1616 by Christensen Thomas

Author:Christensen, Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781619020467
Publisher: Counterpoint

In the inner alchemy of Taoism, however, alchemical concepts are not merely metaphors for spiritual development (as they often seem to be in the West) but refer to specific physical aspects of the body; inner alchemy was both medicine and regimen for hygiene and health.

From the Tashrih-i-mansuri, seventeenth century, by Mansur ibn Muhammed Ahmad. Persia. Majles Library, Tehran, ms. no. 5266. From Directions for Endowment and Vitality, 1615. China. Woodblock-illustrated book. British Library, London (15113.e.6). Illustration of Inner Circulation, 19th century. China. Richard Rosenblum Family Collection, Newton Center, Massachusetts.

While the Persian illustration is mechanical and analytical, the symbolic Chinese illustrations of “inner alchemy” concern flow of energy. The goal was to effect the “elixir within,” which is represented in the diagram by a symbolic crucible in the abdomen. The inner alchemy remained popular in China for centuries as shown by the illustration opposite.

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