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The *Taishang Yinshu* states: Heaven and Earth take clarity and turbidity as their essence; without Qi (vital energy), the movement of Yin and Yang would not be possible. The Sun and Moon distinguish form through brightness and darkness; without Qi, the interaction between Hun (ethereal soul) and Po (corporeal soul) would not occur.

Relying on the function of the bellows (Tuoyue) and the principle of respiration, it is Qi that causes this. Birds fly forth but are controlled by Qi, their abdomens empty yet seemingly solid; fish leap but are controlled by water, passing through it as if it were nothing.

When most plants wither and decay, only pine and cypress remain evergreen because their Qi is firm; when all creatures perish and fall silent, only turtles and cranes do not appear wan because their Qi is sufficient. The body is the dwelling that retains Qi, and Qi is the talisman that protects the body. To retain the body and dwell in the world, one must first nourish Qi. It is vast and strong, filling the space between Heaven and Earth; when Qi gathers, spiritual power arises, roaming beyond the dust of the mortal world. Those who are good at nurturing life nurture their bodies; those who are good at nurturing bodies nurture their Qi.

The *Xishan Ji* states: Scholars of longevity throughout history have not been exempt from disease and death because they did not know the Way. In the past, some regarded silence as nurturing Qi; this is merely preserving Qi, which leads to obscurity. Some regarded inhaling clear air and exhaling turbid air as nurturing Qi; this is merely exchanging Qi, which leads to emptiness. Those who are obscure scatter their Qi and agitate their spirit, causing their true spirit to become weary daily, ultimately having no place to return. Those who are empty lack substance in the Dantian (lower abdomen); their breathing exercises are in vain and never yield good results. Inhaling more than exhaling may help treat illness, but regarding this as Fetal Breathing (Taixi) is a mistake. Swallowing down and storing below may gather Qi, but identifying this as the Return Elixir (Hundan) is a mistake. "Continuous and faint, existing yet not fully present, used without exertion"—this allows Qi and Shen (spirit) to harmonize. Each breath should be held, inhaled and not exhaled; this is closing the Qi to refine the body. One swallow after another, gathering both sides, using the method of exhaling and swallowing, is the technique of borrowing Qi to draw Water for irrigation. Sitting upright and raising the body, allowing Qi to fill the four limbs, ensuring blood pathways are open, and Ying (nutritive) and Wei (defensive) energies flow smoothly—this is the method of distributing Qi to burn the body. All these are not methods of nurturing Qi. The way to nurture Qi is to cultivate it while alive so it does not weaken. Cultivate it constantly so it does not dissipate. Like the ancient practice of the hexagram Tun (Difficulty at the Beginning), which represents Yang Qi initially born, bent but not yet extended; thus, one draws upon Tun in the morning to foster the flourishing of Qi. Like the ancient practice of the hexagram Meng (Youthful Folly), where one Yang line resides among many Yin lines, dark and not bright; thus, one draws upon Meng in the evening to seek the meaning of Yang. It is not just this. If one's intellect is not sharp, forcing thought causes injury; if one's strength is insufficient, forcing lifting causes injury; sorrow and emaciation cause injury; excessive joy causes injury; eagerly pursuing desires causes injury; being burdened by worries causes injury. Or, talking and laughing for too long, sleeping and resting at improper times, drawing bows and crossbows. Indulging in wine and vomiting, lying down immediately after eating full meals, jumping and running while panting, shouting and crying—when Yin and Yang do not interact, accumulated injuries lead to exhaustion and premature death. Therefore, those who are good at nurturing live indifferently without desire, dwelling in a state of solitude, naturally finding interest in the profound and formless (Xi Yi). In winter, Yang generates; after the Spring Equinox, Yang becomes abundant and Yin scatters, preventing residual Yin from entering the abdomen and causing bitter cold diseases. In summer, Yin generates; after the Autumn Equinox, Yin becomes abundant and Yang scatters, preventing residual Yang from entering the abdomen and causing severe heat afflictions. Do not look at the dead, to prevent Dead Qi from touching Living Qi; do not approach filth, to prevent Filthy Qi from touching True Qi. When True Qi is not yet robust, do not eat empty food in the morning, keeping the mouth often filled; when True Qi is about to fail, do not eat solid food in the evening, keeping the mouth often reduced. However, adjusting Qi, harmonizing Qi, distributing Qi, swallowing Qi, gathering Qi, moving Qi, preserving Qi, and exchanging Qi—all do not go beyond the Way of nurturing Qi. Qi is like a thread; touch it and it breaks. Qi is like smoke; disturb it and it scatters. Those who cannot nurture Qi lose the Way of protecting the body. Yet, nurturing Qi has not reached collecting Qi; collecting Qi has not reached refining Qi. Collecting Qi returns to the Origin, forming the Golden Elixir. Refining it allows shedding the shell, transforming into an Immortal. Before refining, one must collect; before refining, one must nurture.