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«The Treatise about Changing the Muscles and Tendons for the Weak»
not only addresses tendon development (see: «The Treatise about Changing the Muscles and Tendons for the Strong»), but talks especially of the quality of binding between the bones, tendons and muscles.
Taoists working to improve the quality of this connection strengthen the body and invigorate its spirit. In this case supporting the energetic activity around the tendons does not deplete the spirit.
On the contrary, spirit gets the necessary energy from them and finer, essential jing energy is produced, being the most appropriate substance for the body.
By examining given female techniques from an alchemical viewpoint, we want to demonstrate that, for women, it is very important to define the connection in the body (between tendons and muscles
or tendons and bones), and then to develop it later. «The treatise about changing the muscles/tendons for the strong»on the other hand, initially examines the development of tendons as a criteria for energy accumulation and maintenance.
The conditions for developing jing energy differ between men and women. When women develop jing according to male laws, they use the accepted and perhaps, the correct vector, but their possibilities are limited. They may obtain longevity by strengthening and reinforcing their qi, but will not be able to increase their shen spirit.
In fact this may even decrease, because their finer energies would then transform into denser ones, in order to support their life force in preference to their spirituality. Thus many women doing various practices develop vitality, yet mistake it for spiritual power.
Although these processes are interrelated, real development is defined by working with fa jing. This is an even finer energy that can be directed, and not just produced.
When, through practice, we can produce and sustain jing energy, our quality of existence increases and improves. It becomes comparable to that of a beautiful flower. However, as soon as this flower is transported to another place it will change, and all the effort would be directed toward survival. Spiritual power and a spiritual state, it must be remembered, are different concepts. Spiritual power is always accompanied by a high spiritual state. Whereas a spiritual state is a prerequisite for obtaining spiritual power, but only when sufficient jing energy has been transformed in order to form the spiritual power.
So, the basis of the practice is the increase and subsequent strengthening of jing. Original qi is subordinate to form-creating
energy Yin. Original jing is subordinate to the Force – Yin & Yang energies. Original shen is subordinate to Yang energy, which transforms, cultivates and uplifts. When we come to differentiating between practices on the basis of male and female leanings, we consider the energetic yin and yang properties overall, rather than separately.
Although the separation becomes apparent, when we consider that when men want to improve conditions for jing energy formation, they may need to do some female practices (in some form). The same also applies for women.
The ability to combine these practices is the art of alchemy.
Only those who follow a path of development for spiritual power can use it. This path requires one to take responsibility for their actions.
It is important to remember that the main criterion on this path is the attainment of internal peace. This state of internal peace, or clarity, is a high level of achievement, yet it is only part of the journey.
The practice of Yjin-jing for the weak addresses conditions that lead to strengthening of spiritual power at a later point. Women find energy concepts easier to understand then men, as their experience of energetic activity is much stronger because of their high sensibility.
Once they understand the concept, they can begin forming conditions to control their jing energies.
Earth or basis formation - tendons
Consciousness formation
Power formation
Foundation formation, and change of emotional perception of the world
Work with rhythms
Control and management of yin organs, Tao Yin Change of energetic foundation of the body from yin to yang
Cultivation of the Immortal Embryo
At first glance it may seem that women undergo an additional cycle in their preparation for alchemical practice. However, this is not really true, as we have to understand the meaning of a «high quality of existence» as being separated by only one step, from liberation. This may either be a short or a long step, but it is only one step. This path is also recommended for men.
The female body is more unified internally, as her circulating energy is more disposed to contraction, than expansion. This process is influenced by the thyroid, mammary and sexual glands. The thyroid dictating rhythm to the thymus and the mammary glands. The sexual glands stimulate the brain’s reaction to the world around, as a pre-requisite for our emotional existence here.
Considering the fact that women’s energy is more unified, their body is subdivided into localised parts, with greater or lesser activity.
This means that their energy is not directed sequentially. As a result, their interest is often diverted to external aspects of knowledge rather than internal. This circumstance interferes with an earnest approach
to any practice, and makes magical practices and predictions attractive to them. Even though they pay a lot of attention to their body, internal development may not be the most important aspect of practice for them. From a Taoist viewpoint, a woman’s beauty is impoverished and short-lived, if it is not nurtured by the jing essence. This concept of inner beauty is an important factor of development according to
«Yijin-jing for the Weak».