learn internal alchemy
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The practice manual An Open Door to Internal Alchemy is free to download. In it you’ll find a series of core practices and ancillary techniques. These are arranged into six steps, each with theory, practices, and signs of accomplishment.
A book does not replace a teacher. All the same, in today’s age there can be many barriers to finding an instructor. When we are new to the path we have not yet acquired the insight and discernment necessary to tell whether someone is a good teacher or not. A popular teacher may just be good at talking or have an excellent marketing team. Lesser known masters may not have the same charismatic personality traits that launch them into the public eye. I’ve known several genuine adepts who could be quite rough around the edges and had a tendency to get into trouble, yet their attainment was undeniable to anyone willing to spend serious time with them.
I’ve found that the cleanest approach is to begin with your own work and allow the stars to align. As your spiritual evolution unfolds you will be plunged into a kind of alignment with the path itself, and a teacher will suddenly blossom forth. You will feel the connection and know in your heart “This is the right person.” They will feel the same about you. So use this manual as a walking stick to help support you until someone comes and takes your hand.
Table of contents
Introduction
The General Layout of the Path
The Steps of Training
Step 1: Preparing the Tripod
Theory: The three treasures of mind, energy, and body.
Core Practice 1: Inner Loosening
Core Practice 2: Imagination Training
Ancillary 1: Impact of lifestyle on cultivation efforts
Ancillary 2: Nightly retrospection practice
Step 2: Establishing the Foundation in One Hundred Days
Theory: The lower elixir field
Core Practice 3: Rousing the Breath
Core Practice 4: Elixir Field Breathing
Core Practice 5: Quiet Sitting
Ancillary 3: Celibacy, fasting, and other methods to support the hundred days.
Step 3: Regulating and Opening
Theory: Energy channels and barriers
Core Practice 6: Morning Training
Core Practice 7: Static Postures
Core Practice 8: Pore Breathing
Step 4: Circulating through Five Phases
Theory: Five-Element philosophy, the elemental organs, the seven functions of the Po, three aspects of the Hun, nine chambers of the Xin, five intents of the Yi, the singular Zhi
Core Practice 9: The Elemental Orbit
Ancillary 4: Nightly Retrospection 2
Step 5: Lesser Fire and Water Coupling
Theory: The heart-kidney axis, the roles of fire and water in alchemy, creating the medicine
Core Practice 10: Fire-Water Breathing
Ancillary 5: Gathering ingredients of time and place
Step 6: Refining the Medicine
Theory: The microcosmic orbit and the firing process, the internal calendar of evolution
Core Practice 11: The Twelve Gates
Ancillary 6: Gathering the Sun and Moon to support essence and energy