Neidan

What it is

Neidan, or internal alchemy, is a system of practices used by Taoist initiates to prolong life and achieve immortality. Unlike external methods that use minerals, this tradition uses the practitioner's own body as a cauldron. The goal is to cultivate three inner substances to form an immortal spiritual embryo. This process is believed to restore the individual to a primordial state of unity with the Tao.

Where it comes from

The term neidan likely emerged between the Jin and Tang dynasties, though its exact first use is uncertain. Early references appear in texts from the fifth century, but the concept became widespread during the Song dynasty. It evolved from earlier external alchemy and was influenced by the Shangqing School, which shifted focus from physical substances to internal energy work.

How it is done

Practitioners engage in meditation, daoyin gymnastics, and sexual hygiene techniques. They visualize the body as a furnace where the Three Treasures are refined. The process involves maintaining balance and purity to allow energy to flow freely through meridians. Specific postures and breathing exercises are used to circulate qi and preserve jing.

Tools and materials

The primary tools are the Three Treasures: Jing (physical essence), Qi (vital breath), and Shen (spirit). These are considered the fundamental energies sustaining life. Practitioners also use cosmological theories like the Five Phases and the emblems of the Yijing to guide their internal transformations.

What it is for

The main intent is to improve physical, emotional, and mental health while extending lifespan. Taoists believe that preserving these inner energies prevents illness and leads to longevity. The ultimate purpose is to transcend death by creating a spiritual body that survives after physical demise.

Who does it

This practice is performed by Taoist initiates and household practitioners. It requires training in meditation and bodily discipline. Historically, it has been part of most major schools of Taoism in China, passed down through textual traditions and direct instruction.

Peoples and places

Neidan is primarily associated with Taoism in China. It draws on traditional Chinese medical theory and correlative cosmology. The practice reflects broader Chinese cultural concepts of health, energy flow, and harmony with the natural order.

What people believe

Taoists hold that the body contains latent energies that can be transformed into higher states of being. Illness and death result from the depletion of these energies through stress and desire. By cultivating them internally, one aligns with the Tao and achieves a state of eternal vitality.

When it is done

Practice is generally daily and integrated into personal cultivation routines. There are no specific festivals tied exclusively to neidan, though it aligns with general Taoist observances and seasonal cycles of yin and yang balance.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scholars view neidan as a complex system combining medicine, philosophy, and spirituality. Researchers note its reliance on traditional Chinese medical concepts and its evolution from external alchemy. Some analyze it through psychological lenses, seeing it as a method of self-regulation and consciousness expansion.

Compare and confuse

Neidan is often contrasted with waidan, or external alchemy, which used mineral elixirs. It shares similarities with qigong and other Chinese health practices but differs in its explicit goal of spiritual immortality rather than mere physical wellness.

Questions people ask about Neidan

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Neidan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data