《上清胎精记解结行事诀》

The upper Bao (the inner bodily location mentioned in the scripture) has four knots: the first knot lies in the Niwan (the spirit residence within the head), the second in the mouth, the third in the two cheeks, and the fourth in the Yue (the inner bodily location indicated by the scripture). To untie these four knots of the upper section, enter the chamber in the early morning of one’s Benming day (the day corresponding to one’s birth), burn incense, face northwest and perform nine bows in homage to the Original Father of the Nine Heavens, knock the teeth nine times, and thrice invoke his secret name “Daohui.” Then face southeast, perform three bows, and thrice invoke the secret name of the Mysterious Mother of the Nine Heavens, “Dunhuan.”

Thereafter sit facing one’s natal direction, close the eyes, and visualize the Original Father nine cun nine fen in height, wearing a sash of mysterious-yellow plain numen, his head covered by a seven-layered pearl-jade headcloth and a Wuji cap of advancing worthies. He dwells in the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Jade Palace above the Nine Heavens, the Jade Treasure Mansion, Cinnabar Spirit Township, and Cavern Origin Hamlet. Riding a flying carriage of azure mist, attended by twelve flying dragons and twenty-four immortals, he descends from heaven into one’s body and takes charge of regulation within the Niwan realm.

Next visualize the Mysterious Mother six cun six fen in height, wearing a nine-colored sash of azure-treasure divine-light brocade embroidered with frost gauze, her head crowned with a purple-origin mysterious-yellow precious diadem. She resides above the Nine Qi of the Limitless, in the Jade Forest Seven-Gleam Cinnabar Chamber, the Jade Treasure Cavern Origin Mansion, Nine Light Township, and Upper Clarity Hamlet. Riding a flying-essence feathered canopy of purple clouds, attended by twelve phoenixes and thirty-six jade maidens, she descends from heaven into one’s body and takes charge of regulation within the facial Dongfang (the spirit residence of the face).

Visualize the father and mother transforming into cyan and yellow Qi (vital energy) that intertwine and merge above the head and face. When the visualization is complete, knock the teeth nine times and softly recite the incantation, saying:

This person has received the generative and transforming Qi (vital energy) of the Nine Numina, yet the breath has not coalesced with sufficient purity and harmony; blockages and knots at the joints obstruct the numinous gates. Now I respectfully report to the High Heaven according to my natal destiny: May the Primordial Father and Mysterious Mother shine down upon my body from above, causing the Eight Scenes (Bajing, the eight places of numinous brightness within the body) to shine forth together and the True Ones of the Nine Heavens to descend in unison, releasing for me the fourfold knots and stagnations of the upper body, clearing the embryonic roots so that numinous Qi circulates back and replenishes the portals; causing the nine orifices to coagulate into immortality, the inner fetal origin to be refined and transmuted, the Nine Elixirs to concentrate Jing (essence) and Shen (spirit), the azure Qi to transform into vermilion Qi, and the two Qi of Yin and Yang to interweave unceasingly, so that lifespan equals that of the sun, moon, and stars and one enjoys eternally a longevity of hundreds of millions of years.

When the invocation is completed, swallow Qi eighty-one times, then stop.

Next visualize the Heavenly King of Yudan Immeasurable Heaven. His surname is Hun and his taboo name is “(rain-ladle)(rain-ladle) Luo.” He wears a nine-colored, seamless fur robe with natural mottled patterns and a blazing-essence crown in the form of a solar disk. He dwells within the Purple Chamber of the Boundless Mysterious Terrace at heaven’s center, riding a nine-unicorn jade-wheeled chariot attended by twenty-four Jade Immortals.

Then visualize the Heavenly King of Highest Meditation-Goodness Immeasurable-Life Heaven. His surname is Xi and his taboo name is “(rain-fall)(rain-ladle)(rain-restraint).” He wears a nine-colored fur robe of accomplished will with cloud patterns and a crown of radiant essence and sunlight. He dwells in the Vermilion Forest Seven-Treasure Jade Terrace of the Heavenly King’s realm, riding a flying cyan feather canopy drawn by twelve mysterious turtles, accompanied by thirty-two Jade Youths of the Supreme Immortals of the Upper Palace.

Then visualize the Heavenly King of Xuyan Heaven. His surname is Zi and his taboo name is “(rain-lift)(rain-head) Luo.” He wears a nine-colored fur robe with three-method cloud patterns and the Heavenly Origin Precious Brightness. He dwells in the Cloud Capital Palace of the Heavenly Jade Capital, riding three-plain flying clouds drawn by nine-colored flying geese, attended by twenty-four Plain Numinous Jade Maidens.

Visualize these three Heavenly Kings arriving together upon one’s own body and head and face, transforming into three Qi of azure, purple, and yellow that mix like clouds. They enter through the orifices of the mouth, eyes, and nose, circulating around the entire face. Then raise the head and invoke, saying:

The Great King of the Three Heavens (an honored deity of the celestial realm) and the Nine Mysterious Numinous Immortals (high-ranking perfected immortals), please open the apertures and knots of my head, transforming them into nine kinds of spontaneously generated elixir Qi. Let the Jing (essence) Qi descend above the Golden Gate, where it meets and joins with the Qi of the Three True Ones, then flow into my body to accomplish my Shen (spirit). Wash away the death Qi, sever the fundamental bindings brought by the embryonic womb, so that the light of numinous intelligence becomes full and firmly established, and all manner of inauspicious misfortunes are cast off. Let every knot be unraveled and every joint receive the true Qi; let the mysterious radiance pervade the entire body, enabling me to perceive the profound and mysterious realm, to have my name listed among the Nine Heavens, to return to the embryonic origin and transform into an immortal, with both interior and exterior filled to abundance, the whole body becoming divine spirit.

After reciting this, raise the head and swallow the breath nine times. The recitation consists of: “Wash away the death Qi, sever the fundamental bindings brought by the embryonic womb, so that the light of numinous intelligence becomes full and firmly established, and all manner of inauspicious misfortunes are cast off. Let every knot be unraveled and every joint receive the true Qi; let the mysterious radiance pervade the entire body, enabling me to perceive the profound and mysterious realm, to have my name listed among the Nine Heavens, to return to the embryonic origin and transform into an immortal, with both interior and exterior filled to abundance, the whole body becoming divine spirit.”

After reciting this, again raise the head and swallow the breath nine times, then cease.

Next, visualize the eight Jing spirit youths of the upper body (the eight spirits of the upper part of the human body). Close the eyes and clearly contemplate them in the mind. The brain spirit is named Juewuzi, with the style name Daodu; he is one cun two fen in height, wears white brocade robes, and a three-beamed precious crown on his head. The hair spirit is named Xuanfuhua, with the style name Daoheng; he is two cun one fen in height, wears dark-colored cloud-patterned brocade robes, and the Wuji Jinxiang crown on his head. The skin spirit is named Tongzhongzhong, with the style name Daolian; he is one cun five fen in height, wears yellow brocade robes and a flying skirt, and the Three-Qi Precious Heavenly Crown on his head. The eye spirit is named Lingjiansheng, with the style name Daotong; he is three cun in height, wears garments with five-colored ornamental patterns, and the Tongtian crown on his head. The nape-marrow spirit is named Lingmogai, with the style name Daozhou; he is five cun in height, wears white brocade robes and a plain skirt, and a three-beamed precious crown on his head. The spirit of the spine is named Yilifu, with the style name Daozhu; he is three cun five fen in height, wears unadorned clothes the color of white jade, and the Xuanyuan precious crown on his head. The nose spirit is named Zhonglongyu, with the style name Daowei; he is two cun five fen in height, wears greenish-yellow brocade robes and a flying skirt, and the Yuanyou crown on his head. The tongue spirit is named Shiliangzhi, with the style name Daoqi; he is seven cun in height, wears deep crimson brocade robes and a flying skirt, and the Jinxiang crown on his head.

The original text concludes with “visualize the upper eight skirts, wearing the far-roaming crown,” which is suspected of containing errors, omissions, or problems from transmission and copying. “Eight skirts” does not correspond to the preceding “eight Jing spirit youths,” and the earlier text does not fully indicate that all eight spirit youths wear the Far-Roaming crown. Therefore it can only be understood according to the literal wording as “visualize the upper [part] \ldots wearing the far-roaming crown,” though the specific referent remains unclear.

The spirit of the tongue is named “Shiliangzhi,” styled “Daoqi.” He stands seven cun in height, clad in a deep crimson brocade robe and flying skirt, with an Advancing Worthies crown upon his head.

Visualize the Eight Scenes of the upper body (the eight deities or mechanisms of Qi (vital energy) in the upper region of the human form), allowing each to settle securely in its corresponding position, all appearing like infants. Then visualize them gathering together in solemn majesty, as if standing vividly before the eyes. Next knock the teeth eight times and softly recite this prayer:

“The eight Shen (spirits) of the upper Eight Scenes contain true Qi, condense Jing (essence), form the Nine Elixirs, and transform into my body. Countless carriages and horses scatter like clouds and mist, descending to encircle my head and face, spreading numinous Qi and divine power. Above they loosen the knots and stagnations within the joints; in the middle they eliminate the embryonic root; below they dispel hardenings and congestions, opening the Three Passes (the three Qi apertures spoken of in cultivation). The Eight Scenes guard my body, granting me the same longevity as the Shen. O Emperor Lord and Mysterious Mother (honored Daoist deities), please wind your way down to the lofty and luminous realm, bestow the Jade Flower upon me and let it abide within my person; make my complexion bright and ruddy, transforming my features into those of a Golden Immortal. Let the visionary scene shift like a flash of lightning, proceeding directly to the Gate of the Sun.”

When the prayer is finished, tilt the head back and swallow eight mouthfuls of Qi, then stop; afterward ingest the Fulu (talisman) that transforms into the Yang Numen of the Nine Elixirs.

The Fulu mentioned on the right is to be written in cinnabar on azure paper, three copies in all. Face one’s natal direction (the direction corresponding to the year of birth), knock the teeth nine times, and softly intone:

“The upper transformation of the nine Qi refines and transmutes the hundred Shen, internally regulating the Six Palaces (the inner dwellings of spirits and Qi), externally summoning the descent of the Great Immortals. The Emperor Lords each occupy their proper stations, while the Mysterious Mother enacts transformation and nurture. Untie the knots and stagnations, disperse the blockages, sever the embryonic root, rendering the body light and swift as if in flight, attuned to the natural circulation of the Qi mechanism. Let me rise together with you until we stand before the Emperor Lord.”

After reciting, swallow the Fulu in nine ingestions; the rite concludes here.

Within the embryonic region there are four knots, one of which lies among the five viscera. One must sever the embryonic root so that the body becomes light and swift as if flying, following the natural movement of the Qi mechanism, and rise together with me until we reach the presence of the Emperor Lord. After the rite ends, swallow the Fulu, taking it down in nine swallows.

Within the embryonic body there are four knots: the first lies among the five viscera, the second in the Great Granary (the stomach), the third in the large intestine, and the fourth in the small intestine. A practitioner who wishes to untie these four knots should, at noon on their natal day, enter a quiet chamber, burn incense, face northwest and bow nine times in homage to Yuanfu (the Original Father), knock the teeth nine times, and thrice invoke Yuanfu’s secret name. They then turn to face southeast, bow three times in homage to Xuanmu (the Mysterious Mother), and thrice invoke Xuanmu’s secret name.

Next they sit upright facing the directional position of their current year of fate, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes and visualize: Yuanfu stands nine cun and nine fen tall, draped in a sash of mysterious yellow and plain numinous essence that marks divine status, wearing a seven-layered pearl-and-jade turban together with a crown of infinite advancing nobility. He dwells in the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Qiong Palace above the Nine Heavens, within the Jade Treasure Mansion of Danling Township, Dongyuan Village. Riding a flying carriage of azure rosy clouds and attended by twelve flying dragons and twenty-four immortals, he descends from the northwest and enters the practitioner’s five viscera.

They next visualize Xuanmu, six cun and six fen tall, clad in a nine-colored sash of azure-treasure divine light, brocade embroidery and frost-like gauze, wearing a precious crown of purple primordial mysterious yellow. She dwells in the Qionglin Seven-Radiance Cinnabar Chamber above the Nine Heavens, the Jade Treasure Dongyuan Mansion of Jiuguang Township, Shangqing Village. Riding a flying-essence feather canopy of purple clouds and attended by twelve phoenixes and thirty-six jade maidens, she descends from the southeast and enters the practitioner’s five viscera.

The Father and Mother are then visualized transforming into cyan Qi (vital energy) and yellow Qi that blend into a spherical form resembling the sun, illuminating the five viscera so that radiance penetrates both within and without. The practitioner then raises the head and recites the incantation:

The father’s spiritual Qi (lingqi) and the mother’s essence Qi (jingqi), these two breaths attune and interfuse, condensing into nine kinds of elixir Qi (danqi) that form a fetal body resembling purple agate. It illuminates the Taiwei realm (a stellar region within the celestial court), its allotted fate commanding the nine spirits; the Emperor Lord (Dijun, a revered Daoist deity) deploys Shen power, circulating true Qi (zhenqi) and infusing life. The meridians of the five viscera interconnect, the six bowels become clear and unobstructed, the gastric passage opens, Shen intelligence grows keen, and the nine orifices shine brightly. Former stagnations dissolve, the newly formed fetal body flourishes more vigorously; the inner scenery of the body transforms, the marrow is refined, it dons the coronet and sash of the nine stars, three rays of solar, lunar, and stellar light guard its form, and it flies into the imperial court.

Upon completion, swallow forty-five mouthfuls of Qi, then cease.

Next visualize the Silent Heavenly King: his surname is Ban, his taboo name Xia (the original text has damaged characters here), clad in a seven-colored dragon-patterned robe of luminous translucence, wearing the yin-essence night-glow crown, dwelling on the jade terrace of the Heavenly Vermilion Palace, riding the eight-scenery flying wheel, attended by twelve jade immortals.

Then visualize the Unarrogant Joy Heavenly King: his surname is Ning, his taboo name (several characters damaged in the original), wearing a nine-colored flying-frost cloud-patterned mottled robe, crowned with the cyan-flower Jupiter mysterious essence, residing in the nine-layered jade terrace of the primordial-reflection elixir chamber, riding a white-deer cinnabar-mist chariot, attended by twenty-six superior-official jade immortals.

Then visualize the Transforming Response-Sound Heavenly King: his surname is Hui, his taboo name (several characters damaged in the original), wearing a nine-colored flowing-light shining-cloud brocade robe, crowned with the white-light Venus jade essence, dwelling in the pearl-reflection chamber of the jade-forest upper palace, riding a flying-phoenix roaming-empyrean purple wheel, attended by thirty-six great-perfected jade immortals.

Visualize the three heavenly kings descending together into the five viscera of one’s own body, transforming into red, white, and black Qi that mix like clouds and smoke, entering through the heart orifice and pervading the five viscera and six bowels. Then softly recite the incantation:

The nine cinnabar qi (qi) coalesce into a spirit, the three qi binding together as three strands of primal qi intertwine. The mysterious true qi fills the body and descends from above, making the inside and outside bright and clear. The "Great Granary" (the spleen, stomach, and other organs of digestion) is open and unobstructed, and so the stomach and intestines are formed into an immortal body. The knotted stems (possibly referring to blockages or the roots of illness within the body) are cut off and eliminated, and long-accumulated sources of illness are dispersed. The three qi unite as one and become a matching tally; after nine transformations, the spirit (shen) is gathered and condensed. Essence and qi return to the Jade Womb (a term in Daoist cultivation for a particular place within the body), and are used to perfect my body. The nine-colored dark and yellow qi flows, and the essence (jing) pours into the bodily fluids, rinsing away accumulated stagnation so that no filth or dust remains within. The branches of the numinous blossom hold a graceful vitality and plant the numinous root; the orifices of the body are bright and transparent everywhere, and every joint is cool and fresh. The bones transform into light and shadow, rising in flight to the purple heavens.

When this is done, raise the head and swallow nine mouthfuls of qi, then stop. Next, visualize the Eight Scenery Spirit Youths in the middle of the body (images of the deities who guard the inner organs), close the eyes, and hold them in the mind:

The spirit of the throat is named Bai Liufang, styled Daotong. He is eight inches tall, wears a robe patterned with nine colors, and a Level Heaven Purple Dawn crown on his head.

The spirit of the lungs is named Su Lingsheng, styled Daoping. He is eight inches and one tenth tall, wears a flying-cloud robe of white brocade, and a Nine Primes Precious crown on his head.

The spirit of the heart is named Huan Yangchang, styled Daoming. He is nine inches tall, wears a deep crimson patterned robe, and a Jade Dawn Precious Heaven crown on his head.

The spirit of the liver is named Kai Juntong, styled Daoqing. He is seven inches tall, wears a skirt of green feathers, and a three-ridged crown on his head.

The spirit of the gallbladder is named Long Dejū, styled Daofang. He is three inches and six tenths tall, wears a skirt of three colors, green, yellow, and verdant, and an Infinite Advancing Worthy crown on his head.

The spirit of the left kidney is named Chun Yuanzhi, styled Daoqing. He is three inches and seven tenths tall, wears a skirt of five colors that shifts and shines with radiance, and a Far Roaming crown on his head.

The spirit of the right kidney is named Xiang Tayuan, styled Daoyu. He is three inches and five tenths tall, wears a single-layer robe of white brocade, and a Three Qi Precious Light crown on his head.

The spirit of the spleen is named Bao Yuanquan, styled Daoqian. He is seven inches and three tenths tall, wears a flying skirt made of yellow brocade, and a Far Roaming crown on his head.

At the end, the original text repeats the description of the right kidney spirit, "Xiang Tayuan." The "Purple Heaven" spirit of the lungs mentioned above is given only a name, without any description following it.

The Spleen Spirit is named Baoyuan Quan, with the courtesy name Daoqian. He stands seven cun and three fen tall, wears a yellow brocade robe and a flying skirt, and a Purple Dawn crown on his head.

Visualize the Eight Luminaries of the central region (the eight spirits dwelling in the middle of the body). Each appears like an infant, settled in its own place, clear and distinct, as if right before your eyes. When the visualization is complete, knock the teeth eight times, tilt the head back, and recite:

"The Eight Luminaries of the central region transform upward, passing through nine transformations to become pure essence, filling the Jade Womb and gathering breath in the Purple Tenuity. They refine the hun and po souls and draw the myriad spirits together. The Sovereign Lord unties my bonds so that the nine orifices flow freely; the Mysterious Mother sends down numinous qi so that the joints receive radiance. Within and without I am filled, and my brilliance does not fade. I ride in the same carriage with the Eight Luminaries and ascend together with them. The spirit of my natal destiny announces the beginning, like an omen returning, leading me upward and opening the gate of numinous wonder."

After reciting, tilt the head back and swallow qi eight times, then take the Talisman for Nourishing the Embryonic Essence and Refining the Spirit (Shen).

The talisman is written in yellow on white paper, three in all. Facing the direction of the current year of age (the direction governed by one's age in that year), knock the teeth nine times and softly intone:

"The mysterious qi (Qi) coalesces into essence (Jing); yin transforms and gives rise to yang. Through nine transformations the numinous luminaries appear, so that I may ride the flowing cloud-carriage. The talisman descends upon your body and opens your passage to the spirits."

The talisman is written in yellow on white paper, three in all. Facing the direction of the current year of age, knock the teeth nine times and softly intone:

"The mysterious qi coalesces into essence; yin transforms and gives rise to yang. Through nine transformations the numinous luminaries appear, so that I may ride the flowing cloud-carriage. The talisman descends upon your body, so that you may reach the true Dao, steady the spirits, and loosen the bonds between the joints. May the constraints scatter and the mind become clear, the nine orifices open and the myriad spirits be at peace. Riding the numinous luminaries, may I ascend and reach the Great Pure Realm (Taiqing)."

After reciting, swallow the talisman in nine mouthfuls.

The lower part of the Womb has four places of binding: the first is in the bladder, the second in the genital region, the third in the rear orifice, and the fourth in the two feet. A practitioner who wishes to loosen these four lower bonds should, at midnight (the zi hour) of their natal day, when the generative qi first arises, enter an inner chamber and burn incense. Facing the northwest, bow nine times, paying homage to the Primal Father and the Mysterious Mother, following the same procedure as in the morning. Here, however, one sits upright facing the direction of Taisui (the Grand Year star), and need only knock the teeth and perform the visualization.

Visualize the Father and Mother spirits descending and entering your bladder, then moving downward all the way to the two feet. Then imagine the Father and Mother transforming into blue-green and yellow qi, blending together like a round sun that illuminates the entire body, making it bright within and without. Then tilt the head back and recite:

The qi (vital energy) of Yin-Yang intermingles and attunes. Visualize your parents arriving beside you, entering the bladder and descending all the way to the space between the two feet. Then contemplate the parents transforming into cyan and yellow qi that blend into a perfectly round orb of light resembling the sun, illuminating the entire body so that it becomes thoroughly luminous within and without. Raise the face and recite:

Yin and Yang unite in harmony and the two qi become thoroughly luminous; rising they transform into the mysterious elixir, descending they transform into yellow Jing (essence). They contain and store embryonic breathing, changing without fixed form. The Imperial Lord shines down upon them, the nine orifices receive numinous qi; the knots of the twelve sections dissolve and melt away, allowing the Yellow Court to attain purity. The qi of the Eight Sceneries twines around the whole body, the bones and joints become like purple precious jade; the three hun souls are refined, the seven po souls are settled. The myriad spirits receive protection and support, inner and outer attune in unity. The three sections and the Eight Sceneries grow together with me, assisting my circulation, transformation and flying ascent into the Jade Purity heavenly realm.

After the recitation, swallow qi twenty-four times. Next visualize the Heavenly King Fanbao: his surname is Jing, his personal name Wuyun; he wears a robe of nine-colored flowing clouds and flying dawn, and upon his head he wears flowing cinnabar, crimson treasures, flickering stars and mysterious essence; he dwells in the Palace of Seven Reflections in the Upper South of Heaven; he rides a palanquin of flowing rosy clouds, cinnabar empyrean and jade carriage with feathered canopy, followed by twelve jade immortals of the Upper Palace.

Then visualize the Heavenly King Fanjiāmoyi: his surname is Xuan, his personal name (the original text is defective); he wears a robe of nine-colored phoenix flying clouds, and upon his head he wears mysterious dawn, chen stars and flowing essence; he dwells in the Purple Jade Terrace of the Mysterious Phoenix City of the Nine Heavens; he rides a flying wheel of white qilin and plain clouds, followed by thirty-two immortal youths of Taihua.

Then visualize the Heavenly King Bolidahé: his surname is Wang, his personal name (the original text is defective); he wears a seamless nine-colored mysterious-cloud treasure robe, and upon his head he wears the flying essence of the Limitless flowing yellow and the garrison star; he dwells in the Nine-Bend Chamber of the Marvelous Palace of Great Existence at the Jade Capital bestowed by Heavenly Steepness; he rides a five-colored cloud chariot, followed by twelve jade youths of Great Mystery.

Visualize these three Heavenly Kings descending together onto your body, pausing in the bladder and descending all the way to the space between the two feet, transforming into purple, green and azure qi that gather into a form like clouds and mist, entering from the genital region, spreading through the bladder, the rear aperture and the space between the two feet, illuminating the body within and without. Then softly recite the incantation:

The Qi (vital energy) of the Three Heavens nurtures the fetal origin, and the nine kinds of primordial Qi condense into Shen (spirit). It gathers upward as the mysterious elixir and flows downward in transformation; the two Qi of Yin-Yang intermingle and descend to form my body. The six stomachs (the six gastric viscera as described in Daoist inner visualization) store Jing (essence), while the nine palaces (the viscera within the body that harbor Jing and Qi) receive true Qi. The twelve nodes each cut off the roots of illness and cleanse away filthy Qi. The Qi of the five numina array themselves in turn; the mysterious elixir emits Jing which, once refined, shines with radiance. Golden immortals protect the numinous Qi, jade flowers condense into writings; the name is registered in the Azure Chamber (the place where names of true immortals are recorded according to Daoism), and thereafter one dwells long in the Imperial Dawn (the celestial immortal realm).

After the ritual is completed, raise the head and swallow Qi nine times. Then visualize the eight-scene spirit youths of the lower body (protective deities contemplated in inner visualization), close the eyes, and hold in thought: Stomach-wing numen, jade flowers condense writings, name recorded in Azure Chamber, long preserve Imperial Dawn.

After the ritual is completed, raise the head and swallow Qi nine times. Then visualize the eight-scene spirit youths of the lower body, close the eyes, and hold in thought the following deities. The stomach Shen named Tonglaiyu, styled Daozhan, is seven cun tall, wearing a yellow brocade robe and flying skirt together with a level-heaven purple-dawn crown. The Shen in the impoverished intestines named Zhaotengkang, styled Daohuan, is two cun four fen tall, wearing a crimson ceremonial robe and unlined garment together with a three-beam crown. The Shen of the large intestine and small intestine named Pengsongliu, styled Daochu, is two cun one fen tall, wearing a flying skirt in yellow and crimson together with a jade-dawn precious-heaven crown. The Shen of the great torso named Shouhou□, styled Daoxu, is nine cun one fen tall, wearing a nine-colored ceremonial robe together with a flying-dawn jade crown. The Shen of the chest and diaphragm named Guangying, styled Daochong, is five cun tall, wearing a white brocade robe and flying skirt together with a wuji advancing-worthy crown. The Shen of the two flanks named Pijiama, styled Daocheng, is four cun one fen tall, wearing a skirt in red and white together with a nine-mystery precious crown. The Shen of the left yin region named Fuliqi, styled Daogui, is two cun three fen tall, wearing a skirt in cyan, yellow and white together with a distant-travel crown. The Shen of the right yin region named Baobiaoming, styled Daosheng, is two cun three fen tall, wearing a skirt in cyan, yellow and white together with a three-beam crown.

After silently visualizing the gods of the Eight Sceneries, let them all settle in their respective positions like infants. Then visualize the host of gods with a thousand carriages and ten thousand horsemen spreading throughout the body's yin region, bladder, anus, and the space between the two flanks. Subsequently knock the teeth eight times, look upward, and recite the incantation: “Gods of the Eight Sceneries of the lower body, disperse your physical forms and transform into divine Shen (spirits), contain the primordial Qi (vital energy), nourish the fetal Qi, and refine it into purple mist. The Taiyi Original Father and the Mysterious Mother unite with each other, the dual Jing (essence) of Yin and Yang flow and infuse, containing and nourishing the true Qi within the body. The Imperial Lord stabilizes my name register for me, the Director of Destinies changes my years of lifespan for me; the obstructions within the body have already dissipated, the nine orifices are clear and bright. May the hun and po souls be firmly established, gathering and commanding the myriad Shen, ascend together with me, jointly reaching the Jade Dawn.”

Look upward and swallow the saliva in the mouth eight times, then visualize the inner Shen of the Dao One within the body, named “Dunwu Ma,” courtesy name “Daojisheng.” He is two cun two fen in height, wearing a purple brocade skirt with luminous decorative patterns, wearing a Wuji Jinxiangguan, residing in the Dantian (energy center) below the navel, overall commanding the twenty-four Shen of the upper, middle, and lower three sections.

After completing the visualization, knock the teeth thirty-two times and softly recite the incantation: “Mysterious Supreme Great Shen, overall commanding without exterior, pacifying and guarding the secluded valley, wearing a purple brocade skirt with luminous decorative patterns, wearing a Wuji Jinxiangguan, residing in my Dantian below the navel, overall commanding the twenty-four Shen of the upper, middle, and lower three sections.”

After completing the visualization, knock the teeth thirty-two times again and softly recite the incantation: “Mysterious Supreme Great Shen, overall gathering the boundless realm, peacefully settling and guarding the secluded valley. Purple Jing-Qi spreads like a floral canopy, the various Perfected Ones attend upon the numinous Shen, the upper, middle, and lower three sections mutually protect. The Imperial Lord sits upright and illuminates, the Mysterious Mother is peaceful and joyful, the Nine Origins respond with united hearts, the Director of Destinies extends the lifespan, the Three Dawns shine together, causing me to become companions with the Perfected Ones.”

After finishing, look upward and swallow the breath twenty-four times. When all is completed, then ingest the “Inner Talisman of the Three Passes and Twelve Knots of the Fetus.”

The previously mentioned talismans must be written with cinnabar on bamboo membranes, totaling three pieces. After completing all visualizations, face Taisui, ingest the talismans, and softly recite the incantation. This refers to ingesting the talismanic documents, not reciting the incantations of edict Fulu (talismans and registers).

“The four knots of the upper section stabilize a person’s Niwan Palace (the location of the divine Qi in the upper head), wash a person’s floral countenance, causing the Qi of heaven and humans to arise. The four knots of the middle section combine the fierce and evil Qi, causing it to gather into one group, firmly guarding the Great Granary (location of the spleen and stomach), swiftly recalling a person’s wandering hun soul, causing the invading demonic and treacherous evil Qi…”

The original text is fragmentary at the “jing” character at the end, and the subsequent content cannot be fully interpreted.

The four knots of the upper part lock a person's Niwan, the upper Dantian (energy center) in the head, causing the appearance to decline and allowing the Qi (vital energy) of heaven and humanity to generate deviant chaos. The four knots of the middle part gather fierce evils, causing them to occupy the Taicang (the stomach), disturbing the person's Shen (spirit) and hun souls so that demons seize the opportunity for illicit union, resulting in chaotic dreams and an unfocused mind. The four knots of the lower part bind a person's rear gate, obstructing the nine orifices and severing the root of life.

The Emperor Lord informs the lingguan: In accordance with the Jade Text of the Nine Heavens, eliminate these knots and extinguish all roots. The Yuan Father and Xuan Mother (the parental deities in the Jing (scripture)) nourish the Three Passes (the three gate-orifices within the human body), garrisoning them completely with the Eight Scenes (eight inner deities or scenes), so that true Qi is distributed throughout the body. The upper portion is cyan, the lower yellow; square on the outside and round on the inside, both exterior and interior pure and clean. When Shen-Qi descends to the Three Origins (the three primal palaces of upper, middle, and lower), the practitioner can ride the Eight Scenes, driving flying clouds and smoke to ascend into the void, traveling through emptiness and flying up to the Golden Gate.

After the ritual is completed, raise the head and swallow Qi twelve times, then swallow saliva twenty-four times.

In the fourth month, cultivate the Qi of Xuyan Heaven. This should be performed at dawn on the seventh of the month, at noon on the seventeenth, and at midnight on the twenty-seventh. There are three sessions each month, in three time periods. First bathe with fragrant water, enter a quiet chamber and burn incense, make nine bows toward the northwest paying homage to the Yuan Father, then three bows toward the southeast paying homage to the Xuan Mother. Then turn to face the monthly jian (the direction determined according to the month) and sit upright, knock the teeth thirty-six times, close the eyes to visualize and invoke the King of Xuyan Heaven.

The King of Xuyan Heaven is surnamed Zi and named Luo. He wears a robe embroidered with nine-colored three-dharma cloud patterns and on his head the Tianyuan Baoming (Heavenly Origin Precious Brightness). He resides in the Lingdu Palace of the Heavenly Jade Capital. Riding the Nine-Spirit Flying Swan Three-Su Clouds and accompanied by twenty-four Su-Ling Jade Maidens, he descends to enter the Huangting Palace (the divine chamber within the practitioner's body). Visualize dense yellow cloud-Qi densely surrounding the entire body. After a while, inhale the cloud-Qi through the mouth and swallow it in nine portions while softly reciting: The three hun souls are already settled, the seven po souls already tranquil; five lodges are arrayed in heaven, the body accords with the seven stars; ten thousand spirits guard at one's side, the Qi of the Mysterious True emits numinous light; the Jing (essence) of jade zhi flows into the body, penetrating and nourishing the five viscera and physical form; the interior is replenished and the breath overflows, the profound passes and orifices become bright and pure; restore the countenance, refine and nourish the marrow, causing faded white to return to youthful cyan; allow the spirit-scenes to transform at will, entering and exiting the netherworld; ride emptiness to fly through space and ascend to the Moon Palace.

After reciting, swallow Qi nine more times. Practice this diligently.

The talisman shown on the right is written with cyan pigment upon a bamboo membrane. One faces one’s own natal direction and swallows a single tablet in each of the three periods of the day. The scripture states that this practice unblocks the intestines and washes the marrow clean, transforms the physical form and concentrates the Shen (spirit). After three years of cultivation one may fly and ascend, and the fleshly body itself may stand in the ranks of the immortals.

When reciting the accompanying incantation one says: “Heaven sends down crimson Qi (vital energy), earthly Qi rises, the two Qi of Yin-Yang intermingle and descend; the number of Yang Nine undergoes change, and Jing (essence) Qi condenses within the chamber. The numinous Qi of the eight directions spreads abroad, the Qi of the six fu organs flourishes inside the body, and the myriad spirits become simultaneously clear and luminous; one long enjoys the Qi of the great sun until the very limits of heaven and earth, joy without end.”

Once the ritual is complete and the talismans have been ingested, nine breaths are swallowed and the practice concludes. Here “ingesting the talisman” means swallowing the Fulu (talismans and registers) according to Daoist ritual procedure; “swallowing nine Qi” means coordinating visualization or breath regulation so that the breath is drawn into the body in nine successive swallows.