What is Zhong-Lü Alchemy 钟吕金丹道 ?

Zhong-Lü Golden Elixir Taoism emerged in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Initiated by Zhong Liquan and Lü Dongbin, it is also known as inner alchemy cultivation in Taoism. It takes the human body itself as the "furnace and cauldron" and the essence, qi (vital energy), and spirit in the human body as the "medicines". By using the spirit to "refine" them through internal cultivation techniques such as embryonic breathing, guidance, qi circulation, and visualization, the essence, qi, and spirit can be condensed into a "sacred embryo". This "sacred embryo" can leave the physical body to become an external body that exists eternally, and it is called "divine elixir" or "inner alchemy".

The theory of inner alchemy was first put forward by Su Yuanlang, also known as Qingxiazi, in the Sui Dynasty. Later, scholars such as Liu Zhigu, Cui Xifan, Zhong Liquan, Lü Dongbin, Shi Jianwu, Peng Xiao, and Chen Tuan further developed its essential principles. As a result, a great number of classic works on inner alchemy Taoism appeared. For example, Cui Xifan's The Mirror of Medicine Introduction, Liu Zhigu's On the Mysterious Pivot of Sun and Moon, Zhong Liquan's The Complete Methods of Lingbao and Thirty-nine Chapters from Yunfang, and Lü Dongbin's Ode to the Direct Point of the Great Elixir and On the Mystery of the Tao. In addition, Zhong Liquan taught Lü Dongbin such techniques as "the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship of the Great Tao" and "the Secret of Dragon-Tiger Golden Elixir", thus forming Zhong-Lü Golden Elixir Taoism.

After Zhang Boduan of the Northern Song Dynasty wrote The Awakening to Truth to expound this Tao, inner alchemy Taoism became even more prevalent in Taoism and became the most profound and mysterious method for Taoists to cultivate immortality.