《真一金丹訣》

The Zhenyi Jindan Jue (True One Golden Elixir Formula) records the transmission of the supreme Golden Elixir method between the Daoist adepts Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin:

In the fifth year of the Xianqing era (660 CE) of the Tang dynasty, the recluse Zhongli Quan was practicing spiritual cultivation on the Jade Maiden Peak of Mount Kongtong in Zouxian, Shandong, when an immortal bestowed upon him the secret teachings of Neidan (internal alchemy). Later, while dwelling in seclusion by the Wei River in Luoyang, he encountered Lü Dongbin, a jinshi scholar from Ezhou who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Zhongli Quan transmitted the practice methods of the "Zhenyi Jindan" (True One Golden Elixir) to Lü Dongbin. Riding a black ox, Lü cultivated these methods on Mount Zhongnan until he achieved complete physical transformation and attained an immortal body.

The core of this practice lies in the "Way of Divine Immortals Embracing the One," emphasizing clarity, stillness, Wuwei (non-action), and the refinement of primordial Shen (spirit). The specific cultivation process involves:

First, entering the state of "seeing the ox yet perceiving no form" (focusing on inner vision while forgetting external phenomena).

Then, in the void-like stillness of meditative trance, allowing the primordial Shen to merge with the Dao.

Next, coordinating the interaction between the heart's fire (conscious intention) and the true earth (Dantian/energy center).

Progressing further into fetal respiration (innate breathing) to refine and transform the primordial Shen.

Ultimately, the Shen becomes capable of freely passing through the Celestial Gate (crown of the head) and uniting with primordial Qi in the Northern Sea (lower Dantian).

Golden light ascends directly to the Jade Capital (upper Dantian), completing the celestial orbit circulation.

Successful practitioners attain the state of "lucid awareness and spontaneous freedom," becoming like innocent infants returning to primal simplicity, with body and mind completely unified with the Dao. The text particularly emphasizes that these secret teachings are celestial gifts that must not be casually revealed.

This passage elucidates the methods and states of Neidan (internal alchemy) cultivation in Daoist practice. The core teaching reveals:

The foundation of cultivation lies in "embryonic breathing" (a profound respiration technique) and refining primordial Qi, enabling life to return to its source. The human body resembles a kingdom, where the heart serves as the ruler while Jing (essence) and Qi constitute the populace. When essence-energy becomes tranquil and body-mind achieves harmony, one attains the state metaphorically described as "prosperous nation with contented people."

The concrete cultivation methods include:

1. Establishing mutual dependence between Shen (consciousness) and Qi (vital energy), mirroring the mother-child relationship. When consciousness remains inwardly focused and Qi gathers in the Dantian (lower abdominal energy center), physical form gains longevity.

2. During practice, practitioners should: let ears hear no sounds, eyes see no forms, nose detect no fragrances; maintain a heart like dead ashes and a body like withered wood. By transcending disturbances from the six senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought), desires and afflictions naturally dissolve.

3. When innate nature and vital force unite, breathing becomes spontaneously even; with balanced respiration, one transcends hunger and cold; thus body and mind achieve enduring serenity.

The latter section describes advanced cultivation:

1. Through the "dragon-tiger copulation" method (the union of Yin-Yang energies), practitioners refine the Golden Elixir (internal alchemical achievement), which perfects physical form.

2. It mentions how the "three Yin channels" (foot's three Yin meridians) converge at the Earthly Ji (spleen earth), while "three Yang channels" (hand's three Yang meridians) gather at the Heavenly Wu (muddy pellet palace in the head). Using Five Phases terminology: Metal represents the Yin tiger (lead), Wood symbolizes the Yang dragon (mercury), and their interaction signifies Yin-Yang union.

Annotations:

• Lead and mercury: Neidan terminology symbolizing the body's Yin-Yang energies
• Muddy pellet: The crown point acupressure spot, considered the abode of original spirit
• Dragon-tiger copulation: A metaphor for the internal fusion process of Yin-Yang energies

This scripture expounds the Neidan (internal alchemy) practice of "Black Water Golden Elixir" (Heishui Jindan), revealing the principles of energy circulation within the human body.

The core of cultivation lies in harmonizing the body's Yin-Yang energies (symbolized by the tiger and dragon) through "Black Water" (referring to kidney water, representing innate Jing-essence) to refine the Golden Elixir. The spleen and stomach (symbolized by Wuji Earth) at the body's center serve as the foundation of life, much like how Black Water in nature gives birth to all things.

During practice, special attention must be paid to the Mingtang Abyss (the lumbar region), where a deep cavity called "Celestial Black Water" (Tianqiong Heishui) resides—this is the location of the North Sea (lower Dantian). Here, the "Blue-eyed Westerner" (a metaphor for kidney Jing-essence) circulates the Spiritual Spring (vital essence), while breath regulation mobilizes Qi through the body's meridians.

The human body contains ten main meridians, fifteen collaterals, and eight extraordinary vessels, categorized as:

• The left meridian connects to the left kidney (Yin, governing Water, represented by the number one)
• The right meridian links to the right kidney (Gate of Life, Yang, governing Fire, represented by the number seven)
• The upper meridian ascends to the crown of the head
• The lower meridian descends to the feet

The Qi circulation pathway begins at the coccyx (Weilü), passes through the Golden Pass and Jade Door, and reaches the Dantian (below the navel). Here, the Qi of the Five Phases (red, black, blue, white, and yellow) cycles in mutual generation. Practitioners must synchronize their breathing (13,500 breaths per day-night cycle) to complete the celestial orbit (one full cycle equals fifty meridian circulations), requiring nine revolutions for successful refinement.

The practice involves three stages:

1. First, guide Qi through the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin (Left Minister Fire, number two)

2. Next, direct Qi through the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand-Taiyang (Right Minister Fire, number seven)

3. Finally, circulate Qi through the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (governed by Earth)

These stages are accomplished through specific breathing techniques and mindful intention to transform energy systematically.

This scripture explains the principles and cultivation stages of forming the Golden Elixir (Jindan) in Daoist internal alchemy (Neidan) practice:

On the Formation of the Golden Elixir:

During cultivation, one must use intention to guide the yang fire from the Gate of Life (the Dantian region) through seven cycles. Simultaneously, the kidney water (black water) should rise to meet the heart fire (golden cauldron fire) in the lower Dantian. The merging of water and fire resembles the harmonious interaction of heaven and earth - when water encounters metal, they mutually nourish and transform, ultimately forming the Golden Elixir. This process follows the Five Phase (Wuxing) generative cycle: metal begets water, water begets wood, wood begets fire, fire begets earth, and earth begets metal, each governed by its numerical principle (metal by nine, water by six, etc.).

Description of the Golden Elixir:

The perfected Golden Elixir is called "metal within water," appearing like a flower bud or golden pellet with a vibrant red-purple hue that radiates brilliant light. After its initial formation, the elixir undergoes multiple transformations.

Nine-Stage Return Process:

1. White metal Qi enters the lungs and large intestine (metal phase)

2. Black water Qi enters the kidneys and bladder (water phase)

3. Yellow earth Qi enters the spleen and stomach (earth phase)

4. Green wood Qi enters the liver and gallbladder (wood phase)

5. Red fire Qi enters the heart and small intestine (fire phase)

6. Fire Qi returns to nourish the Triple Burner through the Gate of Life

7. Strengthening of skin, hair, muscles and tendons

8. Unblocking the twelve primary meridians and eight extraordinary vessels

9. Complete saturation of Qi, blood, essence (Jing) and marrow, resulting in physical consolidation

Cultivation Methods:

Spirit Refinement: Through subtle breathing, elevate the spirit-intention to the upper Dantian (Muddy Pellet Palace) at the crown, achieving moon-like clarity.

Qi Refinement: Maintain long, fine, gentle breathing to sink true Qi into the lower Dantian (Celestial Pivot), attaining the state of spirit-Qi unity.

(Note: Terms like "yang geng" refer to heavenly stems correlating with organs, while "hand yangming" denotes meridian names - all standard Neidan terminology.)

Interpretation of the "True One Golden Elixir Formula"

The key to refining the Golden Elixir (Jindan) lies in harmonizing Yin and Yang. When the Yin Qi (vital energy) within the body is fully transformed, the energies of the male (symbolized by the Kan trigram) and female (symbolized by the Li trigram) unite at the crown of the head (symbolizing Heaven, Qian). This method of refining the physical form involves cultivating the life gate (the essence and Qi in the kidneys) and the "Black Water" (kidney essence) to forge the Internal Elixir (Neidan).

During practice, one must become aware of the innate energy within the body (the "Heaven within the body") and guide the fusion of water and fire (the meeting of the Dragon and Tiger) through focused intention. Gather your essence (Jing), Qi, and spirit (Shen) into the Dantian (energy center), refining them with the Samadhi True Fire (the fire of the upper, middle, and lower Dantian). The core principles of embryonic breathing (Taoist breath control) are as follows:

The path to longevity begins with preserving essence. When essence accumulates, it forms the physical body, which serves as the vessel for primordial Qi, while Qi is the foundation of the body. The two depend on each other, capable of infinite transformations and connecting Heaven and Earth. Maintaining purity fosters vitality, while agitation leads to decline. A clear and tranquil mind illuminates all directions, while confusion confines one to narrow perspectives. By embracing emptiness, stillness, and non-action (Wuwei), one naturally aligns with the Dao (the Way), ensuring enduring health and peace.

Those who have attained mastery (Zhiren) regulate their breath with spirit-consciousness: when exhaling, Qi sinks to the lower Dantian (the Yang pole); when inhaling, Qi rises to the upper Dantian (the "Muddy Pellet"). When the Qi of the upper and lower Dantian circulates freely, aging can be delayed. If one achieves the fusion of spirit and Qi with every breath, the embryonic form of the Internal Elixir (the "Sacred Embryo") will take shape within the hidden breath. True mastery of embryonic breathing results in a breath so soft and prolonged it seems nonexistent. This echoes Laozi’s teaching: "Concentrate the Qi to achieve softness like an infant"—the true essence of embryonic breathing.

The fundamental nature of the Great Dao (Dadao) is primordial Qi; cherishing this Qi leads to longevity and realization of the Dao. The nature of spirit-consciousness is primordial essence (Yuanjing); preserving this essence ensures enduring clarity. During breath regulation, one should feel the Qi flowing like mist and clouds within the body. The key to cultivation lies in maintaining a pure heart-mind (pure whiteness in the chest), undistracted intention (no wandering thoughts), a will as calm as flowing water, and a mind as open and empty as a deserted city. Naturally, sweet and nourishing saliva (the "Jade Blossoms of the Hua Pool") will form in the mouth. This saliva transforms into essence, essence into spirit, and ultimately crystallizes into the "Infant" (the advanced form of the Internal Elixir). Primordial essence is the spiritual energy that nourishes the blood and protects the bones—it must be guarded with utmost care.

The True Unity Golden Elixir Formula elucidates the principles of Yin-Yang Qi circulation and health cultivation in the human body:

The human body resembles a tree—Yin Qi sinks downward to form its roots, while Yang Qi ascends to become its trunk. These two energies mutually resonate: when Yang Qi summons Yin Qi, it manifests as inhalation; when Yin Qi beckons Yang Qi, it becomes exhalation. Only through Yin-Yang equilibrium can vitality flourish. Emotional disturbances disrupt Qi dynamics: joy scatters Yang Qi outward, grief congeals Yin Qi, anger causes Qi to rebel upward, and melancholy induces stagnation.

The essence of cultivation lies in the movement of "Primordial Qi (Yiqi)": beginning with the initial breath, it is gradually nourished, expanded, and transformed until finally coalescing into the Golden Elixir (Jindan). Within emptiness resides substantiality; within substance dwells impermanence—one must comprehend the dialectic of "being" (you) and "non-being" (wu). Qi condenses to form the physical body, while Spirit (Shen) accumulates Prenatal Essence (Taiyuan) to reveal profound mysteries. Stagnant Qi severs life's vitality; obstructed Spirit obscures the True Realm (Zhenjing).

Practical breathing methods:

1. During Qi circulation, retain breath to guide Qi upward to the head, then release it to flow through the limbs. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth—gentle, prolonged breaths are called "Long Respiration" (Changxi).

2. While inhalation follows a single method, exhalation employs six vocal techniques: "Hu, He, Xu, Si, Chui, Xi," each with distinct functions:

• Chui dispels cold
• Hu dissipates heat
• Xi expels wind and relieves pain
• He eliminates agitation and subdues Qi
• Xu dissolves stagnation
• Si alleviates fatigue

However, Daoist practice generally minimizes Xu and Si, considering them less conducive to Long Respiration.

The text concludes: the nose inhales life-giving Qi (Shengqi), while the mouth expels dying Qi (Siqi). Thus, "ingesting life and exhaling death" (prioritizing Qi absorption over expulsion) forms the crux of longevity. These techniques apply equally to men and women.

(Note: "Prenatal Essence" (Taijing) refers to innate primordial Qi; "True Realm" (Zhenjing) denotes meditative states; "Long Respiration" indicates deep, slow breathing techniques.)