《内经》曰∶心者君主之官,神明出焉。又曰∶心者生之本,神之变也。四气调神,于
起居动作之间,每以志意顺四时为急务,迨其感疾,亦察精神志意存亡得失,以为治法,盖
谓有生之本,营卫气血也。诸血皆属于心,气之升降舒结,又因乎喜怒悲忧恐之变,病有至
于持久不释,精气弛坏,营泣卫除者,岂特外邪之伤哉,神不自许也,是以黄帝论气之行着,
必分勇怯,论病之苦乐,必异形志,论芳草石药,必察缓心和人。至于贵贱贫富异居,男女
离合异情,又以不知为粗工之戒,故扁鹊华佗治病,忌神明之失守,叔和论脉,辨性气之缓
急。孙思邈之用药,则以精神未散为必活。褚澄之问证,则以苦乐荣悴为异品,治目多矣。
而张湛以减思虑专内视,为治目之神方。至若陈藏器草木之论,又以和养志意,以禳去祟,
以言笑畅情怀,以无为驱滞着,岂专于药石针艾之间哉。盖上古恬淡,治病之法,祝由而已,
迨夫忧患既攻,巧诈复起,邪之感人也深,医之用功也倍。专恃毒药,而不问其情,则精神
不进,志意不治,故病不可愈,内经所以有闭户塞牖数问其情,针经所以有临病患问所便者
,不治其形,治使其形者也,且以病之一二言之,隔塞闭绝,气窒之病也。原其本则得于暴
忧,不治其气,而释其忧可也。女子不月,血滞之病也。原其本则得于心气不得下通,不治
其血,而通其心可也。劳极惊悸者,过伤之病也。每本于心气之不足,使心气内和,则精神
莫得而动也。颈 者风毒之病也。每得于愁忧思虑之不止,使志意和适,则气血莫得而逆也
。然则阳盛梦火,阴盛梦水,五脏虚实。皆形于梦寐之先,而后病从之,凡以形体之乖和,
神先受之,则凡治病之术,不先致其所欲,正其所念,去其所恶,损其所恐,未有能愈者也
The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The Heart is the official of the sovereign, from which Shen (Spirit/Mind) emerges. It also states: The Heart is the root of life and the source of changes in Shen. To regulate the spirit according to the four seasons, between daily routines and movements, it is urgent to align one's will with the seasonal changes. When illness occurs, one must examine the preservation or loss of spirit and will to determine treatment methods, because the root of life lies in Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi). All blood belongs to the Heart; the ascending, descending, relaxing, and knotting of Qi depend on changes caused by joy, anger, sorrow, worry, and fear. Some illnesses persist for a long time without relief, leading to the laxity and decay of Jing (Essence) and Qi, where Ying blood becomes stagnant and Wei Qi dissipates. Is this merely due to injury by external pathogens? No, it is because the Shen cannot maintain itself. Therefore, when the Yellow Emperor discussed the movement of Qi, he distinguished between courage and timidity; when discussing the pain and pleasure of diseases, he differentiated based on different mental states; when discussing the use of aromatic herbs and mineral drugs, he examined whether the patient had a calm mind. Regarding differences in residence due to nobility or poverty, and differing emotions due to separation or union of men and women, failing to understand these is warned against as the practice of crude physicians. Thus, Bian Que and Hua Tuo, when treating diseases, avoided the loss of Shen's guardianship; Wang Shuhe, when discussing pulses, distinguished the slowness or urgency of temperament. Sun Simiao, when prescribing medication, considered that if the spirit has not scattered, recovery is certain. Chu Cheng, when inquiring about symptoms, treated joy/sorrow and prosperity/decline as distinct categories, offering many treatments for eye diseases. Zhang Zhan regarded reducing thought and focusing inward as a divine prescription for treating eye diseases. As for Chen Cangqi’s discussions on herbs and plants, he emphasized harmonizing and nourishing the will, dispelling malevolent influences through speech and laughter to smooth emotions, and using non-action to drive away stagnation. Is this confined only to medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion? In ancient times, people were tranquil and indifferent, and the method of treating disease was solely Zhuyou (incantation therapy). However, when worries and hardships attacked, and cunning arose, pathogens penetrated deeply into humans, requiring doctors to exert double the effort. Relying solely on toxic drugs without inquiring into emotional states means Spirit will not advance and Will will not be regulated, so the disease cannot be cured. Hence, the *Neijing* advises "closing doors and windows and repeatedly asking about their feelings," and the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) advises "approaching patients and asking what they are comfortable with." One does not treat the form, but treats the cause that affects the form. Taking one or two diseases as examples: Obstruction and closure at the diaphragm is a disease of Qi obstruction. Tracing its origin, it arises from sudden grief; treating the Qi by relieving the grief is sufficient. Amenorrhea in women is a disease of Blood stasis. Tracing its origin, it stems from the Heart Qi failing to descend smoothly; treating the Blood by unblocking the Heart Qi is sufficient. Extreme fatigue leading to palpitations and fright is a disease of excessive damage. It often originates from deficiency of Heart Qi; if Heart Qi is internally harmonized, the Spirit will not move erratically. Neck stiffness is a disease of Wind-Toxin. It often results from incessant worry and overthinking; if the will is harmonious and comfortable, Qi and Blood will not rebel. Yang excess manifests as dreams of fire; Yin excess manifests as dreams of water; the deficiency and excess of the Five Viscera all appear in dreams before the disease follows. Generally, when the physical body is disharmonious, the Shen is affected first. Therefore, in any medical technique, if one does not first satisfy their desires, rectify their thoughts, remove their aversions, and diminish their fears, there is no way to achieve a cure.