Taiji (Tai Chi) encompasses all phenomena.
In the path of cultivating the Golden Elixir (Jindan), the harmony of Yin (阴) and Yang (阳) is the sixth essential element. It is not only the cornerstone of the Golden Elixir path but also the essence of the transformative way. As stated in the I Ching (Yijing): “The way is the unity of Yin and Yang.” The path of Yin and Yang lies in the fact that isolated Yin does not generate, and isolated Yang does not thrive; only through the union of Yin and Yang can all things be nurtured.
For the cultivation of the Golden Elixir, the harmony of Yin and Yang is not merely the Yin and Yang of male and female, or the heart and kidney, or the sun and moon, or the heavens and earth. The true Yin and Yang of the Golden Elixir lies in the mutual blending of one’s own and others’. The true Yin is the Yin that is separated from the center, and the true Yang is the Yang that is separated from the Kan (坎). This harmony of Yin and Yang is the process by which the cultivator seeks true Yang with true Yin and aids true Yin with true Yang, aiming to achieve the harmonious unity of internal and external Yin and Yang.
The harmony of Yin and Yang is not achieved overnight; it requires the cultivator to carefully experience it—neither too much nor too little, neither biased nor neutral, neither hurried nor slow, neither existent nor nonexistent, neither close nor distant, neither restless nor timid. In this process, the cultivator must flexibly apply the principles of Yin and Yang, whether Yang moves and Yin follows, or Yin feels and Yang responds, or using Yang within Yin, or using Yin within Yang, to achieve the unity of the way internally and externally, thus forming the Golden Elixir.
In the process of harmonizing Yin and Yang, the refinement of essence (炼精) is an indispensable part. The key to refining essence lies in the kidneys, through specific cultivation methods to invigorate true essence, thus providing sufficient energy for the cultivation of the Golden Elixir.
In summary, the harmony of Yin and Yang is the core essence of the Golden Elixir cultivation path. The cultivator must deeply understand the principles of Yin and Yang and skillfully apply the methods of Yin and Yang to achieve the goal of cultivation. At the same time, the cultivator must also focus on the refinement of essence to ensure the vigor of true essence, providing a continuous source of energy for the cultivation of the Golden Elixir.
Share with joy, and the merits are boundless.
A capable and wise person opens roads when encountering mountains,
builds bridges when meeting water, and if it is truly impassable, they will take a detour,
still moving forward; this is true ability.
——【Elegant Phrase】
May wisdom and compassion never cease!