In daily life and in spiritual practice, Taoist practitioners pay close attention to every thought as it arises, weaving Taoist incantations into clothing, food, dwelling, and travel, into rising and resting, eating and drinking, and ritual courtesy. These seemingly ordinary everyday incantations are in fact methods of regulating body and mind distilled by Taoists over a long time; they contain the wisdom of the principles of nurturing life and of self-reminder, and they give great support to those cultivating the Tao.
1. Incantation on Waking: May all beings pass from delusion into awakening. Suddenly all becomes clear, and they pass in and out of the Golden Gate. I take refuge in the Great Heavenly Worthy of Universal Knowledge and Bright Wisdom.
2. Incantation on Hearing the Bell: The great sound is faint of sound; through it one can awaken and realize the Tao. With the mind single and unscattered, what is heard is rectified and pure. I take refuge in the Great Heavenly Worthy Whose Sound Carries Far, Pure and Clear.
3. Incantation for Washing the Hands and Face: Remove the dirt and the spirit is prolonged; the true essence congeals and does not scatter. Qi gathers, bright and fresh; the spirit's radiance spreads far and wide. I take refuge in the Great Heavenly Worthy Who Embraces and Guards the True One.
4. Incantation for Rinsing the Mouth: The harmonious qi of the great sun opens spring and brings forth the willow. I break off a single twig, which can purify body and mouth. Studying the Tao and cultivating perfection, I vow to deliver the three realms of existence. Its fragrance does not disperse; the true qi is welcomed and guarded. I take refuge in the Great Heavenly Worthy of Flowering Qi and Flowing Spirit.
5. Incantation for Combing the Hair: Above the Niwan, the mysterious flower and precious essence. On the left is the hidden sun, on the right the root of the moon. The six directions are refined in essence, and the hundred spirits receive grace.
6. Incantation for Pinning On the Crown: May all beings always hold the head upright and stand foremost among the myriad kinds.
7. Incantation for Putting On Robes: Restraining oneself in dignified bearing, one's garments accord with the good law. With the Great Tao in one's person, the Director of Destiny keeps watch. I take refuge in the Great Heavenly Worthy Who Awakens to Perfection and Practices the Law.
8. Incantation for Putting On Socks and Shoes: May all beings tread on what is true and real, and never stray from the Tao in their walking.
9. Incantation for Offering Incense: Always burning the incense of the heart, one attains great clarity and stillness.
10. Incantation for Lighting Lamps and Candles: Breaking through the layered darkness, illuminating the ten directions.
11. Incantation for Paying Homage to the Three Treasures: Great Rain of Grace, protect my body and spirit.
12. Incantation on Receiving Another's Bow: The supreme Tao is empty and harmonious; may one forever leave worldly ties.
13. Incantation for Drinking Water: Divine water enters the belly, and the five zang organs become clear and bright.
14. Incantation for Receiving Food in an Empty Bowl: The great void is inexhaustible; the true One gives birth to the spirit.
15. Incantation for the Portion of Food Set Aside When Offering Food: One grain of fine rice, one drop of clear spring water; not bearing to keep the rice for myself, I give it to the wandering souls. May all who partake of my offering rely on the grace of the Tao; only the Tao is numinous, and the awakened nature endures forever.
16. Incantation for the Meal: The qi of the five planets, the essence of the Six Jia spirits; the heavenly granary of the Three Perfected, ever filled with clear clouds; the Yellow Father and the Red Child guard the center of the five fields.
17. Incantation for Ending the Meal: The hundred grains enter the stomach and join their qi with the spirit, replenishing the blood, while the corpse-demons perish and fall away. Long life on the great earth; soaring up to the Jade Gate; commanding the Six Ding spirits, with numinous youths in attendance.
18. Incantation for Washing the Bowl: Washing away outer flavors, upright qi endures forever.
19. Incantation for Putting Away the Bowl: The primal chaotic One Qi; breathing from the heels, deep and deep.
20. Incantation for Receiving Alms: The seven-jeweled grove of light comes to shine upon the cinnabar terrace.
21. Incantation for Receiving Clothing and Goods from Others: The essence of the myriad things protects the true qi of the Tao.
22. Incantation for Descending from the Scripture Altar: Transform evil and return to good; submit a petition to the Three Lights, that I may live long, riding the radiance and driving the clouds.
23. Incantation for Leaving the Hall: Unobstructed in the four directions, I enter the gate of all wonders.
24. Incantation for Holding the Alms Bowl: Om, I command the thirty-nine spirits of the three sections and eight effulgences within my body and the sixteen thousand body-protecting spirits. Om, ye ye ye lang, san bo wa fu ri luo hu.
25. Incantation for Holding the Pure Water Vase: The Great Mystery contains the One; the myriad things do not contend.
26. Incantation for Ash: Washing with ash removes the dirt; ash comes first. Filth departs and truth arrives; the heart is purified, the mouth is purified. Attaining the Tao and delivering others, lasting as long as heaven and earth.
27. Incantation for Bathing: Heaven and earth open bright; the four great elements are made constant. Mysterious water dissolves defilement and wards off the inauspicious. Twin youths stand guard; the seven numinous spirits rest in their chambers. Cloud-waters refine and cleanse; the myriad qi merge in well-being. Within and without, beneficial and steadfast, may this yellow skirt be preserved.
28. Incantation on Going to Bed: Jade Maidens of Great Perfection, attend the true self and guard the soul; Golden Youths of the Three Palaces, come and guard the gate of life.
29. Incantation on Dreams: May good dreams turn into pearls and jade; may bad dreams cling to grass and trees.
30. Incantation for Visiting the Sick: Wisdom illuminates the myriad spirits; the true nature is non-action.
31. Incantation of Daily Avoidances: In the morning, do not speak of dreams; at noon, do not speak of killing; in the evening, do not speak of ghosts and spirits.