Neidan, or internal alchemy (simplified Chinese: 內丹术; traditional Chinese: 內丹術; pinyin: nèidān shù), is an array of esoteric doctrines and physical, mental, and spiritual practices that Taoist initiates use to prolong life and create an immortal spiritual body that would survive after death. Also known as Jindan ("golden elixir"), inner alchemy combines theories derived from external alchemy (waidan), correlative cosmology (including the Five Phases), the emblems of the Yijing, and medical theory, with techniques of Daoist meditation, daoyin gymnastics, and sexual hygiene.
In Neidan the human body becomes a cauldron (or "ding") in which the Three Treasures of Jing ("Essence"), Qi ("Breath") and Shen ("Spirit") are cultivated for the purpose of improving physical, emotional and mental health, and ultimately returning to the primordial unity of the Tao, i.e., becoming an Immortal. It is believed the Xiuzhen Tu is such a cultivation map. In China, it is an important form of practice for most schools of Taoism.
The flame that burns insight, it gives me life it pulls me in.
Holding nothing back, I give it all then more, til' nothing's left.
To be or not to be, to create destiny, or fall infinitely
Inside of me, all my fears, they strive for life and drain my soul.
Hopes, and dreams, in sleep, til' my
Blood can flow into new veins.
Then my stagnant dreams reborn again, "begin the progression"
Seasons pass and faces age, the passing time, makes cold their fires.
Stand and fall and laugh and cry or leave this world without a trace.
To be or not to be, to create destiny, or fall infinitely
Inside of me, all my hopes, strive for life, they drain my soul.
Hopes, and dreams, awake, can my
Blood now flow into new veins.
From a dreams cruel lie I now awake, "time of change"
Frequencies in song help liberate.
Stagnant dreams forever trapped inside.
Stagnant progression, an elusive evolvement.
Progression hides in fields of change, elusive always taunting me.
Watch the fears they lie and hold you back
The price is time and always paid in death.
Stagnant progression, an elusive evolvement.