《上清回神飞霄登空招五星上法经》

The Shangqing scripture titled "The Supreme Method of Recalling the Shen, Flying through the Empyrean, Ascending into Emptiness, and Summoning the Five Stars" describes a method of Daoist cultivation practiced through fasting and purification, visualization, and regulation of the breath. Practitioners are said to be able to communicate upward with the heavenly realms, free themselves from the bonds of the physical body, and attune themselves to the transformations of all things, ultimately ascending to the immortal realm. This technique is regarded as an extremely subtle secret method, transmitted only to those who are truly suitable. Understanding the principles is easy, but actual cultivation is difficult, and therefore especial caution and secrecy are required.

When cultivating, one should choose days such as Jiazi, Jiawu, Yiyou, Yimao, Jichou, Jiwei, Wuchen, or Wuxu. After bathing and observing a fast of purification, enter a quiet chamber. Sitting or lying posture is unrestricted; slightly close the eyes and clasp the hands together in front of the heart. Then visualize within the mind the Azure Thearch of the East, Tongming (the Eastern deity, courtesy name Gaiqing): he wears a green headcloth, green robes, a green crown, and green shoes, and is adorned with the emblem of penetrating light and yang mists, entering the practitioner’s body.

Next visualize the four true Shen within the liver, one of whom is called Qingming Jun, courtesy name Minglun Tongzi, who constantly resides in the liver, guarding the passages of the stomach and the area beneath the fatty membranes, blocking the Qi of death, and sending down for the practitioner such essences as azure Jing, moon water, and jade zhi. Then visualize the luminous Jing-Qi of the Year Star (Jupiter), inhale it through the mouth and swallow it ninety times so that the Qi fills the liver mansion. After cultivating in this way for nine years, it is said that nine Azure-Waisted Jade Maidens of the East will attend at one’s side.

Next, visualize the Red Emperor of the South (the divine sovereign of the southern direction), whose name is Taiyang and whose courtesy name is Huanlin. He wears a red head-cloth and red robes, a red crown and red shoes, and carries a talismanic seal called the "Seal of the Four Radiances of Cinnabar and Jade" (Silang Zhubi zhi Zhang). Then see him enter your own body.

Next, visualize the Lord Emperor of Primal Cinnabar within the Crimson Palace (Jianggong, the palace of the heart). His name is Shenyunzhu, his courtesy name is Zinandan, and he is also called Shengshangbo, and the Red Emperor, named Taiyang with the courtesy name Huanlin. He wears a red head-cloth and red robes, a red crown and red shoes, and carries the "Seal of the Four Radiances of Cinnabar and Jade." See him enter your body. Visualize as well the Lord Emperor of Primal Cinnabar within the Crimson Palace, whose name is Shenyunzhu and whose courtesy name is Zinandan, also known as Shengshangbo and Shi Yunju. He dwells permanently in the Crimson Palace, guarding the gateways of the neck bones and the head, cutting off the paths along which the Qi (vital energy) of death travels, and sending down to you cinnabar Jing (essence), red water, and jade fungus. Then visualize the radiant essence of Yinghuo (Mars, the Fire Star), draw it in through the mouth and swallow it, eighty times in all, until red Qi fills the Crimson Palace. If you practice in this way for nine years, eight Jade Maidens of the Southern Red Tablet will attend you at your side.

Next, visualize the White Emperor of the West (the divine sovereign of the western direction), whose name is Tongyin and whose courtesy name is Yuanqi. He wears a white head-cloth and plain robes, a white crown and white shoes, and carries a talismanic seal called the "Seal of Luminous Spirit and Supporting Rarity" (Haoling Fuxi zhi Zhang). Then see him enter your own body.

Next, visualize the six true spirits within the lungs, whose name is Lord of Supreme Plainness (Shang Su Jun) and whose courtesy name is Liangnan Zhongtong. They dwell permanently in the lungs, guarding the twelve gates of the lungs, cutting off the paths along which the Qi of death travels, and sending down to you the elixir of white fungus, lunar water, and jade Jing. Then visualize the essential light of Taibai (Venus, the Metal Star), draw it in through the mouth and swallow it, sixty times in all, until the Qi of the star fills the lungs. If you practice in this way for nine years, the Jade Maidens of Great Plainness will send down the white fungus, lunar water, and jade-essence elixir, and six of these Jade Maidens will attend you at your side.

Then visualize the Black Emperor of the North (the deity of the north), whose name is Tongshen and whose courtesy name is Zigu. He wears a green headscarf and black robes, together with a green crown and green shoes, and is adorned with the talismanic seal called the Emblem of the Luxuriant True Flute Phoenix; allow him to enter your body. Next visualize the seven True Lords within the kidneys, one of whom is named Xuanyang Jun, courtesy name Mingguang Xiansheng. He constantly stations himself in the two kidneys, guarding the Earth Portal at the spine, blocking the channel through which death Qi (vital energy) enters, and causing the water of the mysterious-yin elixir ganoderma and nine liquids to descend upon you.

Next visualize the essence radiance of the Northern Chen star (Mercury). Inhale it through the mouth and swallow it fifty times, allowing the stellar Qi to fill both kidneys. After nine years of this practice, five Tai Xuan Jade Maidens will stand in attendance beside you.

Then visualize the Yellow Emperor of the Center (the deity of the center), named Wanfu, courtesy name Taicang. He wears a yellow headscarf and yellow robes, together with a yellow crown and yellow shoes, and is adorned with the talismanic seal called the Emblem of the Central Origin Eight-Directions Jade Gate; allow him to enter your body. Next visualize the five True Lords within the spleen, one of whom is named Yangguang Jun, courtesy name Taichangzi. He constantly stations himself in the spleen, guarding the Portal of the Extreme Root, blocking the channel through which death Qi enters, and bringing you yellow water, lunar florescence, and jade-embryo elixir ganoderma.

Next visualize the essence radiance of the Central Zhen star (Saturn). Inhale it through the mouth and swallow it twelve times, allowing the stellar Qi to fill the spleen. After nine years of this practice, twelve Huangsu Jade Maidens will stand in attendance beside you.

Then visualize the Yuan Father Lord of the Upper Origin, named Gaotongsheng, courtesy name Zuohuiming, together with the Mysterious Mother of the Lower Origin, named Shuhuowang, courtesy name Youhuiguang. These two deities guard the root of your natal destiny, seal the source of death Qi, and bring you yang ganoderma and yin Jing (essence) to nourish the body.

Next visualize the two radiances of sun and moon illuminating the entire body. Inhale the colored light through the mouth and swallow it thirty-six times, so that the luminous Qi fills the Dantian (energy center) palace below the navel. After nine years of this practice the face will display a golden luster and flowing radiance will appear in the eyes; one will also be able to command the Six Jia and dispatch the Six Ding at will.

The Zhenren (a person who has attained the Dao (the Way)) comes to the quiet chamber and visualizes (employing contemplative imagery to concentrate the Shen (spirit)) the true deities of the Five Directional Emperor Lords and the two luminaries of sun and moon. When the ritual is complete, he offers this prayer:

“The Five Stars intertwine and encircle one another, their radiance circulating and shining inward. The two luminaries of sun and moon transform into flying rosy clouds, nourishing the Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) of the five viscera. The true deities stand guard within the body, preserving Huangning (a state of physical and mental peace with abundant essence and vital energy) for a long time. Taiyi (the supreme deity honored in Daoism) exercises his cosmic planning, transforming the embryonic origin so that old age is reversed and infancy restored. The liver and lungs congeal their refined essence; the heart and kidneys brim with luminous splendor; the spleen preserves the Zhongyuan (the primordial Qi of the body’s central region); and from this the Five Zhi (symbolizing numinous medicines and the essence-Qi of the immortals) grow forth. The precious light of sun and moon merges into one with the radiance of the Emperor Lords, enabling me to soar through the empty void and ascend into Yuqing (Jade Purity, the highest heavenly realm spoken of in Daoism) to have audience with the Heavenly Worthy.”

The practices of recalling the spirits, nourishing them, summoning the Five Stars, and flying up into empty space conclude at this point. If one is able to cultivate for nine years, never ceasing in visualization and prayer, the true numina will manifest within the body. The Sanyuan (Three Origins—the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, or the three primordial spirit-Qi associated with the human body) will come to the quiet chamber, causing death-Qi to withdraw far from the Nine Chambers (the dwellings of the various inner deities), and will register the name of life in the Southern Palace (the heavenly place that governs the register of life). The practitioner receives the mysterious revelations of the Five Spirits, swallows the Qi of the two luminaries of sun and moon, and thereby attains enduring existence. The five viscera congeal their refined essence and do not decay; the hun and po souls are settled and guarded; and lifespan is thereby prolonged.

The Superior Method of Settling the Spirits, Nourishing Life, and Inner Visualization for Flying to Immortality

The Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei (the Celestial Emperor who dwells in the Taiwei Heaven) settles and guards the Shen, and registers the practitioner in the life-register of the Southern Palace. The practitioner receives the mysterious revelations of the Five Spirits, swallows the Qi of the two luminaries of sun and moon in quest of enduring existence, causing the five viscera to congeal their refined essence without decaying, the hun and po souls to be settled and guarded, and lifespan to be prolonged.

The Superior Method of Settling the Spirits, Nourishing Life, and Inner Visualization for Flying to Immortality

The Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei settles and guards the Shen. This method, through inner visualization, unbinds the embryonic knots, disperses stagnant accumulations, stabilizes the hun and po souls, and brings body and mind into union with the mysterious true Dao. It opens the Six Palaces (the six fu organs within the human body) and endows the five sense organs with numinous Qi. When the practitioner swallows the breath and visualizes the true deities, it is as if fragrant numinous mushrooms grow within the body; the stomach meridians connect and flow freely; the spirit becomes clear and the body light and vigorous. The jade carriage (the vehicle of the immortal realm) then arrives, enabling the practitioner to ascend into the heavens in broad daylight.

One should regularly practice fasting and bathing, burn incense and enter a quiet chamber, still the thoughts of the mind, cast aside worries and worldly dust, allowing the mental state to become suddenly open and entirely unobstructed. Concentrate intently on visualization until remaining sleepless through the night; only by achieving this can one behold the true form and cause the wandering spirit-soul to return.

Every morning at dawn, sit upright facing east, slightly close both eyes, and clearly visualize in the mind the forms and colors of the deities, calling each by their proper name, inviting them to return and settle securely in their original palaces (the respective parts of the body they inhabit), then knock the teeth thirty-six times.

Next visualize the various Shen (spirits) within the body: the Hair Shen named Canghua, styled Taiyuan, two cun and one fen in height; the Brain Shen named Jinggen, styled Niwan, one cun and one fen in height; the Eye Shen named Mingshang, styled Yingxuan, three cun in height; the Nose Shen named Yulong, styled Lingjian, two cun and five fen in height; the Ear Shen named Kongxian, styled Youtian, three cun and one fen in height; the Tongue Shen named Tongming, styled Zhenglun, seven cun in height; the Tooth Shen named Eefeng, styled Luoqian, one cun and five fen in height. These seven facial Shen all wear flying gauze skirts and appear in the form of infants.

Carefully visualize their appearances so that they stand in orderly array upon the face, each garrisoning its proper location. When this is complete, knock the teeth twenty-four times more, swallow Qi (vital energy) twelve times, then recite: “The wondrous numinous origin emits primordial Qi, which congeals to become Shen. The various Shen are distributed before and behind, jointly governing the Niwan (the important divine palace of the head); above and below they support one another, and the seven Shen each appear. The spirit-forms circulate and transform, cherishing and nurturing Huayuan (the Qi of the Shen within the body), guiding the numinous Qi of the eight directions, rushing upward to enter the cavern gate, protecting the body and gathering the spirit-radiance, causing one to ascend to Dichen (the dwelling of the celestial Shen).”

Next, visualize the heart Shen (spirit): the heart Shen is named Danyuan, courtesy name Shouling, standing nine cun in height; the lung Shen is named Haohua, courtesy name Xucheng, eight cun in height; the liver Shen is named Longyan, courtesy name Hecangming, seven cun in height; the kidney Shen is named Xuanming, courtesy name Yuying, three cun and six fen in height; the spleen Shen is named Changzai, courtesy name Hunting, seven cun and three fen in height; the gallbladder Shen is named Longyao, courtesy name Weiming, three cun and six fen in height.

These six true Shen of the inner palaces all wear cinnabar-red brocade robes and fluttering sashes, dwelling within the five viscera and six bowels. Their forms resemble infants, their complexion as vivid as flowers, like bright-faced children. In visualization one must concentrate with clarity, perceiving their appearances in sequence; from morning until evening continually hold them in mind without forgetting. Then knock the teeth twenty-four times, swallow Qi (vital energy) twelve times, and recite the invocation:

The true Shen of the five viscera and six bowels return together to their positions, collectively governing the Crimson Palace (the dwelling of the heart Shen), following one another from above and below. The infant in the Golden Chamber (referring to the inner spirits) separately guards the four gates; within the secluded inner chambers and mysterious palaces, the spirit hall oversees the pivotal mechanism. Yin-Yang mix and transform to generate the Shen, the True Qi subtle and refined. May the True Qi guard and refine-nourish the Dantian (energy center, the inner site of cultivation), its radiance matching the sun and moon, enabling me to unite with the Eight Scenes (the immortal True Ones and numinous realms of Daoism), so that form and Shen together ascend and fly.

Then visualize the three true spirits within the Jing (essence) and blood: they are named Yuansheng Jun, courtesy name Huangningzi, who constantly reside and guard at the source below my two orifices. Visualize the two true spirits within the bone joints: they are named Jianyu Jun, courtesy name Ningyuzhu, who garrison the Palace of the Great Granary (the stomach) and the entrance to the five viscera and six bowels. Visualize the one true spirit within the heart: he is named Tianjing Jinye Jun, courtesy name Feisheng Shangying, who garrisons the place where the four directions meet in my chest. Visualize the Nine-Origin True Male: he is named Juzhi, courtesy name Sanyang, who garrisons the Fuchen Gate in my left ear. Visualize the Sovereign-One Soul Female: she is named Shanggui, courtesy name Dizi, who garrisons the Fuchen Gate in my right ear.

Visualize the Purple-Plain Left Origin Lord: she is named Yiyu Wuren, courtesy name Anlai Shang, who garrisons the head and face. The Yellow-Plain Central Wu Lord: he is named Yuanhua Huangren, courtesy name Taizhang Shang, who garrisons the chest and abdomen. The White-Plain Right Origin Lord: he is named Qiming Xiaoren, courtesy name Jinmen Shang, who garrisons the lower pass. Visualize the Director of Destinies in the sun, named Jiesheng, who garrisons the left hand. Visualize the Peach Lord in the moon, named Fangying, who garrisons the right hand.

Visualize the One-Origin White Qi (vital energy) Lord in the embryo, named Wuxuanzi, courtesy name Yushangsheng, together with the Taiyi Essence-Soul, named Xuanguizi, courtesy name Shengchang. These two true spirits garrison the knot above the five viscera, that is, the root of the laryngeal prominence. Visualize the Green Qi Lord in the knot, named Anyanchang, courtesy name Heheying, together with the Origin Lord Essence-Soul, named Baogutong, courtesy name Mingfu. These two true spirits garrison below the five viscera and above the great stomach. Visualize the Black Qi Lord in the joints, named Binlaisheng, courtesy name Jingshangmen, together with the Imperial True Essence-Soul, named Youtaisheng, courtesy name Guanshangsheng. These two true spirits garrison the entrance of the nine intestines, below the hidden source. Visualize the Yellow Qi Lord in the womb, named Zumingche, courtesy name Shenwuji, together with the Heavenly Emperor Essence-Soul, named Liweicang, courtesy name Fazhu. These two true spirits garrison within the lower abdomen at the root of the two orifices. Visualize the Red Qi Lord in the blood, named Hunlizi, courtesy name Shubaojian, together with the Director of Destinies Essence-Soul, named Faniuzi, courtesy name Qingxuan. These two true spirits garrison the meeting place of the blood vessels throughout the body, below the joints where the blood vessels are interrupted.

Visualize the Upper Mysterious Origin Father Lord, named Gaotongsheng, courtesy name Zuohuiming; the Lower Origin Mysterious Mother, named Shuhuowang, courtesy name Youhuiguang; the Sovereign Emperor Taiyi, named Chongmingkong, courtesy name Youliaowu; the Nine Emperor Venerable, named Mingzhen, courtesy name Zhongdisheng; the Great Emperor Essence-Soul, named Youyangtangyu, courtesy name Baling; the Nine Passes Soul, named Lühuidao, courtesy name Jueming; and the Heavenly Record Emperor Soul, named Zhaowua, courtesy name Guangshen. These seven deities garrison the foundation of my original destiny and seal the portals that lead to death.

Visualize all the aforementioned True Ones from the head all the way to the navel, with every location clear and distinct. In this way the golden liquid is made to circulate throughout the entire body, the jade florescence illuminates the hun and po souls, Shen (spirit) Qi fills the deep viscera and intestines, and imperial Qi saturates the nine passes. The ancestors of seven generations are thereby liberated from the Three Paths (the three realms of suffering in the underworld) and receive a new gestation in the Southern Palace. The assembled spirits garrison the entire body, dispersing true Qi and thereby securing longevity.

After the ritual is completed, knock the teeth thirty-nine times and then recite the following prayer:

Qi (vital energy) arises from Non-being and, when condensed, becomes Shen (spirit). Yang Qi is firm and solid on the outside while Yin Qi is generated within; the two forces of Yin-Yang interweave in their circulation, joining together to form the primordial Ling (the fundamental spirituality). The inner true Shen guards and protects the nine orifices of the body (the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and other apertures), dispersing true Qi so that life is thereby made secure. After completing this, knock the teeth thirty-nine times and recite the prayer:

Qi arises from Non-being and, when condensed, becomes Shen. Yang Qi is firm and solid on the outside while Yin Qi is generated within; the two forces of Yin-Yang interweave in their circulation, joining together to form the primordial Ling. The inner true Shen protects the body, conferring vitality on the nine orifices, preserving the hun and po souls, pacifying the host of spirits, guarding my three passes (the important gateways of Qi circulation within the human body), causing the flowery zhi (the numinous fungi that symbolize the immortal Qi of the transcendents) to fill and abound, so that they rise together with me, jointly reaching Jade Clarity (the Qingwei Heaven of the Daoist tradition).

When the prayer is completed, swallow the Qi thirty-nine times. By this the thirty-nine portals (referring here to the gateways of Shen and Qi within the body) are secured, allowing the breath to circulate and nourish the entire body. If one can set aside all attachments and remain unbound by the dusty affairs of the mundane world, still the heart and even the mind, clearly contemplate the empty chamber (the inner visualized realm of purity and stillness), turn the gaze inward in inner vision, settle the Shen and stabilize the hun and po; so that dead Qi does not invade the nine portals and vital force guards the upper pass. Repeatedly circulate the visualization and recite the prayer as if conversing face to face with the spirits. Persist day and night for three years and the true Shen will appear; the brilliant radiance (the light of Jing (essence), Qi and Shen spoken of in inner cultivation) returns to its root, decayed teeth grow anew, the Qi of the five viscera interconnect, and the interior is replenished and made full. One may then command the Six Jia and drive the Six Ding (the protective spirit-generals of Daoism), causing guests from the Nine Heavens to arrive at one's dwelling, with the spirits descending in three-plain canopied carriages (the cloud-vehicles of the immortals). Thereupon Shen and Qi soar aloft, the physical form is lifted, and one ascends in broad daylight to the immortal realm.

What has been said above is the divine treasure of the Superior Perfected (the highest class of true immortals), named the “Inner Characters.” It resides and guards within the interior of the human body, circulating the Qi of the Nine Heavens and consolidating the functions of the six receptacles (the six fu organs). The generation and transformation of the Jing-Qi of all things is governed by Shen; when Shen is present to guard, life continues, and when Shen departs, life perishes. With sincere and diligent cultivation, accumulating sympathetic responses, one may ascend to the True at dawn.

The precious name of the Shen (spirit) of the Highest Perfected is its designation within the human body, where it stands guard. It circulates the Qi (vital energy) of the Nine Heavens, thereby stabilizing the six fu-organs and the functions of every part of the body. All transformations and generations of Jing (essence) and Qi are governed by Shen: when Shen remains within the body a person lives; when Shen departs, the person dies. Through sincere cultivation and the continual accumulation of spiritual resonance, the physical form can be made to ascend to the Mysterious Palace (the immortal realm of which Daoism speaks).

In seeking the Dao (the Way) of immortality, if one neither knows the names of form and Shen within the body nor understands how to seal the “death gates” (orifices believed to allow Jing and Qi to leak outward and thereby hinder cultivation), how can longevity be hoped for? Those who practice this Dao must not personally come into contact with defilement, nor eat the five pungents (onions, garlic, and other strongly aromatic vegetables) or consume wine and meat; these offend the orthodox Qi and cause Shen to leave the body.

People know that savory foods can satisfy the mouth and belly and that official ranks and salaries can confer worldly prestige, yet they fail to realize that craving for the pleasures of the mouth and belly is like an axe that injures life, while the pursuit of luxurious emoluments becomes the very source that depletes one’s true nature. Therefore the spirit-immortals love purity and seclusion; they neither lodge themselves in the dusty world nor reveal their traces among ordinary folk. Those who nourish life ought to be cautious in this regard.

The Shangqing Jing (scripture/classic) of Recalling the Shen, Flying through the Empyrean, Ascending into Emptiness, and Summoning the Five Stars: Upper Method. End.

Note: The character “name” has been supplied on the basis of the surrounding context.