Page 322 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

CH US HEN

Fig. 26. Egress of the Spirit (chushen). *Xingmingguizhi '/'t11'P~ §'
(Principles of Balanced Cultivation of Inner Nature and Vital Force).

by the expression 'beyond the body there is another body" (shenwai you shen
:!1t )'~ ~ :!1t), signifying that a spiritual body is born from the material body that
is no longer related to the aggregation of the Five Agents (*wuxing). Released
from transmigration, this body is one with the Dao, is equal to space, and has
the same life span as Heaven and Earth.
The departure of the Spirit from the body is attested by the opening of the
sinciput (tianmen 7( ~~, the Gate of Heaven), from which the Spirit egresses
(see fig. 26). Neidan texts often describe this experience as heralded by the
appearance of a circle of light, ambrosial fragrances, and sounds resembling
the rumble of thunder. This ultimate accomplishment, in which all effort
ceases and the Spirit engages in ecstatic flights (shenyou :f$:im:), should not be
confused with the egress of the Yin Spirit (chuyinshen t±\ ~:f$) . In the latter
instance, the Spirit leaves the body but has not yet been entirely sublimated.
This inferior practice is regarded as equivalent to a transfer into a corpse or