Qigong vs. Internal Alchemy

What is the difference between qigong and internal alchemy (neidan)?

I have noticed over the last few years that almost everyone who comes to learn Taoist alchemy is not starting cold. They have a background in some other practice, such as qigong, internal martial arts, or meditation. This is a good thing. Neidan requires a certain foundation to get very far with. Qigong and internal martial arts such as tai chi work well to prepare a student for the advanced energy work of neidan. But qigong and neidan are different, and understanding how to shift gears between the two arts helps if we want to get anywhere with Taoist alchemy.

Qigong is a modern term for a wide range of Chinese energy practices. Generally these practices build and circulate the post-heaven qi of the body. This is a good thing. Learning to tune into our energy body is a precious gift. We are more than our physical bodies, and qigong can be a wonderful introduction to our subtle nature. Qigong is also great for health and wellbeing. Again, great stuff!

Neidan is about energetic transformation. Let me say that one more time: energetic transformation. Changing our qi. My sense is that terms like internal alchemy and energetic transformation are bandied about so easily these days that they have lost some of their edge. Neidan is about literally changing the frequency of our energy body.

From the outside, one of the biggest differences between qigong and neidan is posture. More often than not, qigong is done standing or moving, while neidan is done sitting. In neidan we sit on a cushion or the ground with our legs crossed to lock the qi inside the torso. Sitting also lets us enter degrees of stillness that are not possible when standing or moving.

Stillness is vital for neidan practice. Without stillness and the ability to bring our awareness inside the torso (not onto the torso, but inside it), we cannot tune into the movement of our jing energy. Learning to feel our jing energy is the first major benchmark in neidan practice. Learning to refine and change it is the second. This is easiest to do sitting.

I have also found that qigong often does not include shen work. Shen literally means spirit and is a high-frequency form of energy associated with our consciousness. In neidan practice we often work directly with our shen to get things done. This kind of practice is sometimes even called shengong, as opposed to qigong or neigong.

Another difference I have found is that qigong is generally quite pleasant to practice. I remember studying qigong with Feng Zhiqiang in Beijing. Every morning his group would meet in the park and do an hour of qigong followed by three hours of tai chi. Doing this seven days a week for months on end really got the qi flowing. My whole body would become infused with a wonderful warm, fuzzy feeling. I would return home feeling clean and refreshed. Sure, my legs would be a little sore from all the standing work and tai chi, but in general the experience was pleasant.

Neidan is a bit different. Energetic transformation is hard. It is uncomfortable and even downright painful at times. Neidan requires us to sit cross-legged for prolonged periods of time to hold the qi and allow it to change. It is hard, but the gains are great. The amount of change I have gone through since learning with Wang Liping is incredible. But the training is not for everyone. The Chinese talk about eating bitter to taste sweet. Bitter here means working hard, and Taoist alchemy is at times a bitter practice.

The nice thing is that qigong and neidan are complementary. They work well together. My students who come from a qigong background get neidan faster because they already feel qi. The main issue for these students then becomes how to take their experience of qi to the next level.