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To
age with the sun and moon and be renewed by spring and summer, to conserve the
seeds of growth in autumn and winter and to be nourished by the eternal breath
of the Tao--these are the goals of the Taoist alchemists, the masters of the
arts of health, longevity, and immortality.
This
book is a translation of a concise Taoist alchemical manual known as the
Dragon-Tiger
Classic,
along with its two most important commentaries. The classic, written in ancient
times by an unknown author and published during the fifteenth century BCE, is
regarded by contemporary Taoist practitioners as the most complete guide to
spiritual transformation. It covers the three forms of Taoist practice:
- External
alchemy, concerned with the ingestion of minerals, herbs, and other substances
to attain health, longevity, and immortality
- Sexual
alchemy, in which the practitioner uses the energy of a sexual partner to
cultivate his or her own energy
- Internal
alchemy, the practice of meditation, calisthenics, and yogic postures to
cultivate mind and body
An
extensive introduction by the translator and the inclusion of two commentaries
by traditional Chinese authors aid the reader in understanding this concise,
symbolic text. |
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