The three parts refer to body, mind and consciousness. Jing, qi and shen are known as the three elements. Bringing the three parts together indicates the maturation of the elixir; the integration of the three elements signifies the completion of the elixir, and their meeting can be achieved through a state of blankness and jing (stillness). The method is: Make the mind blank so that it will combine with shen ; keep the body still so that ring and emotion will be at rest. Only in that way can the three ele-ments become qi with the consciougness totally untroubled.

When the body is still, jing will change into qi ; when the mind is calm, qi will transform into shen ; and when consciousness is at rest, shen will return to the prenatal state of void.