Under the phrase "Taoist alchemy" hides the ancient knowledge of the Chinese tradition of Taoism about the transformation of human nature and the achievement of immortality. Initially, starting from borrowing properties and qualities from natural elements, the teachings of the Taoists resulted in an understanding of immortality as the result of constant work on your body and spirit. In this article, we will consider what Taoist methods were considered effective for achieving human immortality.
Taoism as a teaching
The doctrine of Tao appeared a few centuries before our era. However, the philosophy of Taoism itself took shape only in the II-V century A.D. It is based on the multifaceted concept of “Tao”, meaning the very essence of this world. It is interpreted both as an eternal action, thanks to which the world exists, and as a single force permeating everything in the world. Tao can be compared with the Christian Holy Spirit, and with the way the Indian gods "dance" the universe. Tao is that spark of life that makes the world exist.
Key figures of Taoism: the legendary Huangdi
There are several historical characters who are considered the founders of Taoism. Today we do not know exactly who was the first to formulate the principles of Tao, however, all of the described heroes played an important role in the formation of philosophy and schools of Taoism.
If we consider the formation of tradition in chronological order, then the first to be called the founder of Taoism was the semi-legendary Yellow Emperor Huangdi. Historians do not deny the existence of such a statesman, but he lived so long ago - another 3,000 years BC. - that his deeds are too mythologized. He is considered not only the creator of the first Chinese state, but also the first ancestor of all Chinese in general. And with Taoism he is connected by the creation of several treatises on medical and cosmological topics. His only such work - Infujing - contains many discussions about internal alchemy, processes within the human body and human interaction with the outside world.
Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching
Another semi-mythical character who played an important role in the formation of the philosophy of Taoism is the Chinese sage Lao Tzu, who lived five centuries before our era. The reliability of his biography, and the very fact of the real existence of Lao Tzu are in doubt. What is the only legend about his birth: the mother allegedly bore him for 80 years, and he was born already a gray-haired and wise old man, and not like all other people are born, but from the mother’s hip. However, such a legend can only testify to the scale of Lao Tzu’s wisdom - his contemporaries did not believe that such a venerable old man could come to this world just like everyone else.
The main legacy of Lao Tzu is the philosophical treatise “Tao De Ching” (“Book of Path and Dignity”), which describes the basic principles and concepts of Taoism:
- Tao - the concept underlying all that exists, the Absolute;
- de - the manifestation of the Tao associated with morality and virtue;
- u-wei - the principle of non-action, which states that sometimes it is better to remain a contemplator.
External Taoist Alchemy
At first, it was believed that immortality can be achieved with the help of special potions and drugs - supposedly, one can borrow their properties from substances and thus change their nature.
Organic substances were attributed the property of lengthening life, sometimes for centuries and even millennia, but immortality could only be ensured by inorganics - metals and alchemical reagents. On the basis of minerals, drugs were created that should be regularly consumed in microscopic doses. Naturally, the elixir of immortality, which included mercury, cinnabar, arsenic, and other similar substances, turned into poison. However, the daily portion of the elixir was so scanty that death as a result of poisoning with toxic substances occurred only when a sufficient amount of them accumulated in the body. And then, such a death was considered one of the forms of immortality (ascension from the physical body), and mild ailments from drugs were a sure sign on the path to eternal life.
The treatise "Baopu Zi"
An important role in the formation and development of methods of external alchemy was played by the ancient Chinese scientist Ge Hong. He lived in the 4th century AD, was in the service of the emperor and devoted his life to alchemical experiments and writing works, including encyclopedic treatises. One of the texts that have survived to this day, is called "Baopu Zi", which means "Sage that surrounds the void."
Ge Hun’s treatise “Baopu Zi” contains not only reflections on Tao and the principles of Taoism, but also a lot of practical information on achieving immortality and prolonging life. Several chapters are devoted to recipes for various potions - both based on minerals and on the basis of organic substances. Ge Hong notes that elixirs are suitable only for the highest quality mineral raw materials that do not contain unnecessary impurities. Also, the raw materials for the elixirs, the alchemical symbols of immortality, gold and silver, were usually very expensive. That is why Ge Hong gives many alternative recipes using plant and animal components.
Inner Taoist Alchemy
Subsequently, it was decided to abandon the principles of external alchemy in favor of methods called internal alchemy. They were based on the continuous improvement of the body and spirit, including meditation, special exercises and constant work on oneself.
The followers of internal alchemy took as a basis all the same principles of external alchemy, however, they described the described elixirs of immortality and the substances necessary for their creation, just as alchemical symbols, allegorization of the human body. The interaction of elements and elements within the human body came to the fore.
It is believed that throughout the history of Taoism, several sages managed to achieve immortality and leave their physical embodiment. These include Ge Hun and Lao Tzu already mentioned above. Moreover, there is evidence of the death of Ge Hong, claiming that after a few days his body disappeared from the tomb, allegedly ascending in the form of pure energy.
Principles of Internal Alchemy
It was supposed to achieve immortality not with the help of special medicines, but relying on the harmonization of one's own organism with the outside world. The thirst for eternal life needed to build his life in accordance with the rhythms of nature: the change of day and night, seasons and so on. In addition to following a special regime, it was also necessary to master various practices and exercises that help normalize internal processes. An important role was given to breathing exercises, gymnastics and meditation - because the emotional state directly influenced the physical one. To achieve immortality, it was supposed to free oneself from destructive emotions and stay in a state of absolute calm.
Internal alchemy usually operates with three basic concepts - Qi, Ching and Shen. They are three substances that are in a constant cycle and form human being.
Qi energy
The life force that each person can save and accumulate, in accordance with Taoist alchemy, is called Qi. Hieroglyph Qi is also commonly translated as “ether” or “breath”. It is believed that Qi permeates everything around and is the material basis of everything that happens. If the Qi circulation is disturbed in the human body, a disease occurs. With death, Qi completely leaves the human body. In order to be cured, you need to restore the proper circulation of Qi in your body. The same principle is found in feng shui - if the Qi flow is disturbed in the house, then those living in it will be harassed.
Essence jing
Ching is more likely not energy, but the subtle substance of which the human body consists. In a narrower understanding, this concept is used to denote the human sexual energy in Taoist alchemy. Jing was considered as congenital and acquired - some of it passed from parents to the child at the genetic level, while the other accumulated throughout life in the form of nutrients obtained from air, food and water. It was believed that the totality of congenital and acquired Jing is stored in the kidneys.
Shen Spirit
The third concept of internal alchemy is Shen, symbolizing the immortal spirit of man. Shen is what distinguishes us from animals and helps to achieve immortality. Man calls it consciousness or reason. It is Shen who controls Jing and Qi. This is the most subtle form of substance, giving a feeling of clarity. If the spirit of Shen is weak, then your consciousness is as if in darkness. Shen also corresponds to the process of thinking and the entire nervous system.
Body meridians
Taoist alchemy considers the human body as a set of meridians through which Chi and other energies circulate. Physiologically, these meridians are not expressed, but it is possible to influence them by affecting various areas of the body (which, in particular, is what acupuncture does). In total, twelve pair meridians corresponding to certain organs are distinguished, and in addition to them, the anterior and posterior median meridians are separately distinguished. Usually during manipulations with energy in Qigong exercises and meditations, it is carried out precisely along the middle meridians.
The concept of the Danes
According to the Taoist science of immortality and the principles of internal alchemy, there are three reservoirs for storing energy in the human body, called the Dantians (literally, “the cinnabar field”). Tantian is a kind of intersection point of several energy meridians. Concentration on the sensation of the tantango allows you to condense it, as if gaining energy in the tank and packing it “on demand”.
Usually consider the upper, middle and lower dantian. In some ways, this pattern corresponds to the chakras in yoga, however, the number of energy centers is not seven, but three. The Upper Dantian, the “root of wisdom,” is located in the third eye (like the Ajna Chakra). The middle dantian, the “root of spirit”, corresponds to the Anahata Chakra and is located in the center of the chest. The lower dantian, the “jing root”, located just below the navel, corresponds to the three lower chakras. It transforms the essence of Jing into Chi energy.
Work with the Dantians and control the flow of energy can be mastered through regular Qigong exercises, yoga and meditation. Even doing regular physical exercises, you still use all the energy centers and channels - that is why after sports you feel such a surge of strength.