《無上祕要》Vol. 63

The Supreme Secret Essentials, Volume 96, Section 5

The Jade Clarity Section, Part One

The Hidden Writ of the Jade Clarity, High Peach, Fierce Surge, Dragon Net Heaven, for Viewing the Numinous, No Dawn

This scripture is an inner text of Golden Mystery, worn by the Nine Elders of the Immortal Capital and used to pursue the way of the immortals. During cultivation, write it with a red brush on a white board and place the board in the west. This subdues the Great Demon King of the White Emperor in the west and his officials, and summons the immortal officials of the west. After twelve years of cultivation, the Seven Sages of White Radiance and Pure Numinous Light, the Lords of Golden Numinous Power, will manifest in your body. You will command immortal officials and obtain naturally occurring numinous medicines. Also write the text with a cinnabar brush on white silk and wear it on your person. When you travel through the world of the Western Hall of Blessings and Abundant Depths, the Great Demon King will gird himself, bow with his hands to the ground, and welcome you; immortal officials will attend and guard you. Upon entering the Western Marchmount, you will obtain a canopy of white-cloud feathers. After twelve years, you may ascend to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The Hidden Writ of the Jade Clarity, Blue Firmament, Empty Song, Remaining Dawn, Heaven of Total Morning and Nine Extremes

This is an inner text of Golden Mystery, worn by the High Origin Lord of the Jade Clarity and used to pursue the way of the immortals. Write it with an ink brush on a vermilion board and place it in the south. This destroys the officials of the Great Demon King of the Red Emperor in the south and summons the immortal officials of the south. After eighteen years of cultivation, the True Lord of the Grotto Yang, Cinnabar Numinous Power, and True Radiance will manifest in your body. You will command immortal officials and obtain naturally occurring numinous medicines. Also write the text with an ink brush on deep-red silk and wear it on your person. When you travel through the realm of Wancheng in the south, the world that has abandoned the worthy, the Great Demon King will gird himself, bow with his hands to the ground, and greet you with reverence; immortal officials will attend and guard you. Upon entering the Southern Marchmount, you will obtain the Southern Pole’s precious scripture and a canopy of cinnabar-cloud feathers. After eighteen years, you will ascend to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The Hidden Writ of the Jade Clarity, Mantuo Tanlou, in the Heaven of Concealed Radiance and Swirling Roots

This is an inner text of Golden Mystery, received by the True Kings of the Nine Heavens and used to pursue the way of the immortals. Write it with a yellow brush on a black board and place it in the north. This destroys the officials of the Great Demon King in the north and summons the immortal officials of the north. After fifteen years, the True Lord of the North Pole, Mysterious Upper Jade, will bestow upon you the precious scripture of the Highest. You will command fifty immortal officials. Also write the text with a yellow brush on black silk and wear it on your person. When you travel through Yedanye in the north, the world of purity and stillness, the myriad numinous beings will gird themselves, and the Demon King will bow with his hands to the ground and greet you with reverence; immortal officials will attend and guard you. Upon entering the Northern Marchmount, you will obtain a canopy of mysterious-cloud feathers and ascend to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The Hidden Writ of the Jade Clarity, Fudao Gaihua, Floating Net Heaven, Mysterious Radiance, Morning Peace

(The supplied original ends at this heading. If the volume contains a continuation of the specific ritual, it should be checked against the full text.)

Note: The entries follow a similar structure: wear the hidden writ, write and place it according to its direction, observe a specified period of years, receive the descent of perfected beings, obtain numinous medicines, wear the talisman while entering the corresponding region and sacred mountain, and finally proceed to the Jade Clarity Palace. The directions correspond to the Five Emperors and the sacred mountains, forming a Daoist account of visualization and ritual pledging.

Plain-Language Interpretation

The Inner Text of the Great Simplicity, Three Primordial Lords was received by the Primordial Heavenly King from the Primordial Beginning Heavenly King. To pursue the path of the immortals, write the text with a purple brush on a yellow board and place it in the northwest. This subdues the Great Demon King of the Bright Emperor and his officials, and may summon immortal officials from the Field of Blessings and Virtue in the West and the World of Extending the Worthy. After twelve years, a Jade Maiden of the Upper Palace will descend to the sleeping chamber and transmit the Way of the True Spirit of the Recipient. Write the yellow text above it in purple ink as well, carry it on your person, and travel in the northwest through the World of Extending the Worthy. Then the myriad spirits will gird themselves, and the Demon King will bow to welcome you. You will be able to ride a feathered canopy of flying clouds and journey to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The Hidden Text, Golden Mystery, Inner Writings transmitted by the Jade Clarity Heaven of Complete Weiyequ Chumo and the Converging Radiance, Dawn Mandate was received by the Great Emperor of Fusang from the True King of the Great Empyrean. To pursue the path of the immortals, write the text with a yellow brush on an azure board and place it in the southeast. This subdues the Great Demon King of the Emperor Min and his officials, and may summon the immortal officials of the Emperor Min from the Field of Primordial Blessings in the Southeast and the World of Employing the Worthy. After fifteen years, twenty Jade Maidens will attend the Recipient and serve at their command, and they will obtain spirit medicines that arise naturally. Write the green text above it in yellow ink as well, carry it on your person, and travel through the World of Employing the Worthy. Then the myriad spirits will gird themselves, and the Demon King will bow to welcome you. You will be able to ride a feathered canopy of green clouds and fly to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The Hidden Text, Golden Mystery, Inner Writings transmitted by the Jade Clarity Heaven of Chongrong Yuyu Disha and the Aligned Radiance, Dawn Mystery was received by the Queen Mother of the West from the Lord of the Northern Pole, the August One. To pursue the path of the immortals, write the text in blue on a purple board and place it in the northeast. This subdues the Great Demon King of the Azure Emperor and his officials, and may summon the immortal officials of the Azure Emperor from the Capital of Gathered Blessings in the Northeast and the World of Long Peace. After ten years, eighteen immortal youths will attend the Recipient and serve at their command, and they will obtain spirit medicines that arise naturally and the Feathered Register of the Lofty, Flying Mystery. Write the text in blue on living purple-patterned silk as well, carry it on your person, and travel in the northeast through the World of Long Peace. Then the myriad spirits will gird themselves, and the Demon King will bow to welcome you. You will be able to ride a feathered canopy of purple clouds and fly to the Jade Clarity Palace.

The passages above come from the Hidden Writings of the Lofty Golden Mystery Feathered Register of the Cavern of Truth.

Talisman of the Jade Talisman of Yangtai’s Spirit-Birth

Those who cultivate the Dao and seek immortality, contemplate the spirits and remember the perfected, repent of offenses and undo transgressions, and look up to the Yangtai Perfected One and the immortal officials and Jade Maidens for the grace of forgiveness should, on the day Beginning of Winter, write the text with an ink brush and, facing north, swallow seven copies. The immortal officials and Jade Maidens will then record their names in the registers of the immortals.

Note: “Board” here generally means a writing tablet. “Recipient” refers to the person who receives the method, or to its fulfillment. “Carry it on your person” means to wear or carry it. “The myriad spirits gird themselves, and the Demon King bows” is a conventional phrase in Daoist ritual for spirits showing reverence and submitting. The names of heavens, emperors, and worlds are proper terms for Daoist celestial realms, directions, and offices; they have been retained as closely as possible to aid comparison with the original.

The Supreme Secret Essentials: A Plain-Language Interpretation

(First Section: Cultivation and Descent)

Register your name in the Golden Register and follow the prescribed method for eight full years, without missing a single practice session. A Perfected One will dispatch eight jade youths. When your mind is single and attuned to the Dao, the Perfected One will descend and manifest, bringing the “Chariot of the Seven Radiances”—a vehicle of seven-colored light. You will ascend and travel through the Heaven of Jade Clarity.

The Dongzhen Talisman of Nine Red Marks

The Divine Lord of Mount Tai, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, regularly submits to Heaven, on the day of the spring equinox, the names of those who have attained the Dao and those who have just begun their studies. Those who practice the Way of Flying Immortals should perform the following rite at sunrise on the spring equinox: bathe and observe purification; enter a room and burn incense; face east and visualize the Lord of Mount Tai, whose surname is Xuanqiu and whose taboo name is Mulu. He wears the Night Crown of Three Treasures and Nine Lights, a robe patterned with green feathers, and an outer cloak of nine-colored mottled fur. At his waist is tied a divine talisman bearing the command of the August Sovereign. He rides a flying chariot amid green clouds, drawn by a nine-colored azure dragon. Twelve immortal officials accompany him, carrying the Five Zhi fungi. From the northeast he turns back, ascending beyond the Cliffs of No End to the Heaven of Jade Clarity, where he roams amid the Mysterious Void and green clouds.

At this moment, click your teeth together nine times and silently recite: “Today is the Upper Festival. I make eight vows and open a new vow. May the god’s radiant, curved canopy descend into my room, accept my request, and present what I have declared. May I receive a jade tablet from on high and have my name entered in the Purple Register. May the Dao Lord turn his radiance toward me, enabling me to attain the rank of a High Immortal.”

Visualize the Lord of Mount Tai descending in his cloud chariot, while dense green Qi fills the room. The Lord stands amid the green Qi, holding a green tablet, and enters your name in its register. Then recite the subtle incantation:

The Jade Perfected roams, illumining the east;
Riding a dragon and chariot, he flies through the Great Void.
He turns his spirit’s light toward me and descends to my room;
Green Yang announces its beginning, and my upper vow is opened.
Accept what I have declared, erase my faults and record my merits;
Carve my name on the green tablet and submit it to the High Sovereign.
The Western Tortoise seals the register; Donghua inscribes the instructions.
The Five Spirits assist and guard me; the Eight Emperors shine together.
Command Jia and govern Yi; emerge from Wood and enter Metal.
The Six Ding stand guard; Jade Maidens support and escort me.
Summon the mountains and seas; command and control the flood dragons.
Whistle up the wind and raise the rain; all are made to appear at once.
Heavenly demons submit to the trial; the myriad spirits respectfully follow.
Transform the radiance and change form; ascend to the Jade Palace.
May I enjoy the years of Mount Tai and preserve them forever, without end.

When the recitation is complete, tilt your head back and swallow the breath nine times.

The Results of Practice

After practicing this method for nine full years, the Lord of Mount Tai may manifest before you in an auspicious vision, descending from among the green clouds. He will bestow nine divine youths and bring forth naturally occurring spirit fungi, enabling you to know what is happening ten thousand li to the east. After eighteen full years of practice, a dragon chariot may descend.

Notes for Reading the Scripture

Jade Clarity is one of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) heavens in Daoism, symbolizing the highest celestial realm.

Purification and clicking the teeth refer to common preparatory practices: cleansing the body and abstaining from rich foods, followed by a gesture used to gather the spirit before visualization.

Attuning through focused thought means using a single-minded intention to resonate with and respond to the spirits and the Dao.

The Purple Register and jade tablet evoke celestial documents that record names and grant immortal status.

The clothing, vehicles, and incantation in this passage belong to the language of liturgical visualization. Their emphasis is on practicing in accordance with the appointed time, direction, and sequence of visualization, rather than interpreting each phrase literally by modern standards.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of The Supreme Secret Essentials

Lord of Mount Heng in the Southern March (Summer Solstice)

Ascending through the Void to Jade Clarity

On the day of the summer solstice, the Lord of Mount Heng in the Southern March regularly submits to Heaven a register of those who have attained the Dao and those who have only recently begun their studies. The High Supreme Emperor Lord reviews the hidden names and distinguishes merit from fault.

Those who practice the Way of flying immortals should perform the rite at noon that day. Bathe and observe ritual purification, enter a chamber and burn incense, then face south and visualize the Lord of Mount Heng: his surname is Lan and his name is Yang; his head is shaved, and he wears an eight-rayed jeweled crown of radiant jade. He is dressed in a flying skirt of red brocade and a crimson robe patterned with divine light, bears a seal that confines spirits and subdues demons, and rides a wheel flying through red clouds. Twelve immortal officials of Mount Heng ride flying phoenixes and hold divine fungi. Together they turn back from the southeast and ascend beyond the boundless, into the Heaven of Jade Clarity, lingering in the red clouds of the void.

At this moment, click the teeth together three times and silently recite: “On this auspicious and excellent day, may the true sages descend everywhere and the mysterious Heaven receive my prayer. I beg the Dao Lord to turn his attention here, and the flying wheel and feathered canopy of the high immortals to descend upon me.” When the words are finished, visualize the concluding chapter of the Eastern Florescence of Highest Clarity.

Visualize the Lord of Mount Heng riding his wheel through red clouds down into the chamber. A dense red Qi fills the room. Amid the red Qi, the Lord holds a red tablet and inscribes your name upon it. Then recite the following brief incantation:

The vermilion sun rides the dawn, circling through the nine heavens;
the cinnabar carriage and flying canopy shine brilliantly through the vastness of the rosy clouds.
They bend and turn downward to cast their light, watching over my yearning heart;
the prayers I present above all reach the hidden realms.
I look up and receive the numinous balance; body and spirit join in communion.
My name is written on the Cinnabar Terrace, and its characters are joined in Southern Jade.
The Six Bing empower the True One; riding Ding, I enter the whirlwind.
I command the mountains and seal the seas; my mandate subdues the myriad demons.
A thousand spirits flee in submission, and all demons vanish.
Since Mount Heng presides over the Three Origins, it comes to summon and bring them down.
The vermilion carriage ascends into the imperial court; the two luminaries share in its numinous power,
and it endures beyond Heaven’s end.

When the incantation is finished, look upward and swallow three breaths.

After nine years of practice: The Lord of Mount Heng grants a treasured book of omens and sends down eight immortal officials to bestow divine fungi and other wondrous objects. The practitioner can know what is happening ten thousand li to the south.

After eighteen years of practice: The practitioner can summon a wheel of red clouds, fly through the vast sky, and ascend to Jade Clarity.

Lord of Mount Hua in the Western March (Autumn Equinox)

On the day of the autumn equinox, the Lord of Mount Hua in the Western March regularly submits a register of true immortals, those who have attained the Dao, and those who have only recently begun their studies, presenting it to the High Supreme Emperor Lord to review the hidden names. The section that follows has a structure corresponding to the Mount Heng passage: the rite is performed at the autumn equinox, with the practitioner facing and visualizing the Lord of Mount Hua; the years of practice and their effects are likewise similar to those described for Mount Heng.

Notes on specialized terms:

• Jade Clarity: One of the Three Pure Ones’ realms, and the highest heaven.
• Mountain Lord: A guardian deity of a famous mountain, such as one of the Five Sacred Peaks, responsible for reporting and recording names.
• Clicking the teeth together three times: A ritual practice in which the teeth are tapped to gather the spirit and circulate Qi.
• Brief incantation: A short secret spell used alongside visualization and swallowing breaths.
• Three Origins: A collective term for Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, or for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins. The phrase “presides over the Three Origins” in the Mount Heng passage refers to this.

Plain-Language Interpretation

(Regarding the Lord of Mount Hua)

To cultivate the Way of flying immortals, on the appointed day, at the “feeding time” (around the evening Shen hour), bathe and observe a fast. Enter a room, burn incense, face west, and visualize the Lord of Mount Hua: his surname is Hao and his personal name is Qiuyuan. He wears the Six Origins Crown of Spirit Communion and a white brocade flying skirt, is draped in a plain brocade robe, and wears a plain silk sash of interwoven spirits. He rides a flying wheel of plain-colored clouds. Twelve immortal officials of the Western Peak each ride a white tiger and hold seven-colored banners. They turn back from the southwest and ascend to the boundless Heaven of Highest Clarity, wandering through empty space and white clouds.

Then click the teeth seven times and silently recite: “May I ascend as a flying immortal to Highest Clarity, fly to Mount Hua, and share the numinous spirit of the Emperor. I beseech the Lord of the Dao to descend and reveal his true form to me, bring me an immortal scripture, and inscribe my mysterious name.” Once the visualization is complete, the Lord of Mount Hua descends into the room on his wheel of white clouds. Radiant white Qi fills the room. Amid the white Qi, the Lord holds a white tablet and inscribes his name upon it.

Incantation:

The Golden Gate shines bright; white clouds rise in lofty grandeur. At the Four Convergences, the true ones meet; the Eight Qi form a net. I report above to Jade Dawn: the Emperor’s spirit ascends through the clouds. Turn back your spirit and descend; cast a kindly glance upon my home, and record my name on the white tablet. The Seven True Ones of Western Florescence command the host of demons. Above, they receive the sovereign’s might; they govern the mountains and rivers, raise clouds, and send down rain. The dragon wheel passes and stands; carry me through the empty heavens, up to the numinous heights. May what I desire be granted at once; may what I cut down be destroyed at once. A thousand transformations and ten thousand changes: penetrate and illuminate the mysterious clouds. — End.

Look upward and swallow seven breaths; then stop. After nine years of practice, the Lord of Mount Hua will bring the adept the medicine of immortals and provide seven immortal attendants. After nine years, the adept will be able to know the omens of good and ill fortune across ten thousand li to the west. After eighteen years, the adept may obtain a wheel of white clouds, travel by flight through the great void, and ascend to the palace of Jade Clarity.

(Regarding the Lord of Mount Song, the Central Peak)

The Lord of Mount Song, the Central Peak, regularly submits the names of those who have attained the Dao and those who have just begun their studies to the High Emperor. He does this in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months, on days of the wuchen, wuxu, jiwei, and jichou cycles, registering and checking their mysterious names and distinguishing their merits from their faults.

To cultivate the Way of flying immortals, on the appointed day, after midday, bathe and observe a fast. Enter a room, burn incense, face the direction associated with the four seasons (the Central Peak occupies the center; visualize its Lord), and visualize the Lord of the Central Peak: his surname is Jiao and his personal name is Pusheng. He wears the Yellow Dawn Jade Crown of the Central Origin and a yellow brocade flying skirt. (The clothing described below resembles that in the Mount Hua passage; continue the visualization and ritual according to the text.)

(This section of the scripture follows a structure similar to the Mount Hua passage after “wears a yellow brocade flying skirt,” including clicking the teeth, making a vow inwardly, the Lord’s descent and inscription of the name, swallowing breaths, and the results associated with different periods of practice. If the complete text includes an incantation and phrases such as “after nine years of practice” and “eighteen years,” they follow the same format as the entry on the Lord of Mount Hua, with differences in the Central Peak, its direction, and the results.)

Notes for reading the scripture; not part of the original text:

• The Lord of Mount Hua / the Lord of the Central Peak: Immortalized mountain deities of Mount Hua, the Western Peak, and Mount Song, the Central Peak. In Daoist esoteric texts, they oversee the registration of names, the manifestation of perfected beings, and the granting of medicine.
• Fasting, entering a room, burning incense, clicking the teeth, and swallowing breaths: Standard practices involving purification and abstinence, entering a quiet room, burning incense, clicking the teeth to communicate with spirits, and swallowing breaths formed through visualization.
• The white tablet: A symbolic tablet used by the Celestial Bureaucracy to record names. Inscribing a name—also called “writing the mysterious name”—is associated with ascension and the registers of immortals.
• Nine and eighteen years: Commonly used periods in esoteric cultivation, corresponding to different stages such as perceiving omens, receiving the medicine, and riding the wheel upward.

A Plain-Language Reading of the Wushang Miyao (Supreme Secret Essentials)

(1) The True One Descends at Mount Zhong, and the Stages of Practice (from the Dongzhen Bajiao Yujing Yin Jing)

Wearing a yellow robe and a yellow sash, and bearing the seal of the Yellow Spirit, the Sovereign of the Center, one rides a yellow-cloud flying chariot. Twelve immortal officials from Mount Zhong accompany the journey, each riding a flying qilin and holding a dark-and-yellow twelve-section baton. They circle back from the southwest and ascend to the Jade Clarity Palace above the boundless heights, wandering through empty space amid yellow clouds.

Click the teeth twelve times, then silently recite with focused intent: “Heaven, grant my highest wish and let me receive your grace. May I contemplate emptiness and bring down the numinous; may subtle reflection lead me to become an immortal. May the Lord of Mount Zhong join me to his chariot, so that I may fly upward to the Golden Gate.”

When the recitation is complete, visualize the Lord of Mount Song descending on a yellow-cloud flying chariot and entering the yellow Qi within the adept’s chamber—the chamber may be a quiet room for practice or a room appearing in inner vision. The yellow Qi surges and fills the entire room. Amid it, the Lord holds a yellow tablet and inscribes the adept’s name on it, then quietly intones:

“Emperor Spirit, centered and mysterious; the Dao veils the violet heavens. Three join to become one, and through boundless emptiness one becomes an immortal. Preserve my name in the register and keep its record secure; strengthen my life and extend my years. Let my name be admitted to Donghua and entered among the immortals of the Central Qin. May the Five Spirits watch over and illuminate me, making my Dao radiant. Emerging from emptiness and entering the subtle, may I penetrate the deepest mysteries. May my body give birth to Water and Fire and transform into countless forms; riding through space and walking upon emptiness, may I fly without hindrance.”

After the invocation, look upward and swallow twelve breaths of Qi. If this practice is continued for nine years, the adept will meet face-to-face and speak with the Lord of Mount Zhong. The Lord will descend to the adept, bring a Yellow Dragon and a flying carriage, bestow immortal officials, and provide the adept with things drawn from nature. After eighteen years of practice, the Dao will be perfected: the adept will become a flying immortal and ascend to Jade Clarity.

(2) Secret Characters in Golden Books and the Yang Talismans of the Three Origins and Nine Perfected Ones

The Secret Inner Name and Hidden Sound of the Upper Guardian of the Heavenly Soul, and the Talisman of Beginning Yang Worn on a Jade Pendant

This talisman corresponds to the Upper Guardian Heaven and the Qi of Beginning Yang. It governs the inner spirit of the Perfected One in the Upper Dantian (energy center). Write it in blue on white silk and wear it on the body. Also write it on white paper and ingest it on one of the eight festival days of one’s birth cycle. Turn the mind inward toward the Perfected One in the Dantian. If the practice is carried out without interruption for three years, the adept will see the Perfected One’s true form. The Chancellor of the Nine Heavens will inscribe the adept’s name in the register of the Nine Heavens. The adept will then see the Sovereign Lords, the Parents of the Nine Heavens, descend in visible form, fly together with the Eight Radiances, and ascend to Jade Clarity.

The Secret Inner Name and Hidden Sound of the Heavenly Soul of Doushu Tian, and the Talisman of Great Yang Worn on a Jade Pendant

This talisman corresponds to Doushu Tian and the Qi of Great Yang. It governs the inner spirit of the Perfected One in the Palace of Grotto Yang. Write it in vermilion on white silk and wear it on the body. Also write it on white paper and ingest it on one of the eight festival days of one’s birth cycle. Turn the mind inward toward the Perfected One above in Grotto Yang. If the practice is carried out without interruption for three years, the adept will see the inner spirit’s true form: one body with five heads.

Notes for Reading the Scriptures

Expressions in the text such as “clicking the teeth,” “swallowing Qi,” “the eight festival days of one’s birth cycle,” “Upper Dantian,” “Palace of Grotto Yang,” “Jade Clarity,” and “Eight Radiances” are conventional terms for Daoist visualization, talismans worn on the body, and the stages of ascending to immortality. The specific methods of practice should follow the complete scripture and the instructions transmitted by a teacher; these notes are intended only to clarify the meaning of the text.

A Plain-Language Interpretation

This passage comes from fascicle 96 of the Daoist Canon, Wushang Biyao (Essentials of the Supreme Mystery). Its general meaning is as follows:

The title recorded in the Nine Heavens (the name given in celestial scriptures) is: The Lord Emperor of the Southern Terrace descends into the meditation chamber, refines the Hun and disciplines the Po, and transforms the eight spirits and their manifestations. After eighteen years, the practitioner’s form flies through the nine heavens and ascends to Jade Clarity.

The above is drawn from the Upper Scripture of the Golden Book of the Supreme Ultimate in the Cavern of Truth — “the above” refers to this passage. Its source is the Upper Scripture of the Golden Book of the Supreme Ultimate in the Cavern of Truth. The Cavern of Truth is one category in the Daoist scriptural classification; the Upper Scripture of the Golden Book of the Supreme Ultimate is a work within it.

Explanation of Words and Phrases

Overall, the passage says that, according to the Upper Scripture of the Golden Book of the Supreme Ultimate in the Cavern of Truth, the Lord Emperor of the Southern Terrace descends into a practitioner’s quiet chamber. Through practices such as refining the Hun and disciplining the Po, and after a long period of cultivation, the practitioner’s spirit and form ultimately ascend through the heavens to Jade Clarity. This is an account of spiritual ascension and attainment in Daoism. It should be read alongside the ritual procedures and stages of visualization described in the larger work, rather than taken on its own as a secular prediction.