A Record of the Assembled Immortals and Gathered Perfected of the Western Hills: Shi Jianwu's Daoist Classic on Internal Alchemy and the Cultivation of the Breath

This is the first English language translation of an 9th century text by Daoist practitioner Shi Jianwu, which prescribes the practice of deep, intentional breathing along with meditation for Qigong and improved spiritual awakening. The author provides insights to this ancient tradition that depicts the journey from knowledge to refinement. Richard Bertschinger has published several translations of ancient Chinese texts and is a practising acupuncturist and teacher of the healing arts. He studied for ten years under the Taoist sage and Master Gia-fu Feng. Foreword by Master Wu. Introduction to my Translation of the Xishan qunxian huizhen ji. PART I: THE KNOWLEDGE. 1. Knowing The Path. 2. Knowing The Method. 3. Knowing The Individual. 4. Knowing The Timing. 5. Knowing The Materials. PART II: THE SUSTENTATION. 6. Sustaining Life. 7. Sustaining the Body. 8. Sustaining the Breath. 9. Sustaining the Heart. 10. Sustaining Longevity. PART III: THE REBUILDING. 11. Rebuilding Within. 12. Rebuilding the Breath. 13. Rebuilding the Fluids. 14. Rebuilding a Surplus. 15. Rebuilding a Depletion. PART IV: THE VERIFICATION. 16. The True Water and Fire. 17. The True Dragon and Tiger. 18. The True Medicinal Elixir. 19. The True Lead and Mercury. 20. The True Yin and Yang. PART V: THE REFINEMENT. 21. Refining the Method, You Walk the Path. 22. Refining the Body, You Transform the Breath. 23. With a Refined Breath, You Can Fashion the Spirit. 24. With a Refined Spirit, You Join on the Path. 25. On the Refined Path, You May Walk in the Divine. Glossary. How to Meditate.