Fifteen Essays to Establish the Teaching (Chongyang lijiao shiwu lun), by Wang Zhen (Wang Chongyang) 11. The Harmony of the Center (Zhonghe ji), by Li Daochun 12. The Great Essentials of the Golden Elixir (Jindan dayao), by Chen Zhixu 13. (*) Rectifying Errors for the Seekers of the Golden Elixir (Jindan jiuzheng pian), by Lu Xixing 14. Principles of the Conjoined Cultivation of Nature and Existence (Xingming guizhi) 15. The Secret of the Golden Flower (Jinhua zongzhi) 16. Discriminations on Difficult Points in Cultivating Reality (Xiuzhen biannan), by Liu Yiming Tables Index of Main Terms Glossary of Chinese Characters Works Cited

Cosmic Fusion

Cosmic Fusion
Author: Mantak Chia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2007-08-27
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1594778477

A guide to the advanced practice of Inner Alchemy, which brings the physical body into balance with the energy body • Presents the second level of Inner Alchemy practices that use the eight forces of the pakua (bagwa) to collect, gather, and condense chi in the body • Explains how to balance negative emotional energy with positive energy to detoxify, nourish, and integrate the physical and the energy body with the forces of nature • Shows how to collect and channel the greater energies of the stars and planets to create unity between what is above and below Cosmic Fusion is an advanced level of Inner Alchemy that teaches how to bring the physical body into balance with the energy body--a necessary prerequisite for the formation of the universal body, the pearl of compassion that is one with Original Creation and the Universal Tao. Cosmic Fusion works with the expression of the eight pakua (bagwa) of Chinese cosmology, through which all creation is divided and given form, nature, and definition. Cosmic Fusion exercises establish the spiritual body firmly in the lower abdomen, where chi energy is gathered and distributed to all parts of the body--and into all creation. The fully illustrated exercises in this book also show how to collect and channel the greater energies of the stars and planets. By “fusing” all these different energies together, a harmonious whole is created, a unity of what is above and below. As heavenly and earthly forces are brought into balance, the life perfectly suited to the practitioner manifests, allowing the spirit body to prepare to move into worlds beyond--and back.

Inner Alchemy Astrology

Inner Alchemy Astrology
Author: Mantak Chia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 140
Release: 2013-07-01
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 162055139X

Strengthen the qualities in your Taoist astrological chart with Inner Alchemy techniques and Universal Healing Tao exercises • Describes how to interpret your Taoist astrology birth chart and discover the unique combination of Five Elements underlying your personality, health, and destiny • Reveals how to strengthen your birth chi with Inner Alchemy techniques and Universal Healing Tao exercises • Explains how to calculate your wealth phase, organ health, and luck cycles Each of us is born with a unique combination of heavenly and earthly energies dictated by the stars overhead and the season on Earth at the moment you take your first breath. Known in Taoist astrology as the Four Pillars of Destiny, this “birth chi” can be calculated using the year, month, day, and time of your birth. Master Mantak Chia and astrologer Christine Harkness-Giles reveal how to interpret your birth chi and strengthen weaknesses within your astrological energies. They explain how each of us is ruled by one of the Five Elements--Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water--in a Yin or Yang state. For each Element and Yin or Yang combination, the authors describe personality traits, ideal career paths, and emotional and health issues. They reveal how to discover your levels of success, wealth, and power; how your astrological strengths will manifest; and how to understand your relationships with partners, friends, and family. They also explain how to use your chart to calculate your organ health and annual luck cycles. The authors show how to use Inner Alchemy techniques, such as color therapy and feng shui, and Universal Healing Tao exercises, such as the Healing Sounds and Chi Kung, to harmonize and strengthen the inborn imbalances and weaknesses in your chart. This hands-on method of astrology allows you to take control of your health and destiny by connecting your personal energy with the energies of the cosmos.

The Tao of Immortality

The Tao of Immortality
Author: Mantak Chia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2018-02-20
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1620556537

A comprehensive guide to the core practices of the Universal Healing Tao System and the advanced esoteric practices of Inner Alchemy • Explains each of the nine levels of Inner Alchemy and their more than 240 formulas • Explores the Four Healing Arts for transformation of the emotional body, physical body, energy body, and spiritual body • Provides simplified versions of core Universal Healing Tao practices to more easily integrate the system into your daily life • Shows how these exercises were designed to increase longevity and ensure the survival of consciousness beyond death Explaining the evolution and core of the Universal Healing Tao system, Master Mantak Chia and William U. Wei offer a condensed approach to the Inner Alchemy practices taught to Master Chia by his first Taoist Master, Yi Eng, more than 60 years ago. Beginning with the basic principles called the Five Enlightenments, the authors explain each of the nine levels of Inner Alchemy and their more than 240 formulas, including simplified versions of the Microcosmic Orbit, the Inner Smile, Sexual Alchemy exercises for men and women, Fusion of the Five Elements practices, Kan and Li Alchemy, the Sealing of the Five Senses, and Star and Galaxy Alchemy. They explore the Four Healing Arts that encompass the nine levels of Inner Alchemy--Living Tao practices for transformation of your emotional body, Chi Nei Tsang practices for transformation of the physical body, Cosmic Healing practices for transformation of the energy body, and Immortal Tao practices for transformation of the spiritual body--all aimed toward the survival of consciousness in a self-aware vessel. They also offer simplified versions of the other core practices, such as Iron Shirt Chi Kung, Bone Marrow Nei Kung, and Wisdom Chi Kung, to help you easily integrate Inner Alchemy and Universal Healing Tao practices into your daily life. Providing a primer not only on the foundational practices of the Universal Healing Tao System but also a condensed guide to the esoteric practices of Inner Alchemy, Master Chia and William U. Wei show how these exercises were designed to increase longevity, providing you with enough time to master the more advanced spiritual techniques and ensure the survival of consciousness beyond death.

The World Upside Down

The World Upside Down
Author: Isabelle Robinet
Publisher:
Total Pages: 129
Release: 2011-07
Genre: Alchemy
ISBN: 9780984308262

This book contains four essays on Internal Alchemy (Neidan) by Isabelle Robinet, originally published in French and translated here for the first time into English. The essays are concerned with the alchemical principle of "inversion"; the devices used by the alchemists to "give form to the Formless by the word, and thus manifest the authentic and absolute Dao"; the symbolic function of numbers in Taoism and in Internal Alchemy; and the original meanings of the terms "External Elixir" (waidan) and "Internal Elixir" (neidan). Table of Contents Acknowledgements, vii 1. The World Upside Down in Taoist Internal Alchemy, 1 2. The Alchemical Language, or the Effort to Say the Contradictory, 17 3. Role and Meaning of Numbers in Taoist Cosmology and Alchemy, 45 4. On the Meaning of the Terms Waidan and Neidan, 75 Tables and Pictures, 103 Appendix: Works by Isabelle Robinet, 113 Glossary of Chinese Characters, 117 Works Quoted, 123