Brief discussion on the Alchemical Way (丹道) by Jiliao Shanfu

[DynamicEquilibrium]

Below, a revised translation of a brief discussion on the Way of the Elixir or Alchemical Way authored few days ago by a Taoist master under his pen name Jiliao Shanfu. 

 

 

"What qualifies as an "alchemical classic" (丹经) contains at least 85% coded language. Words are merely a vehicle, not the true meaning, the true meaning lies entirely beyond the words.

The Wuliu Xianzong (五柳仙宗), which appeared later, is the most "accessible" alchemical classic, yet the author explicitly forbids his successors from making its commentary, saying that whoever comments and annotates is wrong. At the same time, for certain explanations in the book that are relatively detailed, specific, and seemingly very important, the author often negates them with phrases like "the term is right but the method is not," "the term is right but the secret formula is not," "the term is right but the thing is not," "the term is right but the fire is not," and also says: "How can secret formulas be clarified on paper?"

 

A few days ago, I saw again some people giving lectures about alchemical classics without real practice, and I spontaneously wrote several small poems and one short text, as follows.

 

Brief Discussion on the Alchemical Way (by Jiliao Shanfu)

 

Some people may have read a few alchemical classics and already think themselves experts in the Alchemical Way and its cultivation, so they go everywhere giving lectures on alchemical classics. Decades ago, I heard from my senior brother, my master, my master-uncle, and my grand-master that such people are called "alchemical classic baskets" (丹经篓子).

A leaky basket cannot hold water, if you force water into it, it will necessarily spill everywhere, leak everywhere, drip everywhere, turning the ground into a real quagmire.

 

"Alchemical classic baskets" have not necessarily taken the time to cultivate themselves step by step with a calm heart, yet they preach alchemical classics everywhere, peddle the notion of the Mysterious Pass (玄关) in all places, speak illusorily of "the single opening of the Mysterious Pass," which has caused "cultivation" to spread like a flood among humans, seriously deviating from the spirit of the Alchemical Way.

All who truly cultivate never make a display of their cultivation. All who have entered even slightly into the gate of the Alchemical Way never speak of the Alchemical Way. Everything that deserves to be called an alchemical classic necessarily contains coded language, and the true meaning does not reside in the words themselves.

 

Thus, if one has not obtained the true methods and secret formulas, even if you read the alchemical classics until they're completely worn out, recite them backwards by heart, or carefully analyze every word and study them diligently, you will inevitably take the wrong path.

Regarding the characteristic of coded language in alchemical classics, the sages of the past already left teachings: "The last sentence cannot be spoken," "After obtaining the secret formula, one returns to read books with benefit," etc. Once the secret formula is obtained, one suddenly realizes: the words of alchemical classics are just an "empty bowl," they serve to "contain rice," they are absolutely not the "rice" itself, so they absolutely cannot fill the "belly." One also understands: the Mysterious Pass is neither inside the body nor outside the body, it does not leave the inside of the body, nor does it leave the outside of the body.

 

Thus, those who preach alchemical classics and those who respectfully listen to these preachings are all in the situation of "talking about food all day long without ever feeling repleted," and even more "their two feet truly cannot leave the ground, yet they speak in vain of riding mists and mounting clouds."

 

Among the masters of all eras and the true immortals who attained the Way, who accomplished themselves by relying on alchemical classics?

It's like with craftsmen: even a simple carpenter who doesn't know a single character can clearly explain carpentry work, whereas those "theoretical baskets" who know many characters, have read many books, but have never touched adze, chisel, axe, or saw—their words truly don't deserve to be remembered.

 

Since ancient times, people of great aspiration who truly cultivate and truly realize, before obtaining the secret formula, rely on alchemical classics, after obtaining the secret formula, they completely abandon alchemical classics.

Hence the saying: Before having obtained the true secret formula, words are all a support, after having obtained the true secret formula, words are all a burden.

 

Since ancient times, all who have succeeded in cultivating the Way have necessarily gone through a process of ten years, twenty years, or even a lifetime visiting enlightened masters to seek methods and secret formulas, but ultimately, those who obtain the secret formulas remain extremely rare. Master Sanfeng (Zhang Sanfeng) only met the True Man Fire Dragon (Huolong Zhenren) at the age of 73 to receive the transmission of secret formulas, and afterwards he attained the Way and returned to Authenticity.

 

The great aspiration of people today has shifted elsewhere. The atmosphere of visiting enlightened masters and seeking secret formulas, still common thirty years ago, is becoming ancient history, becoming the "hearsay" of outsiders who will study insiders in the future.

Moved by this atmosphere of "refusing to practice, only loving to preach," "luring sacred roots into ordinary soil," between sadness and sighs, I composed the following small poems.

 

The Mysterious Opening (two poems)

 

First: The mysterious opening connects Heaven and Earth, Its crossroads joins the root of Creation. The lineage of immortals values return to simplicity, To enter sainthood, one depends on this gate.

Second: The mysterious opening connects Heaven and Earth, Deep within it hides the light of sun and moon. Concentrating the spirit to contemplate that celestial palace, The empty chamber reflects true constancy.

 

Appearances of "Cultivation" (five poems)

 

First: Great men discuss methods and formulas, Discoursing on paper about longevity. Yet both their feet struggle to leave the ground, While they speak only of affairs above the clouds.

Second: Those who cultivate the Way are as numerous as grains of river sand, Their passionate fervor shakes the heavens. Though they harbor ambitions as vast as mountains and seas, They refuse to abandon their worldly attachments.

Third: Having pierced through tens of thousands of alchemical classics, Marvelous theories overflow in rivers and lakes. Learning fills a thousand carts to the brim, Yet not a single one truly comprehends the Way's path.

Fourth: Marvelous theories scrutinizing Heaven, discoursing on cultivation, One sees only luxury and splendor, never real merit. Talking about food all day long yet never satisfied, Boasting of dreams within dreams, all becomes empty in the end.

Fifth: Ten thousand alchemical classics discussed on paper, Cloud poetry and paintings—a sky at the bottom of a well. A thousand scenes become a thousand obstacles, The Way in the void is naturally itself."

 

Edited 15 hours ago by DynamicEquilibrium