Within the Taoist immortality traditions, the path is regarded as, in principle, open to all human beings, because every person is understood to possess the basic constituents of cultivation: jing, qi, and shen. The work of internal alchemy rests on refining these innate endowments, so no one is excluded by birth, social status, or external identity. Classical teachings often affirm that the Way is available to all sincere seekers, and that the natural energies required for transformation are present in everyone. From this doctrinal standpoint, there is no fixed spiritual elite; the human condition itself carries the potential for profound realization.

At the same time, the historical and practical reality within immortality schools has been far more selective. Many lineages have insisted on moral integrity, emphasizing virtue, honesty, restraint, and compassion as indispensable foundations. Without such ethical grounding, advanced methods are said to become either ineffective or even harmful, especially when they involve subtle work with internal energies. Traditions also stress mental stability and discipline, since the practices demand patience, focus, and the capacity to follow nuanced instructions over long periods of time.

Transmission has typically unfolded through close teacher–disciple relationships, which introduces another layer of limitation. Neidan methods have often been treated as esoteric, passed only to a small number of carefully chosen disciples. Teachers have tended to look for students with dedication, reliability, and a certain aptitude, rather than simply a passing curiosity. Some schools have favored monastics or those willing to adopt strict precepts, while others have been more open to householders yet still required substantial lifestyle commitments, such as dietary regulations, sexual restraint, or extended retreat. In many accounts, access to advanced stages depends as much on karmic readiness and opportunity as on intellectual interest.

Different Taoist schools have articulated these criteria in distinct ways, but their underlying pattern is similar. Basic forms of cultivation—ethical refinement, foundational meditation, and simpler energy practices—are generally treated as accessible to anyone who approaches them with sincerity. More advanced immortality work, however, is reserved for those who demonstrate long-term perseverance, moral steadiness, and the willingness to undergo demanding training under qualified guidance. Thus, while the door is not closed to any particular type of person, the path itself quietly narrows, shaped by character, commitment, and the depth of one’s resolve.