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This refers to what the *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: "When Heaven and Earth have established their positions, the operation of Change takes place within them." When the sun reaches the southern meridian (Wu position), the Qi of Great Yin acts upon the remaining Yang Qi; at this time, one should sit in tranquility.

"Sitting in tranquility" (Yan Zuo) is what Confucianism calls "submerging the spirit" and what Buddhism calls "sitting meditation." Master Zuanxuan said: "To cultivate life and preserve longevity, one must discard external affairs and prevent them from disturbing the mind. Then, sit securely and observe the heart inwardly. If a single thought arises, eliminate it immediately. The essence of this method is: in a clean room, loosen clothing, cross legs, close eyes, and settle all things peacefully. Do not ponder good or evil, and the Primordial Qi will naturally restore itself, resulting in a state of serene contentment."

Master Taibai imparted to Chonghezi: "The Spirit Chamber (Shen Lu) refers to the nose. To stabilize the Harmony Qi, first regulate breathing in a clean room until the breath becomes faint and gentle. It is small enough to be the Gate of Life, yet large enough to be the Path of Death; thus, the mechanism of life and death lies here. Opening it fully is difficult to control, closing it completely is hard to maintain. One should merely make it subtle, but not so subtle that the Qi escapes through the mouth. Therefore, Laozi said: 'Continuous and seemingly non-existent, its use never tires.' Rongchengzi said: 'Exhale the old and inhale the new, observing the entry and exit through the nose.' The *Neiguan Jing* (Scripture of Inner Observation) states: 'Primordial Qi enters the nose and irrigates the Nidan Palace.' The *Bao Shen Jing* (Scripture of Preserving the Spirit) says: 'If you wish to extend your years and lifespan, there is nothing better than governing the Sui Men (Marrow Gate). The Sui Men is the Xuanpin Gate.'"

The *Huangting Jing* (Yellow Court Scripture) states: "One inch below the navel is called the Lower Dantian." The song of Lord Liu says: "If you wish to avoid death and dwell eternally in heaven, you must guard the Primordial Qi in the Dantian." Generally, having a heart free from external attachments is the initial cultivation method for true persons, known as "retracting vision to listen inwardly." The essence of this method is: respiration does not emerge from the nose (indicating extremely subtle breathing), and internal contemplation remains within the body. Laozi said: "Although there are splendid views, one dwells in tranquility, transcendent." The gentleman travels all day without leaving his baggage cart; both illustrate this principle.

Master Yin said: "If the Spirit can govern the Qi, the nose will not lose control of respiration. The true person regards the Spirit as the chariot and the Qi as the horse, traveling all day without losing direction, reaching up to the Nidan Palace and down to the Mingmen (Gate of Life). These two realms connect, allowing for the rescue of decay and frailty. If exhalation lacks the governance of the Spirit, the breath is incomplete; if inhalation lacks the governance of the Spirit, the breath is incomplete. If, in every breath, Spirit and Qi merge, like mother and child inseparable, they will condense internally, making death impossible. Upon completion of the practice, men will not accumulate essence in the Guanyuan acupoint, and women will not conceive below the navel. If Spirit and Qi scatter independently, and emotions are led by desire, Primordial Qi descends uncontrollably, leading to worries akin to leaking ditches. If, in every breath, Spirit and Qi support each other, mother and child remain united, though there is union, one remains attuned to the tasteless void; this is truly mastering the Dao. Kashyapa, Liuxing,aming, and Nagarjuna from the West Indies all transmitted this secret to the world. Those who hear this have accumulated merit over many lifetimes and have affinity with the Immortal Register; only then can they encounter it. An ancient song says: 'If you wish for longevity, learn to subdue the mind; do not observe other matters coming and going. Only unite Spirit and Qi in stillness; why worry about not reaching the Forest of Great Immortals?'"