Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Preface to the Five Spiritual Texts
The highest level.
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Refers to the highest level of cultivation method.
Using the Great Void as the Cauldron and the Supreme Ultimate as the Furnace.
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: In cultivating the Dao of Elixir, using external alchemy as a metaphor, one must distinguish between the Furnace and the Cauldron, as they are different.
The Song of the Cauldron states: "Round three and five, one inch and one fen, mouth four and eight, two inches for the lips, length one chi and two, thickness even, abdomen aligns with three, sitting with hanging warmth."
One, three, and five all belong to Yang, so three and five combine to form a circle. Two, four, and eight belong to Yin, so they are used to form a square. The length of one chi and two represents twelve, symbolizing that a year has twelve months, a month has twelve double hours, and a day has twelve two-hour periods. Here, "thickness even" does not mean completely equal, but rather that it should be based on six Yang and six Yin, adjusting for large months, small months, and leap months according to the solar terms. This is used to regulate the fire and talisman heat. The abdomen must align with three, which in the human body represents gathering essence, qi, and spirit within it.
This is the symbol of Heaven being round and Earth being square. Round three and five, one inch and one fen, represents the unity of three and five. The mouth of four and eight inches takes two, representing four and eight combining to two. The Dao generates One, One generates Two, Two generates Three, and Three generates all things. Alchemy aims to refine the Dao itself. Thus, Heaven is returned to One, Earth to Two, and Humanity to Three, following the pattern of the Three Powers.
The Furnace is not the Cauldron. Although the words Furnace and Cauldron are often used together, they are actually different. In ancient times, to prevent explosions, a pit was usually dug to serve as the Furnace, similar to a kiln, while the Cauldron is what people commonly consider the furnace.
Therefore, what is said here is that the Supreme Ultimate is the Furnace. The Supreme Ultimate generates the Two Modes (Yin and Yang). The Supreme Ultimate refers to the undifferentiated chaos before the Two Modes are distinguished. This is the basic environment, and within this environment, the Great Void is used as the Cauldron.
Purity and stillness are the wondrous function, non-action is the foundation of the Elixir,
Explanation: Purity refers to the original pure face, clear and unobstructed, serving as the wondrous function. Non-action refers to achieving everything through non-action, serving as the foundation of the Elixir.
What is the foundation of the Elixir? Refer to the external alchemy text "Geng Xin Yu Ce" which describes: Spirit Cinnabar is a supreme divine substance. It is formed by sulfur and mercury. It is called the foundation of the Elixir. It steals the creative power of Heaven and Earth and the unfathomable mystery of Yin and Yang. It can transform the Five Elements and refine into the Nine Returns. Those not yet raised to the Cauldron are called the head of the Green Gold Elixir. Those already raised to the Cauldron are called Spirit Cinnabar. Spirit Cinnabar has three types. One formed by the cycle of heavenly fire after one fu period is called Nine-Turn Spirit Cinnabar. One formed by frying and refining for thirty days of earthly numbers is called the Old Fire Spirit Cinnabar of the medical school.
The main function of the Elixir foundation is to transform the Five Elements and possess the creative power of Heaven and Earth. Here, cultivation uses non-action to replace the function of Spirit Cinnabar.
Life and Nature are Lead and Mercury,
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: The "Gui Zhi of Life and Nature" states: "What is called Nature? The original true reality, a single spirit shining brightly. What is called Life? The primordial supreme essence, a qi of misty vapor." The original true reality is Nature, and the primordial supreme essence is Life. Those who have read my previous articles will fully understand what is meant here. Thus, the manifestation of Nature is usually in the spiritual light, while the manifestation of Life is in the single qi.
Stillness and Wisdom are Water and Fire,
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: This is relatively simple to explain. Wisdom refers to "higher perception." After entering stillness, more perceptions arise. This state is obtaining wisdom. These perceptions have varying strengths, referred to as the strength of wisdom. It is essentially the ability to receive and observe information, and on this basis, one can possess the ability to discern.
By the way, for those who can understand my articles and are very interested, they are at least much stronger in wisdom than those who do not understand.
Natural creation is the True Seed,
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Nature is self-so. One must use natural creation as the True Seed, rather than relying on imagination. The True Seed is the most basic core for forming the Elixir. With it, the Elixir can be formed; without it, there is no possibility of forming the Elixir, because only the True Seed can generate the Yellow Sprout.
Not forgetting and not assisting is the Fire Timing,
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Not forgetting and not assisting is very crucial. One cannot actively push it, but must wait for it to operate automatically. However, one cannot completely forget it or ignore its existence, otherwise it will not change at all.
This is consistent with quantum mechanics. When an observer observes a thing, its wave function collapses, and change occurs. If one does not observe it, it remains in a chaotic state and does not change.
Because alchemy involves subtle aspects of matter, there are many places where it aligns with quantum characteristics.
Cleansing the heart and washing away thoughts is the Bath
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Bathing means resting and recuperating. This sentence is easy to understand.
Preserving spirit and stabilizing breath is the Sealing and Protecting
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Preserving spirit cannot be forgotten, and stabilizing breath cannot be lacking. This is used for sealing and protecting the Elixir. After cultivation is completed, it must be sealed. This is like fruit that has just formed; it needs to grow for a while longer to become fully ripe.
Precepts, Stillness, and Wisdom are the Three Essentials
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Precepts are similar to discipline and rules, like the fixed regulations of an enterprise. Observing them ensures the organization runs smoothly. The meaning of keeping precepts is consistent, so this is also called the first essential. As for Stillness and Wisdom, they are originally used as Water and Fire, of course, they cannot be lost.
Within the Primordial is the Mysterious Pass, Clarifying the mind is the Verification, Seeing Nature is the Coagulation, Mixing the Three Yuan is the Sacred Fetus, Blending into one piece is the Elixir Completion, Having a body outside the body is the Shedding of the Fetus, Breaking the Void is the Ultimate Achievement.
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: When the mind is clarified, the verification occurs. When Nature is seen, the true coagulation takes place. Mixing the Three Yuan forms the Sacred Fetus. This means the three families meet to form an infant. Afterwards, it becomes chaotic and confused, which is called Elixir Completion. After the Elixir is completed, one must still shed the fetus, then have a body outside the body. Only then is it called success.
This is the wondrous Dao of the Highest Vehicle, the mind method of the Three Teachings originating from the same source. The superior practitioner practices without slackness, directly transcending to the sacred realm, suddenly awakening to perfect penetration, with form and spirit both wondrous, merging with the Dao to become true, roaming in supreme bliss, imperishable through eternal kalpas, which is the position of the Great Awakening Golden Immortal.
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: Here it is called the wondrous Dao of the highest vehicle because it belongs to the Quanzhen Dao, so it is called the mind method of the Three Teachings originating from the same source. If cultivation is achieved, one will be imperishable through eternal kalpas.
The Supreme Dao is originally not easy to transmit, Empty and subtle, investigating principles to end worldly ties. On the mountain top, water descends and the yellow sprout grows; underground, white snow rises to fill. Wisdom moon flows gently, clearing the green pond; dark wind rolls softly, gathering green smoke. Wood nature and metal emotion intersect and combine, becoming the void Supreme Ultimate circle.
Three Talismans Surge with Wind and Clouds: This sentence also contains hints of alchemy. The mountain top is Gen, the yellow sprout is Lead. Rising underground corresponds to circulating the Microcosmic Orbit. Filling with white snow corresponds to the appearance of light. When the light expands into a full circle, it becomes the moon. Dragon and Tiger couple, Wood and Metal merge, forming the void Supreme Ultimate circle. As mentioned earlier, the Supreme Ultimate is the Furnace; here, it is specifically pointed out how the Furnace is constructed.