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Practitioners of acupuncture must distinguish between floating and sinking pulses. By clarifying the pulse, one determines deficiency and excess; by distinguishing these, one differentiates shallow and deep needling. One must understand the distinction between meridians (Jingluo) and collateral vessels (Luomai), as well as the difference between Great Puncture (Juci) and Counter Puncture (Mouci). When meridians are blocked, bi needles (Bianzhen) or scalpels should be used for bloodletting; to dredge the zang-fu organs, one must clearly distinguish between cold and warm conditions. The depth of insertion and the methods of tonification and sedation follow the correct course of meridian qi. There is a constant measure of water leakage: one hundred ke (time units) constitute fifty cycles of circulation throughout the body. The flow and灌注 (gong) of qi in the meridians correspond to specific times. First, diagnose the disease through pulse analysis; second, select acupoints to eliminate the pathogen. With the left hand pressing the acupoint, insert the needle with the right hand. When penetrating the Ying (Nutrient) level, do not injure the Wei (Defensive) level; when penetrating the Wei level, do not injure the Ying level. If the qi is vigorous, use a small needle and insert it shallowly; if the qi is stagnant, use a large needle and insert it deeply. If the qi is slippery, move quickly; if stagnant, move slowly. For deep insertion, retain the needle; for shallow insertion, withdraw quickly. When waiting for the arrival of qi, carefully discern the sensation at the needle tip. Slow insertion and rapid withdrawal indicate excess; slow withdrawal and rapid insertion indicate deficiency. Tonify deficiency to make it solid; drain excess to reduce fullness. Remove stagnation and old blood; weaken excessive pathogens. When treating deficiency, aim for solidity; when treating excess, aim for emptiness. Once the meridian qi has arrived, guard it carefully and do not lose it. Strictly adhere to these methods without arbitrary changes. For newly arrived evil qi from external pathogens, its location is not fixed. Pushing it forward moves it ahead; pulling it back stops it. Do not attack when the evil is arriving; do not pursue when it is departing. Reduce what is in excess; supplement what is deficient. First, unblock the blood vessels, then regulate the body. Regardless of the disease, the goal is balance. The sensation may seem present yet absent, obtained yet lost. Once the five zang organs are assessed and the nine pulses are prepared, and the pulse and disease are clearly understood, needling can cure the illness. If no abnormal pulses are seen and no ominous signs are heard, it indicates harmony between interior and exterior, where form does not precede the internal state. Observe the coming and going of qi before applying treatment to the patient. Handle the needle with focused intent; keep the needle bright and movements even. Remain still like a drawn crossbow; strike swiftly like releasing a trigger. Perceive the gathering of qi; perceive the dispersal of qi. Follow its flight, though its form is unknown. Contemplate the meaning with stillness; observe the appropriate changes. This is called the profound and obscure, where the form is unknowable. Be as cautious as standing near an abyss; hold the needle as firmly as grasping a tiger. Treat the moment with reverence, forgetting the passing of time. When qi has arrived, maintain appropriateness and self-protection. Avoid needling severe deficiency patterns closely (or exercise extreme caution); do not delay in treating severe excess patterns. Palpate and stroke the area; knead and disperse; push and press; flick to distend the vessels; press with nails to guide qi downward; after unblocking, select the point for treatment. Yin Mu points are located on the abdomen; Yang Shu points are located on the back. For zang organ diseases, select Yuan-Source points; for fu organ diseases, select He-Sea points.