Library

The *Jiutian Milu* (Secret Records of the Nine Heavens) states: The interplay of one Yin and one Yang is called the "Dao" (Way), and the unfathomable changeability of Yin and Yang is called "Shen" (Spirit/Divinity). Among all things, those that are spiritual and great: Heaven obtains one Yang to uphold the Qian Dao (Primal Creative Principle), and Earth obtains one Yin to uphold the Kun Dao (Receptive Principle). Among all things, those that are spiritual and bright: The Sun obtains one Yang Soul to guide and respond, and the Moon obtains one Yin Soul to guide and attract. Therefore, at the Summer Solstice, one Yin descends from Heaven; without True Yang, all things would die and cannot avoid withering and drying up. At the Winter Solstice, one Yang rises from Earth; without True Yin, although all things grow, they cannot be nourished and moistened. The Sun possesses True Yang, and through the Yang Sui (ancient fire-gathering mirror), fire is induced by resonance; the Moon lacks True Yin, therefore, through the Fang Zhu (ancient water-gathering vessel), water cannot be obtained. This is the principle of Heaven, Earth, Sun, and Moon being the greatest and brightest; regarding True Yin and True Yang, are humans not also like this?

The *Xishan Ji* (Records of Western Mountain) states: The Kidney belongs to Water. Within Water arises Sheng Qi (Vital Qi), named Zhen Huo (True Fire). Hidden within Qi is Zhenyi Zhi Shui (Water of True Unity); this is Yin containing Yang, and Yang containing Yin. The Heart belongs to Fire. Within Fire arises Ye (Fluids/Juice), named Zhen Shui (True Water). Hidden within Fluids is Zheng Yang Zhi Qi (Righteous Yang Qi); this is Yang containing Yin, and Yin containing Yang. The so-called "San Hua" (Three Flowers/Essences) refers to Three Yangs. Kidney Qi is Yang within Yin; the True Qi in the Dantian (Elixir Field) is Yang within True Yang; the Qi of Heart Fluid is Yang within Yang. It does not speak of Three Yins, because what is valued is the state where Yin is exhausted and Yang is pure.

The *Yuhuang Shengtai Jue* (Secret Formula of the Jade Emperor's Sacred Fetus) states: One should often descend Heart Fire to the Lower Tian (Lower Elixir Field, located three inches below the navel), preventing external realms from entering the mind, and extinguishing delirious thoughts; let one Qi remain undissipated and settle in the Qi Hai (Sea of Qi, synonymous with Lower Dantian). When Kidney Qi cannot rise, respiration gradually decreases; even when exhaled, it is leisurely and slow, representing a process of reduction. Thus, later sages attained natural Taixi (Fetal Breathing), and reached the ultimate principle of Bodhidharma's Taixi, stating that when human Qi ascends, it naturally leaks; it is better to practice Neishi (Inner Vision) of various realms, roaming within one's own Heavenly Palace in the transcendent and void wondrous state. This method values "Wulou" (No Leakage, i.e., breath retention without escape), having no arising thought, and unmoving intent. No leakage leads to the accomplishment of good fruits; immobility allows the appearance of the True Sage. Bodhidharma faced the wall for nine years, his Qi leaking not a hair's breadth, forming a "body outside the body" from Yin Spirit originating externally. Those in the East did not comprehend this, hence he threw his bowl and returned West (to India). Thus the Sage says: This is true Taixi! When Bian Que annotated the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), it was mentioned that after the Winter Solstice, Zhenqian (True Lead) accumulates by one part, resembling a flower bud settling in the Dantian. One inhales clear Qi through the nose, closes the mouth without exhaling, counting twenty-four settled breaths as one liang (unit of heat/fire). After forty-five days, the fire increases by sixteen liang, refining the Yang Tai (Yang Fetus). Then, after the Summer Solstice, Gong (Mercury) accumulates by three parts, resembling an egg being brooded, settling on the Jiangchun (Crimson Lips/Mouth). Similarly, inhale clear Qi through the nose, close the mouth without exhaling, counting twenty-four settled breaths as one liang of fire. After forty-five days, the fire increases by sixteen liang, refining the Yin Xi (Yin Breath). By casting Yin Xi into Yang Tai, True Qi is born; from True Qi, Yuanshen (Original Spirit) is generated. Spirit and Form merge into one, sharing the lifespan of Heaven and Earth. If separated into two, there is a body outside the body, becoming a Feathered Guest or Immortal Fairy, no longer in the mortal world, but returning to the Three Islands and Ten Continents (immortal realms). When Ge Hong annotated the *Taixi Lun* (Treatise on Fetal Breathing), he said: The essence of Taixi is like being in the mother's womb. When the mother exhales, I exhale; when the mother inhales, I inhale. People today do not understand this profound principle; even if they can hold their breath for a short time, they immediately open their mouths to exhale, panting continuously. This not only fails to retain the held breath but also damages and empties Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), allowing external Yang Qi to seize it. Before the breath becomes urgent, one may stop physical activity for a short while, avoiding excessive urgency. Before the breath becomes urgent, first inhale one mouthful of clear Qi through the nose, then use the newly inhaled Qi to replace the residual air from the previously held, urgent breath. Thus, one can retain the Qi, accumulate it until the form and spirit are refreshed, which can cure hundred diseases. Forcing retention or holding is not natural, thus constituting inferior Taixi. True Immortals and Supreme Sages discuss three grades. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth can dispel floating cold, drive away pathogenic heat, break stagnation, and circulate meridians. If one settles the breath, Qi and Blood do not mix, and Yin and Yang naturally couple. If one settles ten thousand breaths, Qi remains still and Spirit hides, achieving the merit of the Great Vehicle, which cannot be described. Regarding the way of tonifying Qi, this is the supreme method. Or, swallowing Qi to relieve hunger and thirst, circulating Qi to strengthen muscles and skin, gathering Qi to tonify the Lower Tian, nurturing Qi to restore youthful complexion, moving Qi to benefit blood vessels; although small merits are seen, none compare to the efficacy of Taixi in tonifying Qi, which is rapid and enduring.