Chinese Alchemy

Taoism, the Power of Gold, and the Quest for Immortality

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Taoism, Eastern Religions, New Age
Cover of the book Chinese Alchemy by Jean Cooper, Red Wheel Weiser
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Author: Jean Cooper ISBN: 9781609259822
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser Publication: June 1, 2016
Imprint: Weiser Books Language: English
Author: Jean Cooper
ISBN: 9781609259822
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
Publication: June 1, 2016
Imprint: Weiser Books
Language: English

Here in one slender volume is a basic introduction to Chinese alchemy—a tradition that dates back 5,000 years.

Chinese alchemy, largely associated with Taoism, has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years, but traditionally it goes back even further to nearly 3000 BC and the time of the Yellow Emperor. While Western alchemy was concerned with the search for spiritual and material gold, classic Taoist alchemy was a mystical quest for immortality with its aim being union with the Absolute.

Jean Cooper describes the history and development of Taoist alchemy, compares it to similar traditions in India and Turkistan, and gives it context by contrasting it with the rationale of the Western hermetic tradition. As she writes in her concluding chapter: The whole work of alchemy is summed up in the phrase "To make of the body a spirit and of the spirit a body". . . . The goal of the Taoist alchemist-mystic was transformation, or perhaps more correctly, transfiguration, of the whole body until it ceases to "be" and is absorbed into and becomes the Tao.

This is an essential guide for anyone interested in Chinese legend and lore, Chinese magic and medicine, and Taoism.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Here in one slender volume is a basic introduction to Chinese alchemy—a tradition that dates back 5,000 years.

Chinese alchemy, largely associated with Taoism, has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years, but traditionally it goes back even further to nearly 3000 BC and the time of the Yellow Emperor. While Western alchemy was concerned with the search for spiritual and material gold, classic Taoist alchemy was a mystical quest for immortality with its aim being union with the Absolute.

Jean Cooper describes the history and development of Taoist alchemy, compares it to similar traditions in India and Turkistan, and gives it context by contrasting it with the rationale of the Western hermetic tradition. As she writes in her concluding chapter: The whole work of alchemy is summed up in the phrase "To make of the body a spirit and of the spirit a body". . . . The goal of the Taoist alchemist-mystic was transformation, or perhaps more correctly, transfiguration, of the whole body until it ceases to "be" and is absorbed into and becomes the Tao.

This is an essential guide for anyone interested in Chinese legend and lore, Chinese magic and medicine, and Taoism.

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