Nine-Cycle Method of Inner Cultivation 陈先生内丹诀

Composed by Chen Pu, a Taoist priest of the Northern Song Dynasty.

It is recorded in Tong zhi·Yi wen lüe (General Records·Bibliographic Outline).

Consisting of one scroll, it is included in the Tai Xuan Section within the Daoist Canon (The Daozang).

Nine-Cycle Method of Inner Cultivation

The author claims that in the Wuyin year of the Yuanfeng reign (1078 CE), he traveled to Nandu (the southern capital) and encountered an old hermit from Huainan, who imparted the secret instructions for Internal Alchemy to him—thus, he recorded these teachings and compiled them into a book. The alchemical instructions divide the cultivation process into nine cycles. For each cycle, there is one seven-character jueju poem and one section of the Wang Jiangnan (Gazing South of the River) ci-poem as eulogies, along with a passage of oral instructions detailing the essential methods of practice.

The described alchemical method forms a school of its own, distinct from various branches of the Zhong-Lü Internal Alchemy School. Generally, it holds that the true celestial water is stored in the gallbladder, serving as the root of life and nature. Through the harmony of Yin and Yang, it descends to form the elixir. The initial practice is centered on sitting in meditation and holding the breath, enabling the true Qi (Vital Energy) to circulate throughout the body, water and fire to interact, and the Mysterious Pearl to crystallize. It also places special emphasis on transforming the physical form, asserting that this practice can refine both the body and spirit to perfection.

It is said that completing three cycles of elixir refinement allows one to become an earthly immortal; completing six cycles transforms the mortal form entirely into an immortal essence, enabling ascension like a shooting star; and completing nine cycles perfects both merit and practice, allowing one to ascend to the ranks of immortals.