num_pages: 154
description: Originally written for Chinese readers this book provides a clear description of the Taoist practice of Internal Alchemy or Neidan. The author outlines the four stages of the alchemical practice and clarifies several relevant terms and notions including Essence Breath and Spirit; the Cinnabar Fields; the Fire Times; and the Embryo. The book is based on the system of the Wuzhen pian (Awakening to Reality) one of the main sources of Internal Alchemy and contains about two hundred quotations from original Taoist texts. Available in paperback PDF and Kindle editions.Visit the web page on this book.Table of Contents Foreword vii INTRODUCTION 1 The Basis: Essence and Spirit 3 STAGES OF THE ALCHEMICAL PRACTICE IN AWAKENING TO REALITY 11 The Four Stages 13 Laying the Foundations 15 Main Points in the Practice of Laying the Foundations 20 The Functions of Essence Breath and Spirit 36 Terms Related to the Coagulation of the Three Treasures 52 Conclusion of the Stage of Laying the Foundations 63 Refining Essence to Transmute it into Breath 65 Refining Breath to Transmute it into Spirit 99 Refining Spirit to Return to Emptiness 109 CONCLUSION 119 The Arts of the Way 121 Tables 123 Glossary of Chinese Characters 133
language: English
title: Foundations of Internal Alchemy: The Taoist Practice of Neidan
publisher: Golden Elixir Press