Higher vehicle path (Taoism)

This path resembles that of the middle vehicle although its application is different. It involves about a dozen items and is the path of extending life. A superior practitioner, carrying it out consistently from beginning to end, can realize the way of immortals. Heaven is the cauldron, earth the furnace, sun the fire, moon is water, the mechanism of evolution is yin and yang. The five elements are lead, mercury, silver, sand and earth, essence the dragon, sense the tiger, thought the true seed. The firing process is refining thought with mind; the fire is nurtured through ceasing thought, stabilization is keeping brilliance to one's self. The battle in the field is conquering inner demons. The three essentials are body, mind and will. The mysterious pass is the heart of heaven. Completion of the elixir pill is sense coming back to essence. Bathing is being suffused with harmonious energy.

The highest of the three vehicles of the gradual method, superior to the nine grades of practices which are sidetracks and auxiliary methods.