典藏书目

Cultivation for women, the most precious aspect lies in achieving true Dao. If cultivation fails to achieve true Dao, it is like a frog in a field that has not escaped the mud; ultimately, it remains a creature of the sea of sin and karma, how can it escape reincarnation, transcend kalpas, and revert to the prenatal body?

Although such principles exist, I fear people may fail to practice them. If one establishes firm resolve, maintains unchanging Daoist intent, follows the path throughout life without losing right principle, and practices diligently without slackening, then within merely three to five years of cultivation, one can ascend to the highest fruit position, dwelling freely and joyfully in the grotto-heavens of Penglai. At that time, life and death are subject to my will; the creation and transformation of heaven and earth are all within my grasp. It is truly said, "When one person achieves truth, nine generations of ancestors are all delivered." At this time, virtue spreads across the universe, merit reaches the netherworlds; the Supreme Emperor favors him, celestial immortals delight in him, divine beings revere him, and the common people rely on him. He exists through ten thousand kalpas, enjoying sacrifices for a thousand autumns. He experiences the utmost joy of the human realm and the freedom of the heavens, roaming overseas in the morning and lodging in Kunlun at night, embracing heaven and earth, with blessings covering the entire cosmos.

Let mortals speak long and short; nothing compares to the matter of cultivation. If one abandons this to seek elsewhere, one walks an evil path, and how can one escape birth and death, attaining the Dao fruit in the future? Women of later generations should clearly understand this.

Verse:
Although elixir work is recorded in bamboo slips,
The principles within are subtle and profound.
Through ten stages of progress, attainment is grasped;
Within the Nine Returns Elixir, the true source is sought.
Do not reveal to those who are not kindred spirits;
If fate does not bring meeting, do not display or observe.
Bitterly have we exerted diligent effort,
Leaving this for later high sages to receive.

The Great Dao does not distinguish between male and female; both can attain success. Thus, men who cultivate become True Persons (Zhenren); women who cultivate become Yuan Jun (Primal Ladies). Since ancient times, alchemical classics have discussed the cultivation of men in great detail, while the path of women's cultivation is rarely mentioned. Occasionally, there are discussions, but they only reveal a fragment.

This is not to belittle female cultivation. The reasoning implies that humans share the same nature and life, thus the methods are identical. Discussing male cultivation makes female methods self-evident without need for explanation. However, one must not ignore that men possess external yang and internal yin, while women possess external yin and internal yang; their natures differ, and their forms are distinct. Although sharing the same nature and life, their practices differ significantly. *Xiuzhen Bi Nan* states: "For men, the initial approach focuses on refining Qi; for women, the initial approach focuses on refining the form." Master Xu stated: "Men cultivate until essence does not leak; women cultivate until menstruation does not leak." Their initial gates are entirely different. Regarding refining the self, obtaining the medicine, returning the elixir, warming and nourishing, forming the embryo, and releasing the spirit, although similar to men, the subtle details and sequences inevitably show differences of major similarity and minor divergence.

In the spring of the Renchen year, a woman seeker approached me for guidance. I instructed her to read more ancient books to verify what was taught. However, alchemical classics discussing female cultivation are scarce, making it difficult to verify similarities and differences. Therefore, disregarding the crime of leaking heavenly secrets, I have written down how they are similar, how they differ, and the sequential steps, forming text as a guide for seekers, enabling them to find meaning in the words, avoiding confusion of fish eyes for pearls; knowing deeply to practice earnestly, hopefully the golden tripod can refine mercury, thereby achieving the supreme ultimate Dao. Then, the gathering at Fangzhu and Yaochi will not be difficult to attend alongside male immortals to worship Mu Gong and Jin Mu together.

Preface by Yongzhong Zhenyizi at Woyun Xixuan on Yudai Stream, during the mid-spring month of the Renchen year of the Guangxu era of the Great Qing Dynasty.