The Secret of the Golden Flower Chapter 8 The Method of Transcendence 逍遥诀

This Chapter excerpts from Lü Dongbin's The Secret of the Golden Flower detail a Daoist cultivation method, the "Method of Transcendence," focusing on internal alchemy. The practice uses visualization and the manipulation of internal energy ("qi") to achieve a state of union between opposing forces (yin and yang). It involves stages progressing from external control to internal mastery, culminating in profound stillness and the unification of body and mind. The text uses analogies of rulers and ministers, as well as Buddhist concepts like the Threefold Contemplation, to explain the process. The central role of the eyes as a pivotal point for energy control is emphasized throughout.