Daoism's framework for understanding the world

[Paul Ferguson]

"In [Daoism's] earliest forms, beginning in the second century B.C.E., Daoist alchemical practices would mix rare ingredients from the earth to transform them into what they believed to be “elixirs of immortality. Subsequent centuries witnessed these practices moving away from physical ingredients, such as rare plants and minerals, to become more focused on visualization techniques. This form of “inner alchemy,” or “neidan,” does not use actual ingredients but rather focuses on distilling the spiritual essences within one’s own body to achieve immortality. To do so, practitioners of “inner alchemy” would call upon new hosts of Daoist deities to aid them in their internal processes."

https://theconversation.com/from-ancient...nce-272115