《靈寶大鍊內旨行持機要》

The Lingbao Great Refinement Inner Practice Essentials scripture describes a visualization method for Neidan (internal alchemy) cultivation:

Facing east, perform nine prostrations (or three), then begin purification rituals after lighting incense. Silently report your cultivation intentions to the supreme ancestral masters, followed by three more bows before sitting in stillness. Regulate breath and Shen (spirit), then recite the Great Scripture nine times (alternatively, the Birth into Heaven Scripture, Nine Chapters of Life-Spirit Scripture, or Green Mysteries Sacred Invocation may be used). With each recitation, draw in one breath directing Qi to the Dantian (energy center; the original text's "body field" may be a scribal error for the whole meridian system).

Visualize the water palace between the two kidneys (Daoism calls the kidneys "Two Water Kings," corresponding to the Gate of Life as the water sector) gathering nine types of primordial Qi-light, condensing into an infant form (representing the spark of spiritual light between the kidneys). This infant mirrors your own appearance, seated cross-legged, its radiance filling heaven and earth (symbolizing the microcosmic creation within the body).

Soon the five organs will generate five-colored cloud-qi—azure, crimson, yellow, white, and black—lifting this infant up the spine through the Double Pass of the Jiaji vertebrae to the Niwan Palace at the crown. Suddenly, the infant transforms into a millet-sized pearl of wisdom, while the organ-clouds become five-colored lions. Yuanshi Tianzun (the supreme Daoist deity) sits upon these lions within the pearl, emitting boundless light illuminating all realms.

Next, visualize celestial beings from the Thirty-Two Heavens descending en masse, all entering the pearl to attend Yuanshi Tianzun's dharma discourse. A white light beams from Tianzun's brow, penetrating through the nine subterranean hells of Fengdu (visualized upward from below the navel). Now observe the pearl simultaneously in the Niwan Palace and within both light beams, revealing the Thirty-Two Heavens' saints identical to prior visions. Within the radiance appears the Salvation Bodhisattva, whose luminosity bathes the ten directions—through his Dao-power, Fengdu's hells transform into pure lands.

Finally, visualize the shadowy regions below the kidneys as the hell realms. As the infernal gates open, Beiyin Fengdu's Great Emperor and all underworld officials assemble in ceremonial homage.

This scripture describes the Daoist "Refinement and Salvation" (Liandu) ritual for liberating departed souls:

After completing prostrations at the body's corresponding Fengdu (the underworld, located behind the kidneys between spinal vertebrae), celestial guardians from the ten directions arrive in dragon-drawn chariots, flanked by golden boys and jade maidens. Holding the talismanic decree (Fulu) of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), they descend to Fengdu's hell realms to pardon all sinful souls.

Next, visualize clear spring water emerging from the Hua Pool (the mouth cavity). Within a luminous pearl, countless immortals chant the Great Solar Yang Incantation. The Celestial Worthy commands a crimson dragon to stir the Hua Pool until saliva fills the mouth, then swallow while imagining this divine water transforming into a celestial river that forms an boundless ocean within the body. The sinful souls bathe in these warm spring-like waters, washing away greed, hatred, and karmic defilements.

After purification, the golden boys and jade maidens clothe the souls in clean garments. The immortals within the pearl then chant the Scripture of Salvation (Duren Jing) as the Great Unity Celestial Worthy (Taiyi Tianzun) and ten-directional celestial worthies descend on clouds, sprinkling nectar-like dharma rain to cool and refresh the souls. They then feed them immortal nourishment from golden bowls and jade spoons.

Finally, visualize the spine transforming into a heavenly bridge connecting to the Vermilion Palace Fire Mansion (the heart region). Holding banners and scattering flowers, the golden boys and jade maidens guide souls through this fiery realm where deities like the Great Lord of Longevity and Sima the Fire God conduct purification by sacred flames. Emerging cleansed and robed in celestial garments, the souls ascend astride fire dragons to liberation.

(Note: Terms like "Fengdu" and "Hua Pool" simultaneously represent hell realms and corresponding bodily locations, embodying the Daoist "microcosmic body" cultivation concept. The entire ritual employs visualization techniques combining unique Daoist salvation methods of water refinement and fire purification.)

This passage describes the essential practice methods in the Daoist "Lingbao Great Refinement" ritual (a ceremony for the salvation of deceased souls):

The departed souls ascend through the "Twelve-Storied Tower" (referring to the twelve sections of the human throat, symbolizing the passage of cultivation) to reach the "Jade Pure Realm" (the highest of the Daoist Three Pure Heavens), where they pay homage to the "Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning" (the supreme deity in Daoism). Practitioners must purify their minds to attain the state of forgetting both self and external objects, maintaining silent observation without inquiring about the souls' destination. If even a trace of distracting thought arises, true salvation cannot be achieved—the key lies in secret cultivation and maintaining silence.

This ritual belongs to the "Creation Within the Gourd" (a metaphor for profound cultivation within limited space), not those grandiose claims encompassing heaven and earth. There's particular emphasis on not carelessly transmitting these methods to unworthy recipients to prevent disrespect and desecration. Should irreverent attitudes emerge, both master and disciple would suffer "Mysterious Retribution" (cosmic punishment from the Dao). The text repeatedly stresses the need for utmost caution in handling these sacred practices.

(This concludes the final section of The Essential Methods for Practicing the Inner Purport of the Lingbao Great Refinement)