Dao Learning and the Golden Elixir*: Shared Paths to Perfection

This article is, to some extent, a continuation of thoughts expressed in a previous article in the Journal of Daoist Studies (Crowe 2010), where motion and stillness were examined as sources of continuity between the “three teachings” as imagined by Li Daochun and his disciples. The present article considers that continuity from a different vantage point, turning the focus on our characterization of the relationship between Ru 儒 (literati) daoxue 道學 (Learning of the Way) and jindan 金丹 (golden elixir) ways of cultivation. It is suggested here that common ground is found, not by bridging two essentially and categorically differing groups, but rather by bringing to light shared perspectives on soteriological ends and on the framing of praxis intended to realize those ends.