Library

The method of Immortal Qi Swallowing requires maintaining the mind as if an infant were in the mother's womb, completing ten months of gestation to achieve maturity, thereby harmonizing and softening the sinews and bones. By using the heart to control breath and thoughts, Harmonious Qi (Heqi) arrives naturally; breathing follows proper methods, swallowing prevents hunger, all hundred pores open, and breath flows without obstruction. Frequently consuming Vital Qi (Shengqi) during the six Yang hours causes physical strength to increase daily.

Methods for Utilizing Yang Hours:
At midnight (Zi hour), swallow 81 times (9x9).
At dawn (Yin hour), swallow 64 times (8x8).
During the eating time (Chen hour), swallow 49 times (7x7).
At noon (Wu hour), swallow 36 times (6x6).
In the afternoon (Shen hour), swallow 25 times (5x5).
At dusk (Xu hour), swallow 16 times (4x4).

The method of Qi swallowing requires the ability to expel turbid Qi. Expelling Qi must follow the gates of entry and exit: the nose is the Heavenly Gate (Tianmen), where inhaled clear Qi and soul return; the mouth is the Earthly Door (Dihu), where inhaled clear Qi and soul return. The *Huangting Jing* (Yellow Court Classic) states: "The fruits of a hundred grains are the essence of the earth; though five flavors may seem delicious externally, they harbor evil and fishy odors. Clear water from the Jade Pool irrigates the spiritual root; if you can cultivate this, it supplements the Life Gate (Mingmen)." Breathing in and out through the nose and mouth constitutes following the natural flow of Qi (Shunqi). Persisting in this without ceasing eliminates the Three Corpses (Sanshi), discards worldly glory and selfish desires, leads to gradual success, and brings one close to the Dao.

A True Person (Zhenren) possesses a nature that is quiet and leisurely, speaks in accordance with the Dao, and has flawless mental conduct. Rinsing the mouth and swallowing Spiritual Saliva (Lingjin) ensures that all flavors are naturally sufficient. It unblocks the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), regulates Righteous Qi (Zhengqi), allowing Qi to circulate throughout the body, thoroughly benefiting the Five Zang Organs, making the bone marrow firm and abundant. The Dao is the master of all Qi; the Dao is Qi. Qi is the gate of Essence (Jing). Preserving Essence and Qi, when both are full, is called being a True Person. Humans have three Dantians (Elixir Fields), each containing three deities. If Qi leaks, Essence is lost; if Essence is lost, Spirit (Shen) is injured. Essence is the true substance of things and the root of longevity. When Essence is complete, Qi is complete; when Essence leaks, Qi leaks. Only Essence and Qi must be preserved.

Inhaling Qi is Yin, exhaling Qi is Yang; these two practices involve consuming the essence of the sun and moon. External and internal states become naturally tranquil; tranquility stabilizes the Spirit; stabilized Spirit harmonizes Qi; harmonized Qi allows Original Qi (Yuanyuan) to arrive naturally. When Original Qi arrives, the Five Zang Organs are moistened; when the Five Zang Organs are moistened, the hundred vessels flow freely; when the hundred vessels flow freely, Body Fluids (Jinye) respond upwards; when Body Fluids respond upwards, there is no desire for the five flavors, and hunger and thirst are cut off. Qi transforms into Blood, and Blood transforms into Marrow. In one year, Qi changes; in two years, Blood changes; in three years, Vessels change; in four years, Flesh changes; in five years, Marrow changes; in six years, Bones change; in seven years, Hair changes; in eight years, Tendons change; in nine years, Form changes. This is the true refinement of the Nine Returns (Jiu Huan), leading to immortality.

The Truthful Six Qi Mantras: Xu (嘘) belongs to the Liver, He (呵) belongs to the Heart, Si (呬) belongs to the Lungs, Chui (吹) belongs to the Kidneys, Hu (呼) belongs to the Spleen, Xi (嘻) belongs to the Sanjiao. Each of the Six Qi governs specific aspects. Diseases of the Five Zang Organs all relate to the Heart. The Heart governs the He mantra, through which various diseases can be healed. Beginners should eat only small amounts of light congee or sesame seeds to benefit Qi and generate fluids. Avoid hot food, which disrupts Righteous Qi. Before eating, first swallow three to five mouthfuls of Qi to act as the host for the food. Additionally, every morning, take twenty Sichuan peppercorns with a cup of clear wine; warm in winter, cool in summer. Avoid excess. Strictly avoid encountering newly delivered women or corpses, and avoid eating greasy, rich, fresh, foul-smelling foods.

When practicing Qi swallowing, sit quietly and steadily, silent and still, close the eyes, click the teeth, close the mouth, and distend the abdomen until the mouth is full of Qi, then swallow. Perform nine swallows per breath cycle. In spring and summer, consume cold Qi; in autumn and winter, consume warm Qi. At every fifth watch (wugeng), cover the mouth with both palms, exhale forcefully into the palms to generate saliva, then rub and wipe the face to impart luster. Occasionally drink jujube honey soup to assist. Daily reduce food intake and practice Qi swallowing in the morning; Qi will easily form. As the ancients said, "Eat natural Qi when hungry, drink Hua Chi fluid when thirsty," referring to this practice.