Laotzu’s Inner Vision Classic 太上老君内观经

The author is unknown. It was presumably compiled during the transition between the Sui and Tang dynasties.

This scripture was already cited in Zhang Wanfu’s A Brief Account of Transmitting the Precepts and Talismans of the Three Grottoes from the Tang Dynasty.

Consisting of one volume, it is included in the Ben Wen (Original Text) category of The Dongshen Section in The Daozang.

Its full text is also recorded in Volume 17 of Yunji Qiqian (Seven Bamboo Tablets of the Cloudy Satchel). The scripture expounds the method of internal observation and calming the mind. It holds that the human mind is inherently pure and tranquil, but falls into the sea of suffering due to being contaminated by the six emotions. "If the mind is pure and tranquil, all disasters will not arise." Therefore, cultivating the Dao is equivalent to cultivating the mind, and its essence lies in "observing one’s own body internally and clarifying one’s mind."

The method of internal observation involves first reflecting that humans are the most noble among all creatures, and not arbitrarily contaminating oneself with various mundane dusts. Then, eliminate the six consciousnesses and six desires, achieve a vacant mind free from attachments, a stable and peaceful mind, a calm and upright mind, and a pure and clean mind. When the mind is calm and the spirit is settled, one reaches a state where "disordered thoughts do not arise, evil delusions do not invade; encompassing one’s entire body and all things, closing one’s eyes to contemplate and seek, the interior and exterior are empty and still, and the divine Dao is subtle and profound."

The scripture also states that cultivating the mind must be combined with refining the body, so that Qi is not scattered, and purity remains undivided, ultimately achieving "the unity of body and spirit with the Dao, and ascending to Kunlun."