《高上玉皇心印经》

The superior medicines are of three kinds: Shen (spirit), Qi (vital energy), and Jing (essence). Their state is hazy and indistinct, remote and obscure, and difficult to describe in words.

Visualize the void while at the same time guarding the substantial things within the body, and success may come in a moment. Harmonize the breath within the body so that Yin-Yang revolves and blends together, and a hundred days of cultivation will show results.

Silently pay homage to the Supreme Deity (the highest god revered in Daoism), and after one ji (a ji being twelve years) one may ascend in flight. Those who understand the principles within find them easy to grasp; those who do not understand find them hard to practice.

Practice the Dao (the Way) of celestial light, and nourish pure Qi through breathing. The breath enters from a place of mystery and passes in and out from a place of depth; it seems to disappear, and yet it seems still to remain.

Only when breathing continues without break can the foundation be made firm. Everyone possesses Jing; Jing unites with Shen, Shen unites with Qi, and Qi unites with the true Dao. If one cannot obtain the true Dao, what is spoken of is no more than a name forcibly established.

When the intent of Shen is vigorous, one may pass into stone and may also cause the bodily form to soar; entering water, one will not drown, and entering fire, one will not be burned.

Shen arises by relying on bodily form, and Jing becomes full by relying on Qi. If Jing, Qi, and Shen can be kept from decay and loss, it is like the pine and the cypress remaining evergreen.

Jing, Qi, and Shen are originally one principle, and the mystery within them is difficult to put into words. When the three gather, there is accomplishment; when they disperse, they return to dissolution.

The seven orifices (the openings of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and so forth) communicate with one another, and every orifice is bright and transparent. The sacred sun and the sacred moon shine upon the Golden Court (the dwelling place of the deities within the body, as spoken of in Daoism).

Once the Dao is attained, it can be maintained for a long time, and one naturally feels the body light and vigorous. The Qi of Great Harmony (the peaceful and abundant primordial Qi) fills the entire body, and the bones seem transformed into clear, cold fine jade.

To obtain the Elixir—the Neidan (internal alchemy) attained through cultivation—is to be able to commune with the numinous; not to obtain the Elixir is to decline. The Elixir lies within one’s own body; it is neither white nor blue-green.

Recite this Jing (scripture) over and over, ten thousand times, and the subtle principles will become clear of themselves.

End of the Heart-Seal Scripture of the Exalted Jade Emperor.