肺者脏之长也,心之华盖也,其藏魄,其主气,统领一身之气者也。《经》曰∶有所失亡,所求不
得,则发肺鸣,鸣则肺热叶焦。充之则耐寒暑,伤之则百邪易侵,随事痿矣。故怒则气上,喜则气缓,
悲则气消,恐则气下,惊则气乱,劳则气耗,思则气结。七情之害,皆气主之也。直养无害,而后得
其所以浩然者,天地可塞,人之气与天地之气可一也,道气可配,人之气与天地之气可通也。先王以至
日闭关,养其微也。慎言语,节饮食,防其耗也。
肾者先天之本,藏精与志之宅也。《仙经》曰∶借问如何是玄牝,婴儿初生先两肾。又曰∶玄牝之门
,是为天地根。是故人未有此身,先生两肾,盖婴儿未成,先结胞胎,其象中空,一茎透起,形加莲蕊。
一茎即脐带,连蕊即两肾也,为五脏六腑之本,十二脉之根,呼吸之主,三焦之原。人资以为始,岂非天
地之根乎,而命寓焉者。故又曰∶命门天一生水,故曰坎水。夫人欲念一起,炽若炎火,水火相克,则水
热火寒,而灵台之焰,藉此以灭矣。使水先枯涸,而木无所
养,则肝病。火炎则土燥而脾败,脾败则肺金无资,咳嗽之症成矣。所谓五行受伤,大本已去,欲求长
生,岂可得乎!《庄子》曰∶人之大可畏者,衽席之间不知戒者故也,养生之要,首先寡欲。嗟乎!元
气有限,情欲无穷。《内经》曰∶以酒为浆,以妄为常,醉以入房,以竭其精,此当戒也,然人之有欲
,如树之有蠹,蠹甚则木折,欲炽则身亡。《仙经》曰∶无劳尔形,无摇尔精,无使尔思虑营营,可以
长生,智者鉴之。
The Lung is the chief of the Zang organs and the "Huagai" (canopy protecting the Heart) above the Heart. It stores the Po (Corporeal Soul) and governs Qi, directing the Qi of the entire body. The Classics state: "If one suffers loss or fails to obtain what is sought, it will cause Lung sounds (such as coughing or wheezing); when these sounds occur, it indicates Lung heat scorching the leaves." If nourished properly, one can withstand cold and heat; if injured, various pathogenic factors easily invade, and the body becomes flaccid and weak. Therefore, anger causes Qi to ascend, joy causes Qi to slacken, grief causes Qi to dissipate, fear causes Qi to descend, shock causes Qi to become chaotic, labor causes Qi to be consumed, and overthinking causes Qi to knot. The harm of the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Overthinking, Grief, Fear, Shock) is all governed by Qi. Only by nurturing it uprightly without harm can one attain the "Haoran Zhi Qi" (Noble Spirit). At that point, human Qi can fill Heaven and Earth, and human Qi can unite with Heavenly and Earthly Qi, allowing human Qi to correspond with Dao Qi. The Former Kings closed the city gates on the Winter Solstice to nurture the subtle Yang Qi. Being cautious with speech and moderate with diet prevents the consumption of Qi.
The Kidney is the root of congenital constitution and the residence for storing Jing (Essence) and Zhi (Willpower). The Immortal Classics say: "May I ask what is the Xuanpin (Mysterious Female, referring to the source of life)? When the infant is first born, the two Kidneys form first." It also says: "The gate of the Xuanpin is the root of Heaven and Earth." Thus, before a person forms their body, the two Kidneys are generated first. Generally, before the fetus is complete, the Bao Tai (embryonic sac) knots together first; its image is hollow in the middle, with a single stem protruding upwards, resembling the stamen of a lotus. This single stem is the umbilical cord, and connecting to the stamen are the two Kidneys. They serve as the root of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, the root of the Twelve Meridians, the master of respiration, and the source of the San Jiao (Triple Burner). Humans rely on them as the beginning of life; are they not the root of Heaven and Earth? And the Mingmen (Gate of Life) resides within them. Therefore, it is said: The Mingmen corresponds to 'Heaven generates One, Water,' hence it is called Kan Water. When human desires arise, they burn fiercely like fire. Water and Fire clash, leading to dry water and cold fire, extinguishing the flame of the Lingtai (Spiritual Platform/Heart-Mind). If Kidney Water dries up first, Wood has nothing to nourish, resulting in Liver disease. If Fire blazes, Earth becomes dry and the Spleen fails; when the Spleen fails, Metal lacks support, and symptoms of coughing manifest. This is referred to as the injury of the Five Elements, where the fundamental root is lost. How can one seek longevity under such circumstances! The Zhuangzi states: "What is most fearful in humans is the lack of caution between the bed sheets." The essence of health preservation lies primarily in reducing desires. Alas! Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is limited, while emotional desires are infinite. The Neijing states: "Using wine as liquid, treating reckless behavior as normal, engaging in intercourse while drunk, thereby exhausting one's Jing—these are things to be avoided." However, human desire is like termites in a tree; when termites are severe, the wood breaks; when desires are fierce, the body perishes. The Immortal Classics say: "Do not exhaust your form, do not shake your Jing, do not let your thoughts run rampant; thus you can achieve longevity." The wise should take this as a mirror.