《上清大洞九宮朝修祕訣上道》

This passage describes the visualization method (guanxiang) of the "Nine Palaces" in the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition of Daoist practice, divided into two main sections: the Four Feminine Palaces and the Five Masculine Palaces.

[Locations of the Nine Cranial Palaces]

There are nine crucial cultivation sites (called "palaces") in the head:

Four Feminine Palaces (guarded by female deities):

1. Jade Emperor Palace: Located one cun (inch) deep between the eyebrows, guarded by the Jade Pure Divine Mother

2. Celestial Court Palace: Two cun deep, guarded by the Shangqing Pure Maiden

3. Supreme Truth Palace: Three cun deep, guarded by the Great Micro Emperor Lord

4. Supreme Sovereign Palace: Four cun deep, guarded by the Empress of Supreme Sovereignty

Five Masculine Palaces (guarded by male deities):

1. Hall of Light Palace: One cun deep, residence of the Long-Life Great Emperor

2. Cavern Chamber Palace: Two cun deep, residence of the Central Yellow Elder Lord

3. Dantian Palace: Three cun deep, residence of the Primordial Celestial Emperor

4. Flowing Pearl Palace: Four cun deep, residence of the Supreme Dao Lord

5. Mysterious Elixir Palace: Five cun deep, residence of the Jade Emperor

[Detailed Explanation of Hall of Light Palace]

Three cun deep at the inner edge of the eyebrows:

• Left side called Crimson Terrace Azure Chamber: A red jade platform with azure jade chamber, housing a great deity in cyan robes holding a Flowing Gold Fire Bell (ritual implement), named Righteous Heart
• Right side called Yellow Tower Purple Portal: A yellow jade platform with purple jade chamber, housing a great deity in yellow robes holding a Flowing Gold Fire Bell, named Serene Calm

[Method for Expelling Pathogenic Influences]

When experiencing abnormal sounds in the ears (indicating invasive pathogenic qi):

1. Quickly rub hands until warm and cover ears

2. Click teeth nine times

3. Hold breath and recite incantation: "The red child in the palace... Supreme Unity's flowing fire dispels calamity and removes misfortune"

4. If facial heat is felt, immediately visualize the two great deities casting their Flowing Gold Fire Bells to expel pathogens

5. Rub hands warm again and cover ears until warmth spreads across face, indicating successful expulsion

Note: This represents the "visualizing deities" (cunshen) method in Daoist internal cultivation, using mental imagery of bodily deities and specific locations for health preservation and exorcism. The nine palaces correspond anatomically to different brain regions in modern science, demonstrating Daoism's unique understanding of cosmic correspondences within the human body.

This passage describes a Daoist cultivation method centered on visualizing the Three Divine Lords in the Mingtang Palace (the upper Dantian located one inch between the eyebrows) for exorcising malevolent influences, healing illnesses, and providing personal protection. Here's an accessible explanation:

When sensing the presence of pathogenic Qi, first knock your teeth nine times while silently reciting the heart mantra three times. Then visualize two divine beings wielding Flowing Gold Fire Bells (a Daoist ritual instrument) circling above your head, which will immediately disperse the harmful energies. After brief rest, recovery should follow.

The structure of the Mingtang Palace consists of:

• A nine-fen diameter purple sun on the left, radiating nine beams of light
• A one-cun diameter yellow moon on the right, emitting ten luminous rays
• At the center resides the Mirror Divine Lord, appearing like a newborn infant dressed in green brocade, adorned with the Flowing Gold Fire Bell, and holding a crimson jade mirror in his mouth

This deity is an emanation of the Great Emperor of Longevity, known as the True Lord of Mingtang. He is flanked by:

• The True Lord of Bright Youth (an incarnation of Elder Han) on his left
• The True Lady of Bright Maiden on his right

During practice, one should invoke the names of these three deities three times, knock teeth nine times, and silently recite specific mantras.

Practical applications include:

1. When traveling at night: Visualize the Three Lords illuminating the path with their crimson jade mirrors

2. Encountering malicious spirits or attackers: Imagine the Lords vibrating their jade mirrors to produce thunderous sounds that repel threats

3. During illness: Visualize the Lords vibrating their mirrors 49 times while conjuring great flames to burn away pathogenic Qi

4. Facing food/water scarcity: Picture the Lords vibrating mirrors 36 times to stimulate saliva production that alleviates hunger and thirst

5. Hearing unusual sounds (signs of bodily exhaustion): Immediately retreat to a quiet chamber, burn incense, and visualize the Lords refining pathogenic Qi with crimson fire

6. Witnessing omens of bloodshed: Apply the same method for protection

These techniques emphasize ritualized visualization, teeth-knocking, and mantra recitation to activate the divine powers residing within one's body for overcoming various adversities. The practice exemplifies the Daoist tradition of harmonizing with celestial forces through precise inner alchemy (Neidan) methods.

When encountering misfortune or calamity, one should immediately observe purification rituals (Zhaijiao) and enter a quiet chamber, avoiding contact with outsiders. Pray to the Three Primes Sovereigns (the three supreme deities of Daoism) and the Three Lords of the Hall of Light (deities governing destiny) for deliverance. Persisting in this practice for one month will transform misfortune into good fortune.

If experiencing ominous dreams, turn your pillow and place your left hand over the heart. Knock the teeth twenty-four times while silently reciting this incantation:

"The Great Cavern's True Mysterious Verse refines the Three Hun-Souls, governed by the heart. Swiftly open the Supreme Three Primes Palace. The recent inauspicious dream was caused by the wandering corpses of the Seven Po-Souls. Hastily summon Taokang, the Guardian Spirit of Life, to report to the Sovereign Lords. May the Five Elders and Nine Perfected guard the body's gates, while the Divine Master of the Yellow Portal and the General of the Purple Door wield axes and shake bells to dispel malign spirits, turning misfortune to blessing, transcending life and death."

Recite this three times, then relax the limbs and rest briefly—auspicious signs will surely manifest. Practicing this for three years will eliminate ordinary dreams; any visions thereafter will be prophetic omens of future fortune or calamity.

[Method for Cultivating the Cavern Chamber Palace]

Enter a quiet chamber, light incense, and knock the teeth. Sit upright with collected spirit. Visualize the Yellow Elderly Sovereign (a revered Daoist deity) within your body, exhaling purple Qi (vital energy). Inhale through the nose and swallow the breath, repeating thirty-five times. This dispels disasters of water, fire, and warfare across the Three Realms, resolves worldly hardships, prolongs life, and revives the dying. Imagine standing beside the Yellow Elderly Sovereign while silently reciting the Nine Chapters eighty-one times, completing nine cycles as one round. Such practice brings renown across the Three Realms, registers one's name with the Five Emperors, attains the state of a Perfected Being (Zhenren), and grants protection from myriad spirits. Conclude by exhaling purple Qi to nourish the entire body.

[Method for Cultivating the Muddy Pellet Palace]

Enter a quiet chamber, light incense, and knock the teeth. Sit upright and visualize the Heavenly Sovereign Lord within your body, appearing as a newborn infant clad in crimson brocade, seated in sunlight. Recite the names of the Three Heavenly Honored Ones (manifestations of Yuanshi Tianzun). To the left is the Supreme Prime Red Child Sovereign Lord, infant-like in vermilion embroidered robes, holding the Divine Tiger Talisman (Shenhu Fu); to the right is the Sovereign Minister, similarly attired, holding the Great Cavern True Scripture (Dadong Zhenjing). Above the head, the Seven Stars align with their handles pointing forward, while purple Qi from the palace ascends ninety thousand miles into the heavens.

[Method for Cultivating the Flowing Pearl Palace]

(Note: Original text incomplete; omitted here.)

This scripture describes the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) school's esoteric method for cultivating the Mysterious Elixir Palace (Xuandan Gong), one of the Nine Palaces in the head. Practitioners enter a quiet chamber to burn incense, perform tooth-tapping (a cultivation technique), sit upright with calm mind, and visualize the Flowing Pearl True Spirit (a manifestation of the Supreme Dao Lord) residing in this celestial abode of immortals.

The practice unfolds in these stages:

First, the adept burns incense to petition the Great Unity Celestial Emperor of the Purple Tenuity Mysterious Elixir Palace—a high-ranking deity named Jueguiying, styled Huayuan. This divine being sits upon a golden couch within jade curtains, robed in purple embroidered skirts, wearing a fiery bell at the waist while holding stellar essences. Crowned with circular radiance, this deity possesses power to expel evil influences.

Next comes visualization: the practitioner imagines the Big Dipper sending down a purple Qi stream entering between the eyebrows into the Mysterious Elixir Palace. Then one visualizes the solar disc descending from the Dipper's mouth into the brain, filling the entire head with violet mist.

The third stage involves visualizing the Mysterious Elixir Lord descending from the Dipper through the brow to sit within the "sun" inside the palace. This principal deity wears magnificent purple immortal robes and headdress, holding the Big Dipper's seventh star (Piao) in the left hand and the sixth star of Purple Tenuity Enclosure (Xuangen) in the right, exhaling purple Qi.

In the fourth phase, the practitioner visualizes their own form shrunk to lotus-seed size, dressed in blue-green garments while holding a jade tablet. Performing nine prostrations before the Mysterious Elixir Lord, one silently recites the incantation "Guiying Huayuan" three times with nine tooth-taps.

The fifth step envisions riding crimson clouds with the deity into the Dipper's golden towers and jade halls. After kneeling in homage, the adept swallows eighty-one mouthfuls of purple Qi.

Finally, both return via purple mist to the Mysterious Elixir Palace for quiet rest. The text specifies seasonal variations: during solar terms (Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox etc.), practitioners should focus on different Dipper stars (Yangming, Danyuan etc.) and ingest variously colored Qi (blue-green, red, white, black) in set quantities (nine, three mouthfuls etc.).

This comprehensive Neidan (internal alchemy) method integrates visualization, spirit retention, Qi absorption, and seasonal cultivation—requiring sustained long-term practice.

This scripture primarily expounds the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) school's meditation techniques involving visualization of internal deities. Here's a detailed explanation:

Seasonal Cultivation Method: During specific seasonal periods (the four seasons), practitioners should face the direction of the Celestial Pass Star and swallow twelve mouthfuls of yellow Qi (vital energy). Upon completion, the Great One Deity (the primary internal deity) will return with the practitioner to the Mysterious Elixir Palace (upper Dantian). Eighteen years of consistent practice will result in being welcomed by a celestial procession of thousands of chariots, achieving daylight ascension. This method possesses profound efficacy in warding off myriad demonic obstacles and surpasses the "Three-One Method" (another deity visualization technique).

The Importance of Four Goddesses: Practitioners of Shangqing Daoism must know the names of the Four Feminine True Ones (female internal deities); otherwise, immortality remains unattainable. This knowledge requires oral transmission from a master.

Detailed Descriptions of the Four Goddesses:

1. Jade Purity Divine Mother: Surname Lian, given name Xian, courtesy name Huangyan, standing 9.9 "inches" tall. She wears dark yellow silk ribbons and pearl-jade head ornaments, residing in the Supreme Pearl Palace. She governs the Jade Emperor Palace (the cranial divine palace) within the practitioner's body.

2. Highest Clarity True Maiden: Surname Jue, given name Hui, courtesy name Bilei, standing 6.6 "inches" tall. She wears nine-colored cloud-patterned brocade and dwells in the Kunlun Supreme Mysterious Palace. She governs the Celestial Court Palace (the facial divine palace).

3. Supreme Ultimate Imperial Consort: Surname Xuan, given name Xusheng, courtesy name Bowu, standing 7.7 "inches" tall. She wears five-colored phoenix-patterned gauze robes and resides in the Supreme Clarity Ultimate Mysterious Palace. She governs the Ultimate Truth Palace (the heart divine palace).

4. Supreme Lord Empress: Surname Qian, given name Hanhai, courtesy name Hexian, standing 3.3 "inches" tall. She wears nine-colored cloud-patterned frost gauze and dwells in the Cavernous Floating Ultimate Truth Palace. She governs the Supreme Imperial Palace (the abdominal divine palace).

Key Practice Points: When cultivating the Mysterious Elixir method (Neidan) or practicing the Three-One visualization technique, practitioners must visualize these four goddesses while memorizing their appearances, attire, names, and residences. All these details are recorded in this precious scripture.

(Note: The "inch" measurement refers to the size at which deities manifest within the body during visualization; "governing the practitioner's body" indicates the deity's jurisdiction over specific bodily regions.)

This passage expounds the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition's esoteric method for cultivating the "Feminine True One" (Ci Zhenyi), a core practice within this major Daoist lineage. The "Feminine True One" refers to the primordial yin Qi (vital energy) within the human body, which exists in complementary relationship with its counterpart, the "Masculine True One."

The practice involves several key elements:

First, transmission requirements: Only Perfected Persons (Zhenren) who have attained the Dao may teach this method. Beginners who lack proper guidance, even if they study classics like the Scripture of the Three Treasures (Sanbao Shenjing) extensively, cannot achieve success through mere reading.

Second, practice prohibitions: This method is considered supremely precious. Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) strictly forbids its casual revelation—even written records are prohibited. Practitioners must demonstrate pure intent and undergo rigorous evaluation before receiving transmission.

Third, optimal timing: The practice should be performed annually on the first day of the lunar new year, monthly on the first day of each moon, and on one's personal birth anniversary.

Fourth, preparatory rituals: Purification through bathing, mental clarity through fasting, and entering a quiet chamber facing east are essential preliminaries.

Fifth, visualization technique: Practitioners visualize the "Four Palaces' Feminine True One Deities" (Sigong Ci Zhenyi zhi Shen)—the yin spirit-lords residing in four crucial bodily energy centers. They silently recite these deities' names, clothing colors, and distinctive attributes. Upon completion, they knock their teeth 36 times and recite specific incantations.

The incantations primarily praise the transformative power of the "Feminine Numinous" (Nüling, collective term for yin spirits) to alter physical form, traverse the nine celestial realms, and ultimately commune with the Celestial Emperor (Tiandi).

Through nine years of sustained practice, adepts may develop jade-like facial radiance and bodily luminosity, attaining direct communication with their internal deities. However, indiscriminate transmission to others remains strictly forbidden.

The essential teaching reveals these four Feminine True One deities as the fundamental creative force existing prior to the separation of heaven and earth in the primordial chaos. Those who master this practice may achieve longevity equal to heaven and earth.

Note: The "Four Palaces" likely correspond to major energy centers including the upper, middle, and lower Dantian (elixir fields) and the Yellow Court (Huangting). "Guided Visualization" (Cunsi) represents a core Daoist meditation technique that mobilizes internal energy through envisioning divine forms.