典藏书目

The "Chui" (Blowing) technique connects to the Kidney, eliminating all deficient-heat qi within the Kidney. If one experiences dim vision or deafness, frequently applying tonification and sedation methods will naturally harmonize Kidney Qi. Thus, the Kidney opens into the ears; hearing should be directed towards proper matters rather than licentious sounds. For those with abdominal distension, practicing thirty repetitions of "Da Chui" (Great Blowing) and rubbing the Shentang area (Kidney region) with warm hands will stop the symptom immediately. During the eighteen days at the end of each season, a dark complexion indicates being overcome (by elemental imbalance). Since excessive sweet flavor damages the Kidney, one should reduce sweet foods and increase salty foods during these eighteen days of each season to nourish Kidney Qi.

The "He" (Harmonizing) technique connects to the Lung, removing all accumulated qi in the Lung. If affected by wind-cold causing cough, or if there is runny nose, or nasal heat leading to sores, practicing several repetitions of "Da He" combined with sedation will allow Lung Qi to descend and ascend naturally. The Lung sits above the Heart like a canopy (Huagai), preferring clarity; thus, if the Lung is clear, diseases do not arise. The Lung opens into the nose, which is its external orifice, and the Lung is the residence of Po (Corporeal Soul). A pale complexion in summer indicates being overcome (Fire overcomes Metal). Bitter flavor belongs to Fire, while the Lung belongs to Metal. During the seventy-two days of summer, one should reduce bitter foods and increase pungent foods to nourish Lung Qi.

The "Hu" (Exhaling) technique connects to the Spleen, eliminating all turbid qi in the Spleen. If sores appear on the mouth, nose, or limbs, or if the face is yellow, it indicates accumulation in the Spleen; or if cold foods are consumed, leading to food stagnation. Thus, the Spleen is called the "Official of Granaries," and it participates in blood generation. If diet is irregular, blood cannot be generated; if the four limbs do not move, the Spleen becomes sluggish. Therefore, one should eat less at night. When sleeping, the Spleen is inactive; if this leads to retained food, illness arises. The Spleen governs the transformation across the four seasons and is the residence of Yi (Intellect). Thus, thoughts should not wander aimlessly; if they do, noble qi cannot remain pure. A yellow complexion in spring indicates being overcome (Wood overcomes Earth). During the seventy-two days of spring, one should reduce sour foods and increase sweet foods to nourish Spleen Qi.

The "Xi" (Cheering) technique connects to the Gallbladder, removing all exogenous heat qi from the Gallbladder. Therefore, often making a "Xi" sound while lying down can remove exogenous heat from the whole body. Those who correctly apply tonification and sedation will have clear Gallbladder Qi, preventing eye discharge (canthus secretion). The Gallbladder fears heat; therefore, in dietary practices throughout the four seasons, hot-natured foods should be minimized, and food should remain in the upper diaphragm area to keep Gallbladder Qi fresh and clear.

Clearing the heart and releasing burdens, abandoning worries and forgetting emotions, reducing thought and desire, seeing simplicity and embracing uncarved wood—these are the practices of learning the Dao. A clear heart and released burdens are sufficient to eliminate flaws. Abandoning worldly emotions is sufficient to quiet the world. The extinction of thought and desire is sufficient to enter the Dao. Simplicity and purity are sufficient to know the methods of peace and joy in the world. Daily, one must eat little and dress warmly. In any of the twelve two-hour periods of the day, when leisure is found, enter a room, sit cross-legged, empty the mind of distracting thoughts, and focus intention on the center (Dantian). Daoist texts state: "If the human heart merges with the Heavenly Heart, reversing Yin and Yang takes but a moment." Observing the Dao with the heart, the Dao is the heart; observing the heart with the Dao, the heart is the Dao. If one can clear the heart and reduce desires, practicing this for a long time, hundred diseases will not arise. This is especially effective when practiced in autumn and after the Winter Solstice. If practiced in spring and summer, since spring is the time of generation and summer is the time of abundant Yang, Confucianism teaches that singing nurtures temperament and dancing nurtures blood vessels, so sitting still is not strictly necessary. It is suitable to sleep late and rise early, walk broadly in the courtyard, let hair hang loose, and walk slowly to promote longevity. After eating, movement and dancing are appropriate, and sexual restraint is also advised. Ancients closed their doors during the Winter Solstice to nurture slight Yang, fasting and restraining the body to await the stabilization of Yin and Yang. Thus, rising to greet sunlight is inappropriate, as this is a time when Yang Qi is stored and hidden; one should not disturb sinews and bones. Only by peacefully adjusting and quietly nurturing the body will various diseases in spring and summer be prevented. If emotions do not move, Jing (Essence) is solid, and Water Qi returns to the source; if the heart does not move, Qi is solid, and Fire Qi returns to the source; if nature is silent, Hun (Ethereal Soul) hides in Water, and Water Qi returns to the source; if emotions are forgotten, Po (Corporeal Soul) rests in Metal, and Metal Qi returns to the source; if the Four Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind) are harmonious, Yi (Intellect) is stable, and Earth Qi returns to the source. This is called "Five Qi Returning to the Source." Another scripture states: "If a person can maintain purity and tranquility for a long time, the Qi of Heaven and Earth will all return to them."