The Golden Elixir: Taoism and Chinese Alchemy

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The Seal of the Unity of the Three

A new translation of the main text of Taoist Internal Alchemy

The Seal of the Unity of the Three: A Study and Translation of the Cantong qi, the Source of the Way of the Golden Elixir

Fabrizio Pregadio
Golden Elixir Press, 2011
Paperback ● Hardcover

Under an allusive poetical language and thick layers of images and symbols, the Cantong qi hides the exposition of a doctrine that has inspired a large number of works in the tradition of Internal Alchemy (Neidan). The text is concerned with three major subjects: Cosmology (the relation of the cosmos and the human being to the Dao), Taoism (the way of "non-doing"), and Alchemy, and joins them to one another into a single doctrine. In addition to a complete translation of the Cantong qi, this book contains explanations of each of its sections, notes on many of its verses, and a detailed introduction to its history and doctrines. Read more....

Golden Elixir is another name for one's fundamental nature . . . There is no other Golden Elixir outside one's fundamental nature. All human beings have this Golden Elixir complete in themselves: it is entirely realized in everybody. It is neither more in a sage, nor less in an ordinary person. It is the seed of the Immortals and the Buddhas, the root of the worthies and the sages.
Liu Yiming (1734-1821)

Taoism

"Words exist because of meaning; once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a word with him?"

Taoist Alchemy

"Innerly nourish yourself, serene and quiescent in Empty Non-Being. Going back to the fundament conceal your light, and innerly illuminate your body."

About this website

The Golden Elixir website contains materials on Taoism and Taoist alchemy, including essays, selections from original texts, illustrations, and a choice of entries from The Encyclopedia of Taoism. Visit the Golden Elixir Blog for updates and short posts.

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This website is also the home of Golden Elixir Press. The Press publishes dependable and affordable books on Taoism, Taoist alchemy, and other traditional doctrines, in print and as ebooks. Visit the home page. Request a PDF catalogue using the Contact Form.

About the logo

The picture reproduced above (and the logo of this website) is the Chinese character for the word dan, corresponding to the Western word "Elixir". In Chinese, the word dan connotes the reality, principle, or true nature of an entity, or its most basic and significant element or property.