Master Huan Zhen's Formula for Inner Qi 幻真先生服内元炁诀

Master Huan Zhen's Formula for Inner Qi

Referred to as Secret Formula for Cultivating Internal Primordial Qi for short, this text was roughly compiled during the The Tang Dynasty. The New Book of Tang·Bibliography records "Kang Zhongxiong’s Secret Formula for Cultivating Internal Primordial Qi (one volume)", which is suspected to be the same work.

The surviving version is included in the Methods Category of the The Dongshen Section in The Daozang. Additionally, Volume 60 of Yunji Qiqian (Seven Bamboo Slips of the Cloudy Satchel) also contains this text.

Master Huan Zhen's Formula for Inner Qi

Its content is slightly similar to Qi Scripture of Mr. Taiyou from Songshan Mountain. The book records fifteen techniques of Internal Alchemy and primordial qi cultivation, in the following order: Technique of Advancing and Absorbing, Technique of Refining Qi, Technique of Regulating Qi, Technique of Swallowing Qi, Technique of Circulating Qi, Technique of Tempering Qi, Technique of Relaxing Naturally, Technique of Closing Qi Naturally, Technique of Diffusing Qi Naturally, Technique of the Six Qi, Technique of Regulating Qi and Bodily Fluids, Technique of Dietary Regulation and Care, Technique of Grain Abstinence, Technique of Upholding the True Self, and Technique of Cultivating Qi and Embryonic Breathing.

Prefaced by the author, the text states that during the Tianbao period (742–756 CE), he encountered the True Person Wang from Luofu Mountain, who was returning from the Northern Yue (Beiyue Hengshan), and received the scriptures and secret formulas from him. Meanwhile, the preface of Qi Scripture of Mr. Taiwu notes: "During the Dali period (766–779 CE), I met the True Person Wang from Luofu Mountain returning from the Northern Yue." From this, it can be inferred that both texts were transmitted by the True Person Wang from Luofu Mountain.