Taoist Fuqi Bigu — The Ancient Art of Absorbing Celestial Qi to Heal and Purify 服气

Fuqi Bigu (服气辟谷) — literally "absorbing qi and abstaining from grain" — is one of the most distinctive and historically documented practices in classical Taoism. From the Han dynasty onward, Taoist adepts recorded methods for replacing ordinary food with the absorption of solar, lunar, and elemental qi, purifying the body of accumulated stagnation, and cultivating a state of sustained spiritual vitality. The practice is not mere fasting: it is a systematic method of replacing the coarse energies of grain with the refined energies of heaven and earth.

The foundational principle is stated clearly in the Tang-dynasty master Zhu Taozhui's teaching: "When inner and outer are at peace, the spirit settles and the qi harmonizes. When the spirit settles and the qi harmonizes, the primordial qi naturally corrects itself. When the primordial qi corrects itself, the five organs flow freely, and the essence-fluid responds above. When the essence-fluid responds above, one no longer craves the five flavors. When the five flavors are cut off, hunger and thirst do not arise. When hunger and thirst do not arise, the three fields flourish of themselves, the marrow solidifies and the bones strengthen, and one returns from old age to the primordial. Through such cultivation, the true Tao is accomplished." For a broader introduction to the principles underlying such practices, see Three Concepts of Taoist Cultivation.

Before beginning Fuqi Bigu practice, the adept must first treat any existing illness, ensuring that the qi and blood of the five organs flow freely. A mild purgative is then taken to clear accumulated stagnation from the stomach and intestines. Food intake is gradually reduced — first diminished, then restricted, then the five grains are progressively eliminated. The absorption of qi is the central practice throughout this process.

Classical Taoist texts record numerous distinct methods of qi absorption. The following are among the most widely transmitted:

Absorbing Solar Qi: At dawn when the sun first rises, sit facing the sun, close the eyes, and grip firmly. Visualize the five-colored cloud-qi within the sun entering the body; swallow it as it enters the mouth, forty-five times to completion, then swallow saliva nine times.

Absorbing Lunar Qi: When the moon first rises at night, sit facing the moon, close the eyes, and grip firmly. The method is the same as for solar qi. Swallow fifty times, then swallow saliva ten times.

Six-Wuji Qi Method: Beginning from the jiazi cycle day, face the chen direction. Use the tip of the tongue to stir the upper and lower teeth, promoting the secretion of saliva, then swallow the fluid to generate essence-liquid.

Three-Five-Seven-Nine Qi Method: Slowly inhale through the nose three times, exhale once through the mouth; inhale five times and swallow, exhale once; inhale seven times and swallow, exhale once; inhale nine times and swallow, exhale once. The key principle is gradual progression — inhalation is slow, even, and fine; exhalation is swift.

Li Fengshi's Method: First use guiding exercises (daoyin) to relax the four limbs, then lie flat on the bed without a pillow, close the eyes, and grip firmly. Absorb qi gently and slowly, like an infant nursing at the breast, directing each swallow straight down to below the navel.

Maoshan Worthy's Method: Lie on the side with the ribs against the bed, feet slightly drawn in, head facing east, face facing south. Both hands grip firmly beside the cheeks. Close the eyes, inhale, open the throat fully, and swallow qi in large gulps. Begin with one or two swallows per exhalation, gradually progressing to seven swallows per exhalation. This method connects to the broader tradition of Taoist cultivation methods for harmonizing body and mind.

Tang-Dynasty Zhang Guo's Method: Each day, lie on the back, close the eyes, grip firmly, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, the breath extremely subtle — so fine that the ears cannot hear the sound of breathing. After the qi enters the lungs, hold the breath without swallowing, until perspiration appears at the soles of the feet.

Alongside qi absorption, supplementary foods are always included: poria mushroom (茬苓), jujube dates (大枣), sesame (胡麻), and huangjing root (黄精). These are prepared through traditional Chinese pharmaceutical methods — nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying — into water pills, honey pills, medicinal pastes, or compound formulas such as the "Taiqing Golden Fluid Paste" (太清金液膏), "Poria Paste" (茬苓膏), and "Sesame Rice" (胡麻饭), to be taken as needed.

The classical sources for these methods include the Zhengao (真误), Shangqing Wozhong Jue (上清握中诀), Yunji Qiqian (云箈七签), Shangqing Sanzhen Zhiyao Yujue (上清三真旨要玉诀), and the Shenxian Shiqi Jingui Miaolu (神仙食气金柜妙录) — foundational texts of the Shangqing (上清) and Maoshan (茅山) Taoist traditions.