Human Development
Ch'i-hou
Description:
The "five periods and seven time spans" - [wu-shih ch'i-hou] - refer to the stages of the follower of the meditative path of Taoism. The seven time spans - [ch'i-hou] - follow on from the five periods constituting calming the mind - [wu-shih]. They are very closely paralleled by the seven stages through which reality is cultivated in [nei-tan] (inner alchemy) during the alchemical firing process aimed at restoring the self.(i) As the [Tao] is realized all cares, desires and sadness fall away; this is related to the alchemical process of refining the self. (ii) With the tranquil mind and supple body of a child, the follower has attained supernatural powers; this is related to the alchemical process of recognition of the true mind. (iii) Life is extended so the follower is on the level of the immortals; this is related to the alchemical process of restoration of celestial awareness. (iv) Purifying the body and perfecting [ch'i] - vital energy - the practitioner reaches the state of true man - [chen-jen]; this is related to the alchemical process of assembling the five elements. (v) Now [ch'i] is purified and [shen] (the mind or spirit) is perfected - the practitioner reaches the state of true saint - [shen-jen]; this is related to the alchemical process of merging [yin] and [yang] - formation of the golden elixir. (vi) As [shen] is purified it comes into balance and harmony with all forms; there is no duality - the practitioner reaches the state the perfected human being; this is related to the alchemical process of unification of energy - formation of the spiritual embryo. (vii) having reached the ultimate in the practice of [Tao] there is no more motive in activity, all is spontaneous and free, with no bondage to particular rules or practices; this is related to the alchemical process of transcending the world - incubation of the spiritual embryo.