神者气之子,气者神之母,形者神之室。气清则神畅,气浊则神昏,气乱则神劳,气衰则神去,
神去则形腐。人以气为道,道以气为生,生道两存,则长生久视。
怒甚偏伤气,思多太损神,神疲心易役,气弱病来侵。勿使悲欢极,常令饮食均。再三防夜醉,
第一戒晨嗔。亥寝鸣天鼓,晨兴漱玉津。妖邪难犯己,神气自全身。若要无诸病,常当节五辛。安
神宜悦乐,惜气保和纯。寿天休论命,修形在本人。若能遵此理,平地可朝真。
凡人富贵名利,勿强求之,而况此身父母之所遗;才情意气,勿竞争之,而况此身妻之所仰。身
之柔脆,非木与石,伤之七情,报以百疾。疾之既来,有术奚施,疾之未来,有术不知。我明告子,
子尚听之,色之悦目,惟男女之欲,
思所以远之,如脱桎梏;味之爽口,惟饮食之欲,思所以禁之,如畏鸠毒。多言则伤气,欲养气者,
言不费,思则损血,欲养血者,思不越。忧不可积,乐不可纵。形不可太劳,神不可太用。凡此数言
,终身宜诵。
《勿药真言》云∶独宿之妙,不但老年,少壮亦当如此。日间纷扰,心神散乱,全赖夜间休息,
以复元气。若日内心猿意马,狂妄驰驱,至夜又醉饱而恣情纵欲,不自爱惜,其精神血气,何能堪此?
老子曰∶天有三宝,日月星,人有三宝,精气神。此其旨可得而知也。余自少慕道,夙有因缘,幸
遇高贤异士,得读古圣法言,乃知性命之理,简易渊微,舍精气神,则别无了道之门,而老子一言,固
己悉之矣。人自离母腹,三元真气,日可生发,后为情欲所蔽,不知保养,斫丧者多。于是古圣传授教人
修补之法,呼吸吐纳,存神运想,闭息按摩。虽非大道,然能勤行积久,乃可却病延年。若夫虚劳内损,
痼疾经年,即扁鹊、卢公,难于措手。苟能积气开关,决有回生之效,久之则任督二脉交通,水升火降
乃成既济。从前受病之根,斩刈无遗。嗣后真元之气,蒸蒸不竭。然勿谓草木无功,遂委之命也哉。余虽
不敏,尝事于斯,以谢奇 ,谛信专行,功臻旦夕。敢以告之同志。
Shen (Spirit) is the child of Qi (Vital Energy), Qi is the mother of Shen, and Xing (Form/Body) is the chamber of Shen. When Qi is clear, Shen is smooth and unobstructed; when Qi is turbid, Shen is confused; when Qi is chaotic, Shen is fatigued; when Qi declines, Shen departs; when Shen departs, Xing decays. Humans take Qi as the Dao (Way), and the Dao takes Qi for life. If both Life and Dao coexist, one can achieve longevity and clear vision.
Excessive anger injures Qi on one side; excessive thinking damages Shen too much. When Shen is fatigued, the Heart is easily dominated; when Qi is weak, diseases invade. Do not allow sorrow or joy to reach extremes; always keep diet balanced. Guard repeatedly against night drunkenness; first,戒 (abstain from) morning anger. Sleep at Hai hour (9 PM - 11 PM) and perform "Ming Tiangu" (Beating the Heavenly Drum, a qigong exercise); upon rising in the morning, rinse with jade saliva (swallowing saliva). Demons and evils cannot easily invade oneself; Shen and Qi naturally protect the whole body. If one wishes to be free from all diseases, one should constantly regulate the consumption of the Five Pungent Substances (Wu Xin: garlic, chives, leeks, onions, and asafoetida). To calm Shen, one should cultivate joy and happiness; to cherish Qi, one should preserve harmony and purity. Do not discuss fate regarding longevity or shortness of life; cultivating the form depends on oneself. If one can follow this principle, one can visit the Zhenren (True Person) even on flat ground.
Regarding wealth, honor, and fame, do not strive forcibly for them, especially since this body is left by one's parents. Regarding talent, emotion, and spirit, do not compete, especially since this body is relied upon by one's wife. The body is soft and fragile, unlike wood or stone; injured by the Seven Emotions (Qi Qing), it is repaid with a hundred diseases. Once disease has come, what method can be applied? Before disease comes, one does not know the methods. I clearly tell you, listen well: Colors that please the eye are merely sexual desires; think how to distance yourself from them, as if removing shackles. Flavors that please the palate are merely dietary desires; think how to forbid them, as if fearing poison. Speaking too much injures Qi; those who wish to nourish Qi should speak without exhausting themselves. Thinking damages Blood; those who wish to nourish Blood should limit their thinking. Sorrow should not accumulate; joy should not be indulged. The form should not be overworked; Shen should not be overused. These few words should be recited throughout one's life.
The *Wu Yao Zhen Yan* (True Words Without Medicine) states: The wonder of sleeping alone is not only for the elderly, but also for the young and strong. During the day, disturbances cause Shen and Heart to scatter; they rely entirely on night rest to recover Yuan Qi (Original Qi). If during the day the mind runs wild like an ape or horse, and at night one eats and drinks excessively while indulging desires without self-care, how can Spirit and Blood/Qi endure this?
Laozi said: Heaven has Three Treasures: Sun, Moon, Star; Humanity has Three Treasures: Jing (Essence), Qi, Shen. Its meaning can be understood. Since youth, I have admired the Dao and had prior affinities. Fortunately, I met high sages and strange scholars, allowing me to read the ancient sages' teachings. I then learned that the principles of Xing Ming (Nature and Life) are simple yet profound and subtle. Apart from Jing, Qi, and Shen, there is no other gate to the Dao. Laozi's single statement already covers this completely. From birth, the Three Yuan True Qi can generate daily, but later obscured by emotions and desires, people fail to conserve it, leading to many losses. Thus, ancient sages taught repair methods: breathing exercises (Tu Na), preserving Shen and visualization, breath retention, and massage. Although these are not the Great Dao, diligent practice over time can expel disease and prolong life. However, for deficiency consumptive internal damage or chronic stubborn diseases lasting years, even Bian Que or Lu Gong would find it difficult to treat. If one can accumulate Qi and open the gates, there will surely be a miraculous recovery effect. Over time, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel) will connect, Water rises and Fire descends, forming Ji Ji (Perfect Completion/Water-Fire Balance). The root of previous illness will be cut off completely. Thereafter, True Yuan Qi will rise vigorously and never deplete. Yet, do not say that herbs and plants are ineffective and leave everything to fate. Although I am not smart, I have practiced this, rejecting strange phenomena, believing firmly and practicing exclusively. Success will come soon. I dare to share this with like-minded individuals.