The Taoist Alchemy of Wang Liping: Volume One

Don't look any further. You found what you are looking for! Twenty years ago I read the book "Opening the Dragon Gate" which is the authorized biography of Nathan Brine's teacher, Wang Liping. After reading that book I felt a depression come over me. I thought to myself I will never be able to learn any of Master Liping's teachings. He is too far off, language would be a barrier, and the level of training required to practice the Dragon Gate method of alchemy overwhelming. Twenty years later Mr Nathan Brine did all the work that was impossible for me to do. Anyone who knows anything about Taoism has read books such as The Secret of the Golden Flower and other books about the Complete Reality Schools of thought. The teachings are dense and veiled in esoteric impenetrable language that requires a teacher to unlock. This information can only be transmitted from Master to disciple.Anyone starting out on the path will have to tirelessly search for an instructor and read hundreds of books to grasp the cosmic implications of these methods. This book will unlock those mysteries. Now here is the problem. Americans think they know everything and they think the more complicated the meditation the bigger the end result will be. They don't want to build the foundation of the practice and skip just about every vital step to lay the groundwork for more advanced practices. Then run around in circles in their minds. They have been glammored by charlatans who promise cosmic awakening. Anyone who knows knows that those promises will get an honest seeker nowhere. The simplicity and eloquence in which Mr Brine presents these techniques will be wasted on readers looking for immediate grandiose results (self gratification which is an illusion). There is no fast and easy way for obtaining the Way. These teaching are genuinely transmitted from a living Master. It takes a lifetime, no many lifetimes, to master these meditations. I am hoping that I might possible be able to achieve the techniques taught in this manual within the next twenty years. Knowing the depth in which these techniques can lead a person, for me at least, feels overwhelming. Nathan Brine has achieved a monumental goal for Westerners who want to train in authentic Complete Reality School meditation, indeed those who wish to open the dragon gate. Oh he also offers these techniques online so I would recommend checking that out. I am planning to.

This is the book that we have been waiting for. Anyone interested in Wang Liping's system of Taoist Alchemy (or even just Taoism in general) should order this gem and keep an eye out for future volumes. This book is excellent and is truly a gift for both practitioners and those who are just curious.In the author we have a dedicated practitioner of Wang Liping's system who not only has years of experience in personal practice, retreats and in teaching the system, but who has also studied Taoism and Chinese language academically. Combined with a knack for teaching and explaining things in an easy-to-grasp manner, Nathan Brine has created a truly exceptional book.The book takes a multi-dimensional approach of combining personal experience along with theory and lots of practical information and instructions for practice. Illustrations, diagrams, and boxes explaining key concepts are sprinkled throughout making the content very approachable and enjoyable to read through. The book has a great glossary and outlines of the systems of practice in the back. Many of the terminology throughout the book are written along with their original Chinese names (with both pinyin and the Chinese characters) which adds clarity and the opportunity for further learning for those reading.Giving this one 5 stars was an easy choice!

This is the first book I’ve read on anything Daoist that you can practice with and use to achieve one of the first basic goals that seems to be prevalent across the few available legit traditions. It’s pre-school for sure, (coming from a longtime “pre-school” student in another tradition or two) but that is more than most schools that call themselves Daoist can actually offer. It is a really, really tough thing to accomplish. As a bonus, there is great theory, personal experience, and the first real clarity on this school written or otherwise explained publicly in English.Many thanks and much respect to the author, who has clearly walked a long road, for what one can now begin to learn from his book.This humble little book may be the most important thing written in English, depending on what your goals are.

This is written by an authentic student and diligent practitioner of Wang Liping's methods. It is clear, down-to-earth, and a fun read as well. Regardless of whether you are a regular student of Wang's, an aspiring one, or something else-- you will find deep value in this text AND its practices.Nathan is a direct, long-term student of Wang, and completely fluent in Chinese, including the technical language sometimes required for a deep meditation practice. (An example of this would be tianmu-- which means something very specific in Wang's meditation practices.)Nathan's cultural understanding and personally high level of kungfu is obvious in this work. I deeply look forward to studying and working with the material of this volume more...and of course vol. 2 sometime in the future!

Wow!What an amazing book!This is a detailed and clear account of the beginning stages of neidan, which is very rare on its own.Nathan has done an amazing job of taking something that historically is intentionally obfuscated, and brought the teachings to the west in a way that is clear, concise, and easy to read as well as understand.It is also entertaining! Must read for those interested in Long men pai as taught under Master Wang Li Ping.

Clear instructions for a unique meditation practice

This is by far the most accessible text on neidan I’ve ever read. It’s clearly written and thorough. I can’t wait to see what’s in his next book but I have a feeling I’ll be working on this material for some time.

Super pour la mise à disposition de la pratique de la cultivation. Ce qui est bizarre, c'est que tout est là, mais on dirait que l'auteur n'a pas compris le but de sa pratique et ne fait que répéter ce qu'il a appris. C'est une impression, parce que je pense qu'il a bien compris. Certains exercices de base ne sont pas très clairs et c'est un peu fouillis. Au vue des exercices à pratiquer, il est facile de comprendre de quoi il en retourne, et il aurait été judicieux d'expliquer exactement en quoi consiste le neidan puis donner les exercices ensuite qui préparent à ce travail. Il y a des tas d'exercices, beaucoup trop à mon goût qui servent plus ou moins le même objectif : reporter son attention sur le corps (l'intérieur du corps), apprendre à la déplacer dans le corps (yinian), prendre conscience de l'espace dans lequel va se pratiquer l'alchimie et former le chaudron en calmant l'esprit. Puis arrive le Kan and Li, qui est le début de la pratique pour laquelle les exercices de bases ont été pratiqués, qui a pour but de faire passer le feu du coeur sous l'eau des reins. Reste à savoir ce qu'il va être fait cette énergie transmutée, semble t'il. Je pense que j'en apprendrais plus dans le second ouvrage.Je préfère travailler sur les exercices de base en pratiquant le Kan and Li directement, cela me paraît bcp plus pragmatique, surtout que je ne tiens pas plus d'une heure assis, ce qui veut dire qu'une fois les exercices pratiqués, je n'ai plus de temps pour pratiquer l'assise silencieuse.L'avantage de ces livres est qu'ils permettent de comprendre le travail alchimique effectué avec des exercices pratiques, et ça c'est super, et son but qui est le retour à l'origine.Dommage que tout le processus ne soit pas décrit dès le départ.

I purchased this book in December 2022 and went through it. Nathan has written a proper manual for alchemy practice. I have been gradually beginning to practice the initial breathing exercises and I find even a little bit of my practice to be surprisingly rewarding and result giving. ( I was imagining it would take me perhaps months before I see some results.) So, whether these quick results I am seeing are due to some blessing and power of Wang Liping lineage behind the book, OR it's the technique itself which is powerful, OR some other reason - I do not know. But the feeling I am getting is that this is the real deal. The techniques and explanations given by Nathan are to the point, clear and confusion free. I have decided to go ahead with the full practice in part 1 and have placed an order for the part 2 of this book also. Highly recommended for serious Taoist alchemy practitioners!! Even if you are learning elsewhere, knowledge in this book is going to surely supplement your understanding and practice in a good way.

I’ve been looking for something like this for years. Clear concise layout and instructions for this venerable form of self cultivation and practice. The online course is well worth the money as well.

Me gusta porque da instrucciones claras sobre cómo hacer uno de los elixires internos. Esto es algo que nunca había leído en ningún otro libro.

Author and practitioner Nathan Brine presents here the basics of Daoist meditation and alchemical practice.He does so from personal experience of training with Wang Liping, and shares generously much detailed knowledge and advice that up until recently would have been closely guarded, esoteric “inner door” information.As such what you get here is a highly practical and illuminating guide rather than a dry, scholarly description of the Dragon Gate Lineage.Particularly fascinating are the two sections in which Nathan vividly describes his inner journey through various retreats and intense extended sessions.His descriptions of various feelings and markers of progress are immensely helpful in the jungle of obscure metaphor and vagueness that tends to typify Daoist writings.Nathan’s genuine desire to pass on his love of Daoist practices shines through in this highly readable and enthusiastic guide.I’d recommend this book, along with his online material, to anyone with a nascent interest or even existing experience in Nei Dan.