Taoism Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Alchemy === [[file:Chinese woodcut; Daoist internal alchemy (4) Wellcome L0038974.jpg|thumb|Illustration of Taoist neidan from the {{Lang|zh-latn|[[Xingming guizhi]]}} (''Pointers on Spiritual Nature and Bodily Life''), {{Circa|1615}} ([[Wanli Emperor|Wanli era]]).]] {{See also|Taoist alchemy|Neidan}} A key element of many schools of Taoism are [[Alchemy|alchemical]] practices, which include rituals, meditations, exercises, and the creation of various alchemical substances. The goals of alchemy include physical and spiritual transformation, aligning oneself spiritually with cosmic forces, undertaking ecstatic spiritual journeys, improving physical health, extending one's life, and even becoming an immortal ([[Xian (Taoism)|xian]]).<ref>{{harvp|Kohn|2000|p=672}}; {{harvp|Robinet|1997|p=228 & 103}}</ref> Taoist alchemy can be found in early Taoist scriptures like the ''[[Taiping Jing]]'' and the ''[[Baopuzi]]''.<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|Verellen|2004|pp=70β71}}; {{harvp|Robinet|1997|p=73}}</ref> There are two main kinds of alchemy, internal alchemy ([[neidan]]) and external alchemy ([[waidan]]). Internal alchemy (neidan, literally: "internal elixir"), which focuses on the transformation and increase of qi in the body, developed during the late imperial period (especially during the Tang) and is found in almost all Taoist schools today, though it is most closely associated with the [[Quanzhen School]].{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=170}}{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=133-136}} There are many systems of internal alchemy with different methods such as visualization and breathwork.{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=170}} In the late Imperial period, neidan developed into complex systems that drew on numerous elements, including: classic Taoist texts and meditations, [[Yangsheng (Daoism)|yangsheng]], [[I Ching]] symbology, Taoist cosmology, external alchemy concepts and terms, [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese medicine]], and Buddhist influences.{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=136}} Neidan systems tend to be passed on through oral master-disciple lineages that are often to be secret.{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=137}} Livia Kohn writes that the main goal of internal alchemy is generally understood as a set of three transformations: "from essence (jing) to energy ([[qi]]), from energy to spirit (shen), and from spirit to Dao."{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=171}} Common methods for this include engaging the subtle body and activating the [[microcosmic orbit]].{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=171}}{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=137}}<ref name="Gurdon-2002e" /> Louis Komjathy adds that neidan seeks to create a transcendent spirit, usually called the "immortal embryo" (xiantai) or "yang spirit" (yangshen).{{sfnp|Komjathy|2014|p=136}} Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page