《上清迴神飛霄登空招五星上法經》

This passage explains an advanced cultivation method recorded in the Shangqing Huishen Feixiao Dengkong Zhao Wuxing Shangfa Jing (Scripture of the Highest Clarity on Flying to the Empyrean and Summoning the Five Stars). It teaches practitioners how to achieve immortality through visualization (meditation) of the Five Star Deities. Let me break it down into sections:

First are the preparatory steps. The practice must be performed on specific auspicious days (the eight celestial stem-branch combinations including Jiazi and Jiawu). After ritual purification and fasting, one should sit or recline freely in a quiet chamber. Close the eyes, place both hands over the heart, and begin visualizing the Five Star Deities.

The actual practice consists of five stages corresponding to the Five Directional Emperors:

1. The Green Emperor of the East (ruler of the eastern heavens):

Visualize him named Tongming, styled Gaiqing, dressed entirely in green, entering your body surrounded by rosy light. Simultaneously envision four deities called "Green Luminous Lords" guarding your liver to prevent the intrusion of deathly Qi. Swallow the essence of stellar light ninety times to fill the liver with green vital energy. After nine years of practice, nine jade maidens in green robes will appear as protectors.

2. The Red Emperor of the South:

Visualize him named Taiyang, styled Huanlin, dressed entirely in red. Imagine a deity called "Pearl of Divine Movement," the Cinnabar Sovereign Lord, guarding your heart. Swallow the essence of Mars eighty times to fill the heart with red vital energy. After nine years, eight red-robed jade maidens will serve as protectors.

3. The White Emperor of the West:

(Though the original text is incomplete, we can infer) One should visualize the white-robed White Emperor entering the body while contemplating the lung deities. Swallow the essence of Venus seventy times, and after nine years, white-robed jade maidens will appear as protectors.

Key terms in the scripture:

• "Jianggong" (絳宫) refers to the heart
• "Wuchen" (五晨) denotes the Five Stars
• "Qixuan" (七玄) indicates the seven orifices

The practice involves specific ritual garments (like the "Chapter of Yang Radiance") and detailed visualization of deities' names and forms. This method belongs to the advanced visualization techniques of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, a major Daoist school. Through prolonged meditation on the stellar essences, practitioners aim to achieve "ascension with the Five Stars" (形登五晨), the state of celestial flight through unity with the stellar deities.

Important notes: Such practices require strict observance of auspicious timing, purification rituals, and years of persistent effort. The scripture emphasizes "transmission only to the worthy" (非真不传), indicating this is a secret advanced method.

This scripture describes a Daoist internal cultivation method primarily involving visualization (meditation) of the deities of the five viscera and the essences of the five planets. The specific practice is as follows:

First, visualize a deity named "Lord of Upper Purity" (zi Liangnanzhong) residing in the lungs, accompanied by a youth guardian who blocks the invasion of death qi. During practice, one should visualize the radiance of Venus (Taibai Jinxing), swallow its light sixty times, and allow the planetary qi to fully permeate the lungs. After nine years of sustained practice, six Jade Maidens of Great Purity will offer protection.

Next, visualize the Black Emperor of the North (water virtue deity, ming Tongshen zi Zigui) entering the body dressed in black robes and crown. In the kidneys resides a deity called "Lord of Mysterious Yang" (zi Mingguang Xiansheng), who blocks the pathways of death qi in the back. Visualize the light of Mercury (Chenxing) and swallow it fifty times, filling both kidneys with planetary qi. After nine years, five Jade Maidens of Great Mystery will provide protection.

Then visualize the Yellow Emperor of the Center (earth virtue deity, ming Wanfu zi Taicang). In the spleen resides "Lord Nourishing Radiance" (zi Taichangzi) as guardian. Visualize the light of Saturn (Zhenxing) and swallow it twelve times. Nine years of practice will bring the protection of twelve Yellow Purity Jade Maidens.

Finally, visualize the two deities "Mysterious Primordial Father Lord" (ming Gaotongsheng zi Zuohuiming) and "Mysterious Mother" (ming Shuhuowang zi Youhuiguang), who guard the source of life. Visualize the combined radiance of sun and moon, swallowing their light thirty-six times until the luminous qi fills the dantian (lower abdominal energy center). After nine years, one's complexion will glow with vitality, and one may command the six Jia and six Ding spirit generals.

Upon completing the entire practice, recite this invocation: "The five planets' radiance encircles my body, the essences of sun and moon (the Two Luminaries) irrigate my five viscera." This represents a characteristic Shangqing visualization technique that cultivates through harmonizing celestial energies with internal deities.

This scripture expounds the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist practice of "Returning the Spirit to Soar to the Azure" (Huíshen Fēixiāo), primarily achieved through visualizing the deities of the five viscera to attain longevity and celestial ascension. Here's a detailed explanation:

The opening describes the effects of cultivation: By stabilizing the divine spirits within the body, one maintains physical and mental tranquility (Huángníng). The supreme deity Taiyi assists practitioners in reversing aging (biàntāi huíyīng), causing the five viscera (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen) to radiate brilliance. Through absorbing the essences of sun and moon and merging with the Celestial Emperor's truth, one ultimately ascends to the Jade Clarity heaven.

The practice involves several stages:

1. Nine years of continuous cultivation through visualization (cúnzhù) manifests the true spirit, dispels death-qi from the nine orifices (jiǔfáng), and secures the register of immortality in the Southern Palace (abode of immortals).

2. Receiving the mysterious powers from deities of the five directions, swallowing the qi of solar and lunar essences to eternally rejuvenate the five viscera, stabilize the hun and po souls, and ultimately achieve celestial flight.

The "Stabilizing Spirits Through Inner Contemplation" method transmitted by the Celestial Emperor of Taiwei emphasizes:

• Resolving internal blockages (jiěbāo sànjié)
• Consolidating the soul (gùhún níngpò)
• Harmonizing primordial qi (hùnhuà xuánzhēn)
• Unblocking the six bowels and five senses

During practice, fragrant spirit mushrooms (fāngzhī) spontaneously emerge, meridians become unobstructed (wèiguǎn jiéluò), and one attains mental clarity and physical purity (shénchéng tǐqīng), ultimately enabling daytime ascension in a jade chariot.

Specific practice requirements:

1. Maintain purity: observe fasting, bathe ritually, burn incense in a purified chamber, and eliminate distractions (yíxīn qìlèi)

2. Each dawn, sit peacefully facing east, close the eyes for inner observation (línmù nèicún)

3. Sequentially visualize the deities of body parts:

• Hair deity (Cānghuá Tàiyuán) - 2.1 inches tall
• Brain deity (Jīnggēn Níwán) - 1.1 inches
• Eye deity (Míngshàng Yīngxuán) - 3 inches
• Nose deity (Yùlǒng Língjiān) - 2.5 inches
• Ear deity (Kōngxián Yōutián) - 3.1 inches
• Tongue deity (Tōngmìng Wǔlún) - 7 inches
• Teeth deity (Èfēng Luóqiān) - 1.5 inches

4. These seven facial deities wear flying silk skirts and appear as infants - visualize them clearly returning to their proper positions

5. Conclude by tapping teeth 24 times, swallowing qi 12 repetitions, and reciting incantations to summon eight spirit guardians for celestial ascent

Special emphasis is placed on visualizing:

• Heart deity (Dānyuán Shǒulíng) - 9 inches tall
• Lung deity (Hàohuá Xūchéng) - including its name and distinctive features

This scripture comprehensively demonstrates the characteristic Shangqing method of achieving ascension through body-deity visualization, qi absorption, and incantation recitation.

This scripture describes the Daoist Neiguan (inner observation) practice of visualizing deities residing within the body. The main content is as follows:

Each of the five zang and six fu organs is guarded by corresponding deities with specific names, titles, and physical dimensions:

• The liver deity is called "Dragon Mist" (Longyan), titled "Harmonious Azure Radiance" (He Cangming), measuring eight cun in height
• The kidney deity is named "Mysterious Darkness" (Xuanming), titled "Nurturing Infant" (Yu Ying), three cun and six fen tall
• The spleen deity is called "Constant Presence" (Changzai), titled "Soul Court" (Hun Ting), seven cun and three fen in height
• The gallbladder deity is named "Dragon Radiance" (Longyao), titled "Majestic Illumination" (Wei Ming), three cun and six fen tall

These deities all wear crimson brocade flying skirts, dwelling within the internal organs with infant-like forms and rosy complexions resembling children. Practitioners must maintain focused visualization of these divine forms from dawn till dusk without interruption.

The specific cultivation methods include:

1. Tapping teeth twenty-four times

2. Swallowing qi twelve times

3. Reciting the invocation: "May the true deities of the five zang and six fu organs gather at the Crimson Palace (heart chamber), ascending and descending in mutual harmony..."

The text further details guardian deities stationed throughout the body with their respective titles:

• The Three Essence-Blood Truths are called "Primordial Life Sovereign" (Yuansheng Jun), titled "Yellow Peace Child" (Huang Ningzi), guarding beneath the two orifices
• The Two Bone-Joint Truths are named "Jade Firmness Sovereign" (Jianyu Jun), titled "Condensed Feather Pearl" (Ning Yu Zhu), protecting the Granary Mansion (stomach region)
• The Single Heart Truth is called "Celestial Essence Fluid Sovereign" (Tianjing Jinye Jun), titled "Flying Life Superior Excellence" (Fei Sheng Shang Ying)
• The Nine Primordial Truth Males are named "Restrainer" (Ju Zhi), titled "Triple Yang" (San Yang), guarding the left ear
• The Imperial First Soul Female is called "Superior Return" (Shang Gui), titled "Imperial Child" (Di Zi), protecting the right ear

Additionally, there are the Three Primordial Lords of Purple Simplicity (Zi Su), Yellow Simplicity (Huang Su), and White Simplicity (Bai Su) guarding the head/face, chest/abdomen, and lower regions respectively, along with other deities like the Sun, Moon, and Fetal Center beings, each fulfilling specific roles in safeguarding vital areas of the human body.

This scripture describes a Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist method of spirit visualization (cunshen), primarily explaining how to nurture life and prolong years through contemplating the deities within the body. Here's a section-by-section interpretation:

First, it introduces several crucial Qi Sovereigns (internal deities) and their sacred names:

• The Qi Sovereign is named Binlai, styled Jingshangmen—the essential soul of Imperial Truth, called Youtai
• The Yellow Qi Sovereign in the womb is named Zumingche, styled Shenwuji—the celestial emperor's essential soul, called Liweizang, styled Fazhu
• The Red Qi Sovereign in the blood is named Hunlizi, styled Shubaojian—the soul of the Director of Destinies, called Faniuzi, styled Qingxuan

These deities guard different bodily regions:

• Two sovereigns guard the mouth of the nine intestines and beneath the hidden source (likely the digestive system)
• Another pair guards the root of two apertures in the lower abdomen (possibly the dantian)
• Two more oversee the blood of hundred joints and beneath the severed nodes (probably the circulatory system)

It then enumerates higher-level deities:

• The Supreme Mysterious Father is named Gaotongsheng, styled Zuohuiming
• The Lower Mysterious Mother is named Shuhuowang, styled Youhuiguang
• The Imperial Supreme One is named Chongmingkong, styled Youliaowu
• The Nine Imperial Sovereigns are named Mingzhen, styled Zhongdisheng
• The Great Emperor's essential soul is named Youyangtangyu, styled Baling
• The Nine Passes soul is named Lühuidao, styled Jueming
• The Celestial Net Emperor's soul is named Zhaowu'a, styled Guangshen

These deities collectively:

• Guard the root of original life (life's foundation)
• Seal the gates of death's path
• Circulate golden fluids (essential substances) throughout the body
• Illuminate the soul with jade blossoms (refined essences)
• Fill the nine passes (key energy points) with imperial Qi
• Elevate seven generations of ancestors beyond the three paths of suffering
• Grant rebirth in the Southern Palace (celestial abode)

The practice methods include:

1. Visualizing these deities positioned from head to navel

2. Tapping teeth thirty-nine times

3. Reciting an incantation conveying:

• Qi emerging from primordial emptiness
• Yin-Yang energies intertwining internally and externally
• The primordial spirit (yuanling) guarding the nine orifices
• Protecting the soul and pacifying ten thousand spirits
• Nourishing the three passes (vital regions) with abundant spiritual essences
• Ultimately ascending with deities to the Jade Clarity realm (highest heaven)

4. Swallowing Qi thirty-nine times to nourish the thirty-nine households (key internal regions)

5. With sincere practice and detachment from worldly concerns, practitioners may:

• Sever death Qi in the nine households
• Guard the palace of life at the upper pass
• Manifest true deities after three years of practice
• Regain black hair and regrow teeth
• Strengthen the five viscera with abundant internal Qi
• Command the Six Jia and Six Ding protector deities
• Summon immortals from the nine heavens
• Ultimately achieve "spirit flight and bodily ascent, mounting dawn in broad daylight" (daytime ascension)

This method integrates visualization, Qi absorption, teeth-tapping, and saliva-swallowing techniques—characteristic of Shangqing internal alchemy (neidan). It emphasizes longevity through inner deity contemplation, culminating in ascension to immortality.

This scripture reveals that precious divine spirits (shangzhen zhi shenbao) reside within the human body. These deities, identified by special esoteric names (neizi), guard the body while circulating the Qi of the Nine Heavens (cosmic energies) to stabilize the functions of the six viscera. All vital essences (jing) in the body depend on these divine guardians—when they remain, life continues; when they depart, death follows.

Practitioners who diligently accumulate spiritual resonance through cultivation may ascend bodily to celestial palaces (xuangong) in the heavenly realms. But how can one hope to attain the Dao and achieve immortality without knowing the sacred names of these inner deities or understanding how to seal the Gates of Death (sihu) that lead to mortality?

Essential precepts for this practice include: avoiding all contact with defilements, abstaining from the Five Pungents (onions, garlic and other stimulants) as well as alcohol and meat—for such impurities offend the righteous Qi and drive away the divine guardians. Ordinary people obsess over delicacies to gratify their appetites and chase high rank to glorify their status, never realizing that rich foods are actually axes that damage life, while wealth and luxury erode the true primordial essence (zhenyuan).

Thus, divine adepts (shenren) who have attained the Dao prefer secluded solitude, rarely revealing their forms in the dusty human world. Those who seek to cultivate longevity should pay utmost attention to these principles!

(Note: This passage comes from a Shangqing (Highest Clarity) school classic, detailing methods of ascension through visualization of inner deities and purity maintenance. The "Five Stars" refer to the planets representing the Five Phases energies: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth.)