(4) The procedures and tastes of cultivation

(1) The Procedures of Elixir Cultivation The procedures of Elixir cultivation include five major procedures: establishing the foundation and refining oneself, refining essence and transforming 炁, refining 炁 and transforming spirit, refining spirit and restoring emptiness, and refining emptiness and integrating the Dao. Here is a brief introduction: "Building the Foundation and refining Oneself". The Tianyuan Elixir method is called "building the Foundation", and the Renyuan Elixir method is called "refining oneself". In fact, both refer to the meaning of building the foundation. This step of practice is like laying a solid foundation before building a house; it is the basis of the elixir path. The deeper the foundation establishment skills are, the higher the level of cultivation will be. The content of this step of practice generally includes stopping the mind, entering a state of tranquility, concentrating the mind, returning the light, regulating the breath, breathing exercises, swallowing saliva, guiding and leading, etc. It varies depending on the different teachings of the master. The function of establishing the foundation is to replenish the three treasures of essence, 炁 and spirit as the medicinal materials for cultivating internal alchemy, so as to achieve the purpose of curing diseases, strengthening the body and harmonizing the body and mind. Refining essence and transforming it into 炁 is to convert one's own primordial essence into Yang 炁, which is then collected into the dantian through the Ren and Du meridians to unify the spirit 炁. It is also known as "small circulation". The above two steps are mainly aimed at middle-aged and elderly people, making up for the losses acquired later in life and achieving the goal of rejuvenation and regaining youth. After refining the 炁 to transform the spirit and returning to the child's body, the orifices throughout the body are further opened, and all the meridians are recited, which is called the "Great Weekly Heaven". At this point, the 炁 of the human body begins to communicate with the 炁 of heaven and earth, and there is a response between heaven and man. Then, it adopts the 炁 of the primordial nature in the void and cultivates it in combination with its own primordial spirit. The spirit 炁 is united, diffused between the middle and lower fields, and after being combined and condensed, it forms the great pill. The Elixir Classic states: "Only when I swallowed a golden pill did I realize that my fate was not in the hands of heaven." " When the inner elixir is achieved, one can realize the immortality of the physical body. At this time, it is said that the gods 炁 enter into chaos, like twins, which can be called returning children and infants. "Refining the Spirit and Restoring the Void: At this stage, one shifts from physical martial arts (immortal skills) to spiritual cultivation (Taoist skills), further nurturing the primordial spirit of one's life and returning to nothingness. This can be called returning to infancy and restoring the void, also known as vacuum shaping." This step of martial arts requires the primordial spirit to break free from the physical body, which is called "going beyond the spirit". Refining the Void and uniting the Dao, also known as "shattering the Void". Further, the primordial spirit of the innate void is combined with the Great Way that pervages all phenomena and is omnipresent, becoming a "myriad of trillions of incarnations", which is what Zhuangzi referred to as "being one with the universe above". At this point, both the form and the spirit are wonderful, in harmony with the truth of the Dao. It can be said that the return to the void is appropriate, and the attainment of the Dao is complete. (2) The Taste of Alchemy Cultivation In Taoism refers to those who have achieved success in their cultivation as "immortals" or "immortal people", also known as "immortal beings". According to the differences in their cultivation levels, immortals are classified into five grades, namely Ghost Immortals, Eight Immortals, Earth immortals, immortals and celestial immortals. The differences among the five grades are as follows: Ghost Immortal, which refers to the practice being limited to basic sexual skills, without obtaining the life skills formula or achieving no life skills. The body is like a withered tree, the heart is like ashes, the divine will is kept within, and the mundane has become stubborn and empty. When one lets go and ends the hand, a Yin spirit will surely emerge, which is a clear and spiritual ghost, not a pure Yang immortal, thus it is called a ghost immortal. Some people, when they are cultivating, their physical bodies have already declined. There is no hope of achieving success in this life, so they leave the Yin spirit and also belong to the category of ghost immortals. One can be reborn and possess, which is called the "last move". The ghost immortal is the ultimate attainment in cultivation. A human immortal, having completed the refinement and transformation skills, regains youth, has a strong body, and is bound to live a long life. They are called human immortals. Moreover, those who cultivate themselves acquire a method within the Dao and a technique within the method. If they persist and succeed, they can prolong their life and are called immortals. Such as the Taoist practices and techniques like cutting off the grain, forgetting the emotion, taking in the saliva, observing precepts, breathing exercises, remaining still, contemplating, collecting the essence of the sun and the moon, guiding and leading, holding one's breath, being natural, and non-action, if one can have unwavering faith and determination throughout one's life, they can preserve one's life, stabilize one's form, enjoy peace and longevity, and all achieve the fruits of immortality. Although the Eight Immortals can achieve a long physical life, their physical forms will eventually deteriorate, so they are achieved through cultivation. Earth immortals have a higher level of attainment than human immortals. They can further achieve immortality on the basis of longevity, but they do not yet have supernatural powers. In the alchemy path, it specifically refers to the stage of nurturing the fetus after completing the process of 炁 to transform the spirit. The Earth Immortal was unable to emerge from the Yang spirit, and thus could only walk on the ground. At this time, there is still breathing and eating, and the body and texture are mixed with heavy and turbid substances. Not all pure Yang has been transformed, and there is no ability to lift and change. At this moment, his complexion was radiant, his steps were light and swift, his life had increased immeasurably, and he was one rank higher than that of immortals. However, it is still one step away from the ground and cannot be taken, so it is achieved during the process of cultivation. The immortal, in Taoist cultivation, has transformed his body into pure Yang, his Yang spirit has been formed, and he has the taste of supernatural powers. On the path of alchemy, he has entered the nurturing stage of refining the spirit and restoring the void. Immortals further cultivate on the level of earth immortals, grow tired of the mundane world, refine to 炁, the fetus immortal transforms itself, transcends the essence and ascends. Even if one reaches the level of a earth immortal, and then uses the heat of the Great Zhou heaven, with 炁 in harmony with the gods, the gods 炁 as one, the mind is free from birth and death, and the breath is free from entry and exit. The heavy and turbid form is transformed into the light and clear 炁, and the pure Yang body is fully transformed into the spirit. Immortals are above earthly immortals and are achieved through cultivation. Celestial immortals, also known as "Golden Immortals" or "Great Luo Celestial Immortals"; Celestial immortals represent the highest level of Taoist cultivation, while Dan Dao refers to the ultimate stage of integrating the void and the Dao. From the realm of immortals, with continuous effort, one reaches the state of great concentration, refines to perfection, and becomes enlightened in the void, transforming into myriad forms. The divine pervades the universe, and the slightest light shines upon the great work. Once obtained, it is eternal; once verified, it is water verification. Supernatural powers are boundless, and magical power is endless. When heaven and earth are closed, they do not close; when they are open, they open. As the saying goes, "When the universe is in trouble, this one remains intact." This is the immortal primordial spirit that has been observed for a long time and is called a celestial immortal. Celestial immortals represent the highest level of cultivation.