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The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: "Regarding the symptom of upper body asthma and rapid breathing, which meridian does it belong to? If the hands and feet are warm and the pulse is slippery, life is sustained. If the pulse is deep and choppy and the limbs are cold, death is inevitable." Let us elaborate on this. What humans rely on for survival is Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and Zong Qi (Chest Qi), but what truly sustains life is Zhen Qi (True Qi). Speaking of the whole body in unity, it is called Yuan Qi. When Yuan Qi is sufficient, respiration naturally follows its normal rhythm; however, if deficiency and timidity arise, the Yin and Yang Qi become chaotic. The Classics state: "Yin contends within, Yang disturbs without, Pore Sweat fails to be stored, and Four Reversals begin to rise; rising, they smoke the Lungs, causing people to pant." At this stage, the body remains warm, and the pulse is mostly deficient and slippery. Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) can restore Yuan Qi from the realm of nothingness (Du Shen Tang [Single Ginseng Decoction]. Empirical Formula: Ren Shen 1 liang, Dang Gui 3 qian, with Sheng Jiang and Da Zao as guides), and the panting will cease spontaneously. Speaking from the Middle Jiao, it is called Zong Qi. Zong Qi transports and ascends/descends, naturally without obstruction; if it becomes encumbered by phlegm stagnation, the Qi of the Yangming becomes depressed. The Classics state: "Evil lodges in the collaterals of Yangyin, causing Qi fullness and panting in the chest." Although the body is warm, the pulse is wiry and slippery. The method should use Fa Xia (Prepared Pinellia Rhizome) to harmonize the Stomach and dry phlegm (Si Qi Tang [Four Seven Decoction]: Ren Shen, Rou Gui, Fa Xia, Zhi Gan Cao, with Sheng Jiang and Da Zao as guides), and the asthma and urgency will be eliminated immediately. As for the single point of True Primal Qi from the congenital origin, this is Zhen Qi. It is supremely empty yet contains supreme existence, supremely void yet governs supreme reality. What drums and surges in the Great Void is Thunder; but what silently operates the drumming is not Thunder, but Zhen Qi. What blows upon all things is Wind; but what drives the blowing is not Wind, but Zhen Qi. Protecting the exterior, traveling within, circulating through the entire body is Qi; but that which acts as the master to circulate it is not Qi itself, but Zhen Qi. Buddhists regulate Qi to realize emptiness, regulating this Qi; Daoists refine Qi to return to truth, refining this Qi; Confucians cultivate Qi to become sages and worthies, cultivating this Qi. Buddhists call it "Zhen Ru" (True Suchness) (Qian Qi's poem to Huaisu: "In drunkenness, one attains Zhen Ru." Liu Yuxi's poem: "The mind grasps Zhen Ru without reading scriptures"); Daoists call it "Mian Mian" (Continuous/Unbroken) (*Daodejing*: "Continuous as if it exists"); Confucians call it "Hao Ran" (Noble Spirit). This Qi, Heaven and Earth obtain it and remain ageless for ten thousand ages; humans guard it and their lifespan often endures. If humans treat wine as water, treat recklessness as routine, and engage in sexual intercourse while drunk, Zhen Qi scatters. Once Zhen Qi scatters, the Yuan Qi, Zong Qi, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), Zhong Qi (Middle Qi), and Wei Qi (Stomach Qi) of the entire body rush upward together, causing asthma and urgency. This is why the limbs become cold and the pulse becomes deep and choppy. Can life possibly not collapse? Those asthmatic cases caused by edema should be discussed according to edema; those caused by wind-cold should be discussed according to wind-cold; those caused by asthma syndrome should be discussed according to asthma syndrome; those caused by heat diseases should be discussed according to heat diseases. The Classics mention asthma in layers and repetitions, each having its own root cause. There are only a few passages that speak solely of asthma. To discuss asthma alone while setting aside various syndromes, one must trace back to the source to see true medicine.