Under the phrase "Taoist alchemy" lies the ancient knowledge of the Chinese tradition of Taoism about the transformation of human nature and the achievement of immortality. Initially, starting from the borrowing of properties and qualities from natural elements, the teachings of the Taoists resulted in an understanding of immortality as a result of constant work on one's body and spirit. In this article, we will look at what methods the Taoists considered effective in achieving human immortality.
Taoism as a teaching
The doctrine of Tao appeared several centuries before our era. However, the very philosophy of Taoism took shape only in the II-V centuries AD. It is based on the multifaceted concept of "dao", 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 that permeates everything in the world. Tao can be compared with the Christian Holy Spirit, and with the way Indian gods "dance" the universe. Tao is that spark of life, because ofwhich the world exists.
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 development of the philosophy and schools of Taoism.
If we consider the formation of the 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 3000 years BC. - that his deeds are too mythologized. He is considered not only the creator of the first Chinese state, but also the ancestor of all Chinese in general. And he is connected with Taoism by the creation of several treatises on medical and cosmological topics. One such work of his - Yinfujing - contains many discussions about internal alchemy, processes inside the human body and human interaction with the outside world.
Laozi and the Tao Te Ching
Another semi-mythical character who played an important role in the development of the philosophy of Taoism is the Chinese sage Lao Tzu, who lived five centuries before our era. The credibility of his biography, and the very fact of the real existence of Lao Tzu, are in doubt. What is the legend about his birth worth alone: supposedly his mother bore him for 80 years, and he was already born a gray-haired and wise old man,and not the way all other people are born, but from the mother's thigh. However, such a legend can only testify to the extent of Lao Tzu's wisdom - his contemporaries could not believe that such a respectable old man could come into this world just like everyone else.
The main legacy of Lao Tzu is the philosophical treatise "Tao De Ching" ("The Book of the Way and Dignity"), which describes the basic principles and concepts of Taoism:
- dao - the concept underlying all things, the Absolute;
- te - a manifestation of the Tao, associated with morality and virtue;
- wu-wei - the principle of non-doing, stating that sometimes it is better to remain a contemplative.
External Taoist Alchemy
At first, there was an opinion that immortality can be achieved with the help of special potions and means - supposedly you can borrow their properties from substances and thus change your nature.
Organic substances were attributed the ability to lengthen life, sometimes for whole centuries and even millennia, but only inorganics - metals and alchemical reagents - could ensure immortality. On the basis of minerals, drugs were created that were to 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 meager 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 theforms of immortality (ascension from the physical body), and slight ailments from drugs are a sure sign on the path to eternal life.
Treatise Baopu Zi
An important role in the formation and development of the 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 has survived to this day is called "Baopu Zi", which means "Sage Embracing the Void".
Ge Hong's treatise "Baopu Zi" contains not only reflections on the Tao and the principles of Taoism, but also a lot of practical information regarding the achievement of immortality and the prolongation of life. Several chapters are devoted to recipes for various potions - both based on minerals and based on organic substances. Ge Hong notes that only the highest quality mineral raw materials, which do not contain unnecessary impurities, are suitable for elixirs. Also raw materials for elixirs, the alchemical symbols of immortality gold and silver, were usually quite expensive. That is why Ge Hong provides many alternative recipes using herbal and animal ingredients.
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 constant improvement of the body and spirit, including meditation, special exercises and constant work on oneself.
Followers of internal alchemy took as a basis all the same principles of external alchemy, however, they interpreted 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 inside the human body has come to the fore.
It is believed that throughout the history of Taoism, several sages managed to achieve immortality and leave their physical incarnation. These include Ge Hong and Lao Tzu already mentioned above. Moreover, there is evidence of the death of Ge Hong, claiming that a few days later his body disappeared from the coffin, allegedly ascending in the form of pure energy.
Principles of Inner Alchemy
It was supposed to achieve immortality not with the help of special medicines, but relying on the harmonization of one's own body with the outside world. The one who longed for eternal life needed to build his life in accordance with the rhythms of nature: the change of day and night, the 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 assigned to breathing exercises, gymnastics and meditation - after all, the emotional state directly affected the physical. To achieve immortality, it was supposed to be free from destructive emotions and be in a state of absolute calm.
Internal alchemy usually operates with three basic concepts - Qi, Jing and Shen. They are three substances that are in constant circulation andshaping the human being.
Qi Energy
The life force that every person can save and accumulate, according to Taoist alchemy, is called Qi. The 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 circulation of Qi is disturbed in the human body, a disease occurs. With death, Qi completely leaves the human body. In order to heal, you need to restore the correct circulation of Qi in your body. The same principle is found in feng shui - if the flow of Qi is disturbed in the house, then misfortunes will haunt those living in it.
Essence of Jing
Jing is rather not energy, but a subtle substance that makes up the human body. In a narrower sense, this concept is used to refer to the sexual energy of a person in Taoist alchemy. Jing was seen as innate and acquired - some of it passed from parents to child at the genetic level, while the other was accumulated throughout life in the form of nutrients obtained from air, food and water. It was believed that the combination of congenital and acquired Jing is stored in the kidneys.
Spirit of Shen
The third concept of internal alchemy is Shen, symbolizing the immortal spirit of man. Shen is what distinguishes us from animals and helps us achieve immortality. Man calls it consciousness or intelligence. It is the Shen that controls Jing and Qi. itthe most subtle form of substance, giving a sense of clarity. If the Shen spirit is weak, then your consciousness seems to be in darkness. Shen also corresponds to the thought process and the entire nervous system.
Body meridians
Taoist alchemy considers the human body as a collection of meridians through which Qi and other energies circulate. Physiologically, these meridians are not expressed, but they can be influenced by influencing various areas of the body (which, in particular, is what acupuncture does). In total, twelve paired meridians are distinguished, corresponding to certain organs, 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 exactly along the middle meridians.
The concept of dantian
According to the Taoist science of immortality and the principles of internal alchemy, there are three reservoirs in the human body for accumulating energy, called dantians (literally, “cinnabar field”). Dan Tian is a kind of intersection point of several energy meridians. Concentration on the sensation of the Dan Tian allows you to condense it, as if collecting energy into a reservoir and packing it “for demand.”
The upper, middle and lower dan tian are usually considered. In some ways, such a scheme 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 area of the third eye.(as the Ajna Chakra). The Middle Dantian, the "root of the spirit", corresponds to the Anahata Chakra and is located in the center of the chest. The lower dan tian, "jing root", located just below the navel, corresponds to the three lower chakras. It transforms the essence of Jing into Qi energy.
Dantian work and energy flow control can be mastered through regular qigong, yoga and meditation. Even doing ordinary physical exercises, you still use all the energy centers and channels - that is why after sports you feel such a surge of strength.
