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9781931483445

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In this book Livia Kohn provides an excellent and highly accessible translation of two major texts of internal alchemy. The Chuandao ji, which exprsses the fundamental tenets of of the whole of internal alchemy, explains the keys to understanding alchemical transmutations according to specific steps and methods that correspond to the mechanism of the universe and the processes of human life.The Lingbao bifa completes it, as it is written in a more symbolic language and outlines more practical details. The translations are preceded by Livia Kohn's remarkable discussion, describing with simplicity and clarity the major conceptions of cosmology, transmutations systems and key practices. Making the system accessible to all, the book remedies a major gap in our understanding of internal alchemy, opening access to previously unexamined materials. It is likely to become an essential study for anyone interested in the history of inner alchemy and for any practitioner in Taoism.--Catherine Despeux, INALCO, Paris Livia Kohn's book breaks new ground in presenting a state-of-the-art, full English translation of two influential classics of internal alchemy, with a thorough and insightful introduction. The latter draws amply upon the best primary sources, secondary scholarship, and testimony of contemporary practitioners. The book is a milestone in our understanding of this important tradition.--Stephen Eskildsen, International Christian University, Tokyo

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Livia Kohn, Ph.D., is professor emerita of Religion and East Asian Studies at Boston University. The author or editor of over 40 books, she now lives in Florida, serves as the executive editor of the Journal of Daoist Studies, and runs various workshops and conferences. Her specialty is medieval Daoism and the study of Chinese longevity practices. She has written and edited numerous books and is a long-term practitioner of taiji quan, qigong, yoga, and meditation.

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