Daoist Inner Alchemy:

Daoist inner alchemy, know as Nei Dan (内丹) in Mandarin, is the name for a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual practices designed to enhance and prolong one’s life, and to eventually create an immortal spiritual body that survives after the death of the physical body. One of the first steps is to purify the organs by releasing negative emotions and bringing more positive ones into the 5 major organs . Finding and releasing negative energy/emotions builds emotional and energetic awareness, and facilitates the release of trauma and bad habits, while cultivating positive energy enables and enhances physical and emotional healing, as well as the creation of the energy body, and eventually the spirit body.

At the beginning of the practice, the focus is on connecting with the physical body, and gaining more control and awareness of ones emotions, as well as where the reside in the body in the five major organs. We use several approaches, first, through physical exercises like qigong that enhance energy flow (chi) in the body and meridians while also enhancing flexibility, and mental focus. And second through two key meditations called “The Inner Smile,” and “The Six Healing Sounds.” The Inner Smile is foundational to the rest of the practice, as it is used to amplify and create positive emotions (virtues) in the 5 major organs, and to release any stored negative energy. It also teaches one to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (aka “Rest and Digest”) at any time by using the relationship that exists between the physical and emotional part of ourselves. The Six Healing Sounds are the counter point to the Inner Smile, and they enable us to release and expel negative emotions (and their source experiences) from our organs, energy systems, and brain. It combines the inner smile with stretches and sounds unique to each organ to excise negative energy and bring the organs into balance.

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