Subvert the natural flow? Taoist contradiction?

In the ongoing discussion below, I came across
an interesting thought in the debate.

Taoist philosophy advocates
“Trust and surrender to the lifeforce”
“Align with the Tao” etc.

However, at least from one point of view of the
Healing Tao system, the purpose of Taoist
alchemical techniques is to ensure spiritual
immortality–to follow the path laid out by
the Taoist immortals–to fully integrate,
glue the shen together so they don’t fly apart
upon death, and have a vessel to house them.

If this is true, couldn’t this point of view
be called “distrusting the lifeforce”?
“Subverting the natural flow?”
“Believing there is a better plan than the one
laid out by the lifeforce?”

Is this a contradiction?

What is the real story?

So considering the plan of the lifeforce,
is there a “better plan” possible? And is this
better plan the Taoist alchemical techniques
in the higher-level formulas? And if so, does
this then contradict Taoist philosophy as
written in the Tao Te Ching? Are the Taoist
hermits (and Taoist immortals) anti-Taoists?

Steven