Library

Engaging in lust without self-reverence is the first; being trapped in hardship and confinement, lacking a free and elegant spirit, is the second; resenting Heaven and blaming others, thereby generating widespread vexation, is the third; worrying about tomorrow today, planning for a hundred years within a single year (excessive anxiety), is the fourth; household members creating noise and disturbance, making everything seen and heard a source of thorns and pain, is the fifth; listening to shamans and engaging in prayer rituals that involve extensive slaughter, is the sixth; improper rest and wakefulness, and undisciplined diet, is the seventh; concealing illness and avoiding medical treatment, leading to the reckless administration of remedies for deficiency-excess or cold-heat patterns, is the eighth; taking excessive herbal decoctions to purge the intestines and stomach, gradually depleting Yuan Qi (Original Energy), is the ninth; regarding death as suffering and harboring persistent, hard-to-sever attachments to one's relatives, is the tenth. Among all the sufferings of sentient beings, disease ranks first. The foolish create suffering from suffering, like a silkworm spinning its own cocoon; the wise extinguish suffering within suffering, like a bird escaping a cage. I pity sentient beings for their deep karmic obstacles, which make immediate liberation difficult, so I write this as a skillful means (Upaya) for their benefit.

Master Zhongli said: Longevity and immortality are achieved by human effort. Is there a way to achieve longevity? In the past, Jizi categorized the six extremes, stating: misfortune, short life, and untimely death. Thus, we know that humans' inability to live long lives is due to their self-destruction of life. It is like grass and trees just beginning to grow; if they are broken, few can flourish and thrive. The Three Treasures of the human body are Jing (Essence), Qi (Energy), and Shen (Spirit). People say that cultivating the Elixir requires cutting off sexual desire, and those who practice health preservation should regard this as the primary principle. Some ask: "Refining Jing refers to refining Yuan Jing (Primal Essence), not the Jing produced through sexual intercourse; does it really depend on cutting off lust?" One does not realize that Yuan Jing and the Jing of licentiousness are fundamentally not two different substances. Before sexual stimulation occurs, there is no formed Jing in the body. The *Huangdi Neijing* states: "The Kidney is the mansion of Jing," and also: "Each of the Five Zang organs has its own organ essence," with no place for it to stagnate. At this time, Jing is contained within Yuan Qi and has not yet taken form. Only during sexual union does this Qi transform into Jing, descending from the Niwang Palace (Cavity of Mud Pill) along the spine to the Bladder and external genitals, where it is expelled. This expelled Jing becomes dregs, known as the Jing of sexual sensation. When it arises from True Oneness, it is Yuan Jing; when it leaks through sexual sensation, it is lust. Their nature as the source of Yuan Qi is identical. Therefore, cultivators of Immortality retain Jing, causing the root to become strong and Sheng Qi (Vital Energy) to flourish daily. If the desire mind does not cease and the Spiritual Root is not firm, this Jing is consumed daily, Yuan Qi diminishes daily, until exhaustion leads to death. However, people during sexual intercourse press their hands against the Weilu point (Governing Vessel 4), blocking the expulsion of licentious Jing, calling this "retaining Jing without emission." They do not know that retaining Jing must be done before it takes form. If one waits until it has formed and then tries to stop it, the Jing has already left the Kidney mansion, and Shen Qi has departed. This causes foul matter to accumulate between the waist and kidneys, leading to strange diseases. How foolish! Blind teachers deceive them, saying: "One should guide this Jing upward from Weilu, through Jiaji and Shuangguan, and stop it, which constitutes returning Jing to nourish the brain, named Ni Shui Golden Elixir." Alas! This is killing without wielding a blade; can one escape heavenly retribution? Therefore, those who wish to retain Jing must exert effort in clearing the mind and purifying thoughts during ordinary times.