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Diagrammatic Explanation of Refining the Self and Returning to the Elixir in Female Qigong

The Sage Master said: In female practice, one refines the form (physical foundation) first through the Taiyin (Great Yin) channel. At the initial stage of practice, the mind should reside in the breast area; whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, one should maintain this state. Continue until the forty-ninth day; thereafter, while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, the mind should guard the Zhongji point (Zhongji refers to a specific acupoint suspended in the void between the heart below and the Blood Sea above). While walking and standing, it is appropriate to silently circulate energy to the Heavenly Court (the upper region of the head); while sitting and lying down, one should mentally guard the Zhongji point and the Blood Sea (referring to the lower abdominal Dantian, the center of female physiological energy). One should be like a hen brooding eggs: with no single thought arising and all hundred thoughts extinguished. When practicing this method, since True Yin has not yet moved and the meridians are not yet unblocked, drowsiness and fatigue will inevitably occur. It is necessary to practice the "Finger-to-Brain Drooping" technique.

What is meant by "Finger-to-Brain Drooping"? It is returning the light to illuminate the interior: using the eyes to gaze at the nose, connecting the Queqiao (the philtrum area below the nose), descending through Xuanying (an acupoint below the throat), reaching Chonglou (the trachea/throat region), returning to the Zhongji point, and entering the Blood Sea. By having Water (Kidney Water/Saliva) meet Fire (Heart Fire), one awakens within moments. This is the method of adjusting the medicinal material and refining the mind. If deluded thoughts arise, one should continue to guard the Zhongji point.

For young women, after practicing for one hundred days, undisturbed by external objects, the Blood Sea will naturally tide, and True Yin Qi will move automatically (here, "movement" does not refer to physical or mental agitation, but rather the surge of blood and qi like a tide, presenting an indescribable sensation of unbearable yet harmonious joy, occurring spontaneously from a state of no-thought. At this time, one must absolutely avoid generating thoughts; if a thought arises, the energy scatters. One should only hold fast to the Primordial Spirit and employ methods to collect the true energy). This is the occurrence of the "Small Medicine." One must perform the collection method two or three times, stopping when the qi mechanism subsides, and then continue guarding the Zhongji point.

The method of collection: Gaze at the nose with the eyes, pass through Queqiao, descend to Xuanying, reach Chonglou, enter the breasts, tour the Zhongji point, return to the Blood Sea, flow through Fen Shui to penetrate the Yuzhen (Yuzhen is an acupoint at the back of the head), ascend to Baihui (the midpoint of the crown), descend to Niwan Palace (the upper Dantian in the brain), enter Mingtang (the deep space behind the eyebrows), and then descend again to Zhongji and return to the Blood Sea. Firmly fix the true intention on Zhongji and the Blood Sea, entering stillness and meditation. If Yin energy generates again, repeat the collection method; once the qi mechanism subsides, continue guarding Zhongji and the Blood Sea.

When practicing this method, one must abstain from violent anger, wind-cold-summer-dampness pathogens, as well as raw/cold fruits and vegetables, and fire-fried dry/hot foods. At this stage, one must strictly monitor oneself; if wind-cold enters the orifices, medicinal treatment will be difficult. One must let go of all worldly attachments and remain unstained by dust. If practiced according to the method, the True Yin Qi can move two or three times within a single day. (This movement must be distinguished as true or false: there is natural movement of the qi mechanism and movement caused by deliberation. Only spontaneous movement without thought, worry, or desire counts as the true activation of True Yin.) Within one hundred and seven days, the menstrual blood will be transformed into qi, the Red Dragon (menstruation) will cease naturally, the body will become "dry" (free from menstruation), and the foundation will be established. How then could the Returning Elixir be difficult? (Note: Many female elixir classics state that women should stop practice whenever menstruation arrives. This view is erroneous, stemming from unclear distinctions. In female practice, what is emphasized is the qi mechanism. However, there is a distinction between Ren Water and Gui Water. When Ren Water first arrives but Gui Water has not yet come, this is called the arrival of the "signal" (pre-menstrual signs). The practitioner knows this herself, perhaps experiencing dizziness or lower back pain. When the signal arrives but the flow has not yet started, it is precisely the time to return the light, silently guard the breast Blood Sea, and use the collection method to nourish the brain and build the foundation. What is collected is Ren Water, not Gui Water. Once Gui Water arrives, practice should naturally stop. One must wait for thirty hours and a half day (two and a half days) until Gui Water is exhausted, then resume the collection method. Until which day should collection stop? There are profound heavenly secrets and oral instructions involved; one must seek a true master for oral transmission and heart-to-heart instruction, and must not guess arbitrarily. If one receives such transmission, a young woman can establish the foundation in one hundred days.) Upon reaching this stage of practice, there will be tests: the Red Dragon ceases, the nipples naturally retract resembling those of a man, and True Yin Qi transforms into True Yang. At this time, support from a Dao companion is necessary. Wait for the true phenomena to appear, then collect the Small Medicine and pass it through the gates (when passing the Small Medicine, there are also specific phenomena. If the foundation is truly complete and the medicine produces in the Dantian, there will be a fire pearl racing, the Blood Sea boiling like soup, nasal twitching, and body trembling. Do not be afraid. There are also secret instructions here; waiting for the master avoids danger. Otherwise, True Fire may turn into mundane fire, risking burning the body or causing madness.) For those who receive transmission from a true master, once the medicine enters the cauldron, one must know the method of refining the medicine (the method awaits the true master's oral instruction). Without knowing the refining method, the elixir cannot be formed, and what is gained will surely be lost.

Since this medicine is named "Small Medicine," it is suitable to use the "Small Microcosmic Orbit" fire timing (which also has secret instructions): advancing Yang Fire and retreating Yin Symbol to refine it (Symbol fire has its timing and count). After refining for one month, the number of Small Microcosmic Orbits is sufficient. Whether the medicine is true or false, and whether the elixir forms, will have its own tests: If the small elixir truly forms, every time one sits quietly in the room, the whole body feels hot like steam from a steamer. One should only silently guard the Central Palace (Middle Dantian/Spleen-Stomach region), keep silent, and observe the changes. In an instant, one sees a fire ball, bean-sized, shooting out from Mingtang over ten feet high, like lightning. This is the true realm of foundation completion and medicine acquisition. Although there are secret methods for refining the medicine at this time, one must maintain a state of no thoughts and emptiness of the Five Aggregates. Let heaven and earth overturn, let thunder shock; I merely sit steadily in the Central Palace with my Primordial Spirit, fearless, like a hen brooding eggs or a dragon protecting a pearl. When it is time to advance fire, advance; when it is time to retreat symbol, retreat (advancing fire and retreating symbol have their timing and counts). One must refine until great stillness and great stability are achieved, qi is full, spirit is complete, the fire pearl no longer appears, and the small elixir condenses, before stopping.

These are the three layers of instructions for Building Foundation, Acquiring Medicine, and Forming the Elixir. There are four further layers of heavenly secrets that cannot be fully explained at once. Historically, immortal masters have transmitted them in this manner. Indeed, upon reaching this level of practice, one attains the fruit of Human Immortality. Subsequent practice is no different from that of men. However, women belong to the Yin (still) nature; although the subsequent four layers are applied similarly to male elixirs, the achievements are accomplished more rapidly.

General Commentary by the True Master: Widows, chaste women, and martyrs who can establish true resolve, remain consistent from start to finish, do not retreat under temptation, remain unchanged unto death, are not swayed by poverty or wealth, and possess unwavering fidelity, are eligible to receive these three layers of wondrous methods. Proceeding step by step, they are secretly protected by immortals, and all internal and external demons dare not disturb them, ultimately achieving great success. As for married women, whose worldly affairs are not yet concluded, do not transmit this lightly. It is better to advise them to cultivate their nature, reduce desires, respect their mothers-in-law, and honor their husbands, transmitting the teachings only when the time is right. If one transmits casually out of sentimentality, even if there is credible evidence and no absurd or vague arguments, this is indeed a heavenly secret that must not be leaked lightly. Those who receive the transmission share a past-life affinity. Be cautious, cherish it!