What is the Mutual Transformation of Void and Form in Taoism 什么是虚形互化
Paul PengWhat is the Mutual Transformation of Void and Form in Taoism
This is the fundamental view of nature held by Tan Qiao of the Five Dynasties.
Tan Qiao held that all things in the universe are in constant transformation:
“Transformation follows transformation without interruption, like an endless circle.”
Its basic form is the “mutual transformation of emptiness and form”:
all things are generated from emptiness, and return to emptiness through transformation.
What is the Mutual Transformation of Void and Form in TaoismThe concrete process of this mutual transformation is:
“In the unfolding of the Dao:
emptiness transforms into spirit,
spirit transforms into Qi,
Qi transforms into form;
once forms arise, all things become obstructed.
In the functioning of the Dao:
form transforms into Qi,
Qi transforms into spirit,
spirit transforms into emptiness;
when emptiness is clear, all things are interconnected.”
(Hua Shu · Inscription at Purple Extreme Palace)
The mutual transformation of emptiness and form is a natural process
in which humanity does not intervene.
Therefore one should transcend and nurture emptiness,
reverse the process of generation and transformation,
and return to the root of emptiness:
“Forget form to nourish Qi,
forget Qi to nourish spirit,
forget spirit to nourish emptiness.”
Tan Qiao’s thought of the mutual transformation of emptiness and form
became the theoretical foundation of Taoist Internal Alchemy.
Chen Tuan of the Northern Song Dynasty created the Diagram of the Ultimate Without,
based on which he summarized internal alchemy practice into three stages:
refining essence into Qi,
refining Qi into spirit,
refining spirit and returning to emptiness.
