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The *San Yuan Zhen Jing* (True Scripture of the Three Origins) states: Beings and things have different forms, but their generation stems from a single Qi (vital energy). The Hun (Ethereal Soul) is derived from the celestial body, and the Po (Corporeal Soul) is derived from the earth. They are formless and imageless, coming from the void.
Relying on the father's essence and mother's blood, they manifest existence from non-existence. After three hundred days, the fetus is complete; when the fetus is complete and Qi is sufficient, birth occurs, which is transformation from non-existence to existence. Those who do not cultivate life well will return from existence to non-existence.
When blood and Qi are vigorous, one re-gives the existing Shen (Spirit) and Qi to children; when blood and Qi decline, one returns the existing Hun and Po to heaven and earth. Thus, within life, destruction arises; by using destruction to stop life, when Qi breaks and Shen scatters, there is no more life.
Good and noble people all desire life, yet they do not know that the timing of life cultivation should take heaven and earth as the model and the sun and moon as the root. When Yin is exhausted, Yang arises; when Yang is exhausted, Yin arises, generating endlessly; this is why heaven and earth endure long. When Po departs and Hun arrives, coming and going without cease, this is why the sun and moon endure long. From this, it is known that Qi is cultivated so as not to weaken, and the form is cultivated so as not to wither. Internal and external cultivation without error allows one to be as long-lasting as heaven, earth, the sun, and the moon.

The *Xi Shan Ji* (Record of Western Mountain) states: Since ancient times, sages and worthies who discuss the principles of life cultivation and write treatises on life cultivation are numerous. It further states: Reduce selfishness and minimize desires. Reducing selfishness and minimizing desires can nourish the Xin (Heart/Mind). It further states: Cut off thoughts and forget scheming. Cutting off thoughts and forgetting scheming can nourish the Shen (Spirit). It further states: Have moderation in diet and drinking. Having moderation in diet and drinking can nourish the Xing (Form/Body). It further states: Engage in leisure with measure. Engaging in leisure with measure can nourish disorder (referring to regulating physical and mental order). It further states: Inhale clarity, exhale turbidity. Inhaling clarity and exhaling turbidity can nourish Qi. It further states: Abstain from lust and戒 (guard against) sexual indulgence. Abstaining from lust and guarding against sexual indulgence can nourish Jing (Essence).
The way of life cultivation does not lie solely here. What is generated is minute; those good at cultivating start from the minute to reach the significant. What is generated is small; those good at cultivating start from the small to reach the large. When prosperous, cultivate and extract its essence; when declining, cultivate and supplement its deficiency. For example, nourish the Pi (Spleen) in spring, the Gan (Liver) in autumn, the Fei (Lungs) in summer, and the Xin (Heart) in winter. Refining the form generates fire; returning the elixir gathers Qi. This is using months within the year, not losing the way of life cultivation.
When it comes to spring and summer, nourish Yang, as True Qi follows Heaven, with the major transport in the Gan (Liver) and Xin (Heart). Heart and Liver are where Qi is generated. In autumn and winter, nourish Yin, as True Qi follows Heaven, with the major transport in the Fei (Lungs) and Shen (Kidneys). Kidney and Lungs are where fluids descend. This is the transmission of Yin and Yang, not losing the way of life cultivation.
When Kidney Qi arises at Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM), one Yang arises amidst two Yins. At this time, if one clarifies the mind and filters quietly, closes the eyes and raises the body, visualizing a fire wheel rising from the Dantian (Lower Elixir Field), this is Qi ascending and being cultivated with method. When Liver Qi arises at Mao hour (5 AM - 7 AM), one Yang rises below two Yins. At this time, like sitting alone with closed eyes, inhaling much and exhaling little, visualizing children meeting in the yellow chamber, thereby producing an infant, this is Yang arising and being cultivated with method. When Heart Qi arises at Wu hour (11 AM - 1 PM), one Yin arises amidst two Yangs. At this time, if one forgets words and cuts off thoughts, fills the mouth with saliva, ensures Heart Qi does not scatter, visualizes Dragon and Tiger mating in the smoke and flame, thereby causing the golden tripod to flow downwards, this is Dantian Qi arising and being cultivated with method. When Lung Qi arises at You hour (5 PM - 7 PM), one Yin arises above two Yangs. At this time, if one closes the eyes and冥 (darkens) the mind, slightly compresses the abdomen, visualizes great fire roasting in the tripod, where the tripod contains San Mei (Three Flavors/Essences), burning continuously, with San Mei erupting together, this is Yin arising and being cultivated with timing.
After three hundred days, the fetus is complete and True Qi is generated; nurturing this True Qi and refining it generates Shen. Five Qi gather at the origin, Three Flowers converge at the crown; after five hundred days, the Yang Shen (Yang Spirit) is generated; nurturing this Yang Shen and refining it merges with the Dao. From the formation of the form, nurturing it generates True Qi; since the generation of Qi, nurturing it generates the Fa Shen (Dharma Body). A body outside the body, transcending the ordinary to enter sainthood, the way of life cultivation is fully contained herein.