As Qigong practice deepens, attention shifts more and more from the external form to the internal content (neidan). The body already knows the movements, breathing becomes natural and the practitioner begins to touch the core of the art: the subtle transformation of energy and consciousness. <\/span><\/p>\n We will explore what it means to practice Qigong at an advanced level, with special emphasis on cultivating Shen, the internal refining for integration with the Tao.<\/span><\/p>\n Before going into specific practices, it’s important to recognize the three main areas of internal Qigong:<\/span><\/p>\n In the advanced path of Qigong, working with the <\/span>Yi<\/b> – conscious intention – becomes a subtle and powerful key. The ordinary mind, often scattered, jumps from thought to thought, fueled by emotions and external stimuli. But when one enters a state of deep practice, the practitioner learns to rest in one <\/span>state of clear presence<\/b>where the Yi acts as a guide for the Qi, without effort.<\/span><\/p>\n In Chinese they say: <\/span>“Yi dao, Qi dao”<\/b> – <\/span>where intention goes, Qi goes<\/span><\/i>. This means that the energy flow in the body is literally led by the focus of the mind. When we cultivate a <\/span>Yi serene but precise<\/b>It’s as if we were giving silent orders to our energy system, which responds immediately and faithfully.<\/span><\/p>\n Working with Yi is not the same as imagining or visualizing in a forced way. \u00c9 <\/span>be present with clarity and depth<\/b>. When our feet are on the ground, our spine is aligned and our heart is calm, intention flows naturally, like water guided by invisible channels.<\/span><\/p>\n In practice, this can mean<\/span><\/p>\n Over time, Yi matures. It stops being a mental force and becomes a quality of the <\/span>Shen<\/b> – clear, compassionate, empty and luminous. And this is where the practice of Qigong changes from an energetic exercise to a spiritual path. <\/span><\/p>\n Refining Jing (essence), Qi (energy) and Shen (spirit)<\/b><\/p>\n At the heart of the Taoist tradition, especially in its highest practices, is the <\/span>Neidan<\/b> – internal alchemy. Unlike external alchemy, which sought to transform metals into gold, internal alchemy is the process of <\/span>profound transformation of being<\/b>where the body, energy and mind are cultivated until they unite with the Tao.<\/span><\/p>\n In advanced Qigong practice, <\/span>Neidan<\/b> is much more than a philosophical concept: it is a <\/span>direct experience<\/b> of refinement and integration. This process is based on three fundamental levels, which are at the same time substances, states and phases of the journey: <\/span><\/p>\n “Start with the essence, transform it into breath, breath becomes spirit, and spirit returns to the Void.” Zhang Boduan <\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n O <\/span>Jing<\/b> is the body’s densest and most precious vital substance. It is associated with the physical body, genetics, sexual vitality, the endocrine system and the reserve of life stored in the kidneys. <\/span> Over time, the Jing subtly transforms into <\/span>Qi<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n O <\/span>Qi<\/b> is the movement, the vital breath, the invisible current that animates all of life’s processes. Once the Jing is stabilized and purified, the energy begins to <\/span>to flow more powerfully and clearly<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Qigong at this stage can include:<\/span><\/p>\n The purified Qi, in turn, begins to <\/span>nourish and transform Shen<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n O <\/span>Shen<\/b> is the conscious spirit, the inner light that observes and gives meaning to experience. It is the most subtle and elevated aspect of the human being. When Qi is pure and stable, Shen can <\/span>emerge clearly, like a mirror without dust<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n In this phase of internal alchemy:<\/span><\/p>\n Neidan is not just an energetic practice; it is a <\/span>path back to the Source<\/b>. Through discipline, internal listening and serene dedication, the practitioner is transformed from within. They become more stable, more subtle, more united with Heaven and Earth. <\/span><\/p>\n He no longer acts only with the body, but with the spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n At the deepest heart of advanced Qigong and Internal Alchemy is the <\/span>integration with the Tao<\/b> – the return to the origin, to the spontaneous harmony that permeates all things.<\/span><\/p>\n In the initial phase of practice, we cultivate the body (Jing), refine the breath and energy field (Qi), and serenade the mind and spirit (Shen). However, behind all these layers, there is an invisible thread that connects everything: the Tao – <\/span>the natural, mysterious and all-encompassing flow of Life<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Integrating with the Tao is more than achieving a state of health or peace: it is <\/span>living in tune with the invisible order of the universe<\/b>A state of deep trust and spontaneous action. It’s to stop fighting, without falling into inertia. It’s letting go of control, without abandoning clarity. Then comes <\/span>Wuwei <\/b>– o <\/span>non-doing that does everything<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n “The wise act without acting, teach without words. Everything flourishes without his control.”<\/b> Wuwei<\/b> does not mean passivity, but rather <\/span>absence of egoic effort<\/b>. The action comes naturally, like a bamboo that bends in the wind without resisting, or like water that goes around obstacles without losing its way. When the practice reaches this level, Qigong ceases to be a sequence of movements and becomes a <\/span>state of being<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n The body moves without the mind having to order it.<\/span> When the ego dissolves – even for a moment – the practice becomes a prayer without words, a silent return to the source. At this level, <\/span>Qigong is inseparable from the Tao<\/b>And everything aligns: the breath, the gesture, the emotion and the intention. It’s no longer us practicing: <\/span>is the Tao that breathes through everyone<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n We stop just “doing” exercises and start “being” the practice itself. These internal practices don’t just serve to cultivate energy – they transform the body, refine the mind and pave the way for a return to the Source. Here, Shen begins to shine. <\/span><\/p>\n Let’s now give a short introduction to some of the practices that are considered to be the most advanced in IT.<\/span><\/p>\n The practice of standing still like a living mountain.<\/span> Here, time is diluted.<\/span> The aim is not to endure pain, but to transform the mind.<\/span> Our intention and attention rest on the lower dantian, so that it cleanses itself, collects vital energy and begins to heat up.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s not about breathing more… but less.<\/span> The practitioner takes the subtle breath to the Lower Dantian and learns to rest in that center.<\/span> Here, the Qi begins to circulate through you.<\/span> In the dark interior of the being, a light can be turned on.<\/span>1. General Approach to Advanced Qigong<\/span><\/h4>\n
Working with Yi: Clear intention directs Qi<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Neidan – Inner Alchemy<\/span><\/h4>\n
1. jing – the essence<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span> At Neidan, the first step is to <\/span>preserve and refine the Jing<\/b>. That means:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
2. Qi – Energy<\/span><\/h4>\n
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3. Shen – The Spirit<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\n<\/span>“Refine the Jing to transform it into Qi, refine the Qi to transform it into Shen, refine the Shen to return to the Void (Xu).”<\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Integration with the Tao: returning to the flow<\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/b> – <\/span>Dao De Jing, Chap. 2<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nSo what is Wuwei?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>Breathing adjusts to what is present.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Energy flows because there is no longer an inner blockage.<\/span><\/p>\nHow to cultivate this integration<\/b><\/h3>\n
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The Tao manifests itself when the practitioner disappears<\/b><\/h3>\n
Advanced Internal Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n
Zhan Zhuang in depth<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>You stay there for 20 to 40 minutes, with your eyes closed or half closed, with your body aligned and relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Subtle listening emerges: micro vibrations, small spontaneous adjustments in the body, the internal pulsing of the meridians.<\/span>
\n<\/span>At first, there may be discomfort or resistance. Over time, you enter a pure presence, where the mind becomes silent and the body becomes a living channel. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Zhan Zhuang is a gateway to Wuji – the primordial state of dynamic stillness.<\/span><\/p>\nEmbryonic Breathing (Tai Xi)<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>Embryonic breathing is a forgotten art – a return to the breathing of the fetus in the womb, where the breath is neither pulled in nor expelled with force.<\/span>
\n<\/span>It’s like an internal breeze that comes and goes by itself.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Over time, the breathing cycle slows down until it becomes imperceptible: the state of <\/span>Fei Xi<\/span><\/i> (\u975e\u606f) – non-breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The mind rests.<\/span>
\n<\/span>The body regenerates in silence.<\/span><\/p>\nInner Light (Nei Guang Qi Gong)<\/b><\/h4>\n