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Qi Declines, Form Withered, Spirit Lacks Vitality
Human aging is caused by indulging in desires and cravings, leading to physical damage and deterioration, resulting in frequent premature death. The *Xi Sheng Jing* (Classic of the Western Ascension) states: "Just as wood generates fire from itself, it eventually burns itself into decay."
Furthermore, the *Yin Fu Jing* (Tally of the Hidden Talisman) states: "The mind arises from external objects." This refers to this very principle.

Returning to the Origin and Restoring the Primordial is the Most True
When primordial qi is preserved and spirit is complete, the Great Dao can be achieved. The True Person Taibai said: "The elderly return to their prime; the vigorous return to infancy." This illustrates the concept of returning to the origin and restoring the primordial state.

Completing the Work of Remedying Faults Gradually Aligns with [the Dao]
"Remedying faults" refers to making up for past transgressions where indulgence in lust consumed and depleted one's vitality. Only when the work of replenishment is completed can one align with the Way of returning to the origin.

Again Knowing that the Great Affliction is My Body
"Again knowing" reiterates the clarification of returning to the origin and restoring the primordial. Returning to the origin and restoring the primordial involves two aspects: first, clarifying "remedying faults," which means seeking the wholeness of qi to return to true nature; second, stating "again knowing," because the root lies in returning to the primordial origin. Laozi said: "I have a great affliction because I have a body. If I had no body, what affliction would I have?" Based on this argument, Laozi did not consider preserving the physical body as the highest attainment.

Spirit and Qi Depend on Each Other and Do Not Separate
If spirit exists without qi, it is like a fish leaving its spring. If qi exists without spirit, it is like a lamp without fire. They cannot be separated.

Deep Understanding May Instead Cause Worldly Doubt
Merging spirit with qi and transforming into formlessness. Regarding the principles of existence and non-existence, one should not cling or stagnate. If understood too deeply, it may cause confusion among those who study broadly. This is because people possess varying degrees of wisdom and insight, ranging from clear to obscure, and shallow to deep.

Moreover, Ordinary People and Sages Practice Differently
Sages do not look at external colors, do not listen to external sounds, and do not ponder external affairs; their spirit condenses and qi unites. Ordinary people harbor greed and jealousy in their hearts, exhausting their spirit and enslaving their intellect. Therefore, sages practice the union of spirit and qi.

How Can One Attain It Without Severing the Furnace of Spirit?
If the movements and stillness (life and death) have not yet returned to the proper path, then spirit and qi are not united, resembling a cat catching a mouse with intense focus. Like sounds responding to each other, like qi seeking its kind, from this point one can form the embryo and nurture the infant (referring to the condensation of the Golden Elixir in internal alchemy). One changes the foul substance, restores youthful appearance, and reverses aging. Refining the cluttered and turbid physical body, either through fire to burn away the old self, or transforming into gold to become bone, or shedding dross and stagnation, or gathering and condensing true suchness. Entering the mysterious gate of non-duality, exhausting the infinite ultimate truths. Thus, it is known that only when spirit and qi find their abode (union) does resonance occur. Utilizing whatever returns, whether right or wrong, shallow or deep, allows one to penetrate the Way of transformation.