Su Yuanlang（苏元朗）: The Hidden Architect of Daoist Inner Alchemy

Su Yuanlang, whose birth and death years are unknown, styled himself Qingxiazi. He was a renowned Taoist priest during the Sui and Tang dynasties.

According to Records of Mount Luofu, Su Yuanlang once lived in seclusion on Mount Juqu (present-day Mount Mao in Jiangsu Province) to study Taoism, and later practiced Taoism in Qingxia Valley of Mount Luofu, where he wrote works such as Records of the Stone Wall of Supreme Purity. Later, Su Yuanlang composed On the Essence of the Dao, clarifying the methods of inner alchemy cultivation.

Moreover, considering that the three books Ancient Text of the Dragon and Tiger, Zhouyi Can Tong Qi (The Unity of the Three), and Secret Instructions on the Golden and Jade Elixirs were "verbose in language and obscure in meaning", Su Yuanlang compiled Tongyuan Lun on the Golden Fluid Reverted Elixir of Dragon and Tiger, advocating that "the sacred elixir should be attributed to mental cultivation". He explained inner alchemy using terms of outer alchemy and promoted "the simultaneous cultivation of nature and life", which he regarded as the core of inner alchemy practice.

Su Yuanlang's theories on inner alchemy cultivation had a significant influence on later Taoism.

The Enigma of Su Yuanlang: A Life Veiled in Mystery

Born during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE), Su Yuanlang was said to have dwelled in the Luofu Mountains of Guangdong—a land of craggy peaks and whispering pines, where hermits have sought the Dao since ancient times. His story blends fact and legend, but three threads stand clear:

1. The Alchemist Who Vanished
   • Local lore claims he mastered the Nine Elixirs of Immortality, yet refused to share them with worldly powers.
   • One tale says he ascended to the heavens in a chariot of fire, leaving only his alchemical furnace behind—a symbol of his transcendence.
2. The Father of Neidan
   • While earlier Daoists focused on external alchemy (waidan), Su Yuanlang is credited with shifting focus inward.
   • His teachings emphasized cultivating the Three Treasures (jing, qi, shen)—essence, energy, and spirit—through meditation, breathwork, and moral refinement.
3. The Reclusive Teacher
   • He rarely wrote down his methods, preferring to transmit them orally to a few disciples.
   • His most famous student, Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals), later popularized his ideas in texts like The Secret of the Golden Flower.

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Su Yuanlang’s Core teachings: The Alchemy of the Self

To grasp his philosophy, let us explore its essence through symbols and practices:

Aspect	Details	Daoist Interpretation
The Cauldron of the Body	Su Yuanlang taught that the human body is a sacred vessel for alchemy. The lower abdomen (dantian) is the "furnace," where essence is refined into energy.	Mirrors the Daoist view of nature: just as earth transforms minerals into gold, the body transforms desire into wisdom.
The Three Stages of Refinement	1. Purification (qingjing): Clearing the mind of distractions. 2. Cultivation (xiudao): Nurturing energy through breath and movement. 3. Transcendence (dengxian): Merging with the Dao.	Echoes the alchemical process of turning lead into silver—but here, the "lead" is ego, and the "silver" is enlightenment.
The Moon & Water	He often used lunar imagery, calling meditation "gathering the moon’s light" and inner peace "still water reflecting the stars."	Symbolizes the feminine, receptive principle (yin) that balances the fiery, active (yang) energies of the body.

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A Cautionary Tale: The Peril of Greed

Su Yuanlang’s most famous parable warns against misusing alchemical power:

"A king once demanded I brew him an elixir of eternal youth. I refused, saying, 'Your palace is a prison of gold; your heart is a cage of desire. Even if I gave you immortality, you would still be a ghost.' The king, enraged, ordered my execution—but when the sword struck, I vanished like smoke, leaving only laughter echoing in the hall."

This story teaches a Daoist truth:

"True alchemy is not about escaping death, but escaping the fear of it."

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How to Honor Su Yuanlang’s Legacy Today

While we may not brew elixirs or ride fire chariots, we can embody his spirit through:

• Morning meditation: Sit quietly at dawn, as he did, and "gather the moon’s light" (even if the sun is up—it’s a metaphor, dear ones!).
• Simplicity in living: Reduce desire, as external clutter blocks inner refinement.
• Sharing wisdom freely: Like Su Yuanlang, teach without expectation of reward, letting the Dao guide your words.

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Final Reflection
Su Yuanlang remains a shadowy figure in history, yet his legacy shines brightly in the practice of neidan. He reminds us that the greatest alchemy is not transforming lead into gold, but transforming the self into a vessel of the Dao—pure, still, and eternally wise.

May your path be as gentle as moonlight on water.
— A Fellow Hermit of the Way