The Systematic Reconfiguration in the Body Cultivation of Daoist Medicine: The Internal Boxing’s Incorporation of the “Desire Transformation” Techniques from the Internal Alchemy Tradition

Internal Boxing (neijiaquan 內家拳) is an advanced form of the Daoist gymnastic exercise of daoyin (導引). However, how it achieves a paradigmatic shift from qi/blood regulation to deep-level transmutation of sexual energy still requires further exploration. Therefore, it is of great significance to look into how Internal Boxing inheres and integrates various techniques of “desire transmutation” (zhuanyu 轉欲) from internal alchemy (neidan 內丹), thereby transcending traditional daoyin, bringing about a significant systematic reconfiguration in the model of body cultivation practices in Daoist medicine. The traditional daoyin (i.e., “guiding and stretching”) practice emphasizes the regulation of qi/blood, but it remains limited in accounting for and producing the self-conscious transmutation of sexual energy. In contrast, Internal alchemy provides a different system of theory and techniques, which is centered on the concept of “transmutation of desires”, converting human desires into high-level life energy through a process of interaction between one’s internal spirit (xinshen 心神) and internal breathing (neixi 內息). This study thus examines the ways in which Internal Boxing integrates and reconfigures these techniques within its bodily training regimen. In the core of all these styles is the goal to refine the primordial essence (yuanjing 元精) by transitioning the method to induce the flow of vital energy from breathing to somatic movements. As a result, this study shows that the innovations of Internal Boxing reconfigure the qi/blood regulation model in the traditional daoyin practice, causing a systematic reconfiguration in the transmutation of sexual energy and, further, bridging the gap between daoyin and internal alchemy in both theory and practice. Furthermore, such innovations also develop a holistic view of the human body as marked by an emphasis on the “unity of pre-heaven (xiantian 先天) and post-heaven (houtian 後天) states”, which expands in both depth and breadth the theories of body cultivation practices in Daoist medicine.