Changes

Among the three terms usually found in books on Inner Alchemy, Mind was regarded as substance, Spiritual Nature as the soul, namely the governing power, of the mind, and last but not least, Bodily Life as the Vital Breath. According to the Book of the Supreme Venerable Sovereign's Teachings on Cultivating Mind ( 《太上老君說了心經》Taishang Laojun Shuo Liaoxin Jing ), "Mind governs Spirit, whether in motion or at rest". The author argues that Mind controls the movements and functions of Spirit. In this sense, Mind is equal to substance, and Spiritual Nature equal to its function.