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Daoist Internal Alchemy 道 家 内 丹 术By Shawn CartwrightWe received a number of questions about InternalAlchemy as a result of the publication of ourrecent whitepaper Interpreting the Ancient Codes:Exploring the Classics of Taoist Alchemy, An Introductionto the Zhou Yi Can Tong Qi. We have consolidatedthem here for your convenience.Q: What is Internal Alchemy?A: Internal Alchemy or Nei Dan ( 內 丹 )is China’smost important contribution to the world. InternalAlchemy provides a set of principles and techniquesfor the sincere practitioner to transcendthe mundane and realize perfection in this lifetime.Stated classically, the Nei Dan practitioner transmutesthe three treasures of the body, Jing ( 精 )Qi( 氣 )and Shen ( 神 )to reunite with the Dao ( 道 .)For this reason, Nei Dan is also sometimes called“Immortality Training.”Many forms of Qigong ( 氣 功 ,)also called NeiGong ( 內 功 )are influenced by Nei Dan. However,even if Nei Dan can be called the highest the formof Qigong, all Qigong is not Nei Dan. Qigong, however,can be very good preparation for beginningNei Dan practice.Q: What are the main parts of the Nei Danteachings??A: The Nei Dan teachings usually consist of threeparts: 1) Dao ( 道 ,)the great principles behind thework, 2) Fa ( 法 ,)the actual methods or approachused by various schools, and 3) Shu ( 朮 ,)thespecific techniques of the practices.Collectively, they serve as a guide to inform yourunderstanding and practice. The Dao is usuallyavailable openly to anyone who is interested. TheMethods are generally available to students, althoughoccasionally certain methods are consideredsecrets. The Techniques are rarely writtendown and when they are, certain key parts areusually omitted, the so called “oral secrets.”These teachings are organized into a series ofstages with associated designations:1. Building the Foundation: Human2. Transmuting Jing to Qi: Ren Xian (Human Immortal)3. Transmuting Qi to Shen: Di Xian (Earthly Immortal)4. Refining Shen to Void: Shen Xian (Spirit Immortal)5. Shattering the Void to Realize the Dao: TianXian (Celestial Immortal)The number of stages may vary by teacher of tradition,but the overall progression is similar. Inthis model, the first three stages are called CultivatingImmortality (Xian Gong), the last two, CultivatingDao (Dao Gong).Q: What are the major schools of Nei Dan?A: There are many different lineages of Nei Danwhich are generally grouped in a few categories:36 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 3, Issue No. 3