Library

Clean a room, ensuring the south-facing windows are bright and transparent. Do not display too many ornamental objects to avoid distracting the mind and eyes. Set up one wide couch and one long table, along with writing brushes, inkstones, incense for burning, and a small side table nearby. Hang a piece of calligraphy or painting on the wall, changing it frequently. On the small table, place one or two favorite books, one ancient rubbing copybook, one incense burner, and a complete set of tea utensils. The mind should always remain unstained by worldly dust.

During Chou (01:00–03:00) and Yin (03:00–05:00) hours, when Jing-Qi (vital essence and energy) begins to generate, do not sleep deeply. Sit on the bed wrapped in quilts, exhale one or two breaths to expel turbid Qi. Rub hands until warm, then rub the sides of the nose and warm the eyes five to seven times. Roll and massage both ears forward and backward five to seven times. Hold the head with both hands, covering the ears with palms, and use the index finger to flick the middle finger, striking the back of the head twenty-four times on each side. Raise the body left and right, extending arms as if drawing a bow, five to seven times. Then extend and flex the thighs five to seven times. Clench teeth seventy-seven times. Rinse the mouth full of saliva, guide it down to the Dantian (lower abdomen) with intention, and swallow in three gulps. This clears fire from the five Zang organs; rest briefly afterward.

At Mao hour (05:00–07:00), upon seeing morning light, dress according to temperature. Rise and sit under a bright window. Drink one cup of boiling plain water; do not drink tea. Comb hair one hundred times to disperse wind and fire, brighten the eyes, and remove heat from the head. After washing and rinsing, breakfast should be congee, light and vegetarian. After eating fully, massage the abdomen and walk slowly for fifty to sixty steps. Place a pot of wine on the desk; if going out, drink one or two cups first. In the past, three people walked through heavy fog; one fell ill, one died, and one remained unharmed. When asked why, the unharmed one said, "I drank wine; the sick one ate food; the dead one was empty-stomached." Thus, it is known that wine's power to dispel evil is supreme. If staying indoors or feeling tired, drink wine to assist Qi.

During Chen (07:00–09:00) and Si (09:00–11:00) hours, either supervise children's studies or manage household affairs. Approach tasks with joy; do not get angry over trivial matters. Walk with a cane into the garden, supervising gardeners planting vegetables and fruits, weeding, watering flowers, and transplanting herbs. Return to the room, close eyes to settle the spirit, and swallow saliva about ten times. Since Zhen Qi (true Qi) arrives starting from Hai hour, it weakens at Si and Wu hours, so regulate breathing to nourish it.

For Wu hour (noon) meals, eat according to stomach capacity; food should be delicious. Delicious does not mean an abundance of exotic delicacies. Liu Gongdu, aged eighty-nine, once said, "I do not eat cooked raw items, cold items, or hard/soft items unsuitable for my spleen and stomach. Not raw, not cold, not hard—this is delicious." Do not force eating; eat only when hungry, and do not overeat. After eating, walk one hundred paces. Massage the abdomen and rub the kidney area (Shu Tang) with the back of the hand until warm, promoting the movement of Earth and Water elements. Draw water to brew tea. Drink moderately, not excessively.

At Wei hour (13:00–15:00), sit at the desk to read enjoyable books to delight the spirit, or recite ancient poetry to express leisurely feelings. Or gather occasionally with close friends; avoid discussing private family matters, power, criticizing others, or arguing right from wrong. Practice the method of speaking little to nourish Qi. Or stroll over a hundred paces with friends, dressed casually, relaxing naturally, without exhausting oneself for the sake of etiquette.

At Shen hour (15:00–17:00), have a snack using one or two types of flour/noodle products or fruits. Practice calligraphy by copying ancient rubbings, play the Guqin, and stop when tired.

At You hour (17:00–19:00), dinner should not be too late; eat moderately according to hunger. Drink slightly without getting drunk, remaining contented. The *Qianjin Fang* states: "Half-drunk, sleeping alone, with a soft pillow and warm cover over the feet." These words are most meaningful. Review the day's progress of descendants; stop if methods are followed correctly; do not be harsh.

At Xu hour (19:00–21:00), light the lamp, soak feet in hot water to descend fire and dampness, rinse mouth with cold tea to wash away toxins from daily diet. Sit in silence. Re-read passages from books enjoyed during the day; do not read too much as it harms the eyes, nor think too much. Zheng Hanfeng said: "The harm of excessive thinking is greater than that of alcohol and lust." Excessive thinking causes Heart Fire to flare upward; if Fire flares, Kidney Water dries up; if Heart and Kidney do not interact, life ends. Therefore, think little to calm the heart. Sleep only after midnight. Yongquan (KI-1) acupoint is where Jing-Qi generates; rub it one thousand times before sleep. Burn Atractylodes rhizome and other incenses near the bed to dispel foul air and misfortune.

At Hai (21:00–23:00) and Zi (23:00–01:00) hours, sleep peacefully to cultivate Yuan Qi (original Qi). Lie on the side with one leg bent. Let the heart sleep first, then the eyes. Do not think of the past, future, others, or self. Focus only on one good thought, so strange dreams will not arise. By regulating Qi and spirit in this way, one truly treasures their own vitality.