2 books
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Shein fans@user11874@newsgrouper.org.invalid to
alt.philosophy.taoism on Wed Dec 10 07:38:02 2025
From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism
The Xingming Guizhi (Essentials of Nature and Life) stands as a milestone in the popularization and systematization of Neidan (Inner Alchemy),
hailed as the "textbook of alchemical scriptures." After the Ming and Qing dynasties, countless Neidan initiates began their practice with this work before delving into the Wuzhen Pian (Awakening to Reality) and
the Cantong Qi (Commentary on the Agreement of the Three). More than a Taoist cultivation classic, it embodies the wisdom of ancient Chinese physical and spiritual practice.
It seeks to answer a fundamental question: How can humans achieve transcendence and perfection of life through inner transformation?
The Wuzhen Pian(Understanding Truth), regarded as the "source of living water" that prioritizes enlightenment,
is revered as the "foundational scripture of the Southern School" and, together with the Cantong Qi,
acclaimed as the "kings of alchemical texts." Complementary in essencerCoone "sudden enlightenment" and
the other "gradual cultivation," one poetic and the other diagrammatic, one a foundational scripture and the other a comprehensive canonrCothey jointly constitute the complete system of Taoist Neidan,
encompassing "principles, methods, formulas, and verification." To study and reflect on both is to grasp their profound truths without neglecting practical cultivation,
serving as the two wings for the path of spiritual cultivation.
The *Wuzhen Pian* (Understanding Truth) is like high mountains and flowing waterrCopure, cool, and profound,
awaiting a kindred spirit for self-realization.
The *Xingming Guizhi* (The Axis of Life-Nature) is like a great hall upon an open plainrCoits chambers and wings clearly laid out,
guiding the multitude to ascend together.
rCLHigh Mountain, Flowing WaterrCY
o2yo##u|Uu#| : This is a famous Chinese idiom that originates from the story of the musician Boya and his friend Ziqi.
When Boya played his *qin*, his music could evoke images of high mountains or flowing water,
and only Ziqi could truly understand what he was expressing. After Ziqi died, Boya broke his *qin*,
never to play again, believing his rCLtfNof|rCY was gone forever.
The Metaphor: Therefore, describing the *Wuzhen Pian* this way means:
Profound and Sublime: Its wisdom is as lofty and majestic as high mountains. Pure and Unadulterated: Its truth flows as purely and clearly as a mountain stream.
Ethereal and Demanding: The term rCLu+aoa+rCY suggests it is not warm or easily accessible; it is cool, detached,
and requires a certain spiritual purity to approach.
For the rCLKindred SpiritrCY: It is not a text for the masses. It speaks directly to the individual seeker,
the rCLsoulmaterCY of its wisdom, who must put in the effort to rCLawaken on their ownrCY (*c-uef).
It offers a personal, solitary journey to enlightenment.
rCLA Great Hall upon an Open PlainrCY
o||o+Yo|+oAa : This image evokes accessibility, order, and grandeur.
o||o+Y : An open plain has no obstacles. It is easy to enter and navigate. This suggests the text is systematic and approachable, not a steep, forbidding mountain path.
o|+oAa : A rCLspacious mansionrCY or rCLgreat hallrCY is a public building, not a hermitrCOs cave.
It implies a structured, comprehensive system designed to accommodate and shelter many.
This alludes to the famous Tang dynasty poet Du FurCOs wish for rCLa million great mansions to shelter all the poor scholars of the world.rCY
The Metaphor: Describing the *Xingming Guizhi* this way means:
Systematic and Clear:
rCLIts chambers and wings are clearly laid outrCY (oaeo|aoeauyA) is a perfect metaphor for a text that is well-organized,
with distinct chapters, steps, and principles. It provides a clear roadmap. Inclusive and For the Many: Unlike the solitary *Wuzhen Pian*, this text is designed for rCLthe multituderCY (E+uE||).
It is a guide that can lead many people up the path together, like a teacher in a great hall guiding students through a curriculum.
It is a public, communal path to understanding.
The Wuzhen Pian (Awakening to Reality) states:
"White Tiger's primal essence, a treasure most rare;
When Lead meets its kindred, Cinnabar takes form."
rCo Abounding in esoteric metaphors, it eludes the uninitiated.
The Xingming Guizhi (Essentials of Nature and Life) clarifies:
"The White Tiger refers to the essence in the kidneys;
'Primal essence' denotes the innate Vital Qi...",
accompanied by diagrams illustrating how essence-Qi ascends.
In summary, your comparison beautifully contrasts two paths to Daoist understanding:
one is the esoteric, poetic path of personal awakening (*Wuzhen Pian*), and the other is the exoteric,
systematic path of guided cultivation (*Xingming Guizhi*).
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