女子修行,原本属至静之理。静而生阳,方谓之动。一动一静,皆由内之所养,非属外面事也。虽然静
养一身,尚属至真妙道,只守静而无外行帮扶,静何能久。若女子果能潜修至道,已经产得先天,复行炼得玉
液,又兼保住胎息,初功至此,已过半矣。虽然功夫业已小成,必假外行以培养之,方才内无所亏,
外有所补,内外兼成,仙道可期。
当其外行,如何行法?女子之身常居内室,终日闺阃,未尝出外,如何行得了功行?这等看来,是外行
定不能立了。然亦有不须出外而可立功立行者。譬如翁姑在堂,朝夕孝敬,视膳问寝。善事翁姑,此便
是第一大功,第一大行。果能尽心竭力而为之,则仙女便可立地成就。
凡与人应接,当存忠浓之心,切勿瞒心昧己。若见
苦贫孤老尚存怜悯矜恤之心,必须损己待人。灶前勿厌秽,厨下勿高声,供奉神明,尊敬师长,谦恭长幼,
和恤乡邻。举动勿轻浮,言语勿暴慢,与夫一切举动行为,在在皆归理法之中。久久行之,自然气质
冲和,行动赅理。不求功而功行,不思行而行立,平心处事,常在道中。行到那极则的地位,虽非天上之
仙卿,却是人间之雅妇。苟能若此,行何及焉。
凡属女流,常存内守,切不可出外迎神拜佛,假托
行修。似此所行,终属鬼眷,如何超得过生死,了得脱性命,成圣真于高上者耶!女真修士宜自勉旃。
此则虽属外行,实为女子修行莫先于此一着。若先行得此,则功夫前进,不难至矣。
Female cultivation originally follows the principle of utmost stillness. From stillness, Yang arises; this is what is called movement. Both movement and stillness stem from internal nourishment and are not matters of the external world. Although cultivating stillness for the whole body belongs to the most authentic and wondrous Dao, if one only guards stillness without the assistance of external merit and conduct, how can stillness be sustained? If a woman can indeed secretly cultivate the supreme Dao, having already produced the Pre-Heaven Qi (Xiantian), subsequently refined the Jade Fluid (Yuye), and additionally preserved fetal breathing (Taixi), upon reaching this initial stage, she has already completed half the work. Although her kung fu has achieved minor success, she must rely on external conduct to nurture it, so that internally there is no deficiency and externally there is supplementation. With both internal and external achievements, the path to immortality can be expected.
Regarding how to perform external conduct: Women's bodies usually reside in inner chambers, spending their days within the boudoir, never going out. How can they accomplish merit and conduct? It seems from this that establishing external conduct is impossible. However, there are ways to establish merit and conduct without leaving home. For instance, if parents-in-law are present, showing filial piety morning and evening, attending to their meals, and inquiring about their rest—properly serving the parents-in-law—is the greatest merit and the greatest conduct. If one can devote heart and strength to doing so, then one can instantly achieve the status of an immortal maiden.
In all interactions with others, one should maintain a loyal and sincere heart, never deceiving oneself or others. When seeing those who are suffering, poor, orphaned, or elderly, one should retain a compassionate and sympathetic mind, sacrificing one's own interests to treat others well. Do not detest filth near the stove, do not raise one's voice in the kitchen, offer sacrifices to deities, respect teachers and elders, be humble and respectful to seniors and juniors, and live in harmony and mutual aid with neighbors. Movements should not be frivolous, speech should not be violent or arrogant, and all actions and behaviors should fall within the bounds of reason and law. Practicing these over time will naturally result in a harmonious temperament and actions that conform to reason. Without seeking merit, merit will arise spontaneously; without contemplating conduct, conduct will stand firm. Handling affairs with a calm mind, one remains constantly within the Dao. Reaching the ultimate state, although not becoming a celestial immortal, one becomes an elegant lady of the human realm. If one can act thus, how could merit fail to be attained?
All women should constantly guard inwardly and must not go out to welcome spirits or worship Buddhas under the guise of spiritual practice. Such actions ultimately belong to the category of ghosts and spirits; how can such individuals transcend life and death, liberate their nature and life force, and become sages and true ones in the highest realms? Female practitioners of truth should encourage themselves.
Although this section pertains to external conduct, it is actually the most paramount aspect for female cultivation. If one first accomplishes this, then the advancement of kung fu will not be difficult to reach.