Observations placeholder
Shenxian zhuan - Fángzhōng Zhī Shù - 房中之术—“Arts of the Bedchamber”
Identifier
010793
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Shenxian zhuan (神仙傳 Biographies of Spirit Immortals") is traditionally attributed to Ge Hong (283–343 CE). According to the Shenxian zhuan, there are four activities needed to become a xian – a god:
- Qì (气—“Pneumas”): Breath control and meditation.
- Fàn (饭—“Diet”): Ingestion of herbal compounds and abstention from the Sān Shī Fàn (三尸饭—“Three-Corpses food”)—Meats (raw fish, pork, dog), (leeks, and scallions) and grains.
- Fángzhōng Zhī Shù (房中之术—“Arts of the Bedchamber”)
- Dān (丹—"Alchemy", literally "Cinnabar"): Elixir of Immortality – this is the process of inducing a kundalini experience
A description of the experience
The discourse between the Yellow Emperor and the immortaless Sùnǚ (素女—“Plain Girl”), one of the three daughters of Hsi Wang Mu
“The sexual behaviors between a man and woman are identical to how the universe itself came into creation. Like Heaven and Earth, the male and female share a parallel relationship in attaining an immortal existence. They both must learn how to engage and develop their natural sexual instincts and behaviors; otherwise the only result is decay and traumatic discord of their physical lives. However, if they engage in the utmost joys of sensuality and apply the principles of yin and yang to their sexual activity, their health, vigor, and joy of love will bear them the fruits of longevity and immortality. (Hsi 2002:99–100)
The White Tigress Manual, [a treatise on female sexual yoga]
“A female can completely restore her youthfulness and attain immortality if she refrains from allowing just one or two men in her life from stealing and destroying her [sexual] essence, which will only serve in aging her at a rapid rate and bring about an early death. However, if she can acquire the sexual essence of a thousand males through absorption, she will acquire the great benefits of youthfulness and immortality.” (Hsi 2001:48)
The source of the experience
TaoismConcepts, symbols and science items
Symbols
XianScience Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Suppressions
Contemplation and detachmentControlled breathing
Dietary moderation
Making love
Peaking
Sex magick
Sexual stimulation