INTERNAL ELIXIR (NÈIDĀN, 內丹)

INTERNAL ELIXIR (NÈIDĀN, 內丹)

“Nèi” means “internal” and “Dān” means “elixir.” Thus, Nèidān means to build the elixir internally. Here, internally means in the body instead of in the limbs. Whereas in Wàidān the Qì is built up in the limbs and then moved into the body, Nèidān exercises build up Qì in the body and lead it out to the limbs.

Generally speaking, Nèidān theory is deeper than Wàidān theory, and its training theory and methods are more difficult to understand and practice. Traditionally, most of the Nèidān Qìgōng practices have been passed down more secretly than those of the Wàidān. This is especially true of the highest levels of Nèidān, such as Marrow/Brain Washing, which were passed down to only a few trusted disciples.

There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Nèidān is hard to understand, so only the disciples who were intelligent and wise enough to understand it were taught.

2. Nèidān practice can be dangerous. Inaccurate practice may cause crippling, paralysis, or even death. This can happen especially to the disciple who does not understand the what, why, and how of his practice.

3. In much of Nèidān Qìgōng you are working with and guided by very subtle feelings and sensations. Under the guidance of a master you should be able to grasp the key to the training in a short time. However, if you try to figure it out by yourself, you may get confused, or injure yourself seriously.

4. In order to reach the higher levels of Nèidān Qìgōng, you must conserve your Jīng and restrain your sex life. Also, you must spend a lot of time in practice, which makes normal married life impossible. Furthermore, in order to reach a spiritual balance, you must train yourself to be emotionally neutral and independent. In order to preserve your Jīng and have a peaceful environment for your training, you almost have to go away to the mountains and become a hermit, or become a monk in a monastery. Still, though Nèidān is difficult to understand and practice, it is practiced by many laymen. They, however, can only reach a certain level of achievement, such as health and longevity, but not enlightenment.

Before we discuss the training categories of Nèidān, you should understand how Nèidān Qìgōng practice relates to the Qì circulation in the human body. As we have mentioned, the human body has twelve Qì channels which are considered Qì rivers. Each of these channels is connected to a finger or toe, and is also ssociated with an internal organ. In order to keep the twelve organs healthy, the Qì flowing in the Qì rivers must be smooth and continuous, and the Qì level running in each channel must be appropriate for that channel.

Whenever the Qì flow is stagnant or the Qì level abnormal, the organs will not function properly and may eventually be damaged.

Therefore, the first goal of this Qìgōng practice is to keep the Qì running smoothly and at the appropriate levels in the channels.

In addition to these twelve channels, there are eight vessels which are considered Qì reservoirs and which regulate the Qì running in the Qì rivers. In order to have the potential to supply and regulate the Qì, the vessels must be full. When there is enough Qì in the reservoirs to supply and regulate the Qì in the rivers, you will be healthy. Therefore, the second goal of Qìgōng practice is to learn to fill up the Qì reservoirs with Qì.

When you have attained these two goals, you have built a good foundation for a healthy body. The training methods you must practice to reach these two goals are explained clearly in Dámó’s Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic. However, if you desire longevity, you must enter a deeper level of Nèidān Qìgōng exercises. This level is described in Dámó’s Marrow/Brain Washing Classic.

In order to have a long life, you need to have not only a healthy physical body and smooth Qì circulation, but also training in two more disciplines. The first concerns your blood, the second your spirit. Your blood runs through your entire body. If your blood cells are not healthy, it does not matter how healthy and strong your physical body and organs appear to be, because your physical body will degenerate quickly. The marrow is the factory which makes your blood cells. If you know how to keep your marrow healthy and fresh, the quality of the blood cells will be high. When these healthy and fresh blood cells are running in your physical body, the degeneration process will slow down and your life span will increase.

When you train Marrow/Brain Washing Qìgōng, you must also learn how to lead Qì to your brain and raise your Shén. When the Shén is raised, you will have a center or headquarters which will be able to effectively control your Qì and strengthen your body’s Guardian Qì (Wèiqì, 衛氣) so that it is better able to repel negative outside influences. The raised Shén will also direct the Qì so that the organs function properly. However, the most important benefit of Marrow/Brain Washing training is the fresh, nourishing Qì brought to your brain, which ensures its health. Marrow/Brain Washing training will keep your brain strong, calm, and peaceful.

Before we discuss Nèidān practice further, you should understand that there are many different methods of Nèidān practice. We will discuss the two major ones: Dámó’s Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic (Yìjīnjīng), and his Marrow/Brain Washing Classic (Xǐsuǐjīng).