Cheshire Cat

You might want to start with something backed up with some "science" at the beginning. There should be some clinical evidences of the benefits of Zhan Zhuang if you're willing to do some research.

I have heard that there's a cult centered around this type of meditation practice. https://youtu.be/JraSg2its7w

Ok, I have the impression that you have reached very profound levels with meditation. I regret that this language barrier exists, but we can try to overcome it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Why it's called the "immortal stage"? Is it a reference to the vision of an immortal sage or is it a spiritual realization linked to eternal life?

I think it would be interesting to hear your opinion.

What do you mean?

I believe that there's a natural rythm in brain functioning. It reflects a certain regularity and a synchronization of both hemispheres. When rhythmic thinking is present, there's the experience of effortless internal silence. When a thought is introduced, that thought is amplified and can even be transmitted telepathically. Internal lights respond to rhythmic thinking, that is to cultivate Sati (mindfulness, awareness) on a dharma that has a rythm in it. For example, in an out breath. Or it can be movement that has a regularity, like swaying... or even a mantra.

I'm not into qigong, neigong, neidan, etc... but I recently found this website https://warriorneigong.com/ which offers various online courses. It might be what you're looking for.

I believe that the main element that leads to the experience of light is the stabilization of a natural rhythm in thoughts. Sometimes, this is present in an innate way and it is therefore sufficient to follow the changes in the body. But if a person does not have this rhythm of thoughts, he will never be able to see the light using this method in my opinion. For this reason, the Buddha taught to cultivate Sati, awareness on the basis of dharmas that alternate rythmically (in and out breath, for example).

Thank you I was interested in the references to seeing lights with eyes closed during meditation. Some Theravada meditation traditions describe the appearance of an inner light which is described as Nimitta. But at the moment I can't remember. which teacher talks about this

I would say that constant attention to qi sensations can be harmful in the long term. As for internal lights, I would say the opposite. The buddha advice to his students was to understand the impermanence of all things to live free without attachments. While light is spontaneous and doesn't require an effort to be seen... on the contrary, qi sensations are cultivated on the basis of a subtle mental (and physical) effort aimed at intensifying them.

is there anyone who could translate? this topic is very interesting

I was being ironic. Fox tail, tortoise neck, black pearl... what's the use of expedient names? There are those who like secrecy and never talk about their methods and there are those who are very open, sharing everything they know. It's fine. There are sound reasons for them all. But then, there are those who talk about their method, but deliberately making it impossible to understand by the use of metaphors, codenames and omissions. This is done for the sole purpose of demonstrating one's knowledge to others who already know. That's why I think daoist alchemy is not meant for me. But I have an interest in spiritual cultivation and that could be discussed plainly in simple terms.

At some point, we should discuss the Fox Tail and the Tortoise Neck as well.

The brain can fabricate many different states, including the feeling of being one with everything. Why should any particular state of consciousness be the fundamental nature of reality?

What if "non-duality" is nothing more than a philosophical thesis? Who knows?

Yes, I've heard many extraordinary claims. But not only qigong and neigong schools: there are many methods around. Sometimes it's possible to get a minor accomplishment like curing a minor illness or psychic powers, but it always comes with a price in terms of physical and mental health, in my experience. I tend to be very skeptic.

I don't understand daoist alchemy, its methods and its purpose. Nobody could even describe why would anyone practice it.... except from those who talk about ethereal dreams of a spiritual immortality. I can produce what's termed here Black Liver and various light visions, but I think there's nothing special to it.

I have the impression that when Neidan is talked about, there's always more fiction than facts.

Which version of the text are you referring to ? from http://thesecretofthegoldenflower.com/esposito.html [...] So far I discovered at least seven editions of this text, among them a rare one at the Otani University Library in Kyoto. The text is a product of spirit-writing seances. Each Daoist lineage and tradition which engaged in its compilation left its marks. Through comparison of prefaces, notes, and the thirteen chapters of the Golden Flower in its different editions, relevant variants as well as omissions become apparent. The Longmen, an important Daoist tradition which during the Qing dynasty was charged with transmitting public ordinations, used this text not only as basis for its alchemical doctrine but also for establishing its spiritual power of transmitting ordinations among its followers. In order to assert themselves as the holders of the original version and by virtue of being the unique recipients of the true transmission, the Longmen masters from Mount Jin’gai (Zhejiang) modified and edited the Golden Flower according to their own criteria. Through analysis of its various versions and study of the textual inconsistencies in the Longmen’s claim to legitimacy, we can shed light on Qing Daoism and on the struggles among the Daoist traditions which claimed to have the orthodox transmission of such text.

I have the impression that this portion of the text could be literal. http://thesecretofthegoldenflower.com/ch6.html 6. 现在证验，可考有三；一则坐去，神入谷中，闻人说话，如隔里许，一一明了，而声入皆如谷中答响，未尝不闻，我未尝一闻，此为神在谷中，随时可以自验； 7. 一则静中，目光腾腾，满前皆白，如在云中，开眼觅身，无从觅视，此为虚室生白，内外通明，吉祥止止也。 8. 一则静中，肉身絪縕，如绵如玉，坐中若留不住，而腾腾上浮，此为神归顶天，久之上升可以立待。 6. Now there are three signs of verification that can be tested. The first is that, when one has entered the state of meditation, it is like one`s spirit is in a valley. When one hears someone else talking, it is as if one hears it from about half a kilometer away, yet clearly. It sounds like an echo in a valley. One definitely hears it and yet it is not oneself that hears it. This is the state of the spirit in the valley. One can verify this at any time. 7. At times the following can be experienced: in the state of quietness, one`s vision becomes hazy, because of too much brightness. It`s like opening one’s eyes while being in a cloud and one doesn`t see one`s body any more. This is called: the empty chamber produces white (light). Inside and outside, are permeated with light. This is a very favorable sign. 8. The third experience is when in the state of quietness, the energy of the physical body becomes soft and pure like silk or jade. It feels as though one is floating upward and cannot stay sitting. This is the spirit returning to heaven above. Eventually, after a long time, one is able to ascend there.

太乙金華宗旨 "The secret of the golden flower" There are -at least- three translations of three different versions of the text. The one from Thomas Cleary talks about internal lights and other meditation experiences described in this thread.

Thank you for your kind words

The halo doesn't turn into a circle. It's more like there's a black circle with the withish halo around it. I can hear voices and the body has a sense of presence. I never lost the perception of having a body in meditation.

I practiced many meditation methods and I was able to perceive lights. I'm not sure if we're talking about the same phenomena. The light starts whitish/blue/purple (depending on the intensity), then it turns green and red. Then it becomes pitch black and a withish halo remains. Sometimes it's possible to perceive things with eyes closed. At any point, it can start whirling, especially if a rythmic element is present in the meditation. But today, I tend to practice with eyes open in an attempt to cure myopia, therefore generally I don't see lights.