Mo PaiArchive

Levels 37–48 · 陽神 · yang shen

The Yang Shen

The immortal spirit-body proper: in classical terms, a second self that is both conscious and capable of acting on the physical world, and that survives the death of the flesh. This is the goal that makes the whole system make sense. It is also the point past which the Mo Pai literature has essentially nothing concrete left to say.

This band division is editorial. The sources do not group the levels above 4; this grouping follows the classical jing–qi–shen–xu progression to make the claimed path legible.

Core practice

Reconstructed.

Testing

Unknown.

Classical stage

Shen → Xu (spirit refined toward emptiness)

Time

Unknown

Levels in this band

37 Conception The yang embryo is conceived from the fully refined shen. reconstructed 38 Nourishing the Embryo A long gestation described in classical texts as ten months of "fire phasing". reconstructed 39 The Bathing Mu yu — periods in which the alchemical fire is deliberately withdrawn. reconstructed 40 Quickening The embryo is said to become responsive. reconstructed 41 The Second Consciousness Awareness begins to exist in two places. reconstructed 42 Feeding on Spirit The yang shen no longer draws on the physical body's resources. reconstructed 43 The Aperture at the Crown The exit route is opened at the bai hui point. reconstructed 44 First Emergence The yang shen leaves for the first time — briefly, and close by. reconstructed 45 Nursing Three years of "suckling" the emerged spirit body. reconstructed 46 Acting on Matter The distinguishing capacity: the yang shen can move physical things. reconstructed 47 Visibility The yang shen can be seen by ordinary people. reconstructed 48 Birth of the Yang Shen 陽神 · yang shen A second self that is conscious, independent, and able to act on matter. fragmentary