《太上老君內丹經》

The Scripture of Internal Alchemy by the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun Neidan Jing) explains:

To study the Dao of immortality, one must first cultivate the mind and rectify conduct before practicing the internal alchemy (Neidan) methods. The cultivation techniques are divided into three grades—upper, middle, and lower:

The upper-grade method is called "Immortals Embracing the One" (symbolizing the supreme state of unity between heaven and humanity). It is like true fire burning in a jade furnace, where the Charming Maiden (representing true Yin) remains dignified, and the Infant (representing true Yang) stays tender. The foundation is firm, the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) are harmonized, and the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) resonate in correspondence.

The middle-grade method is called "Enriching the Nation and Securing the People." It resembles a dragon coiling around a golden cauldron and a tiger guarding the Dantian (the lower abdominal energy center). Through the fusion of lead and mercury (symbolizing Yin and Yang Qi), fire and water merge like the radiance of the sun and moon, refined over nine years in the alchemical furnace.

The lower-grade method is called "Strengthening the Army to Achieve Victory." It emphasizes the union of Yin and Yang, like the harmony between husband and wife, where dragon and tiger (Yin and Yang Qi) intertwine, ultimately opening the Governing and Conception Vessels.

Lord Lao states: Refining the Golden Elixir (Jindan) requires diligent practice and maintaining purity of body and mind. The best setting is a secluded mountain cave, free from worldly distractions. One must shut out external sights, avoid distracting sounds, and focus inwardly. Cultivating the Dao begins with cultivating the heart—if the mind remains unshaken, internal chaos and external disturbances cease. Only then can one attain a state of tranquil spirit (Shen) and harmonious Qi, naturally gathering primordial energy. This is the true path of immortality.

Lord Lao compares the body to a nation, with the heart as its ruler. When the heart is upright, all methods succeed; when the heart is disordered, all efforts fail. Essence (Jing) and Qi are like the people—when they are stable and harmonious, the body thrives; when scattered, the body declines.

The key to nurturing life lies in regulating Qi to stabilize essence (Jing) and cultivating essence to nourish the spirit (Shen). As long as the spirit does not depart from the body, health and longevity are assured. True cultivation should benefit all beings, awaken wisdom, and help people realize the Dao, absorbing the pure and empty Qi of heaven and earth.

Lord Lao warns: Do not cling excessively to likes or dislikes—recognize and correct biases when they arise. In wealth, do not assume permanence; in poverty, do not resign to despair. Maintain equanimity regardless of circumstances.

(Note: Terms like "lead and mercury," "dragon and tiger," and "charming maiden and infant" are Neidan metaphors for Yin and Yang energies within the body. "Dantian" and "muddy pellet" (niwan) refer to vital cultivation centers.)

This passage elucidates the core principles of Daoist Neidan (internal alchemy) practice:

The foundation of cultivation lies in maintaining a pure and tranquil mind, free from distractions of material desires, fame, profit, and worldly concerns. Maintaining focused concentration and guarding the One (unwavering focus on the inner core) embodies the natural Dao.

The Supreme Venerable Lord (Laozi) teaches: The key to Neidan practice (cultivating internal energy through breath regulation) lies in stabilizing the foundation. Successful cultivation brings miraculous bodily transformations: Qi transforms into blood, blood into Jing (essence), and Jing into marrow. One year of practice replenishes Qi, two years nourish Jing, three years open the meridians, four years strengthen muscles, five years fortify bone marrow, six years toughen sinews and bones, seven years restore dark hair, eight years solidify the skeleton, and nine years complete the process of physical transcendence.

When all 36,000 energy points (corresponding to acupoints) within the body become activated, the Shen (spirit) can permanently reside within without dispersing. At this stage, clouds form beneath the feet and celestial cranes appear above the head—this marks the realm of longevity. Continued practice makes joints supple, internal organs robust, with internal Qi never leaking out and external pathogens unable to invade. Practitioners become impervious to extreme temperatures and physical harm, capable of riding clouds and mist, attaining longevity matching heaven and earth, attended by jade maidens and boys (celestial attendants). They may assist the Jade Emperor above while saving sentient beings below—this is the state of a "Perfected Being" (Zhenren).

The Venerable Lord reveals life's mysteries: Within primordial Qi lies primordial life; within physical form resides essential refinement; within essence and Qi dwells the primordial spirit. These progressive relationships constitute the natural Dao.

The ultimate longevity secret: Purify the heart-mind, transform conduct, sever distracting thoughts, and cleanse the six roots (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—originally a Buddhist concept adopted here by Daoism). This prevents demonic intrusion and all illnesses. At the pinnacle of cultivation, even the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, highest Daoist deities) and the Venerable Lord need not be sought externally, for the Great Dao resides within. Those who comprehend and practice this truth are sages.

(Note: "Purifying the heart-mind and transforming conduct" refers to mental purification and behavioral change; "six roots" is a Buddhist term for the six sense faculties—vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought—here appropriated into Daoist terminology.)