午是阴之根,子乃阳之苗。男子外阳而内阴,女子外阴而内阳。男子夺外阳而点内丹,女子夺内阴而点
外丹也。
女子行功,第一要明采身中之阴,补身中之阳。阳者,精与气也。阴者,神与血也。采于何时,须知月信
将潮之时,与月信潮尽之候。夫信者何?如人出外未归,而信先至也。信至潮未至之时,急忙用功∶或盘膝
大坐,或观音半坐,俟身中神气发功,回光返照乳房穴及血海,鼻息调匀;将所动之神气,用真意(即黄婆)
从血海升入曹溪,一路直达囟门,由上降下到乳房,而仍归于中极。但此法不可妄用(信来而潮未来之时
可用,在两日之半潮尽可用)。若潮信未净,妄行采取,必至杀身,谨记此法。
少年血气旺者,心地静者,三月之久,便可斩赤龙而复还童体,面如桃花。如果功到此时,与醉汉相似,
昏昏默默,昼夜光明不散;行持一年,基可筑固,而人仙之功程验矣。
中年妇女修炼,须用“太阴炼形之法”。夫行此法者,须除思去欲,忘情绝虑,方行此道。算
定某日某时月信至,未至前二三日,即宜静养。待至信到,于静室内调息端坐,两手放膝前,用食指HT 子午
上如拳,闭目存神,调息内观,由乳房照血海,候至真阴之气发动,乃行锻炼之功。若此段工夫。要分真
假清浊,如炼假阴浊气,必成疾病,医药罔效。果然真阴发动,周身如绵,醉汉相似。此时,血海中如鱼
吸水一般,其乐景有不可以言语形容者。斯为真阴发现之真境也。此景一到,即用真意引过夹脊,上玉枕,
透泥丸,过雀桥,下重楼,入乳房,而仍归于中极血海也。
倘若体衰气弱,二三月之久,真阴毫无动机,无
可如何,方用作为之功∶先将右乳揉转十二次,后揉左乳十二次,摩脐腹三十六次,口中咽津液三次,
咽毕仍照前回光返照,虚极静笃以守之。如此,每日子午二时行持不怠,不上一月,自有动机,则可采
炼。至真阴尽化为阳气,乳头缩而赤龙斩,变成男体,则真阴炼形之功毕矣。
诗曰∶面如桃花肤似雪,到此赤龙永断绝,清静法身本无尘,功满飞升朝玉阙。
Wu (noon) is the root of Yin, and Zi (midnight) is the sprout of Yang. Men are externally Yang and internally Yin, while women are externally Yin and internally Yang. Men seize external Yang to ignite the Inner Elixir (Neidan), whereas women seize internal Yin to ignite the Outer Elixir (Waidan).
For women practicing these exercises, the first priority is to clearly understand how to collect the Yin within the body to supplement the Yang within the body. "Yang" refers to Jing (Essence) and Qi (Vital Energy); "Yin" refers to Shen (Spirit) and Blood. The time for collection must be known: when menstruation is about to commence and when it has completely ceased. What is this "Xin" (omen/sign)? It is like a person going out but their message arriving before they do. When the omen arrives but menstruation has not yet started, one must urgently practice: either sitting cross-legged in full lotus or adopting the Guanyin half-sitting posture. Wait until the Shen and Qi in the body activate, use "Hui Guang Fan Zhao" (returning the light to illuminate the interior) to focus on the Breast Acupoint (Rufang Xue) and Xuehai (Blood Sea, SP10), regulate the breath; then, using Zhenyi (True Intention, also known as Huangpo, the Yellow Matriarch that harmonizes the mind), guide the activated Shen and Qi from Xuehai up through Caoxi (the spinal channel), directly reaching the Fontanelle (Ximen), descending from above to the breasts, and finally returning to Zhongji (CV4). However, this method must not be used recklessly (it is only applicable when the omen has arrived but menstruation has not yet begun, or within two days after menstruation has ended). If one recklessly attempts collection before menstruation is clean, it will surely lead to death; keep this method firmly in mind.
For young women with vigorous Qi and Blood and a quiet mind, after three months of practice, one can sever the Red Dragon (Chilong, referring to the cessation of menstruation) and return to a childlike state, with a face as rosy as peach blossoms. If the practice reaches this stage, the body feels similar to that of a drunkard: drowsy and silent, yet possessing unceasing inner brightness day and night; after one year of practice, the foundation is solidified, and the achievement of becoming a Human Immortal (Renxian) is verified.
Middle-aged women practicing cultivation must use the "Taiyin Refining Form Method" (Taiyin Lianxing Zhi Fa). Those practicing this method must eliminate thoughts and desires, forget emotions, and cut off deliberations to follow this path. Calculate the specific date and time when menstruation will arrive; two to three days before it arrives, one should rest quietly. When the omen arrives, sit upright and regulate breath in a quiet room, place hands in front of the knees, form fists touching the Zi-Wu line, close eyes, preserve Spirit, regulate breath, and observe inwardly. Focus intention from the breasts to Xuehai. Wait until the True Yin Qi activates, then begin the refining work. This stage requires distinguishing between true/false and clear/turbid. If one refines false Yin turbid Qi, illness will inevitably result, and medicine will be ineffective. If True Yin truly activates, the whole body feels soft as cotton, similar to a drunkard's comfort. At this moment, the sensation in Xuehai is like a fish absorbing water; the joy is indescribable. This is the true realm of True Yin manifestation. Once this scene arises, immediately use True Intention to guide the energy through Jiaji (DU18), up to Yuzhen (DU9), penetrating Niwan (the Upper Dantian/Brain), passing Queqiao (the bridge between nose and mouth/pharynx), descending Choulou (the throat/trachea), entering the breasts, and finally returning to Zhongji and Xuehai.
If the constitution is weak and Qi is deficient, and after two or three months there is no movement of True Yin, with no other recourse, one may employ active manipulation techniques: first rub the right breast twelve times clockwise, then the left breast twelve times, massage the navel and abdomen thirty-six times, swallow saliva three times. After swallowing, resume Hui Guang Fan Zhao, maintaining extreme emptiness and profound stillness. By practicing diligently at Zi (midnight) and Wu (noon) every day, within a month, natural activation will occur, allowing for collection and refinement. Until True Yin is completely transformed into Yang Qi, the nipples retract, the Red Dragon is severed, and male characteristics appear, at which point the work of refining form via True Yin is complete.
The poem states:
Face like peach blossoms, skin like snow,
At this point, the Red Dragon is forever severed.
The pure and quiet Dharma body is originally dustless,
When merit is full, ascend to fly towards the Jade Palace.