Internal Alchemy is the original spiritual practice in the Daoist Tradition. Simultaneous cultivation of Xing (Original Nature) and Ming (Existence or Life) describes the process. Single and dual cultivation are the two modes. The Northern and Southern schools the two primary branches. Traditionally, the Southern School is said to teach cultivation of Ming (Life) first and Xing (Nature) second while the Northern Branch teaches cultivation of Xing first and Ming second.

One can then ask, "What is Simultaneous Cultivation of Xing and Ming", if one can preceed the other?