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Classics record: When doubt persists without resolution, the mind loses its focus, and the upright qi (vital energy) fails to circulate. External pathogenic factors then invade. This leads to insomnia and loss of appetite, a state of deep silence and depression. The qi and blood become deficient, gradually developing into deficiency consumption (Xu Lao).

The *Spring and Autumn Annals* records that the Marquis of Jin fell ill. He Qi, a physician from Qin, examined him and said, "It cannot be cured; the disease resembles Gu poison." Zhao Meng asked, "What is Gu?" He Qi replied, "It arises from excessive indulgence, confusion, and disorder." In terms of character structure, a 'bug' (chong) inside a 'vessel' (min) constitutes Gu. In the *I Ching* (Book of Changes), when a woman confuses a man, or wind causes trees to fall from mountains, it is called Gu. The hexagram consists of Xun (Wind) below and Gen (Mountain) above. Xun represents the eldest daughter and wind; Gen represents the youngest son and mountain. If the youngest son desires the eldest daughter, it is unnatural, hence leading to confusion. Trees on the mountain falling due to wind illustrates this image.

The *Supplement to the History of the Three Kingdoms* states: Those who constantly suspect will inevitably suffer from heart disease. Li Pan constantly suspected he had been poisoned, so he locked the well before drinking. The Heart is the mansion of Fire; if injured by external factors, it may never fully recover. Excessive suspicion is the root of disease.

In the past, a guest was drinking in a tavern. A carved bow hung on the wall, and its shadow fell into his cup. The guest suspected it was a snake, and upon returning home, his illness manifested. Later, when he drank at the same place again, he realized it was merely the bow's shadow, and his illness was cured. Another monk entered a dark room and stepped on a raw eggplant, suspecting he had taken a life. He could not let go of this thought. At midnight, someone knocked on the door demanding his life. The monk promised to perform rituals for salvation the next day. At dawn, he saw it was only an eggplant. Such is the harm caused by suspicion.

Laozi said: "Block the openings of the senses, close the gates of desire, and one will not toil for a lifetime; open the openings of the senses, facilitate worldly affairs, and one will be beyond saving forever." This means if the eyes do not look wantonly and the mouth does not speak wantonly, one will not suffer hardship. If the eyes gaze upon lust and desires, failing to aid spiritual cultivation, one will be irredeemable until death.

Classics state: Laughter and conversation should be grounded in the regulation of qi. Excessive laughter causes kidney qi to shift, leading to lower back pain. Excessive laughter damages the Shen (Spirit); when the Shen is damaged, one becomes depressed and unhappy, experiencing mental agitation and instability. Excessive laughter damages the Zang organs; when the Zang organs are damaged, one suffers from umbilical and abdominal pain, eventually leading to qi deficiency.

The True Person said: "If people do not know how to regulate themselves, it is simply because they talk too much. One must guard against excessive speech to preserve qi and ensure longevity."

Classics state: Excessive shouting, arguing and debating, exposure to cold and heat, and indulging in salty and bitter foods will cause lung pathology. Walking and talking simultaneously causes loss of qi; when speaking much, one must pause before continuing.