1.天鼎（Tiān Dǐng）--天炉（极星）
天鼎-极星（Tiān Dǐng）代表着与宇宙和神圣本质的联系。这个大锅与北极星（极星）对齐，象征着所有星座围绕其旋转的中心枢纽。它体现了每个独立星座神话中的原型故事和仪式，这些故事和仪式定义了人类的存在，类似于车轮的轮毂，轮辋和轮辐代表了生命中相互关联的经历。
2. 土星鼎 (Tǔxīng Dǐng) - Saturn Cauldron
The Tǔxīng Dǐng (Saturn Cauldron) symbolises discipline, boundaries, and transformation. This cauldron refines the denser energies of our solar system, embodying the higher or deified aspects of self, manifesting as planetary orbs that orbit the sun.
3. 神鼎 (Shén Dǐng) - Spiritual Cauldron (Energy Body)
The Shén Dǐng (Spiritual Cauldron - Energy Body) Represents the transformation of the physical self into a refined spiritual form. This cauldron acts as a bridge, preparing the practitioner for spiritual evolution and connection with all existence.
4. 水晶宫鼎 (Shuǐjīng Gōng Dǐng) - Crystal Palace Cauldron (Thalamus)
The Shuǐjīng Gōng Dǐng (Crystal Palace Cauldron - Thalamus) is located in the upper dantian (Tan Tien). This cauldron governs the senses, merging light, sound, taste, and smell into a unique alchemical blend. It includes two sub-cauldrons:
a) 鼻尖鼎 (Bí Jiān Dǐng) - Tip of the Nose Cauldron: Focuses on breath and sensory awareness. By concentrating on the nose's tip and engaging in a "kiss of the divine," (along with pouting of the lips) this cauldron deepens the practitioner's intimate connection to the immaterial.
b) 天眼鼎 (Tiān Yǎn Dǐng) - Heavenly Eye Cauldron (Third Eye): Activates the Yin Tang (third eye) for intuition, insight, and spiritual vision. This is often the site of ecstatic flight and the final union.
5. 中丹田鼎 (Zhōng Dāntián Dǐng) - Middle Dantian Cauldron (Heart Cauldron)
The Zhōng Dāntián Dǐng (Middle Dantian Cauldron - Heart) is located at the heart centre. This cauldron is the seat of compassion, emotional harmony, and spiritual consciousness. It is home to the Shen (commanding spirit), capable of reaching beyond intellect and visceral awareness to connect with all things.
6. 太阳丹田鼎 (Tàiyáng Dāntián Dǐng) - Solar Plexus Cauldron
The Tàiyáng Dāntián Dǐng (Solar Plexus Cauldron). This cauldron governs personal power, will, and transformation. It refines the solar system’s energies and their deified attributes.
7. 下丹田鼎 (Xià Dāntián Dǐng) - Lower Dantian Cauldron
The Xià Dāntián Dǐng (Lower Dantian Cauldron) is the foundational energy centre. It is located between the navel and the Ming Men (lumbar vertebrae 2/3). It integrates sexual and visceral intelligence, where the following spirits and souls merge under the guidance of the Heart Spirit (Shen - 神):
• Kidney spirit (Zhi - 志): Represents willpower and determination.
• Spleen spirit (Yi - 意): Symbolises intention and thoughtfulness.
• Liver soul (Hun - 魂): Embodies the ethereal soul and creative energy.
• Lung soul (Po - 魄): Represents the corporeal soul tied to the physical body.
8. 地鼎 (Dì Dǐng) - Earthly Cauldron
The Dì Dǐng (Earthly Cauldron) represents the connection to Earth's energy. It stabilises the practitioner’s relationship with the physical world, the five elements, and the collective spirits of all sentient beings. This cauldron connects to Gaia, the Earth Mother, symbolising the union of all life.
9. 南极鼎 (Nánjí Dǐng) - Southern Pole Star Cauldron (Sigma Octans)
The Nánjí Dǐng (Southern Pole Star Cauldron - Sigma Octans) Aligned with the Southern Pole Star, this cauldron integrates celestial wisdom from the southern skies, balancing cosmic and earthly energies. For practitioners in the Southern Hemisphere, it represents True Yang, while Polaris embodies True Yin, and vice versa for those in the north.
九鼎合为一体
The nine cauldrons merge into one, expanding to encompass the universe. To "find the one," the practitioner must engage in a union with orgasm, love and philosophy, to connect with all things. This awareness dissolves into nothingness, transcending dualities and returning to the primordial state before the Big Bang or fetal/infant self-awareness.
In this state, yin and yang harmonise in a loving unity, where beauty (ultimate yin) and love (highest yang) merge. Breath, movement, and energy disappear as the practitioner enters the divine union, which collapses into nothingness.
虚无之谜
这种虚无的表现形式无法用语言来描述，比如
1.金色花矩阵：跨越时空的无限图案--一朵花的图案与无数朵花的图案具有同等意识。
2.一条流动的河流：一条令人着迷的溪流，湮没了所有的思想和感知。练习者可以专注于最小的光点，但在大河中，一个光点和无数个光点是相同的。
3.在爱的恍惚中，被美所征服：
修行者被引诱进入虚无的境界--那里没有影子，没有回声，没有自我意识。仿佛陶醉就在虚无的边缘，爱与美萦绕在修行者的周身。
锅炉的形状和大小没有明确的定义，根据作者、流派和时代的不同而有不同的描述。炼金术的练习说明也会因人而异。不过，炼丹实践的原则和目的具有可比性，描述了道教自我修炼的相同方向和意图。其中没有提到通往特定目标的必经之路，而是以个人的独特能力为载体，随个人实现的潮流而流动。
安德鲁-扬博士 - 2024 年 12 月
神魂颠倒与天人合一--道家之道之旅》--摘自Mantak Chia 和安德鲁-杨即将出版的新书