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Maam this is the Arby's drive thru...

I haven't come across yin devils or yang devils as categories, but my forays into taoist demonology weren't that comprehensive. Of course any demon, like any other phenomenon of the world of manifestations, can be classified as primarily yin or primarily yang, but they can also change their taiji allegiances. E.g., Sun Wukong, sometimes referred to as the "stone monkey demon," was imprisoned under the mountain for 500 years for, basically, being way too yang for anyone's comfort, and spent this long and boring time as an extremely yin entity. Whereas fox spirits (a rather well-explored category) are very yin to begin with -- until they flip into their aggressive yang manifestation. Taoist demonology and exorcism constitute a major part of the canon, not a footnote. They have their educated and trained professionals with different sets of qualifications, and detailed and specific "job descriptions." A very tongue-in-cheek analogy would be psychiatrists vs psychologists vs social workers, except what they do is not what a Western therapist would do. Taoist priests are "psychiatrists," Fashi (skillfull masters) are "psychologists," and spirit mediums are "social workers." And then there's sorcerers, those can be likened to undercover agents, and sometimes double agents.

The Yin Yang represents much more than just duality. People tend to miss the outer surrounding circle (or "taijitu" in this diagram, illustrating that the duality of the yin-yang in the center is surrounded by the "supreme ultimate" or "absolute". The Yin Yang diagrammatic representation is same as the Heart Sutra's "form is emptiness, emptiness form" and "two truths doctrine" representing the ever-changing nature of black/white duality inside the circle of the "absolute" as we'd also call it in Buddhism.

The essence of the Yijing as a book of wisdom and oracle is its ability to give an avenue for the Shenming (gods; or in Jungian terms, the unconscious) to communicate with us. Hence, finding an interpretation written in language which speaks to our heart is essential. In this regard my favourite is Cleary’s translation of Liu Yiming’s Daoist alchemical interpretation, titled The Taoist I Ching. Wilhelm’s is also a must have and I use it in conjunction with Cleary’s. However, for someone new to the Yijing I’d highly recommend starting with the relatively recent translation by John Minford titled, “I Ching: The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese Oracle and Book of Wisdom.” (You can preview it on Kindle.) It is excellent, both for the quality of his translation and selected commentary, and also for gaining an overview of what the Yijing represents. (Minford also includes a translation of the Bronze Age text from the Zhou dynasty in the second half of the book which @Harmen and @Taoist Texts are referring to above. TT may care to read it for its comprehensive exploration of the Western scholarship over the last few decades which explores in great depth exactly those issues which he raises. For me personally though, this stuff has little relevance for how I use the book. I agree with Minford when he writes, “Modern attempts to divest the original Bronze Age Oracle of all its traditional clutter, despite their brilliance, somehow seemed dry and futile. In short, I missed the essential spiritual quality of the I Ching.” In other words, it is exactly the layers of interpretation which the original oracle has gained over the ensuing centuries which give the book its wisdom. )

This look is different ..... the facial expression I mean . I'll add a caption ; " Did that arse hole deliberately cut off my lane change then ? "

From 7 : 20

"Demon," "monster" and similar words may mean all sorts of things, different things to different people, but there's not a single ancient, indigenous, etc. tradition where they are not present. And even though we have been led to believe that their existence is somehow at odds with modern science, this in itself is merely a belief with no scientific proof -- because no scientific studies to tackle demons have ever been undertaken by modern science using its scientific method in any shape or form. For starters, scientists would have to agree on the terminology used. What is a demon? What is it that purportedly doesn't exist? I think a certain configuration of form and function can assume the distinct behavioral characteristics of a demon, and it can happen inside the human brain and the resulting mentality and emotionality -- what psychiatry of old called "complexes" -- but it can also shape itself into something made of microplastics, of xenohormones, of social trends tinged or thoroughly permeated with malevolent insanity, of frankenfoods and drugs... I think PTSD is a kind of demon, and glyphosate is, and Rockefeller medicine, and many aspects of child-rearing and education, and and and...

I'll share a nugget which personally I don't really believe, nonetheless it's interesting. I'm aware of two very accomplished professionals, one is a psychiatrist, the other is a Psy.D., both privately believe in demons ( publicly they don't ). They've both had about 50 years career tenures and are well respected. Interestingly both are very experienced in multiple personality disorder and both don't want to share (privately) anything about what strengthened this belief. This is a fringe view btw but it's interesting that two people very accomplished in these fields believe this. But to put their perspectives in context, as great qualifications don't make someone right. Tbh in the only incident I am familiar with, where one of the two experts seemed convinced something was demonic, there was absolutely nothing metaphysical, nevermind demonic. So my view is that probably their beliefs were created by past cases, where similarly they drew wrong conclusions aka they believed what unconsciously they wanted to believe. Still it's interesting as both seem very convinced, they're sharp and well versed in multiple personality disorder.

aka the "transcendent" in many schools that is beyond yet also within as the source of duality...

I remember trying to design a sheath for my jian just so that I could carry it on the back and draw from the back -- and be able to put it back in like that, which is a bit trickier. I couldn't figure out a design that would work, so I asked someone who makes sheaths semi-professionally, and she also failed. And that's when I learned that these swords were originally designed for horseback riding warriors -- and I don't mean the stance, I mean the actual horse. No problem to draw it from the back if you're so inclined -- but you have to mount a horse first. Or else use a shorter sword.

The Yin Devil is usually no problem for normal people when their mind are cluttered by thousand and one things. One more devil won't cause too much additional harm. But for cultivators, especially higher level ones, when their minds are comparatively clearer, the Yin Devil is not easy to deal with. They are somewhat part of yourself. Cultivators need great steadiness naturally, but also require sound body and mind, and a proper environment. When a person is in distress, then the attack is vicious. There is another condition when the "real" devils i.e. external ones, affect you via the Yin Devil, instead of things like flying objects in the exorcist movies..

Both and many other types. e.g. dark parts of our Psyche has a name, Yin Devil. It lurks in the sub-consciousness, can act on its own or triggered by feelings and events, very difficult to clear. The lesser called Yang Devil are those rogue deities and beings that befriend or harm humans. These are technically external species (or even aliens) that has a life of their own. Nothing to do with psyche. As to the "fallen" divine beings, there is an interesting thing in Taoism. It is the reverse or "rising" to-be-divine beings. Humans have alchemy to become Immortals which is semi-divine being. Animals can also achieve human form or even to become Immortals if they cultivate long enough. Snakes, turtles, very old fishes, foxes, bats are said to have this ability. So if someone catches a very big and old fish, they would let it go as believe it could have some sentient though not really immortal. But such happening is extremely rare.

Not exactly Vedanta but this is what “Hindupedia” has to say about similarities between “Hinduism” and Daoism: https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Daoism_and_Hinduism * Dialectical monism Dialectical monism, also known as dualistic monism or monistic dualism, is an ontological position that holds that reality is ultimately a unified whole, distinguishing itself from monism by asserting that this whole necessarily expresses itself in dualistic terms. Wikipedia

Taoism cultivation is manifold. The most common form is in fact accessing the mind through the body. Qigong/Neigong are this type - external body movements. Although the stress is for both mind and body to grow together, the earlier phases are more body centric as it is far easier, faster and wield immediate benefits, and importantly, easier to hold on to the interests of the students. And in the contemporary context, working through the body is more neutral, just like Hatha Yoga, without the person engage too much in Taoist philosophical and religious teachings, which enable people in other beliefs to follow e.g. Christians and Muslims, instead of asking them to worship different deities.

Have shared before, but this one bears revisiting regularly...

Thats the tricky issue ... its NOT 'we' ( 'you' or these type of people ' , meaning transgender people ) its a strange 'type' that has infiltrated various things , not just 'transgenderism' . And they are already nuts , and its spreading into all types of areas .

Taoist yaoguai ("strange monsters") are thought of as being born due to human activities which disrupts the Way. They come into being via many venues as the outcome of deviations from the tao and the resulting abnormal, aberrant qi. They can take the shape of people, animals, objects, supernatural phenomena in the environment, and outbursts of strange, "idiotic" and/or destructive behaviors, both in individuals and in large groups of people. They can shapeshift too and possess various powers, primarily mind control and the ability to create illusions and delusions.

Wilhelm is standard still. I like Richard John Lynn - classic of Changes and also Alfred Huang (though it has its detractors).

Hi, I have been lurking on Dao Bums for a while now and decided to make an account so i can ask questions and engage with the community. My interests include chi kung, martial arts, TCM and Ayurveda.

I remember checking that one as well yesterday but it's not what I'm looking for. Thanks for trying to help 🙏

Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W. C. Fields

Currently reading Narcissus and Goldmund, by Herman Hesse. A good novel definitely.

As far as favorites, I think that would have to be Maha-Parinibbana Sutta, because of a few things Gautama said in that sutta: (from Part Two: The Journey to Vesali) 32. ... What more does the community of bhikkhus expect from me, Ananda? I have set forth the Dhamma without making any distinction of esoteric and exoteric doctrine; there is nothing, Ananda, with regard to the teachings that the Tathagata holds to the last with the closed fist of a teacher who keeps some things back. Now I am frail, Ananda, old, aged, far gone in years. This is my eightieth year, and my life is spent. Even as an old cart, Ananda, is held together with much difficulty, so the body of the Tathagata is kept going only with supports. It is, Ananda, only when the Tathagata, disregarding external objects, with the cessation of certain feelings, attains to and abides in the signless concentration of mind, [19] that his body is more comfortable. 33. "Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge. "And how, Ananda, is a bhikkhu an island unto himself, a refuge unto himself, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as his island, the Dhamma as his refuge, seeking no other refuge? 34. "When he dwells contemplating the body in the body, earnestly, clearly comprehending, and mindfully, after having overcome desire and sorrow in regard to the world; when he dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, the mind in the mind, and mental objects in mental objects, earnestly, clearly comprehending, and mindfully, after having overcome desire and sorrow in regard to the world, then, truly, he is an island unto himself, a refuge unto himself, seeking no external refuge; having the Dhamma as his island, the Dhamma as his refuge, seeking no other refuge. 35. "Those bhikkhus of mine, Ananda, who now or after I am gone, abide as an island unto themselves, as a refuge unto themselves, seeking no other refuge; having the Dhamma as their island and refuge, seeking no other refuge: it is they who will become the highest, [20] if they have the desire to learn." (from Part Six: The Passing Away) 8. ... Behold now, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness! (DN 16 PTS: D ii 72 chapters 1-6 "Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Last Days of the Buddha", tr Sister Vajira & Francis Story, © 1998) My favorite translation of that last would be: "Everything changes. Work out your own salvation!"

All systems are mental constructs that can be discarded when the goal has been reached. “They are conceptual structures yet are phenomenologically based, since they tend to be located where human beings experience emotional and/or spiritual energy … there are a few centers which are found in all systems: lower belly or sexual center, heart, and in or near the crown of the head …” https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/2/5/the-real-story-on-the-chakras

Thank you for posting this picture. Comparing the Chinese 3 dantien system with the western 7 chakra system, imo: 上丹田 (UDT, upper dantian), corresponding chakras - blue & purple 中丹田 (MDT, middle dantian), corresponding chakras - yellow & green 下丹田 (LDT, lower dantian), corresponding chakras - red & orange That leaves the white (crown) chakra which I associate with the Christian concept of a soul separate from the body. White light is a combination of all colors in the color spectrum. https://www.britannica.com/science/white-light

Thank you very much for this link. From the link: [imo vertical line along the spine] (both pictures from Barbara Brennan, Hands of Light) The microcosmic orbit showing the yin (descending, in black), and yang(ascending, flame) points. This is a dynamic conception involving the circulation of Ch'i energy. (diagram from Mantak and Maneewan Chia Awaken Healing Light of the Tao) [red chakra = perineum = Hui Yin 會陰 https://www.learnreligions.com/acupressure-treasures-hui-yin-ren-1-3182278]

Try these then... https://tasty.co/compilation/red-blue-pill-cocktails I bet they will be conducive to the flow of consciousness. 😉

… ‘chakra’ … They are conceptual structures yet are phenomenologically based, since they tend to be located where human beings experience emotional and/or spiritual energy … … there are a few centers which are found in all [chakra] systems .. lower belly or sexual center, in the heart, and in or near the crown of the head, … … all associations of the chakras with psychological states is a modern Western innovation that started with Carl Jung. … THE SEVEN-CHAKRA SYSTEM POPULAR TODAY DERIVES NOT FROM AN ANCIENT SCRIPTURE, BUT FROM A TREATISE WRITTEN IN 1577. … TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH IN 1918. https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/2/5/the-real-story-on-the-chakras

I'm sorry, but i am finding it harder and harder to decipher exactly what you are saying...Some of it is coming across But ill leave a few illustrations here and then bow out I understand what you are trying to say about energetic vs spiritual work Different systems do different things, different systems work different ways, and different systems place certain points in different location Some folk use this model Others use this (Particularly Alchemical Lines) And sometimes people work from this model Locating the Ding then....You can see it here at the center of the LDT But further confusion can ensue...because you can and do get people referring to the chakras as "cauldrons" and then....you get some systems that use nine instead of seven

You did not read what I said correctly...I never mentioned anything about the qi of the lower dan tien being pulled upward towards the chest...not at all...I think you need to review what I said carefully.

I have absolutely no idea why your words are posted like that...but there is really nothing distorted about what I said. In Neidan the LDT is the crucible where the work is done at these stages. Perhaps another thread for that discussion? The chakras (which is what this thread is about) are clearly labelled in Neidan...Im not sure what the need for obscure terms like black rabbit or black liver? Why not just say clearly what you are talking about Here are the seven chakras, according to alchemical teachings (Named as the seven wheels) Chun Zhen Lun (純真輪) – Wheel of Genuine Truth Zhen Zhi Lun (真知輪) – Wheel of Genuine Knowledge Zheng Dao Lun (正道輪) – Wheel of the Upright Path Ren Ai Lun (仁愛輪) – Wheel of Benevolent Love Da Tong Lun (大同輪) – Wheel of Great Harmony Kuan Shu Lun (寬恕輪) – Wheel of Expressive Compassion Zi Jue Lun (自覺輪) – Wheel of Self Awakening They are also known as the seven fires, or else the seven cauldrons. There is no need for misunderstanding here...they are small points along the spinal branch of the chong mai

搬運法對丹田的解釋是錯誤的 用錯誤的丹田來對應脈輪 當然會得到錯誤的結論 搬運法對丹田的理解就是氣所在的地方 對脈輪的理解是牽涉到光 因為中脈七輪的圖形很明顯的就是把七彩光都畫出來了 但是在真正的丹道裡面 烏肝確實是七彩的 跟中脈七輪是完全相同的系統 只有在搬運法錯誤的認知當中 才會產生不同於脈輪的認知結論 所以我希望各位在理解丹田這個概念的時候 要知道搬運法有很大的程度扭曲了丹道 並不能代表真正的丹道 真正的丹道 是魂魄修煉 是烏肝兔髓的修煉 並非是氣感的運行 The interpretation of dantian by the transfer method is wrong Using the wrong dantian to correspond to the chakra Of course wrong conclusions The transport method's understanding of dantian is where the qi is located The understanding of chakras involves light Because the graphic of the seven chakras of the central channel is obviously drawn out of the colorful light. But in the real Dan Dao Black liver is indeed colorful It is the exact same system as the seven chakras of the central chakra Only in the misunderstanding of the transfer method will produce cognitive conclusions that are different from the chakras So I hope that when you understand the concept of dantian You must know that the transport method has distorted the way of Dan to a great extent. does not represent the real Dan Dao real dando is Hun-Pao training It is the cultivation of black liver and rabbit marrow It's not a Qi movement 中脈七輪也很明確的把幾何圖形都畫出來 同樣的丹道當中的陽生二階段蓮花就是幾何圖形 當然更高深的真人演化 這個我就不說了 因為這裡太多搬運法的練習者 連最基本的烏肝光都練不出來 講太深沒用 The seven chakras of the central channel are also very clear to draw the geometric figures. In the same way, the lotus flower in the second stage of Yang Sheng is a geometric figure Of course the deeper mortal evolution I won't say this Because there are too many practitioners of the transfer method Can't even reach the most basic black liver light Talking too deep is useless 中醫所講的穴位是用來插針治病的 跟修煉當中所產生的類似電磁場的光不是一回事 一個是病態打通氣脈 一個是光磁場 完全不同 不可類推 Acupuncture points in traditional Chinese medicine are used for acupuncture treatment. It’s not the same thing as the electromagnetic field-like light generated during cultivation. One is morbid acupuncture point ventilation One is the optical magnetic field completely different no analogy 如果你一定要用中醫的角度來講修煉 只有黃帝內經裡面的一段算得上 肝藏魂，肺藏魄，心藏神，脾藏意，腎藏志 而中脈七輪的七彩光，就是肝藏魂的範圍 這已經不是經脈堵塞的針灸可以講的 完全不同範圍的東西 不可相提並論 If you must use the perspective of Chinese medicine to speak of cultivation Only a passage in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic can be considered The liver stores Hun, the lungs store Pou, the heart stores Shen the spleen stores attention, and the kidney stores the will And the colorful light of the seven chakras of the central channel is the scope of which liver stores Hun This is no longer the case of acupuncture with blocked meridians. something completely different incomparable 五臟所藏的神魂魄 和五邪入侵，陽氣虛衰等情況不是同一內容 治療邪氣採用經絡療法 但是修煉屬於神魂魄領域 完全不同 不可混為一談 The Hun-Pau-Shen hidden in the five internal organs It is not the same content as the invasion of five evils, the deficiency of yang qi, etc. Treating Evil Qi with Meridian Therapy But cultivation belongs to the realm of Shen-Hun_Pau completely different should not be confused

Chakras and dantians aren't the same thing. Too common of an error and a great misunderstanding of both concepts and systems.

硃砂在丹道當中代表還沒有被精煉過的神火 汞代表被精煉過的神火 這是兩者同時被提到的狀態下，有一種比較 如果只是單獨提到汞，或者和鉛一起被提到，那就是單純指的神火 Cinnabar represents the unrefined Shen fire in Dan Dao Mercury represents the refined Shen fire This is a state where both are mentioned at the same time, there is a comparison If mercury is mentioned alone, or together with lead, it is simply referring to Shen fire 使用汞這個名詞，是因為剛開始練功的時候，心念非常容易移動，跟汞的性質相同 The use of the term mercury is because when you first started practicing, your mind was very easy to move, and it has the same properties as mercury.

In this case Cinnabar would be what 丹 is referencing Dan Tien = Cinnabar field Cinnabar = Original Divine Spirit It is an alchemical term...High level stuff tbh In Daoism the chakras are not called chakras...they are either referred to as the seven wheels, seven fires or seven cauldrons The idea of "connection" would be the notion that they run along the spiritual aspect of the spine which is innervated, and that the seven chakras have their physical correlates in or around the major glands of the body....which as you know are all linked to the nervous system

兔髓 #1&2, body perception 烏肝 #6, third eye chakra #7, crown chakra

風水 風 feng1 - wind [thoughts] 水 shui3 water [e(nergy)-motions]

性 - nature, our physical bodies / external self 情 - our thoughts, emotions and feelings / internal self

Chakras are intelligent. Often the sacral chakra intelligences have been traumatized. Such humans are often prone to physical accidents as their coordination is poor

Well yes, to a degree, but they are at the more advanced stages I would be careful to generalize with Daoism and Chakras...people often make poor comparisons like LDT = Manipura Chakra...this, for example is incorrect They are a part of the tradition, just not much in written format on them They are involved in Shen Gong, Xin Ling Li and Guan Chan. Lots of siddhi and other weird stuff happening at these stages

Originally the Hindu chakra system had only 3 chakras (the primary colours). The Chinese have 上， 中，and 下 丹田 三清 san1 qing1 - three distinct [colours] link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Pure_Ones

One’s “level” shows in the quality of one’s posts.

“烏肝 - black liver” ~~~ "...The light in the chakras of India is the same as the black liver light of Taoism The mandala in the Indian chakra is the same as the lotus in Taoism ..." https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/54302-navel-chakra-and-dantian/?do=findComment&comment=997517

Obsolete now

Why does it say ‘secret’? 太 tai4 - very 乙 yi3 - second 宗旨 zong1zhi3 - purpose ~~~ 宗 zong1 - ancestor; 旨 zhi3 - purpose

Why does it say ‘flower’? 花 hua1 - flower 華 hua2 - diffused light ~~~ 金 jin1 - gold

你誤會了上頁用“concept“這個單詞之人的原意。他們是說，徹悟了“烏肝”之前，是concept，悟了之後，是真性本身。 You misunderstood the meaning of the person who used the word "concept" on the previous page. They are saying that before direct realization of "raven liver", there is only a concept of it. And after direct realization, there is original nature itself. 也許可以不要時不時笑人家。通常不是他們講了什麽可笑的話，然而是您沒有看懂他們的英文。 Maybe you can stop calling people people ridiculous all the time. Usually it's not that they say something ridiculous, but that you didn't really understand their English before you began to scold them 請問，到底哪一本内丹經書是這樣講的？ 說氣要變成光好像是近現代氣功界的理念。 内丹的經書有這個講法嗎？假如真的有，我就信服了您，並且會立刻刪除賬號，不再懷疑您的丹法。 您已經在這裏承認了您沒有内丹師承。但您是以經典為依據的人。既然如此，請告訴我們那本内丹經書說修煉者要看到這些光現象。Ctext.org、Wikisource.org及Kanripo.org有種種《道藏》和《藏外道書》的電子檔。麻煩您提供鏈接。 謝謝！ Excuse me, which book of the Neidan classics says this? To say that Qi should become light seems to be a concept in the modern Qigong world. Do Neidan's classic writings have this teaching? If you can show that there is, I will believe you, and I will delete my account immediately and no longer doubt your method. You have already admitted here that you have no inner alchemy teacher. But you say you are based on the classics. That being the case, please tell us which classic Neidan book says that cultivators should see these light phenomena. Ctext.org, Wikisource.org, and Kanripo.org have various electronic files of "Taoist Canon", and "The Taoist Texts Beyond the Canon" books. Please provide the link. Thanks!

In fact, this matter is not so difficult to explain as some people say it is, and it is not so mysterious. It also does not mean the phenomenon of light spots that people see when they cultivate (Of course we have a friend who will disagree with me). However, it is a poetic riddle. What Google translates as "black liver" should actually be "crow's liver" or "raven's liver". The reason Google mistranslated it is because the word 烏 has different meanings, one of which is black. Saying "crow" or "raven" has nothing to do with the animal itself. It is just a symbol that the ancients liked to use. According to ancient legends, there is a crow in the sun. From the point of view of the inner alchemy, we do not need to know at all why the ancients thought there was a crow in the sun. This is a folk tale that has been in existence since the Warring States Period, and can be seen in the Shanhaijing and the murals of the tombs of the Han Dynasty. By the time Neidan was invented, it was already a well-known and ingrained belief, a bit like ancient Westerners believed that the god of war (Ares) lived on Mars. Because of this, the writers of the Song dynasty inner alchemy poems and books can use the crow as a symbol that the ancient Chinese reader would easily understand. In the inner alchemy, the crow itself has no meaning. The authors of books about inner alchemy just used the crow to insinuate the sun, and then used the sun to insinuate the trigram of Li ☲. For them, Li trigram represents the human mind. The two lines outside belong to Yang, so they are always moving, just like thoughts and emotions, which never stop. The one line inside of it belongs to Yin, so it is deeply tranquil. This Yin line is hidden inside, so it is difficult for ordinary ordinary people to discover it. But it is the innate, fundamental character of Li trigram, so it needs to be discovered. As a practitioner, we must discover this thing. It is the essence of the mind, which is basically Buddha-nature. So why is it called "liver"? The answer to this question may sound a bit complicated, but it is also inseparable from the traditional symbols of China. The ancients chose "liver" to represent the Yin line of the Li trigram ☲ for two reasons: First, the liver is an internal organ, so it represents an "internal" (or "innate") thing. But it is seemingly an arbitrary choice. Why liver instead of lung, heart or kidney? This is because of the symbols of colors. Second, in ancient Chinese medicine, the liver is always associated with wood. In the Five Elements, the color of wood is green. Green was called 青 in ancient times. Well, the "green dragon" (青龍) was also another name for the Yin line in the middle of the Li trigram. Since in the five elements system, the green dragon and the liver are both considered to have the color 青, they both symbolize the same object in Neidan poems (that is, the Yin line inside of Li trigram, which represents our human mind). You can see how the ancient writers used many symbols to say the same thing if read an essay from the Yuan dynasty in the Taoist Canon named 《紫陽真人悟真直指詳說三乘秘要》. It has many lists of these symbols, like a thesaurus or key to a cipher. You can find Raven Liver there if you search, it is called 烏肝. Remember, the human mind is symbolized by the Li trigram. The Li trigram is symbolized by the sun. The sun is symbolized by the crow or raven. Layers upon layers of symbols, easy to get lost. As practitioners, we only need to discover the Yin line in the middle of the Li trigram. Doing this means discovering your own nature. It does not mean seeing some light spots when doing spontaneous Qigong. "Rabbit marrow" is the Yang line in the Kan trigram ☵. It's a bit late now, too much to write. I don't know if anyone is interested, maybe I can explain it later. (Of course, we have to wait for our friend to say that I stink and there is too much Qi in my lower dantian (maybe if I have a fart there will be less Qi in the dantian, but this way I will stink even more, really don't know what to do )

What is the yin and yang of black liver and rabbit marrow? Which are the two-stage yangsheng? What is the third stage of yangsheng? Unless you explain what these code-names stand for, I can't understand the english Google translations better than the chinese.

Yes . . . but with a caveat. Let's consider an analogy (analogy time!!!! . . .). Let's imagine that each of our lives is like a canvas. Now QiGong . . . is certainly really good at clearing the canvas. Or maybe even . . . clearing it and leaving it with a nice, clean, shiny primer. Great (!) But what if . . . we don't want to just clear the canvas (?) What if . . . we want to make a painting (?) What if . .. we want to pick and choose certain colors in our unique and individual way (?) We want them to be clean and un-muddied colors . . . but we still want the colors to be there (!) QiGong . . . doesn't seem so good at that (in my experience). It's one difference between Eastern and Western sensibility/understanding . . . about what the purpose of our individual lives might be. Michael Winn's perspective on QiGong (for example) . . . partially addresses this.