Welcome to the Taoist-Lifestyle Blog! Learn to blend ancient practices with contemporary living. Engage with nature, improve your well-being, and delve into Martial Arts and Alchemical work for a balanced and fulfilling life. Join us on this transformative journey!

What do you truly need to begin the path of Taoist internal alchemy? In this new issue of Golden Cinnabar Letters, Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen reflects on the “bear necessities” of Neidan practice—drawing from both classical tradition and personal experience. From finding the right teacher to creating the right conditions, this article explores what is essential for a meaningful and successful journey.

“Understanding both life and death is key to getting rid of fear. Once you understand what death really is, there’s no need to be frightened. And so, you need to die to ‘understand’ it. You may think now that it is impossible to understand anything once you’re dead. You’re right. Understanding death does mean that death is the end of your life, of you, of your thoughts and feelings. Yet it’s the beginning of something else. And there are different ways to experience death. So

What do jing, qi, and shen really mean in practice? Beyond simplified translations, this article explores the complexity of Taoist internal alchemy and the challenges of interpreting its language, offering a practical perspective on theory, experience, and transformation.

Internal Alchemy cannot be learned from books alone, nor reduced to techniques or sensations. Drawing on personal experience and classical context, Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen explores why Neidan is so often misunderstood—and what is required for practice to unfold safely and authentically.

Do you practice qigong? Do you think your qigong practice is neidan?¹ It is important to understand the difference between qigong and neidan. Neidan is internal alchemy, a very intense practice transmitted by traditional teachers in traditional ways. It is embedded in culture, e.g. Taoist culture, and is a multifaceted practice, connected with almost all facets of Chinese culture (medicine and health practices, martial arts, meditation, ethics, philosophy and religion, etc.).

I’ll let you in on a secret: if it’s Chinese and it’s ancient, it’s never simple. Chinese culture is a hug e and complicated thing, in which everything is interconnected. And so, the answer to the question “What is Neidan (Internal Alchemy)?” needs more than a few words.