Internal Alchemy For Everyone

This book makes the self-cultivation of Daoist internal alchemy available to everyone. Avoiding predetermined academic categories, it provides an outline of basic concepts in conjunction with evolutionary theory as well as easily accessible practice instructions. Done correctly, the practice provides numerous benefits, including freedom from disease, an extended life expectancy, increased wisdom, and more. This helps everyone! The work opens the powerful esoteric system of internal alchemy to a wide, general audience, lifting it out of obscurity and mystification while yet retaining a strong hold in historical sources. A must-read for anyone interested in traditional Chinese cosmology, Daoist practice, and the active pursuit of a healthier and longer life!

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. 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

In Taoism and Self Knowledge, Catherine Despeux develops a history of the "Chart for the Cultivation of Perfection" a text containing an array of meditative techniques for individual salvation and thunder rites. This chart was transmitted widely among Taoists in Quanzhen tradition.

For centuries, high up in the mountains of China, spiritual adepts explored the essence of being human. Known as Taoist alchemists, these practitioners developed and refined systems of energetic practice that allow us to experience our true nature. The Taoist Alchemy of Wang Liping: Vol. 1 introduces a traditional system of Taoist self-transformation known as internal alchemy or neidan, outlining the core curriculum and instruction methods designed to awaken consciousness and the mind-body connection. Wang Liping is the current transmitter of the Dragon Gate Lineage, a Taoist lineage that for centuries has been synonymous with the practice of neidan. The first in a series, Volume One briefly details Nathan's training with Wang Liping before presenting the core practices of the first alchemical phase: how to build foundation, and refine jing, the lower frequency of energy associated with our physical body, into a more rarified form of energy called qi. Numerous methods, rituals, and techniques are included, as well as a clear framework for the practice. Wang Liping is responsible for passing on the ancient knowledge of the Dragon Gate Lineage of Taoist practice, as a mentor and teacher for the next generation of students. Wang Liping's lineage is a traditional Mountain Taoist lineage. These Taoists are fully engaged in self-transformation and the pursuit of transcendence. Born in China's northeast in 1949, Wang Liping was chosen by three masters of the Dragon Gate Lineage to become the 18th heir, holder and transmitter of the lineage. Wang Liping's arduous training was described in the book Opening the Dragon Gate: The Making of a Modern Taoist Wizard. Wang Liping began teaching publicly in 1985. Since then, he has trained many students throughout China and abroad. He continues to live in China and teach. Nathan has been teaching Chinese internal arts for over twenty years. He began Taoist practice in 1997, immersing himself in Taoist temple arts, martial arts, meditation, internal work (neigong), energy work (qigong), and internal alchemy. For several years Nathan lived in China and trained full-time with a number of masters, as well as learning Mandarin Chinese. After China, Nathan returned to Canada to pursue academic study of Taoism, where he received a BA in Asian Languages and Culture and worked towards an MA at the University of British Columbia, extending his knowledge of Classical Chinese and the Taoist canon. After meeting Wang Liping, Nathan left graduate school and devoted himself wholly to learning Taoist alchemy. Wang Liping authorized Nathan to teach in 2015. Nathan now leads regular workshops in Vancouver, Canada, as well as internationally.

Nei Gong has been a well-kept secret within the Daoist sects of China for centuries. Based upon the original teachings of the great sage Laozi, it has only ever been taught to close students of the masters chosen as the heads of the ancient orders. This book provides a breakdown of the entire Nei Gong process, and explains in plain English the philosophy which underpins Nei Gong practice, and which is based on the original teachings of the ancient Daoist priests. The methodology of Sung breathing, an advanced meditative practice which has until now been reserved for 'inner-door' students is described, and the book contains an entire set of Qigong exercises accompanied by instructional photographs and drawings. This book will be of interest to all practitioners of Qi Gong, martial arts and meditation, and will be a rewarding read for anyone interested in Eastern philosophy.

Bestselling author Pedram Shojai, “The Urban Monk,” presents a comprehensive guide on how Taoist alchemical practices can help you release stress, harness life force energy, and awaken your true self. “We have fallen asleep to the knowledge of our true nature, and now it is time to wake up.” —Pedram Shojai There is a way to break free from trance of modern life and awaken to your true, limitless nature. The path lies in an ancient system of Taoist alchemy, and with Inner Alchemy, qi gong master, physician, and former monk Pedram Shojai presents an in-depth guide for harnessing the transformational power of this wisdom in your own life: Part 1 lays out Taoist principles and philosophy for understanding the body’s energy matrix and the nature of our current challenges—all in down-to-earth languagePart 2 covers specific exercises and techniques for mastering your energy and awakening your true power—including diet, meditation, exercise, sleep, lifestyle tips, and traditional qi gong setsPart 3 provides an advanced exploration of traditional Taoism for modern times, along with a 100-day practice formula to help you regulate your energy, wake up from the hypnotic daze of daily life, and make the world we live in a better place “The process of turning the material ‘lead’ of our human experience into the ‘gold’ of awakening is the essence of this ancient science of spirituality,” writes Shojai. “My promise is that if you practice what you learn in this book, your life will change in ways that you have never imagined.”

A guide to the advanced practice of Inner Alchemy, which brings the physical body into balance with the energy body • Presents the second level of Inner Alchemy practices that use the eight forces of the pakua (bagwa) to collect, gather, and condense chi in the body • Explains how to balance negative emotional energy with positive energy to detoxify, nourish, and integrate the physical and the energy body with the forces of nature • Shows how to collect and channel the greater energies of the stars and planets to create unity between what is above and below Cosmic Fusion is an advanced level of Inner Alchemy that teaches how to bring the physical body into balance with the energy body--a necessary prerequisite for the formation of the universal body, the pearl of compassion that is one with Original Creation and the Universal Tao. Cosmic Fusion works with the expression of the eight pakua (bagwa) of Chinese cosmology, through which all creation is divided and given form, nature, and definition. Cosmic Fusion exercises establish the spiritual body firmly in the lower abdomen, where chi energy is gathered and distributed to all parts of the body--and into all creation. The fully illustrated exercises in this book also show how to collect and channel the greater energies of the stars and planets. By “fusing” all these different energies together, a harmonious whole is created, a unity of what is above and below. As heavenly and earthly forces are brought into balance, the life perfectly suited to the practitioner manifests, allowing the spirit body to prepare to move into worlds beyond--and back.

In 100 Days to Better Health, Good Sex & Long Life, Eric Yudelove provided the foundation course in Taoist practice. Now he takes you to the next level, referred to as "Beginning Internal Alchemy." Gather the energies from the five major internal organs, harmonize them, and change them from negative to positive. It's a process of refining yourself so you can absorb energy from nature and the cosmos, thus becoming a universe in miniature.