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Human beings are endowed with the Qi of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements (Wu Xing), born within heaven and earth, with no place not in harmony with heaven and earth. When humans fall ill, it is akin to the imbalance of Yin and Yang in heaven and earth. Therefore, to understand humans, one must first understand heaven and earth. The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: "Establishing the Way of Heaven lies in Yin and Yang; establishing the Way of Earth lies in Softness and Hardness." Generally, the substance of hardness and softness is the condensation of the Qi of Yin and Yang. Thus, Cheng Yi said: "All that has Qi belongs to Heaven; all that has form belongs to Earth." He also said: "If Earth's Qi does not ascend, Heaven's Qi will not descend; when Heaven's Qi descends to the ground, the organisms growing in the earth all contain Heaven's Qi." Zhu Xi said: "Earth resides motionless in the center of Heaven, not below." (Heaven envelops Earth like a bird egg encasing its yolk. Heaven is large, Earth is small; both interior and exterior are water. Earth is named 'Earth Sphere'. Heaven is round, and Earth is also round; the term 'square Earth' refers to Earth's virtue being square, still, and receiving Heaven.) If Heaven were to pause for even an instant, Earth would collapse. This is the meaning of Heaven enveloping Earth. Speaking from the human body, above the diaphragm, the Lungs, Heart, and Pericardium (Xin Bao Luo) symbolize Heaven; below the diaphragm, the Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Kidneys, San Jiao (Triple Burner), and Bladder symbolize Earth. The Classics state: Above Tian Shu (the umbilicus acupoint), Heaven's Qi dominates; below Tian Shu, Earth's Qi dominates. This is stated from the perspective that Tian Shu is located in the middle of the abdomen. I divide heaven and earth by the diaphragm based on the light and clear Qi being Heaven and the heavy and turbid Qi being Earth. However, although the area below the diaphragm is dominated by Earth's Qi, what actually governs its circulation is Heaven's Qi. Not only this, but any part of the skin, muscles, meridians, sinews, bones, and zang-fu organs that has tangible substance and remains static symbolizes Earth and belongs to Yin; while those parts with hollow orifices for circulation symbolize Heaven and belong to Yang. Jing (Essence) (When two spirits intertwine to form a shape, existing prior to the body, it is called Essence), Jin (Fluids) (When pores open and sweat flows profusely, it is called Jin), Ti (Nasal mucus/tears), Tuo (Saliva), Qi (The Upper Jiao opens and disseminates, spreading the flavors of grains, steaming the skin, moistening hair, like mist and dew irrigating, this is called Qi), Xue (Blood) (The Middle Jiao receives Qi, extracts juice, transforms it into red, this is called Blood), Ye (Body Fluids) (When food enters and Qi is full, it moistens and pours into bones, aiding joint flexion and extension, excreting moisture, nourishing brain marrow, and moistening skin, this is called Ye). These are like the moon and water in heaven and earth; Yang Qi is like the sun and fire in heaven and earth.

Examining the heavens, there are nine layers: The highest layer is Zong Dong Tian (Universal Mover), rotating left; the eight inner layers (Fixed Stars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Tai Yin), rotate right; each day is wrapped by Zong Dong Tian, rotating left. Zong Dong Tian is the master of the Qi that circulates all movements. (Chinese learning holds that the Way of Heaven rotates left, and the sun and moon also rotate left. This refers to the Seven Planets moving with Zong Dong Tian). At the highest point, inhalation and exhalation connect with Heaven's Qi; the body is extremely light and void, and its function is primarily descending and purifying. The Lung is indeed the Heaven of humans. It is not just the Lung organ itself that represents Heaven; all meridians between zang-fu organs and internal/external hollow orifices capable of conducting Qi are none other than Heaven. Although each zang-fu organ's meridians and orifices have their own organ's Qi for circulation, similar to how the seven planets operate their own heavens, they all follow the Lung's Qi for circulation and are penetrated by Lung Qi. The Lung is indeed the Universal Mover of humans, hence it is said that the Lung governs Heaven's Qi. The Qi in the Lung is named Zong Qi (Gathering Qi), also known as Da Qi (Great Qi). Earth resides in the center of Heaven, humans reside in Qi, Heaven envelops Earth, and Qi envelops substance; heaven, earth, and humans share the same principle. In heaven, there is the Sun; in humans, there is the Heart. The Heart is connected to the Lung, just as the Sun is tied to Heaven; Heaven is Yang, the Sun is the essence of Yang, Lung Qi is Yang, and the Heart is the Supreme Yang within Yin. Heaven moves vigorously, completing 365.25 degrees in one day and night, advancing one degree further. The Sun moves slightly slower, completing 365.25 degrees in one day and night; because Heaven advances one degree, the Sun retreats one degree. The Zong Qi in the human Lung governs the Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) of the Heart, circulating fifty times through the body in one day and night, starting from Yin hour and ending at Chou hour, restarting after completion. After seven days, the cycle matches the heavenly degrees. Thus, the *I Ching* says: "Seven days returns," revealing the Heart of Heaven. Essentially, Ying Qi must follow Zong Qi in its movement; therefore, the Twelve Meridians begin with the Lung. Every day at Yin hour, all pulses gather at the Lung (humans are born at Yin). The Lung governing Heaven's Qi is evident proof.

The meridians throughout the human body root in the Heart, connect upward to the Lung, and return downward, like a tree having roots, trunk, and branches. Within and outside the hundred bodies, one Qi flows smoothly, circulating blood vessels, entering and exiting mutually. Hence, the Classics say the Heart generates Blood, and again, all vessels belong to the Heart. According to different functions of meridians, their visibility varies. The Classics state: "Jing Mai (Main Meridians) are usually invisible; what is visible are Luo Mai (Collaterals)." Jing Mai primarily sends out blood, traveling outward from zang-fu organs, close to sinews and bones, so in thick muscle areas, pressing does not reveal pulsation. Luo Mai primarily returns blood, traveling inward from the exterior to zang-fu organs, close to muscles, so they are easily seen; blue vessels without pulse are all Luo Mai. Jing Mai travels from inside to outside, its Qi is vigorous, fast circulation means blood and pulse are present, and the blood is red. Luo Mai travels from outside to inside, its Qi is slow, slow circulation means blood but no distinct pulse, and the blood is purple. What Western science calls arterioles are Jing Mai; venules are Luo Mai. Fang (Chamber) refers to the Heart Orifice. Jing Mai arises from the lower-left orifice of the Heart, travels up through the upper-left orifice, connecting with Jing Mai in the left lung lobe, curves down from the Lung, follows hand meridians, descends to foot meridians, and enters Sun Luo (fine collaterals); as it moves from Sun Luo to Luo Mai, it gradually slows, and its color turns purple. Thus, purple blood travels via Luo Mai, ascending to the two Luo Mai in the upper-right orifice of the Heart, returning through the Luo Mai of the lower-right orifice, entering the Luo Mai in the right lung lobe, where purple blood transforms back to red (Yin follows Yang), returning to the upper-left orifice of the Heart, and finally to the lower-left orifice. Jing Mai (rotating right then returning to left) circulates continuously like a ring. Generating blood, it rotates left; returning blood, it rotates right. Left rotation: Yang governs Yin; Right rotation: Yin follows Yang (consistent with Hetu and Luoshu). In reality, it is one Qi rotating, not two. Observing this, it coincides perfectly with Heaven's fast left rotation and slow right rotation; and with Heaven's left and right rotations unified into one Qi, there is no discrepancy. Such is the case with meridians, so one can infer about zang-fu organs. All zang-fu organs have meridians penetrating them to connect internally and externally. Whatever connects belongs to Heaven's Qi. The Six Fu Organs are like vessels, nothing is different. Not only do the贲门 (Jie Men), You Men (Pylorus), Lan Men (Spiral Valve), and San Jiao gates conduct Heaven's Qi, but also the throat conducts Heaven's Qi and the pharynx conducts Earth's Qi to receive Heaven's Qi above. This is the Heaven within the body.

Speaking further of the Heaven outside the body. The Classics state: "The head is round, symbolizing Heaven." The head is the gathering point of all Yang Qi; the head governs Heaven, and Qi is solidified there. If Heaven's Qi is obstructed, heavy head and headache naturally occur. Even the feet, being the lowest, are penetrated by Heaven's Qi. Therefore, when humans suffer from Lung Wei (Flaccidity Syndrome of the Lung), the feet become flaccid and unable to walk; when external pathogens obstruct Lung Qi, the feet become sore and painful, or even cold; these are all manifestations of Heaven enveloping Earth. The Classics say: "Heaven's Qi connects through the nose." And again: "The nose is the orifice of the Lung." Once affected by external pathogens, causing cough, wheezing, and chest fullness, the nasal orifice becomes blocked and unsmooth; this shows the nose and Lung are closest. Other examples: The Heart寄 (resides) its orifice in the ear, the Gallbladder meridian connects to the ear, the Kidney opens to the ear, the Liver opens to the eyes, the Spleen opens to the mouth, the Kidney also opens to the two yin openings, the breast orifice connects downward to the Liver and Stomach, and the umbilical orifice connects backward to Ming Men (Gate of Life). (The umbilical orifice faces Ming Men between the two kidneys needle-point opposite). Although each orifice has its own original Qi, they are all penetrated by Zong Qi. I have observed that external pathogens obstructing Zong Qi, if Dryness prevails, the ears ring; if Dampness prevails, the ears deafen. If the Liver is affected by dry wind or damp-heat, eye disease occurs; this is the Liver's original Qi self-diseasing. The essence of the Five Zang Organs all pours upward into the eyes, and the Kidney is the root of the Qi of the five zang organs. If the True Yin and True Yang in the Kidney are deficient, vision becomes dim; hence the Classics say: "Depletion of Yin leads to blindness, depletion of Yang leads to hallucinations." This is the root Qi of the five zang organs self-diseasing. I have observed that external pathogens obstructing Zong Qi, if Dryness prevails leading to Heat, Heat cannot transform Yin to reach the exterior, resulting in dry eyes without tears; if Dampness prevails, it causes wetness, preventing Water from transforming and descending, resulting in excessive tearing and rotting eyes. If the Spleen has damp-heat, mouth ulcers and sweet saliva appear; if the Spleen has dry-heat, or Gallbladder dry-heat attacks the Spleen, the mouth tastes bitter with much irritability and thirst; this is the Spleen's original Qi self-diseasing. I have observed that external pathogens obstructing Zong Qi, Lung Yang stagnates above, unable to transform Yin below, causing dry lips and thirst. If Kidney Yang is deficient, it cannot control water, leading to enuresis; it cannot move water, leading to spontaneous diarrhea. If Kidney Yin is deficient, it cannot moisten the intestines, leading to dry stool constipation; it cannot moisten the bladder, leading to short, frequent urination; this is the Kidney's original Qi self-diseasing. I have observed that external pathogens obstructing Zong Qi lead to intestinal constipation or strangury, or if Dryness prevails, urgent diarrhea; if Dampness prevails, the Five Diarrheas. If Liver and Stomach Yin are deficient, milk cannot be transformed and ascended; if Liver and Stomach Yang are knotted, they cannot connect upward to the breast orifice; this is the Liver and Stomach's original Qi self-diseasing. I have observed that external pathogens obstructing Zong Qi lead to breast cancer (Ru Yan). All external pathogenic dryness and dampness, presenting various symptoms, although each zang-fu organ's original Qi may self-disease, ultimately all relate to the Lung, because the Lung is the master of all Qi, and there is only one Qi in Heaven. Not only are the large orifices like this, but even the over eight million sweat pores on the skin (sweat pores are named Xuan Fu, also called Ghost Doors), their original Qi also diseases. If Lung Qi cannot reach the exterior, symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, headache, body pain, lower back pain, and soreness/pain in hands and feet appear; if Lung Qi cannot descend, symptoms such as abdominal pain, chest bi (pain), cough, vomiting, and wheezing appear. Contracting Wind-Dryness, Summer-Dryness, or Cold-Dryness, binding the Qi mechanism, preventing exterior release, leads to anhidrosis (no sweat). Contracting Wind-Damp (spontaneous sweating), Cold-Damp (cold sweat), Summer-Damp, or Damp-Warmth (hot sweat), obstructing the Qi mechanism, preventing descent, overflowing horizontally leads to spontaneous sweating, cold sweat, or hot sweat. Alternatively, Dryness knots in the Blood level, leading to heat jue (cold limbs); Dampness obstructs the Qi level, leading to cold jue; Dryness descends too much, Heat severely forces fluids, leading to fire diarrhea; Dampness stagnates too much, Qi fails to move water, leading to the Five Diarrheas, or urinary retention and fecal impaction. Like a vessel pouring water, if the upper orifice is blocked, the lower orifice passes not a drop; if the lower orifice is blocked, the upper orifice is congested and cannot open. All these manifestations relate to the Lung. The Lung governs Heaven's Qi, truly not false.

As for Earth, it originally receives Heaven; if Earth's Qi does not ascend, Heaven's Qi does not descend. The Stomach is originally Earth's Qi in humans, and the Kidneys are Heaven's Qi stored within Earth. The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, and the Official of Granaries. The development of the Stomach relies on the True Yin and True Yang of the Kidneys to develop together; hence the Classics say: "The Kidney is the gate of the Stomach." And again: "In all diseases of the four seasons, Stomach Qi is the root; those who obtain grain prosper, those who lose grain perish." And again: "Ying [Qi] emerges from the Middle Jiao." And again... (text implies continuation regarding fluid metabolism)... Ascending. Regulating water passages, transmitting downward to the Bladder, Water Essence distributes everywhere, the Five Meridians run together. This is Heaven's Qi descending. And again: The fierce Qi of water and grain is Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), the essential Qi of water and grain is Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). The essence within Ying Blood, receiving Lung Qi to distribute it, enters the Gallbladder to transform into bile, enters the Kidney to transform into Essence, ascends to the head to transform into Brain Marrow, and internally enters bone cavities to transform into Marrow. Thus it is said: "Heaven's Qi descends to the earth, and organisms in the earth are all Heaven's Qi." The water, following Lung Qi respiration, is absorbed into the intestines and stomach. Lung raises it out as Qi, exudes it through hair follicles as sweat, the remainder enters the inner Kidney, obtains San Jiao Qi transformation, seeps into the Bladder as urine. Thus it is said: "Qi is the mother of Water." And again: "Water travels in the heavens." However, why do Water and Blood travel together in the collaterals without hindering each other? Because Blood is governed by the Blood Wheel. (Note: In *Nei Jing*, puncturing blood collaterals yields clear fluid, showing Water and Blood travel together in blood collaterals). Its dregs change in the Small Intestine (Small Intestine is the Fire Fu Organ, thus capable of transformation). Transmitted to the Large Intestine, all this is distributed by Lung Qi; this is Yin following Yang. The True Yin and True Yang of Heaven emerge on the ground to generate all things, but are actually hidden in the earth, being the source of all things. The True Yin of the human Lung spreads downward to the Kidney to become Water; the True Yang of the Lung descends to the Kidney to become Fire, which is "Earth residing in Heaven, Heaven enveloping Earth." Between the two Kidneys is named Ming Men (Gate of Life), the foundation of the human body. One Yang hides among two Yins, Water and Fire house each other, corresponding to the Kan hexagram. Lung inhalation and exhalation connect breath-by-breath with Kidney Qi in the waist; hence the Classics say: "The Kidney connects upward to the Lung." As for the Spleen, it is like soil on the embankments of the earth, scattering essence from the Stomach to transport upward to the Lung. The Liver is like wood on the earth, pivoting the generating Qi arising from the earth. The Six Meridians are rivers, the intestines and stomach are seas, like the Jing and Wei rivers of the earth, transporting clarity and moving turbidity. From this view, is the human body indeed a small heaven and earth! Are not the Lung, Kidney, and Stomach the most important in the human body!