I Ming

Born in the 18th century, Liu Yiming was a Chinese Taoist master, thinker, and prolific writer associated with the Longmen, or Dragon Gate, lineage of Complete Reality Taoism. He became one of the best-known voices in the tradition of internal alchemy, often called Neidan, and wrote extensively to explain spiritual practice in direct, readable terms.

His books and commentaries focus on self-cultivation, the meaning of Taoist classics, and the inward transformation at the heart of Taoist practice. Modern readers often encounter him through translated works such as The Taoist I Ching, which reflects his gift for making difficult ideas feel practical rather than abstract.

What makes his writing stand out is its wide intellectual range. He drew not only on Taoism, but also on Buddhist and Confucian learning, giving his work a broad and thoughtful voice that has helped it endure well beyond its original time and place.