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Whether there are classes of ways , some superb, some inferior , in Taoist cultivation is a controversial issue, however, because of its importance, we can't ignore it . In reality , there are different classes of ways in Taoist practice . Roughly speaking , we can divide them into low, middle and top classes . The criterion start from where and how we can initialize qi , what quality of it and how it is accumulated, up to whether we can upgrade it to Shen and the ways how we well tune their relation..etc. Low class of ways (下品) : these ways , more precisely speaking are methods ( 術 ) that look trivial ; those you can easily come across in books, megazine or online ; methods such as counting numbers to settle your mind, paying attention to your breathing , massaging certain acupoints or singing spells ..etc all belong to this category. Many of them can be classified as methods of medical qigong . Middle class of ways (中品): ways that ask you to pay attention to your lower dantian , focus your mind on upper dantian , visualize something, or absorb sun's yang from outside ..etc all belong to this category. Although these ways are not that bad and always effective to certain extent , the strength of how hard you use your mind is always the problem of them . For example , too strong a focus on the upper dantian can lead to high blood pressure ,and , an inappropriate use of mind on lower dantian can give rise to repeated nocturnal leakage of jing..etc. Top class of ways (上品) : these ways are always difficult to follow at initial stage , and their benefits emerge only after your having practiced them for years . They are those ways tell you to start by paying attention to the emptiness outside of your body ( i.e. the way of the West School ), or by focusing your mind on nowhere , or by visualizing something then nullifying its content..etc. They are the ways having a unique character that leads you to genuine forever youth, yet seldom can you come across them in your lifetime.