The True Foundation-Laying Method of Dan Dao
Dan Gong cultivation requires an understanding of the principles of following and opposing. Following means aligning with the way of heaven, while opposing means going against it. Following the way of heaven involves foundation-laying, which includes the three practical methods of refining essence, refining qi, and refining spirit; this is postnatal. Opposing the way of heaven involves high-level immortal practices, which are beyond returning to elixir levels.
This includes refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, refining spirit back to emptiness, and refining emptiness to merge with the Dao; this is prenatal. To truly enter the mysterious hall of qigong, one must pass through the foundation-laying stage. Below we will discuss in detail the three practical methods involved in foundation-laying.
1. Foundation-Laying and Refining Spirit
Zhang Ziyang said: “I have no other skills but to be able to calm my mind.” He also said: “Do not look around; let your spirit return to your heart; this is the essence of stillness.” Refining spirit can be divided into four steps: gathering the heart, maintaining unity, stopping thoughts, and entering stillness.
The specific method for practice: When practicing indoors, choose a place with moderate lighting and good ventilation without disturbances. First cleanse your hands, mouth, and heart to eliminate evil thoughts; burn three sticks of incense to dispel foul air. Additionally, prepare a soft mat that is two feet square and one-and-a-half inches thick (or a double-layered meditation cushion will also do) for sitting in stillness.
For outdoor practice, select a high place with fresh air that avoids wind and disturbances. If there are mountains or water nearby, that’s even better. Avoid practicing near graveyards—practicing in graveyards can lead to various illusions due to heavy yin energy if one’s cultivation level is not deep enough or if one has a sensitive constitution; this can hinder focus during practice and disrupt energy concentration.
Naturally sit upright after finding your spot; cleanse your heart for a moment while gathering your spirit light and observing the whiteness at the tip of your nose. When it appears bright white, close your eyes and focus on the celestial pole (the point where both eyes meet at an upper opening), using gentle intention. After a moment at this celestial pole there will be a qi vortex forming; gradually forget everything else as you enter emptiness.
If distracting thoughts arise in abundance, you may use one of these four methods: 1. Cutting Thoughts Method: As soon as a thought arises, immediately forget it so it cannot continue; 2. Following Thoughts Method: If an old thought has not dissipated yet another new thought arises making it impossible to cut off—allow that thought to wander freely until it eventually fades away;
3. The Heart Refining Method by Ziyang: The greatest delusions arise from joy and anger—if you reflect while angry you will not be angry; if you know how to suppress joy while joyful then you will not be joyful either—this applies universally until tranquility naturally arises over time; 4. Zhuangzi’s Listening Breath Method: Listen with your ears as you breathe in harmony with your heart until eventually neither listening nor breathing remains—the thoughts become settled.
2. Foundation-Laying and Refining Qi
My master said: “Foundation-laying for refining qi involves cultivating both breathing qi and internal qi. Breathing qi is also known as regulating breath—it belongs to postnatal energy within the eight trigrams of postnatal teachings. Internal qi includes both nourishing protective qi (ying wei) and original qi from the dantian (dan tian), collectively referred to as postnatal energy.” Therefore, before cultivating qi one must first regulate their breath.
1. Regulating Breath: Zhang Sanfeng said: “Regulating breath is not difficult—when the mind is calm everything flows naturally; I simply maintain its natural state while directing my spirit light downwards—that’s how I regulate my breath! Regulating breath means coordinating between yin navel breath (yin ci) meeting with heart energy within concentrated points.”
Zhang Ziyang stated: “At times when sitting quietly one should first practice closing off their breath pathway—closing off means that when one’s breath has yet to cease another continues immediately thereafter so now each breath gives rise anew while suppressing subsequent breaths slowly over time leading towards stabilization—the breath must remain undisturbed! If disturbed then one chases after their breath even before it has stopped.”
Closing off breaths leads towards stabilization since internal energies have already arisen thus exiting beyond mere regulation—the next step would involve circulating energies promoting self-rotation (this closing practice along with stabilization methods are temporarily unsuitable for beginners until internal energies have manifested).
2. Circulating Qi: The “Essence Life Key” states: Begin with intention leading towards non-intention—initially use intention to guide energy flow generally we suggest utilizing energy through Ren (Conception) & Du (Governing) meridians allowing bodily energies naturally circulate employing active methods until energies flow smoothly before adopting non-action techniques—this is referred as “One Complete Cycle” thereafter no longer needing intentionality allowing natural mechanisms continuously revolve producing self-rotation without any pause!
Clearing Eight Meridians (The Eight Extraordinary Meridians include Yinwei Meridian，Yangwei Meridian，Yinqiao Meridian，Yangqiao Meridian，Chong Meridian，Ren Meridian，Du Meridian，Dai Meridian)—these play significant roles during foundation-laying practices rising early each morning begin by circulating eight meridian energies closing mouth/nose breaths initiating from life-death orifice (huiyin)—once these eight channels are cleared they can expel all bodily yin evils since without eliminating yin energies they obstruct elixir formation making medicinal extraction impossible!
3. Foundation-Laying and Refining Essence
Tao De Jing states: “Embrace simplicity while holding onto purity; desire less.” Wu Zhen says: “I encourage you earnestly seek out where life originates returning back home is indeed medicinal.” Chen Zhixu states：“Those who cultivate health must first nourish their own vital energies which requires reducing desires because when desires do not stir then essence-energy generates itself.”
The specific methods:
1. Heart Methods & Oral Formulas：Following refinement practices close all four gates tightly (eyes do not gaze，nose does not smell，mouth does not speak，ears do not hear)，remain unmoved by myriad distractions focusing solely inwardly over time myriad thoughts converge into single thought ultimately leading towards no-thought state。Holding onto this no-thought state,
wait patiently suddenly feeling joyous blooms throughout body every part feels relaxed all distractions vanish leaving mind clear。At this moment there exists an ethereal awareness which represents true awareness requiring no prompting naturally sinking downwards into extreme depths located just above two fingers above huiyin point—a void circle exists here。Guarding this space allows water-fire interaction giving rise true yang!
2.The application regarding timing may also follow formulas：“True intention flows uninterrupted knowing yet unguarded reveals skillfulness。Focusing too much leads astray whilst non-action becomes grounded.” Truly understanding these four ancient sayings regarding cultivation proves you’ve entered another level whereby essence remains abundant without needing supplementation resulting quickly forming leak-proof foundations generating true yang entering elixir processes extracting prenatal from postnatal thus reversing movement!
3.Sealing Leaks：My master stated：“Cultivators wishing preserve postnatal forms need guard against dreaming about elixirs—in dreams devoid oneself suddenly jolted awake realizing yang rises indicating initial stirring true yang signifies robust vitality requiring urgent sitting up utilizing techniques reclaim oneself ensuring longevity!”
The aforementioned methods although containing guiding elements require proactive engagement during foundation-laying hence Ziyang’s “Wu Zhen Pian” mentions：“Begins through action few see success arriving at non-action many begin knowing.” This illustrates fundamental principle behind cultivation!
4.Efficacy During Practice
Cultivation requires understanding efficacy during practice relying upon physical responses discerning personal progress levels determining whether foundational work has been completed.
The initial phase focuses on restoration feeling all ailments healed vitality surging akin rebirth!
The latter phase emphasizes adjustment yielding following effects：During action periods feeling energized devoid lustful thoughts full-bodied vigor negating hunger mental clarity quick thinking able articulate extensively without fatigue。Physical manifestations include：Vitality reflected through teeth indicating healthful condition strong voice resonating loudly clear-eyed presence reflecting brightness alongside hair regaining color youthful complexion moving gracefully like flying!
The dantian rotates swirling opening all hundred channels stimulating heightened frequency occurrences。At such moments medicinal sources become lively water quality pure enabling transition towards advanced immortal practices——elixir processes！ps：However remember avoid practicing right before sleep otherwise after completing exercises feel invigorated unable sleep!
You Must Understand Basic Knowledge About Cultivation
The following points summarize essential knowledge regarding cultivation:
(1). After concluding session draw dantian energy spreading throughout limbs subsequently retract back into dantian—a concept found within ancient texts stating：“True fire burns body,” alleviating imbalances arising due prolonged sitting causing limbs numbness weakness。
(2). If experiencing dizziness attributed excessive lofty aspirations simply open eyes wide focusing downward taking several deep breaths should remedy situation。
(3). Should erratic movements occur causing dantian pulsations dispersing energies unpredictably applying powdered galla nut mixed salt paste onto navel relaxing into stillness suffices alternatively utilize dispersive techniques solely guarding yongquan point。
(4). If insomnia results from excessive mental strain due damage caused during practice rub soles together thirty-six times targeting yongquan point facilitating rapid onset sleep。
(5). Limb tingling sensations indicate heavy mental burden excessive fiery imbalance caused cooling breaths flowing from head downwards repeatedly resolves issue swiftly。
Synthesizing above observations reveals immortal practitioners’ foundation-laying method constitutes complete system encompassing skills principles laws including efficacy considerations precautions suitable environments correctional techniques etc., distinguishing them from ordinary qigong practices,
If we further eliminate superstitious elements viewing solely through lens health preservation we discover universal principles underlying myriad methodologies indeed representing pinnacle realms within immortal Daoist qigong!
by – Phoenix Mountain Cihuang Palace