《消魔经》云∶耳欲得数按抑,左右令无数,使人聪彻。所谓营治城廓,名书皇籍。
天鼓者,耳中声也。以两手心紧按耳门,以指击其脑户,常欲其声壮盛,相续不散。一日三
操,有益于下丹田。或声散不续,无壮盛者,即元气不集,宜整之。
《真诰》云∶面者神之庭,发者脑之华。心悲即面焦,脑减则发素。《太素经》云∶一面
之上,常欲得两手摩拭之使热,高下随形,皆使极匝,令人面有光泽,皱斑不生。行之五年,
色如少女。所谓山泽通气,常盈不没。又云∶勤而行之,手不离面,乃佳。
《真诰》云∶顺手摩发,如理栉之状,使发不白。以两
手乘额上,谓之手朝三元,固脑坚发之道也。头四面,以手乘之,顺发就结,唯令多也。
《黄庭经》云∶一面之神宗泥丸,泥丸九真皆有房,方圆一寸处其中。
《黄庭经》云∶两部水王对生门。生门者脐也。闭内气,鼓小腹令满,以手摩一周天。
此在口诀。气海与肾相连,属壬癸。水性就下,水归于海,不能独升,必以阳配。阳既下临,阴
即上报。故化为云雾,蒸为甘雨,润泽枯槁,百骸九窍,无所不达。烟萝子所谓火逼水、云 、
五行相连会成功。启玄子亦云∶无出则不入,无降则无升。
此在口诀。世人不蒙师授,多将心火为火。火属神,且内中垆鼎在心,下得心火为火,其火
在鼎上。《千经万论》言火从下发,未闻火从上来。《周易》卦有水火既济,是上水下火,火自脐
下起,水在鼎中生。故曰上水下火。诀云∶但从
山头取水,海底起火,重阳中取汞,重阴中取铅。故行有路,取有时,世人窃用其道,不受口诀,
反受其病。通真子歌云∶解接无根木,能挑海底灯。古歌亦曰∶还丹修炼本无形,元火烹来即渐成。
须信神仙路咫尺,朗然飞步上青冥。
The *Xiao Mo Jing* (Scripture on Extinguishing Demons) states: The ears should be frequently pressed and kneaded, alternating left and right without limit, to make one's hearing sharp and clear. This is called "Ying Zhi Cheng Guo" (Managing and Repairing the City Walls), implying that by preserving the body like fortifying a city, one's name may be recorded in the Imperial Register of Immortals.
What is called "Tian Gu" (Heavenly Drum) refers to the sounds within the ears. Press the ear gates tightly with both palms, and strike the back of the head (near Fengfu GV16) with fingers. One should constantly aim for the sound to be loud and vigorous, continuous and unbroken. Practicing this three times a day benefits the Lower Dantian. If the sound is scattered and discontinuous, or lacks vigor, it indicates that Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) has not gathered; one should adjust the method to consolidate it.
The *Zhen Gao* (True Records) states: The face is the courtyard of the Spirit (Shen); hair is the brilliance of the brain. Sorrow causes the face to wither; depletion of the brain causes hair to turn white. The *Tai Su Jing* (Classic of Great Simplicity) states: On the surface of the face, one should frequently rub and wipe it with both hands until it becomes hot. Follow the contours high and low, ensuring thorough coverage, so that the face gains luster and wrinkles do not form. Practicing this for five years makes the complexion resemble that of a young girl. This is referred to as "Shan Ze Tong Qi" (Mountain and Marsh Ventilate Each Other), indicating constant fullness and non-depletion. It further states: Practice diligently, keeping hands close to the face, which is optimal.
The *Zhen Gao* states: Massage the hair along its direction, as if combing it, to prevent hair from turning white. Place both hands above the forehead, termed "Hands Facing the Three Primaries" (San Yuan), which is the way to solidify the brain and strengthen the hair. Use hands to massage all four sides of the head, following the direction of hair growth towards knots, aiming for repetition. The *Huang Ting Jing* (Yellow Court Scripture) states: The deity of the face takes Ni Wan Palace (Mud Pill Palace) as its master. Within Ni Wan Palace, there are nine True Ones, each having their own chamber, located in the center of a square inch area.
The *Huang Ting Jing* states: The Two Water Kings (Kidneys and Bladder) face the Gate of Life (Sheng Men). The Gate of Life is the umbilicus. Retain internal Qi, distend the lower abdomen until full, and then rub the abdomen with hands for one cycle of Heaven (a full circular motion).
These points belong to oral instructions. Qihai (Sea of Qi) connects with the Kidneys and belongs to Ren and Gui (Water element in Heavenly Stems). Water nature flows downward; water returns to the sea but cannot rise alone; it must be paired with Yang. Once Yang descends below, Yin reports upward. Thus, they transform into clouds and mist, vaporize into sweet rain, moistening dryness, reaching every bone and orifice. Yanluo Zi said: "Fire forces Water," "Clouds move and Rain is poured," "Five Elements connect and achieve success." Qixuan Zi also said: "Without exiting, there is no entering; without descending, there is no ascending."
These points belong to oral instructions. People in the world, lacking transmission from a master, often mistake Heart Fire for the true fire. Fire corresponds to Shen (Spirit). The internal furnace and tripod are located in the heart. If one uses Heart Fire as the fire, the fire is above the tripod. The *Qian Jing Wan Lun* (Thousand Scriptures and Myriad Discourses) states that fire rises from below; it is unheard of for fire to come from above. The hexagram *Shui Huo Ji Ji* (Water over Fire - Completion) in the *I Ching* depicts upper water and lower fire, where fire rises from below the navel, and water generates within the tripod. Hence, it is said: Upper water, lower fire. The formula states: Only take water from the mountain peak (Yang seeking Yin), ignite fire from the sea bottom (Yin seeking Yang); extract Mercury from Heavy Yang, and Lead from Heavy Yin. Thus, there is a path for practice, and timing for extraction. Those who secretly use this method without receiving the correct oral instructions suffer illness instead. Tongzhen Zi's song says: "Untie the rootless wood, able to light the lamp at the sea bottom." An ancient song also says: "The refinement of the Elixir is originally formless; cooked by Primordial Fire, it gradually forms." One must believe that the path of immortals is but a step away; clearly and swiftly, ascend to the blue heavens.