Human beings follow the pattern of Earth; Earth follows the pattern of Heaven; Heaven is patterned by the Dao;

Dao follows
Nature
Survival is the most primitive need of human beings. The question of how to improve quality of life, improve health and pro-long
life has been of central interest to us through-out time. Achieving good health has been a central part of the culture of Daoism.
With its long history and development, the way for improving health has been developed and modified through the centur ies by
the ancestors. This is due to their continued research and practice, in particular, the training in inner alchemy and spiritual
awareness. Such training includes stillness and movement. No matter whether it is in the active or the still (calm) mode, both are
of high value.
Dao gives rise to one; one generates two; two generates three; three generates everything, Everything is originated from
three; three combining to two; two combining to one; one becomes nothing.
Doing it correctly would achieve good results; any deviation could result in disaster. Benefit can only be achieved through
practice with proper guidance and understanding. Otherwise, not only no benefit would be gained, it might cause harm.
Below is a summar y of the introduction to training in inner alchemy (or Neidan).
Turn essence into Qi; Turn Qi into shen (spirit of vitality); Turn shen into emptiness; Turn emptiness into Daoism.
Concentrate in the basic. Develop and improve the 3 vital elements of the body. This would in turn lead to good mental
conditions and wisdom. Those who reach such a stage would achieve abilities beyond the scope of others. In Daoism, training
in inner alchemy is to manage the three natural vital elements: Jing, Qi and shen. Such training leads to good health and
long life. The training can be classified into four stages: (1) Fundamental (2) Turn jing into Qi(3) Turn Qi into shen (spirit of
vitality)(4) Turn shen into emptiness.
(1) Fundamentals
To start, choose a time and place that suit your daily life (it does not have to be an isolated place in a mountain). Adjust your
sitting posture, with eyes half closed sight horizontally, hold the hands to form Tai Ji, follow the breathing pattern and sink your
Qi to lower Dan Tian. When you are in a relaxed state with sufficient Qi in Dan Tian , the routing part can begin.
To route Qi through the three points in the back of the body, Qi should start rising from the first point Hui Yin up the back
and get to almost the level of the heart which is called Jia Ji . This part is relatively easy. When Qi rises through the back of
the neck to the back of the head about the level of the mouth, the point called Yu Zhen , the passage becomes rather difficult
to get through. One should take time to establish the route. If pressing too hard and too fast, Qi might pass into wrong route.
The path from the Hui Yin to the Bai Hui is called Governing vessel meridian( Du Mai) . From Bai Hui down the front to
Dan Tian is called Conception vessel meridian(Ren Mai) . A cycle is completed if these two meridians are connected. If
essence is routed through this cycle, it is small heavenly cycle(Xiao Zhou Tian) . The completion of the cycle is entirely
dependent upon the mind. Governing and conception vessel meridians are the two primary meridians and the most important
ones amongst the eight meridians of the body. Routing through and connecting with the other six meridians would follow when
these two are connected. When all eight meridians are connected with Qi flowing through, it is called large heavenly cycle(Da
zhou Tian). There would not be any obstacle in the meridians. At the fundamental stage, the process should be done through
mind control. This training improves the blood circulation and breathing. It would also strengthen the body and aid in healing
minor ailments. The time period required to get through this stage varies amongst individuals.
(2) Turn essence into Qi
In training of internal power, this is the elementary stage. The routing is the same as that in the Fundamental stage. At this
stage, the emphasis is to build on the basis of the Fundamental stage and to improve the training in Jing, Qi and shen.

Combine Jing, Qi and shen to form the medicine. With the circulation of the medicine in the Governing and Conception
Vessel Meridians, the medicine is purified. The purpose of circulating in the Governing and Conception Vessel Meridians is to
refine the medicine through the circulation. Practitioners believe that the kidneys are the root of life. The essence of the
kidneys is of yin (negative) which has the tendency to sink. The heart is the home of the shen. It governs everything and life
is dependent upon it. Shen is of yang (positive) and would naturally rise. Losing yin and yang shortens life. Therefore, in
the internal training, practitioners would try to raise essence and lower shen. When these two meet and combined, they
accompany each other. Circulation of this pair would generate big medicine. This completes the training of three combining to
two. To achieve this stage requires patience and continual training with the correct technique. In the old days, the training
method was not documented. Teaching has traditionally been through oral instruction. The key is finding a good mentor and
follows his instructions. <The method of training is not described here. >
(3) Turn Qi into shen (spirit of vitality)
This stage is to further combine the big medicine with shen to form embryo
<This is a terminology in Daoism. It is similar to mating between male and female in fertilization. >
This is the two combining to one stage and is also called intermediate stage. Training in this stage , the emphasis is in
breathing naturally without mind control. One should concentrate and reach a calm and relaxed state. The mind is at the middle
Dan Tian. The circulation should be following the large heavenly cycle i.e. connecting all 8 meridians. <Method is not
mentioned here. > The student must master the technique for this stage before training for turning shen into emptiness. In
large heavenly cycle, the middle Dan Tian is the vessel and lower Dan Tian is the furnace. The circulating cycle is much
shorter than small heavenly cycle. The circulation is between the two Dan Tian. In the small heavenly cycle, the motion is
based upon internal breathing to achieve reverse flow. In large heavenly cycle, the natural ingredient of the medicine
generates the motion. Continual training day after day would achieve result. One should see white light with a golden spot
between the eyebrows. The light would gradually cover the whole body.
(4) Turn shen into emptiness
This is the ultimate stage of the internal training. It is also known as 9 years stage. In ancient Chinese, 9 is the highest
positive number. It implies it would take a long long time to achieve this stage of one becomes nothing. Becomes nothing is the
same as back to Daoism. To achieve this, one must relocate shen to upper Dan Tian. Upper Dan Tian is the home where
shen is to be trained. Middle Dan Tian and lower Dan Tian are the home for medicine and essence. Shifting shen to
upper Dan Tian is to shift the embryo (resulting from the previous stage) to upper Dan Tian. The emphasis is on emptiness.
Ones character is trained under this relaxed, peaceful and empty mind. The feeling is like the body has combined with Earth and
Heaven, lasting forever. It is known as body and heaven combine into one. The final result is the body and shen form a pair
which can greatly enhance our life.