DynamicEquilibrium

Not my translation, AI's one. Integration of opposites to find a point from which 'we' could discuss, research, study and learn something about common principles is a good idea indeed !

Thank you. There are similarities with my own experience: Almost daily one on one interactions with the teacher, from day one autonomy was clearly set as one of the goals.

Asked about the main caracteristic of Yuan jing according to Neidan litterature (in chinese), AI came with this result: 'Yuan Jing represents the primordial, formless energetic essence that existed before physical manifestation.' Anything related to the term 'energy' belong to the subject of physics, in this case physics of the living isn't it? For the sake of sharing ideas, in what i practice we emphasize the systemic nature of the three treasures, so difficult to separate from each others and from the wider system they are integrated with: '1. 練形化精 "Refining Form to Transform it into Essence" The expected effects at this stage are primarily physiological: the organs, tissues, and body systems (immune, nervous, respiratory, endocrine, circulatory, digestive...) are strengthened, their functions improved, etc. 2. 練精化氣 "Refining Essence to Transform it into Qi" From the results obtained in the previous stage, the practice becomes more refined. The expected effect at this stage is an improvement in the organism's energy transformation functions: less consuming of energy for better results. 3. 練氣化神 "Refining Qi to Transform it into Shen" The character 神 Shen is often translated as "Spirit." At this stage, it becomes possible to change one's own attitude and state of mind. When we understands this process that goes against the natural course by starting from the body to reach the spirit, we also understands that different 神 Shen mean different individuals. Following the natural course, different 神 Shen produce different ways of thinking, of listening, of looking, of perceiving, of feeling, of undertanding... different points of view about oneself, things, others and the world. From there, different individuals will have different 氣 Qi ("energetic" states) which will create different 精 Jing (physiological states) which themselves will give different forms 形 Xing. These forms are the gestures, behaviors, postures, human relationships, speech, habits of a particular individual that together create hers or his way of living. 4. 化神還虛 5. 還虛入道 6. 復歸自然 ...' Of course not enough to render the complete picture according to this lineage's peculiar interpretation.

Glad you can experience a release feeling ☺️

Clear, thank you. In the same preface he also states: "见之不可用、用之不可见." Doesn't it means that Neidan 'ingredients' belong to the shapeless 無形 category ? If so, how could we define them as 有形 material substances since from the quote 'what can be seen can't be used' ?

If not mistaken, Zhang Boduan may have had realized that breathing wasn't the key to refine Yuanqi as he seems to clearly state it in his preface to the 金丹四百字： "炼气者，炼元气，非口鼻呼吸之气"

How teacher avoids to create dependent relationships with the learners and prevent any 'cultish' possible deviations in such system?

From 道醫學/道醫性命雙修功法 point of view : 性: Biological nature, male/female traits. 命: Biophysical nature (Yinyang five elements), individual temperament. From same point of view 性+命= individual inborn nature 先天個性. AI translation of a short article from one of our practitioners: "The Daodejing says: "To know others is wisdom, to know oneself is enlightenment." Conversely, not knowing others is a lack of wisdom, not knowing oneself is ignorance. The way of perceiving, thinking and conceiving determines one's vision—where does it originate from? Everything lies in the characteristics of one's inborn individual nature 先天個性. The way of perceiving, thinking, conceiving and the vision that emanates from it determine the way of living, and consequently one's fate—this is the connection between inborn individual nature and destiny established in this Taoist study of human nature. By stubbornly clinging to our opinions and acting arbitrarily through ignorance and lack of wisdom, destiny could develop into a sort of fatality, an entire lifetime of repeating the same mistakes again and again, in different ways, in different situations. Health, relationships, family, work... it forms a whole. How can one know this inborn individual nature without becoming trapped by the very patterns it produces? This is the paradox of the mirror attempting to observe itself. In this study, the mean for self-knowledge is the diagnosis of inborn individual nature. The practical method for changing and improving is the "joint cultivation of Nature and Life" 性命雙修. For physical and mental health, it is "setting the foundations" 筑基. To break patterns, shatter fatality and reconstruct one's destiny, it is "cultivating the truth" 修真."

In a honest world: "Q: Who is your teacher ? A: The chinese internet."