Description: "This book contains a translation and in-depth study of two major texts of internal alchemy, attributed to two well-known immortals, Zhongli Quan and Lèu Dongbin, founders of the so-called Zhong Lèu tradition, which presents the first major formal structuring of internal alchemy and goes back to the 12th century. The first text entitled "Transmission of the Dao from Zhongli to Lèu," provides keys to understanding energetic transmutation with particular steps and methods corresponding to the mechanism of the universe. It provides the basis of all of internal alchemy. The second text is the "Conclusive Methods of Numinous Treasure," written in a more symbolic language and focusing more on specific practices. In addition to the translations, the book describes with simple clarity the major conceptions of cosmology, transmutations systems and key practices. These practices are accessible to all and these two texts which specialists had nod previously paid attention enough, are likely to become essential writings for anyone interested in the history of internal alchemy and for any practitioner of Daoism"--
Brief description: Livia Kohn, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita of Religion and East Asian Studies at Boston University. The author or editor of over sixty books (including the annual Journal of Daoist Studies), she spent ten years in Kyoto doing research. She currently serves as the executive editor of Three Pines Press, runs international conferences and workshops, and guides study tours to Japan.
Review Quotes: Livia Kohn's book breaks new ground in presenting a state-of-the-art, full English translation of two influential classics of internal alchemy, with a thorough and insightful introduction. The latter draws amply upon the best primary sources, secondary scholarship, and testimony of contemporary practitioners. The book is a milestone in our understanding of this important tradition.--Stephen Eskildsen, International Christian University, Tokyo