Jade Emperor's Embryonic Breathing Scripture 高上玉皇胎息经
Paul PengJade Emperor's Embryonic Breathing Scripture
Referred to as Scripture of Embryonic Breathing for short, the author of this text is unknown, and it is believed to have been compiled during the The Tang Dynasty.
Comprising one volume, it is included in the Original Text Category of the The Dongzhen Section in The Daozang. Additionally, there is an annotated version by Mr. Huanzhen of the Tang Dynasty, which is collected in Volume 60 of Yunji Qiqian (Seven Bamboo Slips of the Cloudy Satchel).
Jade Emperor's Embryonic Breathing Scripture
Written in seven-character rhymed verses, the entire text consists of only 88 characters, elaborating on the essential principles of embryonic breathing. As a Taoist health-preserving technique, embryonic breathing has a very ancient origin—Baopuzi·Xialan Pian (Baopuzi·Treatise on Wide Reading) already records a Scripture of Embryonic Breathing. The method of embryonic breathing described in this text focuses on regulating breathing, enabling gentle and continuous inhalation and exhalation without relying on the mouth and nose. Practitioners retain their spirit internally, just like a baby in its mother’s womb—hence the name "embryonic breathing."
