Chinese Alchemy: Taoism, the Power of Gold, and the Quest for Immortality

by J.C. Cooper

Here in one slender volume is a basic introduction to Chinese alchemy--a tradition that dates back 5,000 years. Chinese alchemy, largely associated with Taoism, has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years, but traditionally it goes back even further to nearly 3000 BC and the time of the Yellow Emperor. While Western alchemy was concerned with the search for spiritual and material gold, classic Taoist alchemy was a mystical quest for immortality with its aim being union with the Absolute. Jean Cooper describes the history and development of Taoist alchemy, compares it to similar traditions in India and Turkistan, and gives it context by contrasting it with the rationale of the Western hermetic tradition. As she writes in her concluding The whole work of alchemy is summed up in the phrase "To make of the body a spirit and of the spirit a body". . . . The goal of the Taoist alchemist-mystic was transformation, or perhaps more correctly, transfiguration, of the whole body until it ceases to "be" and is absorbed into and becomes the Tao. This is an essential guide for anyone interested in Chinese legend and lore, Chinese magic and medicine, and Taoism.

Genres: Alchemy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Brittany Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complex, not for the beginner.

The text went back and forth between how the East perceives things and then the West, it was quite back and forth, making it hard to learn much or keep the information straight.

My favorite chapters were the ones on Yoga and Magic. Even though magic may be performed in Taoist alchemy, they don't work with angels or demons but in accordance with the Tao. The text actually said they shun working with angels and demons, unlike most of the other paths such as Shamanism and Christianity. This concept was so eye-opening for me!

"... the true hsien did not use the mastery of spirits in his work on the spirit; that was done by yoga, self-mastery and by co-operation with Nature to become one with her rhythms."

(This feels like an older book (with an updated cover?), even though the publishing date says 2016, sources were cited as early as the 1800s.)

Notes and Quotes

"The whole work of alchemy is summed up in the phrase 'To make of the body a spirit and of the spirit a body'..."

"If one were born at night, one's fate was yin; if, during the day, it was yang."

"As Chuang Tzu wrote: 'The masses value money; honest men fame; virtuous men resolution; and the Sage the soul.' "

"Years are yin or yang according to whether they are even or odd numbers, but cycles always start with a yang number and end with a yin."

I think this book would be helpful to someone who is already well informed in the area of Chinese culture or alchemy, more so than the beginner.

I purchased this from my local used bookstore. I was under no obligation to write a review, my honest opinion is freely given.

[Raluca Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Pretty well-documented, information-dense little book that talks not only about Chinese alchemy, but a bit of Western alchemy too. (In fact, I think I learned more about Western alchemy from this book than I did from a volume dedicated to the subject - Alchemy & Alchemists)

Chinese alchemy describes concepts, principles, symbols, techniques etc. belonging to Eastern alchemy, as well as the mythology associated with it. I read this book as research for the book I am writing (concerning immortality) and I was happy to find stories about the legendary Eight Immortals and Peaches of Immortality. Beyond the physical alchemy, this book also describes the spiritual alchemy, whose aim was to turn people into hsien - some sort of illuminated hermits who, through learning, meditation, exercise and diet could achieve spiritual immortality. (In fact I remember reading years ago an article about Chinese hermits whose bodies mummified after death thanks to the strict diet they followed.)

Beyond this, there were charming accounts about magic, yoga, astrology, Taoism, ancient Chinese medicine etc. that revealed a lot about the way people used to think in the past. My favorite tidbit was how books were seen as sacred objects and ill men or laboring women were given classics to hold to ease their pain.

P.S. This book was published in 2016, but the original text seems to be from 1984 and you can see that reflected in the sources cited at the end, which don't go further than the 80s.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dense little book, more like a giant essay. If you want information, you'll find it here, plus a huge bibliography to pick through (although this was originally published in the 80s, so the suggested texts are older.)

Cooper analyses the traditions of chemical and spiritual alchemy, with a lot of focus on the interconnectedness of the two practices in China. Given that they were visibly more separate in the West, the conflation of them was a surprise to me. My primary interest is in Taoism, so this was a really interesting text while learning about the history of the popular religion versus the classic philosophical style.

[Teodor Ardeleanu]

One of the deepest books I have ever read on immortality and Chinese alchemy.
It is a well researched book that deserves study.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview but definitely very broad and not really focused on specific techniques.

[Kat Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tour of ancient alchemy, but a little dry to read.