甚哉!坟素之书以心为身中君主之官,神明出焉。以此养生则寿,而齿不殆。主不明则道闭
塞而不通,形乃大伤。以此养生则殃。故《庄子》有养生主篇,盖有心者必有身,故人我交相,
而物欲蔽其明也。
昔者太王之去国也,召其耆老而告之曰∶君子不以其所以养人者害人。故逾梁山而迁岐山之
下。养生之为道,莫大如此,而身外琐琐,又何足以累吾之灵府哉?是则人心之病,如面不同。
混浓之辞难为通治。故述方内之道,以正其心;方外之道,以广其志;百氏之言,以返其流;游
谈之说,以攻其蔽。或因激怒而愤悱,或因随喜而投机,使其各有所入,则庶不溺于常见也。试
请论之。
夫一心万虑,其义有三∶有天理,有人情,有五行。仁者梦金革,此五行之所役也。甚饥梦
取,甚饱梦与,非人情之使然乎?夫天理者何?一言而蔽之曰∶上帝临汝,毋贰尔心。故由仁义
行,非行仁义也。不获己者,如达摩大师云∶外息诸缘,内心无惴。庄子云∶宇宙者,发乎天光。
故黄帝赤水求玄珠,非罔象无由得之。此道甚易,人自为难。从浅而言,唯息奔竞,默聪明,涵
智能而已。
是故余尝有言曰∶世人不必聪明,不必愚鲁。是必愚鲁者,下愚也;是必聪明者,上智也。
其余察察,皆系祸福之门。故嵇康从孙登三年,登未尝出一言。康欲辞去,登乃曰∶子识火乎?
火生而有光,而不用其光,果在于用光;人生而有才,而不用其才,果在于用才。故用光在乎得
薪,所以保其耀;用才在乎识真,所以保其年。今子才多识寡,难乎免于今之世矣。子无求乎!
康不能用,果遭非命,乃作幽愤诗曰∶昔惭柳下,今愧孙登。如《庄子》寓言,祖习《老》《列》,
证引孔颜,伪仁义而显仁义,出世间而居世间,故非明论庄政之言,实出诸子百氏之表。下学人
窃取文华而为笔力,诵其汗漫而为高谈。中才以上者 绎之,如人之美食美器,可以味能虚心实
腹。上达者观之,则如程孔目击而已矣。
故《太乙真人破迷歌》云∶道傍逢一鱼,犹能掉红尾。子若欲救之,急须送于水。道傍逢一
人,性命将沦委。子若欲救之,急须与道理。《黄帝阴符经》云∶上有神仙抱一之道,中有富国
安民之法,下有强兵战胜之术。故以身为国,以心为君,精气为民,抱一守中,心不妄用。故精
充气住,则如物阜民繁,然后阴虎阳龙,烹炼三尸而战退百邪。丹田有宝,四大轻安。修之不已,
内功外行。乃证真仙,再历真空。果位无修,可修则
与佛同体,故名万法之尊,心之灵妙。有若是者,上为三界诸天之祖,下为六道四生之源。然则
何为然而霄壤之间乎?
所谓天理也、人情也、五行也,五行人情交战于物欲之私者,小人也,故有刑灾异类之差。
人情天理相符于显微之机者,君子也,故无宠辱若惊之患。若夫仰钻瞻忽之道,颜子心斋日至,
孟子浩然难言。必也还源之士,超出乎理路之表者,强名曰佛,亦名大觉金仙。此非一曲之士之
所知,再请敷露。
夫用天之道,因地之利,谨身节用,以养父母,此孔子已尝许为庶人之孝也。既孝矣,又何
加焉?故当体认喜怒哀乐未发之先,毫发无间之地。此则心君之实相,号曰本来面目。以是了了
尝知,言之不可及,故神而明之,存乎其人。倘居上而骄,为下而乱,在丑而争,思无不邪,言
必纵欲,窃仲尼之冠佩,掩盗 之忍残,苟侥幸而免于刑戮,则欣灾危昏梦之间,游魂为变之际,
意光业镜,心事阎王,不待六审三推,自然根据款承伏,故沉而为地狱饿鬼,从而为胎卵湿化,恶
趋将尽。次因缘再托人身,而又私计人我,残贼天真。报缘既尽,新业已成,复入轮回,备偿夙
债,不失人身则幸矣。余尝有曰∶天地熔金作一炉,鼎钟盂鉴总由吾。他年要识方圆器,各自而
今观造模。其有志趣不凡者,因而步入道环,则朝市山林,空手把锄头,步行骑水牛,而游戏三昧也。
It is of utmost importance! The *Fen Su* (referring to the *Suwen* and *Lingshu*, foundational texts of Traditional Chinese Medicine) states that the Heart is the sovereign official within the body, from which the Shen (Spirit/Mind) emerges. By employing this principle for Yangsheng (nourishing life), one achieves longevity, and the teeth remain firm. If the sovereign (Heart) is unclear, then the Dao (Way/Path) becomes blocked and obstructed, causing severe damage to the physical form. Employing such a state for Yangsheng leads to disaster. Thus, the *Zhuangzi* contains the chapter "The Master Who Nourishes Life," implying that where there is a mind, there is necessarily a body; hence, humans and others interact, while worldly desires obscure the inner light.
In ancient times, when King Tai left his homeland, he summoned his elders and told them: "A gentleman does not use that which nourishes people to harm people." Therefore, he crossed Mount Liang and relocated to the foot of Mount Qi. There is no greater principle in Yangsheng than this; how could trivial matters outside the body burden our spiritual mansion? Consequently, ailments of the human heart are as diverse as faces. Vague and general statements cannot serve as universal treatments. Therefore, we expound upon the principles within the square (the mundane world) to rectify the mind; the principles outside the square (the transcendent world) to broaden aspirations; the words of various schools to return to the source; and discursive theories to attack obscurations. Whether through provoked indignation or spontaneous joy leading to resonance, allowing each to find their entry point prevents drowning in common prejudices. Let us attempt to discuss this.
The single mind encompasses ten thousand thoughts, whose meaning falls into three categories: Heavenly Principle (Tianli), Human Emotion/Desire (Renqing), and the Five Phases (Wuxing). A benevolent person dreaming of weapons and armor is being driven by the Five Phases. Dreaming of taking when extremely hungry, or giving when extremely full—is this not caused by human emotions? What is Heavenly Principle? It can be summarized in one phrase: "The Supreme Lord is present with you; do not let your heart waver." Thus, one acts from Benevolence and Righteousness, rather than acting merely to display Benevolence and Righteousness. In unavoidable circumstances, as Master Bodhidharma said: "Externally cease all conditions; internally, have no fear." Zhuangzi said: "The universe originates from Heavenly Light." Thus, when the Yellow Emperor sought the Dark Pearl at the Chi River, it could only be obtained through "Wangxiang" (a spirit-like entity representing formlessness). This Dao is very easy, yet people make it difficult. From a superficial perspective, it simply means ceasing competitive rushing, silently preserving wisdom, and cultivating intelligence.
Therefore, I have once said: People need not strive to appear clever, nor need they strive to appear foolish. Those who must appear foolish are the profoundly ignorant; those who must appear clever are the supremely wise. The rest, who are overly discerning, open the gates to fortune and misfortune. Thus, Ji Kang followed Sun Deng for three years, during which Sun Deng never spoke a word. When Ji Kang wished to leave, Sun Deng finally said: "Do you know fire? Fire is born with light, but its true utility lies in using that light; humans are born with talent, but its true value lies in utilizing that talent. Using light requires fuel to maintain its brilliance; using talent requires recognizing truth to preserve one's lifespan. Now, you possess much talent but little insight; it will be difficult to avoid misfortune in this era. Do not seek [worldly success]!" Ji Kang did not heed this and indeed met an untimely death, composing the "Poem of Hidden Resentment": "Yesterday I felt ashamed before Liu Xia Hui; today I feel ashamed before Sun Deng." Like the fables in the *Zhuangzi*, which inherit the teachings of Laozi and Liezi, citing Confucius and Yan Hui, feigning Renyi (Benevolence and Righteousness) to reveal true Renyi, existing beyond the world while dwelling within it, these are not mere arguments on Zhuangzi's politics but stand above the Hundred Schools. Those of lower intellect steal literary flair for rhetorical power, reciting boundless content as high talk. Those of medium intellect and above analyze it like savoring fine food and vessels, nourishing the void and filling the belly. Those of superior attainment observe it as Cheng Hao and Confucius did—direct perception of the Dao.
Thus, the "Song of Taishi Zhenren Breaking Delusion" says: "Meeting a fish by the road, still wagging its red tail. If you wish to save it, hasten to send it back to water. Meeting a person by the road, whose life is about to perish. If you wish to save him, hasten to give him the Dao/Principles." The *Yellow Emperor's Yinfu Jing* states: "Above is the Dao of Immortals embracing Unity; Middle is the method of enriching the state and pacifying the people; Below is the technique of strengthening troops and winning battles." Thus, regarding the body as a state, the Heart as the ruler, Jing (Essence) and Qi (Energy) as the people, embrace Unity and guard the Center, so the Heart does not misuse itself. When Essence and Qi are abundant and settled, it is like abundant goods and prosperous population; then Yin Tiger and Yang Dragon refine the Three Corpses (San Shi) and defeat hundred evils. With a treasure in the Dantian, the Four Great Elements become light and peaceful. Continuous cultivation advances internal skill and external conduct, eventually proving True Immortality and traversing True Emptiness. The Fruit Position requires no cultivation; what can be cultivated shares the same body as the Buddha, hence named the Venerable of Ten Thousand Dharmas, the spiritual subtlety of the Mind. One with such qualities is the ancestor of the Devas of the Three Realms above, and the source of the Four Births of the Six Paths below. Yet why is there such a vast difference between heaven and earth?
Those whose Five Phases and Human Emotions battle within selfish worldly desires are petty men, thus facing punishment, disasters, and differences in species. Those whose Human Emotions align with Heavenly Principle at subtle and manifest levels are gentlemen, thus avoiding the worry of being startled by favor or disgrace. As for the Way that is looked up to and drilled into, or seen and then lost, Yan Hui's fasting of the mind advanced daily, and Mencius's Haoran Zhi Qi (Noble Spirit) was hard to describe. Only those who return to the Source, surpassing the boundaries of rational thought, are forcibly named Buddha, also called the Great Awakening Golden Immortal. This is unknown to those confined to one corner; let me elaborate further.
Following Heavenly Dao, utilizing Earthly benefits, practicing caution in conduct and frugality in use to support parents—this is filial piety among commoners, which Confucius had already approved. Since one is already filial, what more can be added? Therefore, one should realize the moment before Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and Happiness arise, in the space without even a hair's breadth of separation. This is the true aspect of the Heart Sovereign, called the Original Face. Knowing this clearly and constantly, words cannot reach it; thus, its divinity and illumination depend on the individual. If one is arrogant in a high position, rebellious in a low position, contentious among the vile, thinking nothing but evil, speaking only indulgent desires, stealing Confucius's crown and ornaments, covering up robbery and cruelty, and barely escaping punishment through luck, then amidst joy, disaster, danger, confusion, and dreams, when the wandering soul transforms, facing the mirror of karma and Yama (King of Hell), without needing six interrogations and three pushbacks, one naturally confesses based on evidence. Thus, sinking into Hell and Hungry Ghost realms, then into the four modes of birth (womb, egg, moisture, transformation) as evil beings, until the evil path ends. Then, due to causes and conditions, reborn again as a human, yet privately calculating self and other, harming innate nature. When retribution ends and new karma forms, one re-enters Samsara to repay past debts; retaining a human body is already fortunate. I once said: "Heaven and Earth smelt gold into one furnace; tripods, bells, bowls, and mirrors are all shaped by me. In future years, to recognize round and square vessels, look at the current mold-making." Those with extraordinary aspirations thereby step into the ring of the Dao, where markets and mountains are the same, holding a hoe with empty hands, walking while riding a water buffalo, playing freely in Samadhi.