BETA (Belgian Taoist Alchemists) is an independent organization consisting of people who are interested in Chinese Taoist alchemy and of practitioners of authentic Taoist alchemy. Heading BETA are current chairperson Master of Taoist Arts Gijsbert Ruitenburg (Taoist alchemical name:芮致德) and director Esther Schenk (沈致妙). The advisory board members are Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen (費丹凝) and Master of Taoist Arts An Woestenborghs (武致柔).
BETA was founded in 2016 under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen (Taoist alchemical name: Fei Danning 費丹凝), who represents the local branch of the Yinyang School of the Southern Taoist Alchemy Tradition (Jindan Nanzong Yinyangpai Pingwu Zhipai金丹南宗陰陽派苹蕪支派) in Belgium. The origin of this tradition lies with the great revolutionary Song Dynasty alchemist Zhang Boduan (984-1082) and his disciple Shi Tai (1022 - 1158). Alchemists of this tradition live among people, not in monasteries, and usually are married or live with their partner (both partners being practitioners). They retire to the mountains from time to time to deepen their connection with Nature and the Universe. Participation in social life in several ways (such as by teaching, practicing Taoist Medicine, etc.) is an important aspect of their existence.
MISSION
BETA unites all who are interested in the serious pursuit of Taoist alchemy, whether they belong to the Southern Tradition or not.
BETA wants to build bridges between Taoist alchemy and the Western world and between Taoism and other religions/world views. BETA invites people from other traditions to connect and exchange views.
BETA makes Taoist alchemy visible and accessible in the Belgian religious-philosophical society and beyond.
WHAT IS ALCHEMY?
Alchemy is rooted in ancient practices and beliefs coming from the Far and Middle East and the Ancient Western World. From an historical point of view, the Hermetical Traditions (and probably even elements from Chinese Traditions) seem to be the main ingredients of Western alchemy as we have come to know it from the later Middle Ages onwards.
Chinese alchemy came down from several sources, the main source being the practices of the so-called xian (“mountain-people” or “people-mountains”, usually interpreted as “immortals”). They studied medicine, meditation, magic, and the cultivation of life in many ways from the early times of Chinese civilization onwards. The xian traditions later picked up ideas and practices from other traditions (especially from Taoism) to include rituals, metallurgy, cosmology, and so on.
Alchemy follows two complimentary roads: the experimental (external) and the spiritual (internal). Both roads are inseparable, because they connect the “internal/inner world” experience of the practitioner to the external world. If one loses this connection, alchemy loses its vital potential. Different opinions on how to practice external and internal alchemy have always existed and have given rise to several schools. The experimental processes rely on the interaction with the outside world, whereas the internal processes use the (temporarily) shut-down of external influence to actually realize the union of the internal and the external.
WHAT IS TAOIST ALCHEMY?
Taoists hold the view that alchemy is the highest road to uniting with the Dao (the Way) and returning to the Origin. In practice, this means that the practitioner aims at a life in harmony with Nature and the Universe. In order to do this (s)he goes through a series of transformations caused by the refining of qi (breath-force without which we cannot exist). By fine-tuning and harmonizing the body, qi, and consciousness one can free oneself from the limitations of the human existence and become one with that which creates all but which itself is not created, the great Dao. Reuniting with the source of creation actually gives the practitioner access to immortality.
HOW TO PRACTICE TAOIST ALCHEMY?
Generally speaking, the practice requires the “restitution of authenticity”, achieved by living according to Dao (道 the Way) and realized in De (德 the natural, spontaneous application and expression of this Way). This comes down to individual practice of a harmonious, no-nonsense way of living that suits your personality and removes those aspects from your character and person that are unsuitable for this harmonious social life. Care for the world, Nature, society, people, plants and animals, and so on are all part of the De work. It is a continuous work, which can and should be done anywhere, anytime.
The actual work involves caring for your own and any life (e.g. by practicing health exercises, internal martial arts, studying and practicing medicine, and limiting your negative impact on Nature) and changing the way you use your body (including, especially, your mind and personality). The practitioner also needs to absorb the “knowledge” of her/his predecessors of the Way, and practice a life of creation (many Chinese alchemists were/are artists).
WHY PRACTICE TAOIST ALCHEMY?
Why should one practice alchemy? Taoist alchemy of the Southern Tradition tries to achieve longevity, good health, progressive independence, responsible freedom, a good and comfortable life, a rich internal world in harmonious co-operation with the rest of the Cosmos, the ability to use all of the body’s potential (including better insight, stronger concentration, greater consciousness, higher intelligence, and deeper empathy), and it ultimately leads to the annihilation of the self and (through this annihilation) an increasing “control” over life, death, time and space.
For more information about Taoist alchemy and how to practice, and for books on Taoist alchemy: checkout www.taoiststudies.org.