Library

Among all things, humans are the most precious; a hundred years of time is like a brief sojourn on a journey. Unless one pays attention to cultivation and nourishment within oneself, one inevitably becomes burdened by illness and suffering. Why must one swallow mist and ingest great elixirs, vainly intending to prolong life to be equal to turtles and cranes? Simply by removing the excessive aspects among diet and desires, one will attain peace and joy. After eating, walk slowly for more than a hundred steps, rubbing the flanks along with the chest and abdomen with both hands. After a moment, turn the hands to rub the kidney area (lower back), which is called moving Water (Kidney) and Earth (Spleen). Face upward and often exhale "He" (呵) three or four times, naturally causing food toxins and vapors to dissipate. Sleeping while drunk or lying down after being full is of no benefit; drinking when thirsty and eating when hungry should especially avoid excess. Food should not be coarse nor eaten quickly; it is better to eat small amounts continuously. If one fills the intestines with one large meal, damaging Qi and injuring the Spleen, this is not your blessing. Raw, cold, sticky, glutinous, sinewy, and tough foods, as well as self-deceased livestock, should all be avoided. Steamed buns that cause Qi stagnation should be eaten in small amounts; raw sliced meat particularly invites Spleen and Stomach diseases. Vinegar, sauces, foetuses, eggs, and greasy foods, along with old, smelly, and pickled items, all belong to the Yin category. If the old and weak wish to consume these again, it is no different from lending weapons to an enemy. Roasted or grilled items must be eaten when cold; otherwise, they injure the teeth and blood vessels. Evening meals should preferably be at Shen or You hours (3 PM–7 PM); eating late at night is futile and causes stagnation in the chest and diaphragm. Do not drink alcohol to the point of drunkenness; drunkenness damages the Spirit and impairs the mind and will. After drinking, if thirsty, drink water and sip tea, but the waist and legs will become loose and sagging from then on. It is often heard that avoiding wind is like avoiding arrows; sitting and lying down requires prevention of ailments. Moreover, since pores open after eating, once wind enters, paralysis may result. Regardless of the four seasons, wine should be warm; too hot or too cold should not enter the mouth. Excess of the Five Flavors does not benefit people and may lead to disasters and illnesses within the Zang-Fu organs. Seeing, hearing, walking, and sitting should not be prolonged; Wu Lao (Five Labors) and Qi Shang (Seven Injuries) arise from this. The four limbs also desire slight labor, just as a door hinge never rots. One need not dislike curling up while sleeping, but should stretch upon waking; bathing is suitable after fullness, combing hair is suitable when hungry. Frequent combing and less bathing benefit the eyes and heart; quiet sleep brings a calm spirit. Among the four seasons, summer is the hardest to regulate because latent Yin resides inside, making the intestines prone to sliding/diarrhea. Kidney-nourishing decoctions and pills are indispensable; do not consume slightly cold food or drinks. When Heart Fire is prosperous and Kidney Qi declines, what are the taboos? Specifically, one must avoid methods that unblock and drain Essence and Qi. Living quarters should be particularly tight and sealed; during leisure, one should contemplate quietly to harmonize Qi and Heart. Bathing and rinsing should use warm water; cool bamboo mats and cold pillows are unsuitable. Melons, eggplants, and raw/cold foods are not suitable for humans; is it only in autumn that malaria and dysentery occur? Latent Yang resides inside; during the three winter months, one must strictly avoid excessive sweating that leaks Essence and Qi. Do not travel far in foggy weather; avoid heavy rain and thunderstorms promptly. Daoism has further principles for nurturing life: first, warn people to minimize anger. In autumn and winter, start dressing only after sunrise; in spring and summer, rise early at cockcrow. Sleep between Zi hour (11 PM–1 AM) and Yin hour (3 AM–5 AM); close eyes and knock teeth fourteen times. Inhale new air and exhale old without error; swallowing jade spring (saliva) still nourishes the fetal origin. Fingers rub the palms and warm the two eyes; furthermore, wipe and massage the forehead and face. The middle finger frequently rubs the nasal bridge; scrape the roots of the left and right ears several times. Furthermore, perform dry bathing over the whole body, twisting the two shoulders according to time. Even if there are Wind-Lao and various dampness pathogens, why worry about stiffness and spasms in the waist and back again? Xu, He, Hu, Xi, Chui, and Si—those who practice Qi circulation divide them into the Six Syllables. If one can apply the mantras correctly, both old and new conditions can be treated. Although sexual indulgence belongs to youth, knowing moderation ensures no fault. Closing essence and resting Qi should be learned early; do not let the feather-wrapped fire burn within. If one’s conduct is consistently upright, greedy for neither profit nor fame, even if the song does not cover all practices, one can ensure the whole body remains disease-free.