2
To refine body and original nature, we need to circulate generative energy, and this circulation requires extracting the lead from kan to replenish the mercury in li. When you have mastered the process of circulating the vapor as described in the previous chapter, you will attain the lesser medicine, thus strengthening the head of the pill. Now you are ready to engage the inner breath. Sit in natural stillness and focus on the dantien. At dawn, cultivate clarity whether you are sitting or lying down. In time, the pill will coagulate into something soft like a cotton ball. Let it rise to the heart, but always return it to the void. It is important to keep the pill in its formless state; otherwise it will dissipate. This is what the teachers meant when they said, “When the spirit returns to dwell inside the body, the vapor will return as well.” Once you have attained absolute stillness, you will feel something gushing out of the dantien, swirling and bubbling like the waters of spring rain. At this time you must engage the natural inner breath. Heat the water and it will be transformed into steam. Let it flow down your inner thighs to enter the Bubbling Spring cavity. When you feel a sensation in the Bubbling Spring, you must focus the spirit, let the regular breath sink into the belly, and direct the true breath to follow it. The true breath is none other than the “heavy breath of the realized being.” When all is quiet and still in the Bubbling Spring cavity, you should turn your attention to the Tailbone cavity and wait patiently. In the midst of stillness, a substance will emerge suddenly from the Tailbone cavity: something like a ball of cotton, or a lump of bread dough, or thick molasses. At this time, you should stop regulating the internal breath and focus your intention to refine this substance. If you are successful, you will feel a rush of hot liquid rising up from the Tailbone cavity to the spinal column in the area of the pelvis. From there it will ascend the spine and enter the Mudball cavity. This process is referred to as “the Yellow River churning and the Cao River flowing in reverse.” This is the second waterwheel in motion; it is what the Great Cavern Classic (Dadongjing) referred to as “grabbing hold of the generative energy and escorting it into the Mudball cavity.” Immortal Lu Dongbin described this phenomenon as “carrying the generative energy into the Central Palace.”
When the second waterwheel is engaged, the water will roar like a waterfall inside the Mudball cavity. After a while, the sound of water will disappear. This is a sign that the spirit is at rest within the cavity. To hold the spirit in the Mudball cavity, you should place your tongue on the palate, hold your breath, close your mouth, clench the jaws, place your palms against your buttocks, turn your head upward toward the ceiling, and wait for the golden elixir to accumulate in the mouth. When you can no longer hold the breath, direct the fluid into the respiratory channel through the twelve rungs of the ladder to moisten the Radiant Pool cavity. The exact location and function of the Radiant Pool cavity are not known widely. Some practitioners say that it is just below the palate; others say that it is the lower dantien. These opinions are all incorrect. The Radiant Pool cavity is located below the two nostrils. It is also known as the Upper Sea of Vapor (shangqihai), and it is near the Mysterious Orifice cavity. Immortal Baiyuchan said, “The Radiant Pool is located in the Sea of Vapor.” When fluid is plentiful in the Radiant Pool, it will flow down to the Crimson Palace. When the Crimson Palace is moistened, you will feel a coolness washing over the body. Simultaneously, you will feel openness and joy in your heart. As the fluid continues to descend to the Yellow Pavilion, the fires of the heart will be quenched and you will feel peaceful and harmonious. This is the process of extracting lead to replenish mercury, or subduing the tiger and taming the dragon. When the hexagrams “After Completion” (jiji: li below, kan above) and “Before Completion” (weiji: li above, kan below) cycle back and forth ceaselessly, the jade elixir is at work refining the body. The jade elixir, however, does not emerge every day. Usually, it emerges only after several rounds of circulating the vapor. If the jade elixir can be made to emerge reliably, the Yellow Pavilion will be in order, the skin and complexion will be bright and rosy, the heart will feel at ease, and the light of original nature will radiate. You will be able to be at one with the world and not be attached to it. Desires will come and go but will have no hold on you. Following the natural course of things, you will be able to live among the dust of the world and not be tainted by it. The true intention is now firm and sharp and honed like a sword. Naked and without attachments, bright and still, you are now merged with the void. If you want to find out more about the third waterwheel, study the next chapter.