《上清秘道九精回曜合神上真玉经》

The Dongling Shangqing (Upper Minister of Grotto Spirit) of Qingxuanfu (Azure Mystery Mansion), who oversees instruction and Siming (Controller of Destinies) affairs, after receiving the appointment conferred by the Siming, was commanded by Jinque Shangbao (Golden Palace Upper Protector) and Immortal Siming Yang Jun to have Donghua Dianbao Qingyi Xiansheng Li Jun transmit to him the Shangqing Secret Dao Nine Jing (essences) Returning Radiance Uniting Shen (spirit) Upper Perfected Jade Formula (the secretly transmitted Shangqing cultivation oral instructions).

In the Yanmao year (the year of Xu), Li Jun, through the recommendation of Beidou Dusi Shangzhen Jinhua Furen Jiang Zhen (Northern Dipper Capital Office Upper Perfected Golden Flower Lady Jiang Zhen), transmitted the oral formula to Dongling at Nanlong and conveyed the instructions of the Shangbao: “The Shangqing Secret Dao Nine Jing Returning Radiance Uniting Shen Upper Perfected Jade Formula is the profound cultivation method of the Siming. Unless one is charged with instructing the lower perfected of the world, or unless one’s name is inscribed in jade slips with golden characters, possessing great talent and virtue and destined to serve as Siming, one cannot hear this formula. After nine years of cultivation, one may govern the golden chamber within the palace and assemble with the host of Siming perfected; continued practice enables return to the Yuzhen (Jade Perfected) realm. With prolonged cultivation, purple lightning issues from the eyes, nine rays of light sway from the crown of the head, and coughing and whistling sounds appear capable of driving wind and clouds, ultimately uniting and transforming with the Dao of Heaven.

“If the formula is leaked, the Water Official will take up the brush to record the transgression; if the written text is made public, the Nine Jing will depart. Recipients of the method must swear an oath and kneel in petition before Donghua. Those whose own cultivation remains incomplete must not arbitrarily transmit it to later students. This is an extremely solemn prohibition that must be observed with reverence.”

The oral formula states: Before Mid-Autumn, one should observe fasting, purification, washing, and bathing. On the night of Mid-Autumn, change into new clothes and hat and burn precious incense in the courtyard. The so-called precious incense refers to amber, an... [The original text is fragmentary here and repeats earlier phrases such as “kneel in petition before Donghua,” making it impossible to determine the content after the character “an.”]

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the lunar calendar, one must first fast and bathe. On the evening of Mid-Autumn Day itself, change into clean new clothes and a cap, then burn precious incense in the courtyard. The “precious incense” referred to here is a blend of amber, benzoin, jiangzhen incense, and agarwood.

Quiet the mind and gaze intently upward at the sky, observing shooting stars or other lights and qi of differing colors. If an unusual light is perceived appearing on the left, mentally summon it and inhale it into the pupil of the left eye; proceed likewise for the right side. If light is obtained from only one side, wait until the following Mid-Autumn Festival to complete the other; if both left and right are obtained, this stage of cultivation is regarded as accomplished.

After drawing both lights into the two eyes, immediately return indoors, sit facing south with hands joined, and concentrate on visualization: regard the two eyes as the sun and moon, allowing them to rise together into the Mingtang (Hall of Light). The Mingtang is the site about one inch inward between the eyebrows. Visualize the lights of sun and moon meeting and intersecting within the Mingtang. The scripture states that all 365 degrees of the entire body will feel stirring, steaming, and coagulation; this describes the bodily and mental sensations that should be visualized and experienced during the practice.

Next visualize an essence like flowing oil appearing between the sun and moon, descending into the Mingtang and displaying rich five-colored radiance that is warm and slightly hot. The practitioner should believe they truly feel this flowing essence, then visualize it returning into the pupils of sun and moon. Burn the precious incense and recite:

Summon the brightness, absorb the luminous shadows, using wondrous methods to penetrate the divine mystery. The numinous youth (lingtong) opens the images; the Supreme True One True transforms and generates as the Taishang and Taiyi Honored Spirits. Tread the stellar networks of the stars, follow the position of the Kui star, revolve the light of the Nine Essences, refine and unite my original Qi (yuanqi), renewing a hundred blessings. Hold the registers and govern lifespan, ultimately ascending to the court of the Heavenly Emperor.

After reciting the incantation, sleep peacefully. The next evening do not visualize but simply go to sleep. Continue in this manner for nine consecutive nights. On the ninth night at midnight, burn precious incense and visualize the Mingtang. At this time there is no need to guide deliberately with mental intention; one should naturally see the five-colored flowing essence and visualize it giving birth to a jade infant the size of a lotus-seed heart. This infant is named Wushang Zhenxuan (Supreme True Mystery).

Once it is clearly seen, knock the teeth nine times, cover both ears with the hands, and pray:

Morning Pivot of rosy-cloud contemplation, the Taiyi spirit wanders and resides in the palatial chamber. O my Mysterious True One, emerge from the Mingtang and sit upright. You are the original true Qi of Heaven and Earth at the beginning, emitting five-colored jade light. Whether walking, sitting, or in movement and rest, you accompany me, helping me to penetrate and become manifest. You can control destiny, command the assembled True Ones, hold the office of Director of Destinies, sit at ease on the golden couch, and grant me boundless longevity.

In the early morning, the Pivot Star of the Northern Dipper (Beidou) shines upon the dwelling amid the rosy clouds, while the spirit of Taiyi tours the palaces. Mysterious and yet more mysterious is the wonder in my heart; I emerge and sit upright in the Hall of Light. The primordial true Qi (vital energy) of heaven and earth transforms into five-colored jade radiance, circulating with movement and breath, communicating with me so that I become manifest; it constrains and commands the true spirits of the lower realms, oversees the affairs of the Director of Destinies, and sits at ease upon a golden couch. In this way one may enjoy years without end, allowing the names of the Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue/Power) to spread their fragrance.

After reciting the incantation, place both hands upon the knees and visualize the nine stars of the Northern Dipper appearing brightly in the sky. Next visualize purple Qi rising within the Hall of Light, connecting upward like a rainbow to the Tiao star of the Northern Dipper. Then the pupil-spirits of the two eyes appear, the left named Taizhen and the right named Yizhen; they ascend into the Hall of Light, raise the Jade Infant of Taiyi, and mount the purple Qi.

Visualize the Consort together with the two pupil-spirits guiding Taiyi first to the Jade True Abode in the Celestial Court. Bow in homage to Taiyi, praying for long life and seeking the protection of the assembled Perfected of the Director of Destinies. At this moment one should feel a slight itching in the Celestial Court region, as though something were gently tapping between the eyebrows.

Then visualize them guiding Taiyi from the purple Qi to ascend into the Tiao star, where an Imperial Lord greets and honors Taiyi. Visualize again the Consort and two pupil-spirits leading Taiyi to the Jade True Abode of the Celestial Court; bow to Taiyi, praying for longevity and the blessing of the assembled Perfected of the Director of Destinies; the Celestial Court area should still tingle slightly, as if something touches the space between the brows. Next visualize them leading Taiyi from the purple Qi into the Tiao star; an Imperial Lord welcomes Taiyi, registering one’s name in the Book of Life and striking it from the Register of Death. Taiyi together with oneself and the two pupil-spirits proceeds once more along the path of the nine stars; thereafter Taiyi sits within the Imperial Star, while the two pupil-spirits and oneself stand guard on either side.

After a short while, visualize oneself suddenly riding the nine stars of the Northern Dipper as they descend from the heights, red light and purple mist interweaving to envelop the whole body and alighting separately in various bodily locations: the left breast called Dengchen Shu (Ascending Dawn Pivot), the right breast Shengxia Guan (Rising-Mist Observatory), the right flank Zhenren Ju (Dwelling of the Perfected), the left flank Ziyuan Fang (Chamber of the Purple Source), above the chin Xuan Ni Deng (Hanging Rainbow Terrace), the philtrum together with the mountain-root of the nasal bridge and the hollow of the nostrils Gulin Jing (Valley of Approaching Stillness), the Celestial Court at the crown Ye Dijun (Audience with the Imperial Lord), the left eye Qingtian (Azure Field), the right eye Jinku (Golden Cavern). The original text contains a lacuna marked “□” at this point, so the precise manner in which these luminous vapors take up their stations can no longer be determined.

Visualize the stellar network emitting red light that penetrates and coils about the entire body; purple Qi flows like streaming rosy clouds, merging into and coursing through the hundred vessels, while the nine stars stand out clearly in their respective positions. Then visualize Taiyi and the two pupil-spirits riding together upon the red light of the stellar net, touring and sitting in contemplation among the Nine Palaces, finally returning to the Jade True Abode. At this juncture Taiyi should be caused to return to the appropriate station according to the sequence of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Once more visualize Taiyi and the two pupil-spirits mounting the red light of the stellar net, circulating and seated in visualization among the Nine Palaces, then returning to the Jade True Abode and the Resting Court. The correspondences of the Ten Heavenly Stems are: Jia at Dengchen Shu, Yi at Shengxia Guan, Bing at Zhenren Ju, Ding at Ziyuan Fang, Wu at Xuan Ni Deng, Ji at Gulin Jing, Geng at Ye Dijun, Xin at the Jade True Abode, Ren at Qingtian, Gui at Jinku.

Upon completion, rub the Red Residence (a designation in Daoist inner alchemy for the region of the heart), tug the ears, lick the lips, and stroke the chest, then offer the following prayer:

Taiyi, the Daoist deity of utmost truth and sincerity, supports and guides the eyes of the practitioner. The Nine Star Gods heed the command and arrive at the Jade Palace; divine light surrounds the body, making one seem united with heaven and earth. The novice of the Dao is then commanded to mount a flying dragon, wear a ceremonial robe adorned with vermilion crow patterns, beat drums and sound bells; through visualization (cunsi) one enters the formless realm and thereby attains lasting existence without decline.

After reciting the incantation, one must forget one's physical form. Practice is undertaken once every nine days; after nine years the method of the Dao will be greatly accomplished. The Azure Lord of the Upper Palace will grant the practitioner a register symbolizing control over lifespan and record their name among the various heavens. After one hundred days of practice one may dream of five-colored things or of pheasant-like birds; this indicates that the Taiyi God of the Taiyi Palace has descended upon the practitioner.

During the period of practice one should avoid eating fish, dried meats, geese, and bamboo fruits; on other days there is no restriction on diet. If one has not completely abstained from food and merely concentrates on this method of cultivation, one will still violate the Jade Prohibitions. If one can practice bigu (abstaining from ordinary food) and cultivate according to this, the efficacy can be increased tenfold.

The bigu formula of Qingtongjun (the Azure Youth Lord) is also suitable to combine with this method. Take one shi of chicken-head seeds (Euryale, qianshi), remove the shells, then decoct five liang of qingmuxiang root in one shi of water and soak the seeds in it. During the three fu days of summer add three jin of Poria powder and ten liang of cinnabar powder, mix well, place in a wooden steamer and steam for one fu period, then sun-dry and store in a green pouch. Each time it is consumed, moisten with honey water and steam until cooked as in preparing ordinary meals, taking it three times a day; thus one will not feel hungry. Even without combining it with other practices, taking this formula can delay aging and extend longevity.