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The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) contains the concept of *Taiji* (Supreme Ultimate), from which arise the *Liangyi* (Two Modes, i.e., Yin and Yang). Zhou Dunyi, fearing that people would not understand this principle, composed the *Taiji Tu* (Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate). "Wuji" transforms into "Taiji"; what is called "Wuji" (Non-Ultimate) is the Taiji before differentiation; what is called "Taiji" is the Yin and Yang after differentiation. The central stroke divides the Taiji; the pictographic form of the character "Zhong" (Middle/Center) corresponds precisely to the shape of the Taiji. One line corresponds to the Yang Yao (odd line) drawn by Fuxi; drawing it as a circle represents Wuji, which is referred to as the Pre-Heaven Taiji. Before Heaven was generated, everything belonged to the formless state. Why did Fuxi draw this single Yang line? Zhou Dunyi drew a circle, which seems to have fallen into the realm of tangible traces. The answer is: This was done out of necessity to reveal the intent to later scholars. Humans are born receiving the Qi of the Middle from Heaven and Earth, and thus possess the form of Taiji. Within the human body, how can one fail to study it earnestly!

The Mingmen (Gate of Life) is located in the middle of the human body, opposite the navel, attached to the vertebral column. Counting from top to bottom, it is at the fourteenth vertebra; counting from bottom to top, it is at the seventh vertebra. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Beside the seventh section lies the 'Xiaoxin' (Small Heart)." This is where the two Kidneys reside. The left Kidney belongs to Yin Water, and the right Kidney belongs to Yang Water. The two Kidneys are separated by one cun and five fen on each side. In the middle lies the palace of the Mingmen, which corresponds to the white circle in the Taiji Tu. To its right is a small white aperture, which is the *Xianghuo* (Ministerial Fire). To its left is a small black aperture, which is the *Zhen Shui* (True Water) of Tian Yi (One from Heaven). This Water and Fire both belong to formless Qi. The Ministerial Fire takes orders from the Mingmen, and the True Water follows the Ministerial Fire. From Yin hour to Shen hour, it circulates twenty-five degrees in the Yang phase; from You hour to Chou hour, it circulates twenty-five degrees in the Yin phase. It flows continuously day and night among the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. If it stagnates, disease occurs; if it ceases, death ensues. When humans procreate, there is first the convergence of Fire, followed by the gathering of Essence. Therefore, it is said that "Fire precedes Water." At birth, one first possesses the Fire of the Mingmen. This insight was revealed by Chu Qixian, uncovering what predecessors had not stated. The worldly view that "the father provides Jing (Essence) and the mother provides Blood" is incorrect. Both men and women prioritize Fire. Both have Jing, but in men, Yang contains Yin, with Fire as the primary aspect; in women, Yin contains Yang, with Jing as the primary aspect. It is correct to say that Yin contains Jing and Yang contains Qi. When male and female energies combine and interact, the physical form is then created. The formed body belongs entirely to Post-Heaven. Although the Post-Heaven body possesses all limbs and bones, without even a spark of Pre-Heaven Fire Qi, it would be nothing but dead ash. However, the function of the Yuan Yang (Original Yang) Monarch in responding to affairs and interacting with things originates from the Heart, which initiates planning and management; thus, the Heart is considered the master. As for dwelling in Truth and nurturing breath, serving as the root of continuous generation and transformation, this resides exclusively within the two Kidneys; therefore, the Kidneys are particularly emphasized. Yet, in reality, it is neither the Kidneys nor the Heart. (Li Shizhen said: The Mingmen is the organ that stores Jing and connects to the Bao (Uterus). Its substance is neither fat nor flesh, but wrapped in a white membrane. Located at the seventh vertebra of the spine, in the center between the two Kidneys, it attaches below the spine, connecting to both Kidneys, ascending to connect with the Heart and Lungs, and penetrating the brain. It is the origin of life, the master of Ministerial Fire, and the residence of Jing and Qi. All humans and animals possess it. All living things originate from here. When men and women conceive, they all rely on this Mingmen Fire to form the fetus. A person's fortune or misfortune, longevity or shortness of life, all stem from this.)

Both Kidneys belong to Water; the left is Yin Water, and the right is Yang Water. To consider the right Kidney as the Mingmen is incorrect. The Mingmen is located between the two Kidneys.

The small black circle to the left of the Mingmen is the aperture of True Water; the small white circle to the right of the Mingmen is the aperture of Ministerial Fire. This Water and Fire are both formless, moving secretly and ceaselessly day and night.