Some Problems of Interpretation About the Methods ofchou I Tshan Thung Chhi Janus Fang 119
Abstract Chou I Tshan Thung Chhihas been an enigma of the science of physiological alchemy for a long time. Some people think that it is the combining of exoteric alchemy (wai tan) and esoteric alchemy (nei tan). Some think that it is only the exoteric alchemy or the science of cultivating the spirit by nature. These three sects have their own viewpoints. Therefore, the mystery of physiological alchemy becomes even harder to understand. It is more confusing and absurd when involved with fairy tales. The procedures of the method are often inexplicable. Students of it often get lost. Chapters 27,34,70,71 and 89 in Chou I Tshan Thung Chhiclearly demonstrate that sexual activities, nourishing the chhi, gymnastics, worship, meditation without sleep and dietary have departed from Tao. The principles of cultivating the spirit should be nourishing the mind by interior, nature of Huang-Di and Lao Tzu; always embracing oneness (Tao), disregarding dietary eight minerals. In this way, I assume that physiological alchemy in this book means breathing exercises to cultivate the spirit without dietary. It inherits the philosophy of concentrating the chhi and being tender of Lao Tzu, aided by the thinking of Chinese medical science; and the abstract principles of using the changes of kua phase (divinatory symbols) to interpret the method. All these words are only borrowed symbols. It may not match with the original meaning of the words. Here I try to interpret the procedures of the method from such viewpoints of cultivate the spirit by nature. It is divided into 4 themes: (1) Chou I Tshan Thung Chhiinherits Lao Tzu s philosophy of breathing exercises to cultivate the spirit. (2) The relationship between the advancing phase (chin Yang huo) & the retiring phase (thui Yin huo) with the heating-time. (3) The possible principle of the interaction between vital mercury and vital lead (Long-hu-jiao-gou ). (4) Reinterpretations of Da-zhou-tian & Ziao-zhou-tian. Key wordsnature of Huang-Di and Lao Tsu, Breathing exercises to 120
cultivate the spirit, Concentrating the chhi and being tender, Long-hu-jiao-gou, The science of cultivate the spirit by nature. 121
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