Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven Jing–Qi–Shen
Excerpt from an original article by Grandmaster Zhang
Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven Jing–Qi–Shen
The division of Jīng-Qì-Shén (精气神, Essence-Qi-Spirit) into Pre-Heaven (xiāntiān, 先天) and Post-Heaven (hòutiān, 后天) categories is an important contribution of Internal Alchemy (nèidānxué, 内丹学).
Post-Heaven Essence refers to the essence derived from sexual intercourse—namely blood, body fluids, and other liquids such as saliva and secretions.
Post-Heaven Qi refers to the Qi of respiration, including zōngqì (宗气, ancestral Qi), gǔqì (谷气, grain Qi), yíngqì (营气, nutritive Qi), and wèiqì (卫气, defensive Qi).
Post-Heaven Spirit refers to the spirit of thought and emotion—the scattered, restless mind—also called shíshén (识神, cognitive or perceptive spirit).
The Limits of Post-Heaven Cultivation
All forms belonging to the Post-Heaven Jīng-Qì-Shén are considered “yīnzhā” (阴渣, turbid yin residues) and cannot serve as the raw materials for high-level cultivation.
The Foundation of High-Level Cultivation
The raw materials for high-level cultivation must be the Pre-Heaven Jīng-Qì-Shén, that is, Original Essence, Original Qi, and Original Spirit.
High-level cultivation refines the Pre-Heaven Jīng-Qì-Shén, yet its starting point lies in nourishing the Pre-Heaven through the Post-Heaven.
Within the human body, both Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven forms of Jīng-Qì-Shén coexist.
Only by regulating and harmonizing the Post-Heaven aspect can one restore the original state of the Pre-Heaven, ultimately leading to the formation of the Dao embryo, the birth of the Dao infant, and the emergence of the Spirit.