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The *Zhonghuang Mijue* (Secrets of the Middle Yellow) states: Yin generates Water, and the nature of Water is usually cold; yet if it is moistened by the Hua Yang Hot Spring, it cannot withstand its warmth. Yang generates Fire, and the nature of Fire is usually hot; yet if the Xiao Qiu Cold Flame faces it, it ultimately cannot become warm. External Water and Fire still possess the nature of reversal and change; how much more so should Internal Yin and Yang have the appropriateness of inversion and transformation? For instance, the Kidney is Water. Within Water, Qi arises, and Qi becomes Fire. The Heart is Fire. Within Fire, Fluids are generated, and Fluids become Water. Water can nourish and flow through the hundred vessels; Fire can steam and vaporize the Four Elements (the physical body). Thus, the relationship between Water and Fire in humans is as follows.

The *Tongxuan Lun* (Discourse on Communicating with the Profound) states: The origin of the Dao splits into one to form two Yi (Heaven and Earth). Heaven follows the Qian Way, being light and clear, ascending above. In the upper position, Yang serves as function, secretly embracing a point of True Yin within it. Therefore, after the Winter Solstice, Yang arises within the earth, accumulating until the Summer Solstice, where accumulated Yang generates Yin. This Yin, sensing Yin, does not dissipate; it scatters as mist and condenses as dew. The qi of mist and dew is what Heaven emits as Yin, which is True Water. Earth follows the Kun Way, being heavy and turbid, descending below. In the lower position, Yin serves as function, secretly embracing a point of True Yang within it. Therefore, after the Summer Solstice, Yin descends from heaven, reaching the earth at the Winter Solstice. Accumulated Yin generates Yang. Presumably, this Yang, sensing Yang, does not scatter or dissipate; it rises as clouds and manifests as rain. The qi of clouds and rain is what Earth emits as Yang, which is True Fire. Humans are likewise. At the beginning of conception, the father’s essence and the mother’s blood combine. Yang Qi ascends, and the Heart serves as the residence of Qi; within this Qi, True Water is secretly hidden in the Heart. Yin Qi descends, and the Kidney serves as the mansion of Water; within this Water, True Qi is secretly hidden in the Kidney. Otherwise, how could Kidney Qi ascend to the Heart, accumulating Qi to generate Fluids, allowing one Yin to arise from within two Yangs? And how could Heart Qi descend to the Kidney, accumulating Fluids to generate Qi, allowing one Yang to rise from within two Yins?

The *Xishan Ji* (Record of Western Mountain) states: Ordinary people possess Three Fires and Eight Waters. Regarding Water: One Qi transmits to another Qi, accumulating Qi to generate Fluids, and each of the Five Zang Organs has its own Fluid, named Se Water (Color Water). Within Kidney Qi, there is secretly hidden True One Water, acting as the Yin Tiger, named True Water. Through the method of "Flying Golden Crystal from the Back of the Elbow" entering the Upper Palace, moving from top to bottom, meeting with True Fire, thereby achieving Ji Ji (Mutual Completion), it is named Divine Water. Whenever there is disease, closing the mouth and swallowing Qi, breath after breath, sending it to the diseased area in a state of stillness, all can recover and be at peace, named Method Water. The uses of Water are numerous, and its names vary. When the Elixir is formed, True Qi arises, irrigating the body as the Bathing Method; when refining the Form, True Qi ascends, returning to the body as the Returning Elixir Method. Liu Haichan said: "Two luminaries pour into the Seven Treasures Hall, one channel flows with the Eight Jade Nectar." This refers to the Jade Fluid Returning Elixir. Master Lü said: "Water and Fire come together to interact, the hexagram phases fly to form Di Tian Tai (Heaven-Earth Peace). One ascends, one descends, Yang refines Yin; only when Yin is exhausted do we know the depth of this principle." This refers to the phase of mutual completion of upper and lower Water and Fire. Xiaoyaozi said: "Method Water can face the secret pass, wandering day and night dispatching circulation." This refers to Method Water treating diseases. This is the general overview of Water. Regarding the Three Fires: the Bladder is the People’s Fire, the Kidney is the Minister’s Fire, and the Heart is the Sovereign’s Fire. Any ignorance, disturbance by external objects leading to anger and sorrow, constitutes the Fire of Ignorance (Avidya). If this fire descends and burns the Dantian, with undivided attention and sincere preservation, it is called burning and refining the medicinal elixir. When Fire Qi ascends, passing through the Double Pass behind, it is called the River Vehicle (He Che). Before rising, passing through the Heavy Tower above, it is called refining the Form. When both front and back rise, filling the Four Elements, blazing and burning the body, this is the general overview of Fire.

The *Jiuxian Jing* (Scripture of Nine Immortals) states: Use Water for minor illnesses, use Fire for major illnesses. A major illness refers to the limit of impermanence (death). If someone mistakenly offends the Heavenly Spirits, or feels bodily unrest, they should urgently enter a quiet room, let down their hair, loosen their clothes, close their eyes and meditate inwardly, sit upright with hands clenched (Wogu), click the teeth to gather spirit, raise the body to initiate Fire, retain the breath slightly, inhale little and exhale slowly, and visualize a fire wheel under the navel as large as a dou (a unit of measure). Suddenly, flames rise from the body, comparable to a wheel cover, enveloping the self, preventing yin ghosts and evil spirits from approaching. The Buddhist Demon-Subduing Fire, the Daoist Body-Burning Fire. To practice this Fire method, one must long have cut off desires and passions, ensuring the Dan Yuan (Elixir Field) is firm. Otherwise, through the coitus of Water and Fire, Dragon and Tiger forming the Elixir, once the Elixir is formed, the Yin Spirit naturally dissipates, daring not approach Yang, and the Shen (Spirit) naturally refuses to leave. With Shen present and the Form solid, Yin retreats and Qi becomes complete; with Qi complete, the bone angles become firm, thus enabling longevity.