Diligently Seeking and Wisely Choosing 什么是勤求善择

This is the primary step for followers of Taoism to enter the path. Taoism includes numerous methods and practices, which are transmitted in secret by various Taoists to their disciples.

Diligently Seeking and Wisely Choosing

Many secular Taoists in society, for survival and profit, claim that the methods they transmit are mysterious and unfathomable to elevate their status and court public favor. Especially in the transmission of Internal Alchemy, there are many who deceive the world and steal fame. Some Taoists, having secretly kept a certain alchemical scripture or once associated with a famous alchemical master, boast excessively of such credentials.

To enable followers to distinguish truth from falsehood when entering the path, Ge Hong devoted a chapter called “Diligently Seeking” in Inner Chapters of Baopuzi, discussing the relationship between “diligently seeking” and “choosing wisely”. He pointed out that those who pursue the Dao must: First, diligently seek a true teacher and widely learn various methods; Second, be good at selecting the best methods for cultivation, and distinguish true teachers from false ones to avoid being deceived.

At the same time, he encouraged Dao learners to stand tests and sincerely pursue the Dao. He also strongly criticized the behavior of false teachers who treat a mere skill as a rare treasure, make things difficult for their disciples in every way, and cheat them out of money and property.

Later alchemical scriptures record many methods for distinguishing true and false teachers, and there are also specialized works such as The Touchstone.