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Dear Forum Members, About me My name is Alexey Alexeevich Khokhlov (A.A.Khokhlov), I am a Chief Instructor of Taoist Center "Dao De". I've been practising Taoist Alchemy methods for more than 10 years, learning the traditional teachings of WuLiupai and Yuxianpai Schools. I've been to China many times and had a good fate to study from outstanding Masters, and the most important among them were: Teacher of Single-United Yang, Patriarch of WuLiupai School (transmission in 9th generation), a descendant of Great Teacher Wu Chongxu Zhu Mingxian, Patriarch of Yuxianpai School (transmission in 20th generation) I'm permitted to teach, in person and online, highly effective Neigong (Qigong) and Taoist Alchemy methods of Yuxianpai and Wuliupai Schools. About the Taoist Center "Dao De" Taoist Center "Dao De" was founded in Saint-Petersburg, Russia in 1993 by Dmitry Aleksandrovich Artemyev (D.A.Artemyev), a disciple of Teacher of Single-United Yang and official representative of Wuliupai School in Russia and on the West. The Center was created to build a bridge from true Eastern (Chinese) masters, knowledge and culture to the Western world. 3D view of "Dao De" Center in Saint Petersburg (press left mouse button to turn the view; double-click to go full screen). In our Center we study and teach Taoism and Taoist Alchemy, internal martial arts - Taijiquan, Xinyiquan, Baguazhang, Yiquan, Chinese medicine, Chinese nutrition and many other subjects. Originally we were teaching only Russians, but later students from other countries started requesting trainings in English, so this year we've begun special online classes and seminars for foreigners. If you would like to join us please don't hesitate to contact me. Communication Here I would like to share the experience and knowledge I've obtained by studying Taoism for more than 10 years, answer your questions and introduce the opportunities our Center gives to you. I am willing to answer your questions on Taoism, Taoist Alchemy and Chinese martial arts. Best Regards, A.A.Khokhlov

(The original article by Dmitry Artemiev, translated from Russian.) First of all, we need to understand that Chinese culture has its own ideas, sometimes fundamentally different from the concepts of the other cultures. Daoism, and especially alchemy of immortality in Chinese tradition, although is well-known nowadays, I dare say have not been studied at all. It is especially true for the most ancient period of Daoism and the so-called Shenxian teaching. This is not surprising, the same is almost universally true for China. In fact, immortality is not really the desire to leave memory for the descendants, and not the desire to live forever on earth (a physical immortality and longevity although considered possible, never were the supreme goal of Daoism), but it is a realization of the supreme freedom that exists in every human being, although men usually do not know about it. This is well described in Wuzhenpian. Thus, Daoism is not a philosophy, not a religion, but the way of freedom. Of course finding the true essence of Daoism is extremely difficult because of all the later developments and distortions, but even today there are people in China who preserve the tradition of Daoism in its most ancient form. Daoist alchemy is the TEACHING of attaining UNITY. And not the physical one or the one of the mind (as nowadays the spirit is labeled), but attaining a particular state, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE ACHIEVEMENT OF A HUMAN IN THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT. Immortality in Daoist alchemy is rather aimed at immortality of the spirit than physical immortality. In Daoist practice, there are certain stages that are characterized not by qigong phenomena, but rather by physiological changes and transformations (e.g. 人仙, 地仙, 神仙, 天仙, 金仙 and some others). Not all schools of Daoism called the same levels by the same names. We especially need to emphasize that the Chinese spirit has nothing to do with the concept of the consciousness, and that is what the character 神 tells us about. Daoist alchemy, as we know, was formerly referred to as Neidan and Waidan (usually translated as inner and outer alchemy). The very character DAN represents a pot in which melting occurs. However, few people know (and the Daoists insist on that), that this teaching existed since the most ancient times, and it is known in China at least since Huangdi. This teaching is called HuangLaoXue i.e. the teaching Huangdi and Laozi. It also has other names. The precise terms Neidan and Waidan appeared much later, in the beginning of Current Era. In fact, only Waidan could be called alchemy as the methods of the external elixir melting. Inner alchemy (which in scientific circles is considered derived from the outer one), held in the tradition a much higher and ancient status. It is called alchemy more because of the custom than meaning. Let's examine the classification in more details: 1. Ghostly immortal or ghost immortal - Guǐxiān (鬼仙). Gui Xian. Literally - the immortal of devils, devil immortal. This achievement was considered to be typical for the shamanic practices, the late Chan Buddhism, pseudo-Daoism, various meditative practices. Yin spirit leaves the body while its non-breathing and without heartbeat. Practitioner remains an ordinary mortal, despite the practice of soul leaving and possible acquiring of some abilities. Moreover, it is possible that after the death the practitioner would never be reborn, remaining a ghost forever. This practice is not a Daoist one and it was forbidden (serious practicing, not just jingzuo). 2. Human immortal or immortal among people Rénxiān (人仙) Actually not really an immortal. Moreover, each person passes this period in his or her life. It is an age of majority, peak of physiological prosperity. This is the very period when people are in their most exalted state (full and active). If one starts to practice alchemy in this period, it is possible to complete the second stage of Earth immortal very quickly. If time has passed and the energy is wasted, old age and infirmity came, then it would be necessary to bring the body back to this physiological level. Otherwise, it is impossible to proceed. Thus we can see that it is still not true immortality, but only attaining of the state of the highest primordial energy, i.e. Ming. 3. Earth Immortal - Dìxiān (地仙): This is what is commonly called immortality: immortality of the physical body on the Earth. But such a body, although may dwell forever on the Earth, can be destroyed by external damage. Therefore, such an achievement is not considered as a high one, and all practitioners sought to advance further, consider it as only an intermediate step. It should be noted that this achievement is the goal and the ultimate attainment of outer alchemy. Both at the previous and at this stage it is possible to develop various abilities of the level, but it is not the main path, but rather a side road. At this stage, Ming unites with Xing, and thus immortality becomes possible. Thats like a perpetual thermonuclear engine in ones own body on the Earth emerges. Thats where the abilities come from. Starting from this stage, the achievements are irreversible in terms of the inverse transformation (with the exception of Rénxiān who could easily become an ordinary person again, having spent Ming). But if, because of external conditions the practice is not completed or if the body is destroyed, one may have to go back to the previous level. 4. Spirit Immortal - Shénxiān (神仙) Spiritual embryo or Yangshen goes out of the head (born in the spiritual world), and it still needs to be nurtured and developed. This is similar to a mother (body) taking care of a child (spirit). When it becomes strong and this stage is completed the spirit can move anywhere in the Universe first to learn its structure and subsequently to perform spiritual work. It is no longer possible to kill him, he is immortal. But there is still body that requires attention. At a certain stage of development yang spirit Yangshen acquires the ability to multiply, reproducing itself. It can gradually grow to a huge number. They can perform a variety of spiritual work in different worlds. This is the very moment when complete understanding of the Universe and its laws comes as well as the meaning of further development. If the practitioner wishes, this phase can be prolonged for a very long time. For example, one can dwell in a cave for thousands of years and practice in spiritual bodies. 5. Celestial Immortal - Tiānxiān (天仙) The previous stage can already be prolonged to last forever. But the immortal spirit has still non-transformed body. Therefore, there is still an opportunity to continue to the highest stage, which, according to alchemy is possible on Earth - the transformation of the body into the body of light. This is the most difficult task, as it requires 9 to 10 years of immobility. It should be safeguarded by faithful disciples and followers, the Teacher, or by concealment, immured in a cave in accordance with certain rules. After its completion the body and the spirit merge together in the "body" of light and when the person who attained this level leaves the world nothing is left (except for remaining possessions as with Boddhidharmas shoe). If for some reason, the practitioner does not reach the highest stage, it may either willingly or been forced by circumstances "get rid of the corpse." Depending on the level attained, his remained body may not be susceptible to decay but self-mummify or even burn because of the inner fire. This scheme is based on the studies of the classics on the one hand and the Teachers guidance on the other. However, we must remember that the purpose of such conciseness is to provide a general understanding of the process, while in practical terms, each stage has its own pitfalls, secrets and downfalls.

This poll is just to see who would be interested among this community of Taobums. If there is enough genuine interest, perhaps representatives of the school would be willing to travel to the United States. They have not said that they would yet...this is all just hypothetical. Thanks for giving your honest opinion! Here is a site that has a little bit of unofficial information about the school: http://www.all-dao.com/ And my apologies for not including people of countries other than the USA in this idea. If you think there are more people in another country (such as Canada for instance) who would attend, feel free to talk about that idea.