1616: The World in Motion by Thomas Christensen

Author:Thomas Christensen [Christensen, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781619020467
Google: _NwREAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B007JVQJ8K
Barnesnoble: B007JVQJ8K
Goodreads: 16389319
Publisher: Counterpoint
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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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