Among the several main religions in China, Taoism pays the greatest attention to the practice of its theories. Since its main goal is to seek immortality, many methods are practiced to realize this goal, which are called asFangshu(arts of necromancy, astrology and medicine, etc.) in the Chinese culture.Fangshuhas various contents, mainly including the following:

 Bigu(live without eating grain)

Biguis a Taoist method of cultivating vital energy, i.e. person does not eat grains, including the five cereals, coarse cereals, meats, eggs, vegetables, etc. According to this method, the daily foods can keep the life, but they may leave deleterious residua in the human body. As a result people may suffer from excessive internal heat and then illness comes and the lifespan is reduced. Taoists mainly eat some medicines or the things so-calledqi(air) when they live without eating grain.

 Fushi(take medicines)

It is one of the cultivation methods of vital energy and also called asFu'er(take medicines). Taoists deem that they can enjoy longevity as long as they take the medicines, which are the drugs that enable them to live forever. In fact, these medicines are the mixtures of some minerals, including cinnabar, gold, silver and jade, etc. Sometimes these medicines are made into pills or liquid.

 Daoyin(exercise of gym andqigong)

It is a method to preserve and improve the health.Daoyinhas been popular even in the 5thto3rdcentury BC. It is regarded as the method for Taoists to seek immortality. In fact, it is analogous to the exercise of current gym andqigong. Taoism deems thatDaoyincan cure diseases, improve health and eliminate tiredness, but also discharge evil influence in the body and preserve the vitalqi(energy). There are special diagrams and manuals to guide the exercise ofDaoyin.

 Xingqi(expiration and inspiration)

In fact,Xingqiis a way of breathing. Taoism attaches great importance to the so-calledqi(air), which is reflected not only in its religious theory, but also in the daily practice. It is also called asFuqi(takingqi),Shiqi(eatingqi),Tunqi(swallowingqi) andLianqi(training qi), etc. There are many methodsXingqiand many Taoist sects practiceXingqi. The main points are as follows: Breathing shall be uniform, slow and threadlike. More air shall be inbreathed while less air shall be breathed out.Xingqialso refers toTuna(breathe out stagnant air and inbreathe fresh air).

 Fangzhongshu(sex arts)

Among the Taoist methods of seeking immortality,Fangzhongshuis a very important one, which means the arts of sex. It is a general term of Taoism on the sex hygiene, sex psychology and sex technologies. It is regarded as one of the methods of seeking immortality in ancient China, and its contents are very abundant. For the past several thousand years, Confucianism has been the dominant thought in China, thereforeFangzhongshuis always regarded as the carnal, ungraceful and erotic thing. In fact, the essential aspects ofFangzhongshuare healthful. Of course, people cannot really rely on this method to become immortal or never die. But its many contents are useful to improve human health and the happiness of marriage, and it is also consistent with modern medical science. ThereforeFangzhongshushould be a healthful sexology.

 Cunxiang(concentration of mind on something)

It is also called asCunsi. It means that a person closes the eyes, calm down and think about a specific object until he/she can see the object without opening the eyes. Taoism deems thatCunsican make people predict the good or ill luck, live forever and become immortal. It even deems that a person can clearly see his/her internal organs if he/she can get outstanding achievements on the cultivation.