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Refining form into qi is the foundational practice of building the base; the affairs of high-grade immortal immortals are different.
If you ask where the golden elixir truly lies, it is like the sun reflecting the moon, illuminating the primordial chaos (Hongmeng).
Only when the sun reflects the moon can it emit light; since ancient times, few have understood this principle, yet the Dao of alchemy is not far.

Living dragon and active tiger battle in the lotus chamber (a metaphor for the dantian or female reproductive system); one fears most the madness of the "monkey of the mind" and "horse of intention" (metaphors for restless thoughts and desires).
If refining the self (cultivating mental stability and restraining desires) does not reach a state of pure proficiency, how can one set sail across the sea of suffering?
Master Lü stated in the *Song of Stepping on the Moon Palace*: "Refining Geng and Jia requires generating dragons and tigers." One must know that dragons and tigers are not external objects, but arise during the practice of the Dao. Driving the living tiger to submit to the generating dragon, one must fear the madness of the mind-monkey and the arrogance of the intention-horse. Without training and subduing them, how can one cross the ocean and return with the scriptures? Therefore, one must refine the self until fully proficient, ensuring spirit is complete and qi is abundant, the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, fright) remain unmoved, the five thieves (desires of the senses) do not cause disorder, the six roots (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind) achieve great stillness, and both form and appearance are forgotten. Only then can one enter the lotus chamber to seek the elixir.
The *True Principles of Heavenly Immortals* states: "Refining the self means: diligently performing what ought to be done is refining; skillfully performing what ought to be done is refining; strictly prohibiting what ought not to be done is refining; advancing with determination and seeking success is refining; cutting off greed and love without leaving residue is refining; forbidding old habits and remaining completely unstained is refining. 'Self' refers to my true nature in stillness and true intention in movement, which is another name for Primordial Spirit (Yuanshen)."
Ancient sayings state: "Before refining the Returning Elixir, first refine nature; before cultivating the Great Medicine, first cultivate the heart." This is the way of refining the self.

Following the natural order generates humans; reversing it leads to immortality. The hexagram Tai (Peace), with Kun (Earth) above and Qian (Heaven) below, is the true interpretation.
Do not marvel at the difficulty of forming the elixir when approaching the furnace; by reversing the path of the sheep cart (symbolizing the reversal of qi flow), one will naturally perceive heavenly secrets.
Lady Bu'er said: "Focus your eyes, pay attention to the paths of following and reversing." The *Wugen Shu* (Tree Without Root) states: "Following makes one mortal, reversing makes one immortal; it lies only in the middle, turning upside down." Thus, in the image of the Tai hexagram, Kun is above and Qian is below, allowing Heaven and Earth to interact and all things to flow freely. Not knowing how to reverse the sheep cart (reverse turbid yin energy) results in blockage by groups of yin; how can one eliminate turbid yin to reveal the Heavenly Heart (innate nature)? Therefore, cultivating immortality does not depend on male-female union, but solely on understanding the principles of following and reversing within the center.