Jiuzhen Zhongjing: Shangqing Meditation, Alchemy & Healing

The Shangqing Supreme Heavenly Lord's Scripture of the Nine Truths and the Middle Elixir

It is one of the early classics of the Shangqing School (a major school of Taoism), presumably compiled during the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties (c. 317-589 CE).

In Volume 5 of Zhen Gao (The True Instructions, a core Shangqing text recording divine revelations), it is stated: "The Dao encompasses The Scripture of the Nine Truths and the Middle Elixir, which contains the esoteric teachings of Lord Lao (Laozi)";
Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing Mu (Catalogue of the True Scripture of the Great Cavern of Shangqing) lists an entry titled "One Scroll of the Shangqing Scripture of the Nine Truths and the Middle Elixir: The Esoteric Teachings of the Yellow Emperor and Lord Lao" — both references refer to this very scripture.

The extant version in the Daozang (Taoist Canon) consists of two scrolls and is included in the "Zhengyi Section" (the core section of the Daozang focusing on orthodox Taoist rituals and doctrines). Additionally, this scripture is frequently cited in texts such as Wushang Miyao (The Supreme Secret Essentials).

Content of the Scripture

Upper Scroll (Contains Three Taoist Practice Methods)

The Supreme Heavenly Lord's Scripture of the Nine Truths and the Middle Elixir

This section details the method of cunsi (focused visualization) of the "Nine True Spirits" and "Five Internal Gods" within the human body, guiding practitioners to make these divine beings guard the "Nine Palaces" (energy centers in the body) and the "Five Viscera" (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys).
The Chapter on the Eight Esoteric Teachings of the Yellow Lord of the Center (Huang Laojun)

It expounds on the practice of the "Eight Esoteric Teachings" method. The method prescribes that on the eight solar terms (key seasonal nodes in the traditional Chinese calendar), practitioners enter a secluded room to perform cunsi, pay homage to divine beings such as the "Three Yuan Lords" and the "Eight Heavenly Lords," and thereby achieve ascension to immortality.
The Method of Summoning the Heavenly Lord and Obtaining the Five Divine Artifacts from the Supreme Pure (Tai Su Shangqing)

This method involves, on the Wu-Ji days (days associated with the earth element in the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches system), closing one’s eyes to visualize the blue qi (vital energy) of the East transforming into two "Blue Youths" (celestial attendants). By practicing this method for 18 years, one can ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

Lower Scroll (Contains Seven Taoist Practice Methods)

The Red Light Script of Yuyi (Celestial Attendant) Racing to the Sun from the Supreme Jade Dawn and The Yellow Light Jade Chapter of Jielin (Celestial Attendant) Racing to the Moon from the Supreme Jade Dawn

These two sections elaborate on the method of "racing to the two lights" (i.e., the sun and the moon). The method involves selecting an auspicious day to visualize divine beings such as the "Five Emperors in the Sun" and the "Five Ladies in the Moon," enabling practitioners to summon the sun and moon gods. After five years of practice, one can "race" (fly) to the sun and moon.
The Scripture on the Formula for the Crimson Life-Giving Divine Elixir with the Eight Sceneries, Four Stamens, Purple Nectar, and Five Pearls from the Supreme

It describes the method of refining the "Crimson Life-Giving Divine Elixir" (Jiang Sheng Shen Dan). This elixir is made from 24 types of mineral medicines, and the section provides detailed records of its medicine selection, formula, alchemical workshop setup, fire control (a critical step in Taoist alchemy), and ingestion methods.
The Supreme Elixir of Rosy Clouds and Marvelous Flowers for Ascending to Immortality, The Supreme Mysterious Water and Cloudy Flower Nectar, The Supreme Four Guardian Pills (Yuanfang), and The Supreme Embryonic Essence and Calamus Pill/Powder Formula

These four sections all record practical medicinal formulas for curing diseases and nourishing the body. The ingredients are mainly herbal medicines, supplemented by animal or mineral medicines.

The ten Taoist practice methods mentioned above cover various esoteric arts, including deity visualization (shensi), elixir refining (liandan), and medicine preparation.