Understanding Reality
By Chang Po-tuan
Translated from Chinese by Thomas Cleary
I
SIXTEEN VERSES REPRESENTING “EIGHT OUNCES” OF YIN AND “EIGHT OUNCES” OF YANG, FORMING “ONE POUND” OF ELIXIR
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1
IF YOU DO NOT SEEK THE GREAT WAY TO LEAVE THE PATH OF DELUSION, EVEN IF YOU ARE INTELLIGENT AND TALENTED YOU ARE NOT GREAT. A HUNDRED YEARS IS LIKE A SPARK, A LIFETIME IS LIKE A BUBBLE. IF YOU ONLY CRAVE MATERIAL GAIN AND PROMINENCE, WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE DETERIORATION OF YOUR BODY, I ASK YOU, EVEN IF YOU ACCUMULATE A MOUNTAIN OF GOLD CAN YOU BUY OFF IMPERMANENCE.
2
THOUGH HUMAN LIFE HAS A LIMIT OF A HUNDRED YEARS, THE LENGTH OF LIFE, AND WHETHER IT BE DIFFICULT OR SMOOTH, CANNOT BE KNOWN BEFOREHAND. YESTERDAY RIDING A HORSE THROUGH TOWN, TODAY A SLEEPING CORPSE IN A COFFIN: FAMILY AND WEALTH CAST OFF, THEY ARE NOT YOUR POSSESSIONS; WITH EVIL DEEDS COMING ON, YOU CANNOT FOOL YOURSELF. IF YOU COME UPON THE GREAT ELIXIR WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING FOR IT, HAVING COME UPON IT, YOU ARE A FOOL IF YOU DO NOT REFINE IT.
3
IF YOU ARE GOING TO STUDY IMMORTALITY, YOU SHOULD STUDY CELESTIAL IMMORTALITY; ONLY THE GOLD ELIXIR IS WORTHWHILE. WHEN THE TWO THINGS JOIN , SENSE AND ESSENCE MERGE; WHEN THE FIVE ELEMENTS ARE COMPLETE, THE TIGER AND DRAGON INTERTWINE. STARTING WITH HEAVEN-EARTH AND EARTH-EARTH AS GO-BETWEENS, FINALLY THEY HAVE HUSBAND AND WIFE CONJOIN HAPPILY. JUST WAIT FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT TO BE COMPLETED TO PAY COURT TO THE NORTH PALACE GATE; IN THE LIGHT OF NINE-FOLD MIST YOU RIDE A FLYING PHOENIX.
4
THIS METHOD IS THE SUBLIME AND REAL OF THE REAL. IT ALL DEPENDS ON ONESELF ALONE, APART FROM OTHERS. ONE KNOWS INVERSION ONESELF, STARTING FROM FIRE AND WATER. WHO DISCERNS FLOATING FROM SINKING, ESTABLISHES HOST AND GUEST? IN THE GOLD CRUCIBLE, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE MERCURY WITHIN CINNABAR, IN THE JADE POND FIRST SEND DOWN THE SILVER WITHIN WATER. THE SPIRITUAL WORK OPERATING THE FIRING DOES NOT TAKE A WHOLE DAY BEFORE IT BRINGS OUT THE ORB OF THE SUN IN THE DEEP POOL.
5
THE TIGER LEAPS, THE DRAGON SOARS, THE WIND AND WAVES ARE ROUGH; IN THE CORRECT POSITION IN THE CENTER IS PRODUCED THE MYSTERIOUS JEWEL. FRUIT GROWS ON THE BRANCHES, RIPE AT THE END OF THE SEASON; HOW CAN THE CHILD IN THE BELLY BE ANY DIFFERENT? THE SOURCE OF NORTH AND SOUTH OVERTURNS THE TRIGRAM SIGNS; THE FIRING PROCESS OF MORNING AND EVENING JOINS THE PIVOT OF HEAVEN. YOU SHOULD KNOW THE GREAT HERMIT IS CONCEALED IN THE CITY; WHAT IS THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING TO TRANQUIL SOLITUDE DEEP IN THE MOUNTAINS?
6
EVERYONE ORIGINALLY HAS THE HERB OF LONG LIFE; ITS JUST THAT THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND IT, AND THROW IT AWAY IN VAIN. WHEN THE SWEET DEW DESCENDS, HEAVEN AND EARTH JOIN; WHERE THE YELLOW SPROUTS GROW, WATER AND FIRE MIX. A FROG IN A WELL WOULD SAY THERE IS NO DRAGON’S DEN; HOW COULD A QUAIL IN A CAGE KNOW THERE IS A PHOENIX NEST? WHEN THE ELIXIR IS FULLY DEVELOPED, NATURALLY GOLD FILLS THE ROOM; WHAT IS THE NEED TO LOOK FOR HERBS AND PRACTICE BURNING REEDS?
7
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE RIVER SOURCE WHICH PRODUCES THE HERB, IT IS JUST IN THE SOUTHWEST, ITS ORIGINAL HOMELAND. WHEN LEAD MEETS THE ARISING OF THE YOUNGER WATER, YOU SHOULD GATHER QUICKLY; WHEN METAL COMES TO THE PASSING OF THE MIDDLE OF THE LUNAR MONTH, IT WON’T DO TO TASTE. SEND IT BACK TO THE EARTHEN POT AND SEAL IT TIGHTLY; NEXT PUT IN FLOWING PEARL, TO COMBINE WITH IT. FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE MEDICINE TO BE ONE POND REQUIRES TWO TIMES EIGHT; ADJUST THE FIRING PROCESS HARMONIOUSLY, RELYING ON YIN AND YANG.
8
REFINING THE THREE YELLOWS AND FOUR SPIRITS, IF YOU LOOK FOR HERBS, IT IS NOT REAL ANYMORE. YIN AND YANG, FINDING THEIR COUNTERPARTS, RETURN TO INTERCOURSE; WHEN THE TWO EIGHTS MATCH, THEY NATURALLY JOIN CLOSELY. THE SUN IN THE POOL IS SCARLET, SHADES VANISH; THE MOON ON THE MOUNTAIN WHITE, THE HERB SPROUTS ARE NEW. IF PEOPLE OF THE TIME WANT TO KNOW THE TRUE LEAD AND MERCURY, IT IS NOT ORDINARY CINNABAR AND QUICKSILVER.
9
THE SUBSTANCE OF THE YIN VITALITY WITHIN THE YANG IS NOT FIRM; IF YOU ONLY CULTIVATE ONE THING, IT WILL RESULT IN INCREASING WEAKNESS. BELABORING THE BODY AND CONCERN WITH REFLECTIONS IS NOT THE PATH; SWALLOWING AIR AND INGESTING FOG IS CRAZY. EVERYONE IDLY SEEKS THE CONQUERING OF LEAD AND MERCURY; WHEN WILL THEY GET TO SEE THE DRAGON AND TIGER COME DOWN? I URGE YOU TO FIND OUT THE PLACE WHERE YOUR BODY WAS BORN; GOING BACK TO THE BASIS, RETURNING TO THE ORIGIN, THIS IS THE PRODUCTION OF THE MEDICINE.
10
TAKE A GOOD HOLD ON THE TRUE LEAD, AND SEEK ATTENTIVELY; DO NOT LET YOURSELF PASS THE TIME TAKING IT EASY. JUST USE THE EARTHLY SOUL TO CAPTURE THE RED MERCURY; NATURALLY THERE WILL BE THE HEAVENLY SOUL TO GOVERN THE WATER METAL. IT COULD BE SAID THAT WHEN THE PATH IS LOFTY THE DRAGON AND TIGER SUBMIT; ONE MIGHT SAY THAT WHEN THE VIRTUE IS GREAT GHOSTS AND SPIRITS ARE RESPECTFUL. ONCE YOU KNOW LIFE IS ETERNAL, EQUAL TO HEAVEN AND EARTH, VEXATIONS HAVE NO WAY TO RISE IN THE MIND ANYMORE.
11
THE YELLOW SPROUTS AND WHITE CLOUDS ARE NOT HARD TO SEEK; THOSE WHO ARRIVE MUST RELY ON DEPTH OF VIRTUOUS PRACTICE. THE FOUR FORMS AND FIVE ELEMENTS ALL DEPEND ON EARTH; THE THREE BASES AND EIGHT TRIGRAMS ARE NOT APART FROM ELDER WATER. REFINED INTO SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE, THEY ARE INSCRUTABLE TO MEN; HAVING DISSOLVED ALL THAT IS NEGATIVE AND HARMFUL, ONE IS INVULNERABLE TO GHOSTS. I WISH TO LEAVE THE SECRET AMONG HUMANKIND, BUT I HAVE NOT YET MET A SINGLE PERCEPTIVE PERSON.
12
YIN AND YANG ARE ALSO EQUAL IN PLANTS AND TREES; IF ONE IS LACKING THEY DO NOT FLOWER. WHEN THE GREEN LEAVES FIRST UNFOLD, YANG IS ACTING FIRST; WITH THE SUBSEQUENT BLOOMING OF SCARLET FLOWERS, YIN FOLLOWS ALONG. THE ORDINARY COURSE IS IN DAILY ACTION; THE TRUE SOURCE REVERSES THIS, BUT WHO IS THERE WHO KNOWS? I INFORM THOSE OF YOU WHO STUDY THE TAO; IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YIN AND YANG, DO NOT ACT RANDOM.
13
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW INVERSION WITHIN THE MYSTERY, HOW CAN YOU PLANT A LOTUS IN FIRE? LEADING THE WHITE TIGER, GO BACK HOME AND NURTURE IT; YOU WILL PRODUCE A BRIGHT PEARL ROUND AS THE MOON. STAY RELAXED BESIDE THE ALCHEMICAL FURNACE AND WATCH THE FIRING PROCESS; JUST SETTLE YOUR SPIRIT AND BREATH, AND LEAVE IT UP TO NATURE. WHEN ALL MUNDANITY HAS BEEN STRIPPED AWAY, THE ELIXIR IS COMPLETE; LEAPING OUT OF THE CAGE OF THE ORDINARY, LIFE IS MYRIAD YEARS.
14
THREE, FIVE, ONE: IT IS ALL THREE WORDS; THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND ARE RARE IN ALL TIMES. THREE IN THE EAST, TWO IN THE SOUTH, TOGETHER MAKES FIVE; ONE IN THE NORTH AND FOUR IN THE WEST ARE THE SAME. EARTH IN ITS OWN ABODE HAS THE PRODUCTION NUMBER FIVE. WHEN THE THREE MEET, THEY FORM AN INFANT. THE INFANT IS ONE, CONTAINING TRUE ENERGY; IN TEN MONTHS THE FETUS IS COMPLETE, AND ENTERS THE SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION.
15
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TRUE SOURCE, REAL LEAD, WHATEVER YOU DO WILL BE IN VAIN: CELIBACY WILL (DLY) CAUSE YIN AND YANG TO BE SEPARATED, FASTING WILL FUTILELY MAKE YOUR STOMACH EMPTY: PLANTS AND WOOD, GOLD AND SILVER, ARE ALL TRASH, CLOUDS AND MIST, SUN AND MOON, ARE VACUOUS; EVEN BREATHING EXERCISES AND MEDITATION HAVE NO RESEMBLANCE TO THE MATTER OF THE GOLD ELIXIR.
16
THE WORDS OF THE MYRIAD BOOKS ON IMMORTALITY ARE ALL THE SAME–THE GOLD ELIXIR ALONE IS THE ROOT SOURCE. THE SUBSTANCE IS PRODUCED ON THE GROUND OF THE POSITION OF EARTH, PLANTED IN THE CHAMBER OF INTERCOURSE IN THE HOUSE OF HEAVEN. DO NOT THINK IT STRANGE THAT THE CELESTIAL WORKING HAS BEEN LEAKED–IT IS BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE CONFUSED AND IGNORANT.
II
SIXTY FOUR VERSES MODELED ON THE NUMBER OF SIGNS IN THE I CHING
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1
ON THE CRUCIBLE AND FURNACE (2 VERSES)
FIRST TAKE HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR THE CRUCIBLE, NEXT TAKE THE MEDICINES OF RAVEN AND RABBIT AND COOK THEM. ONCE YOU HAVE CHASED THE TWO THINGS BACK INTO THE YELLOW PATH, HOW COULD THE GOLD ELIXIR NOT BE PRODUCED?
2
SETTING UP THE FURNACE AND CRUCIBLE IS PATTERNED ON HEAVEN AND EARTH; REFINING THE SUNLIGHT AND MOONLIGHT STABILIZES THE YANG AND YIN SOULS. CONGEALING AND DISSOLVING, THE INCUBATING WARMTH PRODUCES TRANSMUTATION; PRESUMPTUOUSLY DO I IDLY DISCUSS THE MYSTERIOUS AND MARVELOUS.
3
ON THE CRESCENT MOON FURNACE (2 VERSES)
STOP WASTING EFFORT AT AN ALCHEMICAL OVEN; TO REFINE THE ELIXIR YOU MUST SEEK THE CRESCENT MOON FURNACE. IT HAS OF ITSELF THE NATURAL TRUE FIRING–YOU DO NOT NEED PURPLE COAL OR BELLOWS.
4
IN THE CRESCENT MOON FURNACE, JADE FLOWERS GROW; IN THE CINNABAR CRUCIBLE, QUICKSILVER IS LEVEL. ONLY AFTER HARMONIZATION BY MEANS OF GREAT STRENGTH CAN YOU PLANT THE YELLOW SPROUT, WHICH GRADUALLY DEVELOPS.
5
ON TRUE LEAD (4 VERSES)
SWALLOWING SALIVA AND DOING BREATHING EXERCISES ARE HUMAN ACTIONS; ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE ELIXIR CAN EVOLUTION OCCUR. IF THERE IS NO TRUE SEED IN THE CRUCIBLE, THAT IS LIKE TAKING WATER AND FIRE AND BOILING AN EMPTY POT.
6
HARMONIZATION OF LEAD AND MERCURY IS NEEDED TO PRODUCE THE ELIXIR; WITHOUT INJURY TO GREAT OR SMALL, BOTH COUNTRIES ARE SAFE. IF YOU WONDER WHAT THE TRUE LEAD IS, MOONLIGHT SHINES ON THE WEST RIVER ALL DAY.
7
DON’T GO INTO THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE YOU HAVE REFINED THE RESTORED ELIXIR; IN THE MOUNTAINS, INSIDE AND OUT, IS NOT LEAD. THIS SUPREME TREASURE IS IN EVERYONE’S HOUSE; IT’S JUST THAT IGNORANT PEOPLE DO NOT FULLY RECOGNIZE IT.
8
WHEN BAMBOO BREAKS, YOU SHOULD USE BAMBOO TO REPAIR IT; TO HATCH A CHICKEN YOU NEED AN EGG. IT’S A WASTE OF EFFORT IF YOU’RE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT SPECIES; IT’S BETTER TO JOIN THE SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL WITH TRUE LEAD.
9
ON TRUE LEAD
“EMPTY THE MIND, FILL THE BELLY” –THE MEANINGS ARE BOTH PROFOUND. IT IS PRECISELY IN ORDER TO EMPTY THE MIND THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO KNOW THE MIND. IT IS BEST WHEN REFINING THE LEAD TO FIRST FILL THE BELLY, AND CAUSE THE GATHERING IN OF THE GOLD THAT FILLS THE ROOM.
10
ON NOT USING LEAD
IN USING LEAD, YOU MUST NOT USE ORDINARY LEAD. EVEN TRUE LEAD IS ABANDONED AFTER ITS USE IS FINISHED. THIS IS THE TRUE SECRET OF USING LEAD. USING LEAD AND NOT USING LEAD–THESE ARE VERACIOUS WORDS.
11
ON LEAD AND MERCURY
IN A DREAM I VISITED THE SUBLIME ENERGY AND REACHED THE NINE HEAVENS; A REAL PERSON GAVE ME A BOOK POINTING TO THE ORIGIN. THE BOOK IS SIMPLE, WITHOUT MANY WORDS; IT JUST TEACHES PEOPLE TO REFINE MERCURY AND LEAD.
12
ON THE ONE ENERGY OF NOTHINGNESS
THE TAO PRODUCES ONE ENERGY FROM NOTHINGNESS, THEN FROM ONE ENERGY GIVES BIRTH TO YIN AND YANG. YIN AND YANG THEN COMBINE TO FORM THREE BODIES; THE THREE BODIES REPRODUCE, AND MYRIAD THINGS GROW.
13
ON WATER AND FIRE
WATER LIGHTNING BOILS AND THUNDERS IN THE REGION OF METAL WATER; FIRE ARISES IN THE K’UN-LUN, YIN AND YANG. IF THE TWO THINGS ARE RESTORED AND MIXED TOGETHER, NATURALLY THE ELIXIR DEVELOPS, FRAGRANT THROUGHOUT THE BODY.
14
ON HEAVEN-EARTH AND EARTH-EARTH
IF THE FIRE AND WATER ARE RETURNED WITHOUT HEAVEN-EARTH AND EARTH-EARTH, THOUGH THEY CONTAIN THE FOUR FORMS, THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE ELIXIR. IT IS ONLY TROUGH THESE LATTER TWO,EMBRACING TRUE EARTH, THAT THE GOLD ELIXIR CAN BE RESTORED.
15
ON INVERTING WATER AND FIRE
THE SUN, IN THE POSITION OF FIRE, TURNS INTO A WOMAN; WATER, IN THE MOON PALACE, TURNS OUT TO BE A MAN. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF INVERSION HEREIN, STOP ENGAGING IN LOFTY DISCUSSION WITH YOUR RESTRICTED VIEWS.
16
TAKE THE SOLID IN THE HEART OF THE POSITION OF WATER, AND CHANGE THE YIN IN THE INNARDS OF THE PALACE OF FIRE: FROM THIS TRANSFORMATION COMES THE SOUND BODY OF HEAVEN–TO LIE HIDDEN OR TO FLY AND LEAP IS ALL UP TO THE MIND.
17
ON THE FIVE ELEMENTS
THE THUNDER DRAGON MERCURY COMES FROM THE LAND OF FIRE; THE LAKE TIGER LEAD IS BORN IN THE REGION OF WATER. THE TWO THINGS BOTH ARE BASED ON THE CHILD GIVING BIRTH TO THE MOTHER; THE WHOLE ESSENCE OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS ENTERS THE MIDDLE.
18
ON THE TWO POLES
AS SOON AS THE HALF MOON IS BRIGHT ON THE HORIZON, ALREADY THERE IS THE SOUND OF THE DRAGON’S HOWL AND THE TIGER’S ROAR. THEN ONE SHOULD APPLY EFFORT TO CULTIVATE THE TWO EIGHTS; WITHIN AN HOUR SEE THE ELIXIR FORM.
19
ON HARMONIZATION (2 VERSES)
ON THE TOP OF FLOWER CRAG MOUNTAIN, THE MALE TIGER ROARS; AT THE BOTTOM OF SACRED TREE OCEAN, THE FEMALE DRAGON HOWLS. THE YELLOW FEMALE NATURALLY KNOWS HOW TO GET THEM TOGETHER, SO THEY BECOME WIFE AND SHARE THE SAME MIND.
20
THE DRAGON AND BLACK TIGER TAKE TO THE WEST AND EAST; THE FOUR FORMS MIX WITH THE TWO EARTHS IN THE CENTER. RESTORATION AND BEAUTY HENCEFORTH GO INTO OPERATION; WHO SAYS THE GOLD ELIXIR WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED?
21
ON THE DRAGON AND TIGER
JUST WHEN THE WHITE TIGER ON THE WEST MOUNTAIN GOES WILD, THE BLUE DRAGON IN THE EAST SEA CANNOT HANDLE IT. CATCHING THEM BOTH, HAVE THEM FIGHT TO THE DEATH, AND THEY WILL TURN INTO A MASS OF VIOLET GOLD FROST.
22
ON CULTIVATING THE SELF (3 VERSES)
FIRST OBSERVE HEAVEN AND UNDERSTAND THE FIVE BANDITS; THEN EXAMINE EARTH, TO PACIFY THE PEOPLE. WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE SETTLED AND THE COUNTRY RICH, YOU SHOULD SEEK WAR; WHEN THE WAR IS OVER, THEN ALONE YOU SEE THE SAGE.
23
IN EMPLOYING GENERALS, YOU SHOULD DIVIDE LEFT AND RIGHT ARMIES; LET THE OTHER BE THE HOST AND YOU BE THE GUEST. BRINGING THE RULER TO THE BATTLE LINE, DO NOT TAKE THE ADVERSARY LIGHTLY; YOU MAY LOSE THE PRICELESS TREASURE OF YOUR OWN HOUSE.
24
FIRE ARISING IN WOOD INHERENTLY CONTAINS DANGER; IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO INVESTIGATE, DO NOT FORCE THE ISSUE. THE OCCURRENCE OF CALAMITY IS ALL DUE TO THE HARM OF THIS; IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTROL IT AND SEEK THE METAL MAN.
25
ON THE METAL MAN
THE METAL MAN IS ORIGINALLY THE SON OF THE FAMILY TO THE EAST, LIVING INSTEAD AT THE NEIGHBOR’S TO THE WEST. RECOGNIZED, HE IS CALLED BACK TO HOME TO GROW UP, AND ESPOUSED TO A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, BECOMING INTIMATE.
26
ON THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL
THE BEAUTIFUL GIRL TRAVELING HAS HER OWN DIRECTION; THE FIRST TRIP SHOULD BE SHORT, THE NEXT TRIP LONG. COMING BACK, SHE GOES INTO THE YELLOW WOMAN’S HOUSE, MARRIES THE METAL MAN AND MAKES HIM HER OLD MAN.
27
ON THE FIRING PROCESS (2 VERSES)
EVEN IF YOU KNOW THE RED CINNABAR AND BLACK LEAD, IT IS USELESS IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE FIRING PROCESS. THE WHOLE THING DEPENDS ON THE POWER OF PRACTICE; IF YOU DEVIATE EVEN SLIGHTLY, YOU WILL NOT FORM THE ELIXIR.
28
TREATISES, CLASSICS, AND SONGS EXPOUND ULTIMATE REALITY, BUT DO NOT EXPRESS THE FIRING PROCESS CLEARLY IN WRITING. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE ORALLY TRANSMITTED TEACHINGS AND PENETRATE THE ARCANA, THIS REQUIRES CAREFUL DISCUSSION WITH THE SPIRITUAL IMMORTALS.
29
ON THE FIRING PROCESS OF GATHERING THE MEDICINE
ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE EIGHTH MONTH, ENJOYING THE MOONLIGHT, THIS IS PRECISELY WHEN THE GOLD ESSENCE IS IN IT’S PRIME. WHEN YOU REACH THE POINT WHERE ONE YANG BEGINS TO MOVE, THEN YOU SHOULD ADVANCE THE FIRE, WITHOUT DELAY.
30
ON THE FIRING PROCESS OF EXTRACTION AND ADDITION
WHEN ONE YANG STIRS, MAKING THE GOLD ELIXER, THE LEAD CRUCIBLE, WARM, SHINES DAZZLINGLY. THE BEGINNING OF RECEPTION OF ENERGY IS EASILY GOTTEN; IN THE OPERATION OF EXTRACTION AND ADDITION, IT IS URGENT TO PREVENT DANGER.
31
ON THE FIRING PROCESS OF INCUBATION
THE MYSTIC PEARL TAKES ON FORM, BORN FOLLOWING YANG; WHEN YANG PEAKS, YIN GROWS, GRADUALLY STRIPPING AWAY GROSSNESS. IN TEN MONTHS THE FROST FLIES, AND THE ELIXIR IS NOW DEVELOPED; AT THE TIME EVEN SPIRITS AND GHOSTS WILL BE SURPRISED.
32
ON THE FIRING PROCESS OF FORMING THE EMBRYO
AFTER THE PRIOR POLE, BEFORE THE LATTER POLE, THE TASTE OF THE HERB IS EVEN, THE FORM OF THE ENERGY IS COMPLETE. GATHERING IT, RETURN IT TO THE FURNACE AND REFINE IT; WHEN IT IS REFINED, KEEP IT WARM, AND IT WILL COOK ITSELF.
33
ON YIN AND YANG RETURNING TO THE CENTER
JUST AS THE ELDEST SON DRINKS THE WINE OF THE WEST, THE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER FIRST OPENS THE FLOWER OF THE NORTH. AFTER THE MEETING WITH THE GREEN BEAUTY, LOCK THEM UP AT ONCE IN THE YELLOW HOUSE.
34
ON BATHING
WHEN THE MOON IN THE EAST AND WEST REACHES ITS SEASON, PUNISHMENT AND REWARD ARE AT HAND; THE MEDICINE IS PATTERNED ON THIS. AT THIS POINT THE GOLD ELIXIR SHOULD BE BATHED; IF INSTEAD YOU INCREASE THE FIRE, THAT IS DANGEROUS.
35
ON CULTURAL COOKING AND MARTIAL REFINING
THE SUN AND MOON MEET ONCE IN THIRTY DAYS; EXCHANGING HOURS FOR DAYS IS THE PATTERN OF THE SPIRITUAL WORK. GUARDING THE CASTLE, BATTLING IN THE FIELD, KNOWING BAD AND GOOD, YOU INCREASE THE SPIRITUAL CINNABAR, FILLING THE CRUCIBLE, RED.
36
ON THE MEANING OF HEXAGRAMS (2 VERSES)
WHEN OBSTRUCTION AND TRANQUILITY MIX, MYRIAD THINGS ARE FULL; THE TWO HEXAGRAMS DIFFICULTY AND DARKNESS RECEIVE LIFE AND GROWTH. GETTING THE MEANING HEREIN, STOP SEEKING SYMBOLS; IF YOU STUDY THE LINES, YOU USE THE MIND IN VAIN.
37
SETTING UP SYMBOLS IN THE HEXAGRAMS IS BASED ON DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MODES; UNDERSTANDING THE SYMBOL, FORGET THE WORD — THE IDEA IS CLEAR OF ITSELF. THE WHOLE WORLD IS ASTRAY, ONLY CLINGING TO SYMBOLS, ACTING OUT THE ENERGIES OF THE HEXAGRAMS, HOPING TO FLY ALOFT.
38
ON THE BEGINNING OF YANG AND CULMINATION OF YIN
THE FILLING AND EMPTYING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH HAVE THEIR OWN TIMES; IF YOU ARE DISCERNING AND CAPABLE OF DISSOLVING AND GENERATING, THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE MECHANISM. BASED ON THE BEGINNING OF YANG AND CULMINATION OF YIN MAKING PLAIN THE ORDER, KILLING OFF THE THREE VERMIN, THERE IS HOPE OF ATTAINING THE TAO.
39
ON THE MYSTERIOUS FEMALE (2 VERSES)
IF YOU WANT TO ATTAIN THE ETERNAL IMMORTALITY OF THE VALLEY SPIRIT, YOU MUST SET THE FOUNDATION ON THE MYSTERIOUS FEMALE. ONCE THE TRUE VITALITY HAS RETURNED TO THE ROOM OF YELLOW GOLD, THE GLOBE OF SPIRITUAL LIGHT NEVER PARTS.
40
RARE ARE THOSE IN THE WORLD WHO KNOW THE OPENING OF THE MYSTERIOUS FEMALE; STOP FOOLING AROUND WITH MOUTH AND NOSE. EVEN IF YOU DO BREATHING EXERCISES FOR MANY YEARS, HOW CAN YOU GET THE GOLDEN RAVEN TO CATCH A RABBIT?
41
ON ESSENCE AND SENSE
FEW PEOPLE KNOW THESE ARE DIFFERENT NAMES FROM THE SAME SOURCE; BOTH OF THEM, MYSTERIOUS, ARE THE ESSENTIAL KEY. PRESERVING LIFE, MAKING THE PHYSICAL BEING WHOLE, CLARIFYING ENHANCEMENT AND REDUCTION, THE PURPLE GOLD ELIXIR IS MOST MARVELOUS.
42
ON DOING
STARTING WITH DOING, PEOPLE CAN HARDLY SEE; THEN WHEN NON-DOINGS ESSENTIAL MARVEL, HOW CAN YOU KNOW THAT DOING IS THE FOUNDATION?
43
ON FEMALE AND MALE
WITHIN BLACK THERE IS WHITE, WHICH IS THE MATRIX OF THE ELIXIR; WITHIN THE MALE IS ENCLOSED THE FEMALE, WHICH IS THE SPIRITUAL EMBRYO. WHEN THE ABSOLUTE ONE IS IN THE FURNACE, IT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY WATCHED; GATHERED JEWELS IN THE THREE FIELDS CORRESPOND TO THE THREE TREASURES.
44
ON BEING AND NON-BEING
SEEKING WITHIN ABSTRACTION FOR THE IMPRESSION OF BEING, LOOKING WITHIN TRANCE FOR THE TRUE VITALITY. FROM THIS BEING AND NON-BEING INTERPENETRATE–WITHOUT HAVING SEEN IT, HOW CAN YOU IMAGINE IT?
45
ON INGESTION OF THE ELIXIR (2 VERSES)
WHEN THE FOUR FORMS MEET, THE MYSTIC BODY IS MADE; WHERE THE FIVE ELEMENTS ARE COMPLETE, THE VIOLET GOLD IS BRIGHT. FREEING IT FROM THE MATRIX AND INGESTING IT, THE BODY REACHES SAGE-HOOD; LIMITLESS DRAGONS AND SPIRITS ALL BECOME LOST IN AMAZEMENT.
46
WHEN THE PARTY IS ENDED AT THE FLOWER POND, THE MOON SHINES CLEAR; ASTRIDE A GOLDEN DRAGON, ONE VISITS THE STAR OF THE LORD OF HEAVEN. HENCEFORTH, AFTER THE MEETING OF THE IMMORTALS, LET THE OCEANS, HILLS AND VALES, MOVE AS THEY MAY.
47
ON THE ELIXIR CRYSTALLIZING FROM WITHIN
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE METHOD OF RECOVERING ELIXIR OF GOLD LIQUID, YOU MUST CULTIVATE YOUR OWN GARDEN. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE HUFFING AND PUFFING OR APPLICATION OF FORCE; SPONTANEOUSLY THE ELIXIR MATURES AND IS RELEASED FROM THE MATRIX OF REALITY.
48
ON MEDICINE COMING FROM WITHOUT
STOP APPLYING CLEVER ARTIFICE AT WORK, AND RECOGNIZE THE OTHER’S METHOD OF NOT DYING. ADD LIFE EXTENDING WINE TO THE POT; GATHER SOUL-RESTORING BROTH IN THE CRUCIBLE.
49
ON THE TWO ELIXIRS, INNER AND OUTER
THE FINE GHEE OF THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS, OF ONE FLAVOR, POURS INTO THE EASTERN SUN’S FURNACE OF EVOLUTION. IF HE CROSSES THE K’UN-LUN, GOING NORTHWEST, CHANG CHEIN WILL FINALLY GET TO SEE MA KU.
50
ON POSITIVE VITALITY
WITHOUT KNOWING THE POSITIVE VITALITY, AS WELL AS HOST AND GUEST, WHO KNOWS WHICH ONE IS NEAR, WHICH IS FAR? VAINLY SHUTTING THE COCCYX OPENING IN THE BEDROOM HAS THOROUGHLY DELUDED SO MANY PEOPLE ON EARTH.
51
ON RETURNING TO THE ROOT
MYRIAD BEINGS, IN ALL THEIR MULTIPLICITY, EACH RETURN TO THE ROOT; RETURNING TO THE ROOT, RESTORING LIFE, THEY CAN HARDLY UNDERSTAND KNOWING ETERNITY AND RETURNING TO THE ROOT; AGAIN AND AGAIN WE HERE OF FALSE PRACTICES BRINGING ON MISFORTUNE.
52
ON THE SWORD OF WISDOM
OU-YEH PERSONALLY TRANSMITTED A METHOD FOR CASTING A SWORD; MO-YEH, WITH METAL AND WATER, ALLOYED FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH. WHEN FORGING IS COMPLETE, IT CAN READ PEOPLE’S MINDS, A FLASH OF LIGHTNING SLAYING DEMONS FOR TEN THOUSAND MILES.
53
ON HARMONIOUS COMBINATION OF ESSENCE AND SENSE
DRUM ON BAMBOO TO CALL THE TORTOISE TO SWALLOW THE JADE MUSHROOM; STRUM A LUTE TO SUMMON THE PHOENIX TO DRINK FROM THE ALCHEMICAL CRUCIBLE. SHORTLY A GOLDEN LIGHT PERVADING THE BODY WILL APPEAR; DO NOT SPEAK OF THIS RULE TO ORDINARY PEOPLE.
54
ON GRADUAL AND SUDDEN
WHEN THE MEDICINES MEET IN ENERGY AND KIND, ONLY THEN DO THEY TAKE ON FORM; THE TAO IS IMPERCEPTIBLE SUBTLETY, MERGING WITH NATURE. WHEN ONE GRAIN OF SPIRITUAL ELIXIR IS SWALLOWED INTO THE BELLY, FOR THE FIRST TIME YOU KNOW ONE’S DESTINY DOES NOT DEPEND ON HEAVEN.
55
ON THE SUPREME EASE OF CRYSTALLIZING THE ELIXIR
SHINING BRIGHT, THE GOLD ELIXIR IS MADE IN ONE DAY; WHAT THE ANCIENT IMMORTALS SAID IS TRULY WORTH LISTENING TO. THOSE WHO SPEAK OF NINE YEARS AND THREE YEARS ARE ALL DELAYING AND WASTING TIME.
56
ON DIFFICULTY AND EASE
THERE IS DIFFICULTY AND EASE IN CULTIVATING THE GREAT MEDICINE; AND IT IS KNOWN TO DEPEND ON ONESELF AS WELL AS ON HEAVEN. IF YOU DO NOT CULTIVATE ACTION TO ACCUMULATE HIDDEN VIRTUE, THERE ARE APT TO BE DEMONS TO CAUSE OBSTRUCTION.
57
ON THE MECHANISM OF TAKEOVER
THE THREE COMPONENTS TAKE EACH OTHER OVER WHEN THE TIME COMES; THE SPIRITUAL IMMORTALS CONCEAL THIS MECHANISM. WHEN MYRIAD TRANSFORMATIONS REST, ALL THOUGHTS CEASE; THE WHOLE BODY IS IN ORDER, AND NON-STRIVING IS REALIZED.
58
ON THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF PRINCIPLE
THE PRECIOUS WORDS OF THE YIN CONVERGE EXCEED THREE HUNDRED, THE SPIRITUAL WORDS OF THE POWER OF TAO ARE FULLY FIVE THOUSAND; THE SUPERIOR IMMORTALS OF PAST AND PRESENT HAVE ALL ARRIVED AT THE TRUE EXPLANATION HEREIN.
59
ON SEEKING A TEACHER
EVEN IF YOU ARE INTELLECTUALLY BRIGHT, IF YOU HAVE NOT MET A REAL TEACHER, DO NOT INDULGE IN GUESSWORK. AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT HAVE PERSONAL INSTRUCTION IN THE GOLD ELIXIR, WHERE CAN YOU LEARN TO FORM THE SPIRITUAL EMBRYO?
60
ON STOPPING MACHINATION
THOROUGHLY UNDERSTANDING THE MIND-MONKEY, THE MACHINATIONS IN THE HEART, BY THREE THOUSAND ACHIEVEMENTS ONE BECOMES A PEER OF HEAVEN. THERE NATURALLY IS A CRUCIBLE TO COOK THE DRAGON AND TIGER; WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A HOUSEHOLD AND BE ATTACHED TO SPOUSE AND CHILDREN?
61
ON STOPPING AT SUFFICIENCY
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REFINED AND RESTORED THE ELIXIR, THEN QUICKLY REFINE IT, THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW TO STOP AT SUFFICIENCY. IF YOU KEEP THE MIND GOING AT FULL BLAST, YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE DANGER AND DEGRADATION ONE DAY.
62
ON LIFE AND DEATH (2 VERSES)
TAKE THE DOOR OF DEATH FOR THE DOOR OF LIFE; DO NOT TAKE THE GATE OF LIFE AS THE GATE OF DEATH. IF YOU COMPREHEND THE KILLING MECHANISM AND UNDERSTAND REVERSAL, THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT BLESSING IS BORN WITHIN INJURY.
63
THE ORIGINS OF CALAMITY AND FORTUNE DEPEND ON AND INHERE IN EACH OTHER, JUST AS SHADOWS AND ECHOS FOLLOW FORMS AND SOUNDS. IF YOU CAN REVERSE THIS MECHANISM OF ENLIVENING AND KILLING, CALAMITY WILL TURN TO FORTUNE IN THE TIME IT TAKES TO TURN OVER YOUR HAND.
64
ON MIXING WITH ORDINARY SOCIETY AND INTEGRATING ILLUMINATION
CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL PRACTICE INVOLVES MIXING WITH ORDINARY SOCIETY AND INTEGRATING ILLUMINATION, ADAPTING TO FIT SITUATIONS. NOW APPEARING, NOW CONCEALED, NOW OPPOSING, NOW CONFORMING, INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO OTHERS–HOW COULD PEOPLE BE ABLE TO PERCEIVE HOW ONE ACTS OR REMAINS HIDDEN.
III
ONE VERSE REPRESENTING THE GREAT ONE ENGULFING TRUE ENERGY
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THE WOMAN PUTS ON A GREEN ROBE, THE MAN DONS PLAIN SILK. WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT TO BE USED; WHAT IS USED CANNOT BE SEEN. MEETING IN ECSTASY, THERE IS A CONJURATION WITHIN TRANCE. IN A MOMENT FLAMES FLY, AND THE TRUE PERSON SPONTANEOUSLY EMERGES.