Why doesn't anyone apply Neidan principles to Qigong?
a podcast episode
Today’s episode is about research I’ve been doing in the application of Neidan principles to serve the needs of Qigong.
In order to understand this we need to know:
what does Qigong do: in my opinion, Qigong is a study of using Qi to improve the condition of the physical body,
how does Neidan work at the most basic level Neidan involves absorbing awareness in or around the body to achieve the non-action state so that pre-heaven Qi can be attained in the body and returning it to the body in order to strengthen the energy and clarify the spirit.
With those things in mind, you are ready to listen to the podcast!
Today behind the paywall is the Discussion of Seven Breakings, a Neidan polemic by Lu Xixing, an interesting folk master of Neidan who lived during the Ming Dynasty and was the founder of the Eastern School. The text discusses many problems in Daoist practice and how to avoid them, including Lu’s opinion of the so called “Small Arts,” which include Dao Yin, specialized breath work, massage, visualization etc… He also touches on Bedroom Arts, which in his estimation are evil and manipulative. I translated this a few years ago and have made some small adjustments here. It is a great document for people who want to understand what past Neidan masters thought did and did not count as working toward the Golden Elixir. My opinion is that it is one view in the Neidan world which we should learn from and respect, but avoid taking it as immutable truth, since Neidan is a fluctuating art which changes generation to generation as we attain new knowledge.
The article is about 15 pages double spaced and was originally in 18 point format.