By Shawn Cartwright
“Studying the classic Taoist texts is important for every serious student of Nei Dan. Our teachers transmit the methods of cultivating Ming (命) or Life, but it is up to us to cultivate our own Xing (性) or Nature. The classics not only connect us to our lineage, their richly layered imagery, symbolism, and seeming [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Fabrizio Pregadio, one of the foremost translators of Taoist Alchemy classics, answers several question about his work translating some of the most important texts of Nei Dan. Here is a selection of questions and his answers from the interview. The full interview can be found in the paper Interpreting the Ancient Codes available as a [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
The Zhou Yi Can Tong Qi is one of the most important texts in the practice of Nei Dan, or Internal Alchemy. It correlates the three major classics of ancient China: The Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic), Yi Jing (I Ching or Book of Changes), and the Dao De Jing. This short [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Bai Yun Guan, or White Cloud Temple (白云观) is one of the most important Taoist temples in China. This temple is the seat of the Long Men sect of Daoism. Our teacher, Chen Yang guided the group through the temple providing details on history and Taoism. The group was very interested in the philosophy and [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: Could you tell us a little more about your Chinese Internal Alchemy teachers?
Reply:
Here is a partial list of our Chinese teachers.
They have all made important contributions in some way but in terms Taoism and Nei Dan, the following are most relevant to your question:
Li Laoshi: Technically from the southern Zhong-Lu school, he was also [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: Why are there so many different schools and techniques in Internal Alchemy? Which one is best?
Reply:
The Taoist say there are 3600 doors and 72 more side doors, but only one Elixir.
The Buddhists say there are 84,000 methods.
This is because each person is different and will have affinity for different types of practices.
The Internal Alchemy [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: I’ve read the theory of Internal Alchemy and Immortality. How can anyone prove it?
Reply:
Internal Alchemy does not rely on the theory-proof model as it is commonly understood in the West. It is accepted by its serious practitioners that the methods and practices of Nei Dan were empirically validated by previous masters. For this reason, [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: How can I start practicing Nei Dan? I am very interested in the foundation building practices.
Reply:
I understand that you are inquiring about the specific techniques of the Building the Foundation stage. I appreciate that you limited your question to that part of the practice. It is probably the stage of the practice that could [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: I read Zhao Bi Chen’s book on Internal Alchemy and came across the idea of the Virgin Body. Does the term Virgin Body related to purely physiological activities? How is this related to virtue?
Reply:
The terms Superior Virtue and Inferior Virtue have, as do most other Alchemical terms, multi-variant meanings depending upon the context. Previously, [...]
By Shawn Cartwright
Question: I have heard that instant realization does not require any work (Wu Wei), that this is the path those of superior virtue follow. The gradual path requires work (You Wei) and is followed by those of inferior virtue. These two paths are related to the formation of the two different Yao. What does this [...]