Library

The six-character exhalation method is the key principle for treating diseases. The standard approach follows the regular path, while the adaptive approach employs flexibility based on specific circumstances.

Xu (Hissing) corresponds to the Liver; practice in Spring or when suffering from Liver disease.
He (Panting) corresponds to the Heart; practice in Summer or when suffering from Heart disease.
Hu (Blowing) corresponds to the Spleen; practice throughout the four seasons or when suffering from Spleen disease.
Si (Sighing) corresponds to the Lungs; practice in Autumn or when suffering from Lung disease.
Chui (Blowing out) corresponds to the Kidneys; practice in Winter or when suffering from Kidney disease.
Xi (Giggling/Smiling) corresponds to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner); practice when suffering from Heat diseases.

Regarding these six character mantras, the *Yuzhou Jing* (Jade Axis Scripture) of the Daoist Canon states: The Qi of the five Zang organs and six Fu organs of ordinary people is scorched by the five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty), and further disturbed by the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, fright) and six desires. Over time, this accumulation leads to illness, causing ailments throughout the entire body. Therefore, the Supreme Lord (Taishang Laojun) pitied them and provided the Six-Character Qi Mantra to treat diseases of the five Zang and six Fu organs. When practicing this method, one should be in a quiet room, with warm curtains and thick mattresses, sitting cross-legged in the lotus position. One should first perform the preceding dynamic exercises briefly. For beginners in static exercises, fearing that blood vessels may not flow smoothly, it is advised to perform dynamic exercises first, followed by static exercises. After seven days, there is no need to perform dynamic exercises anymore. After completing the dynamic exercises, immediately seal the ears, eyes, mouth, and teeth, and visualize oneself. One should feel as cool as an ice pot and have a mind as clear as the autumn moon. Wait for a long time until breathing harmonizes and blood circulation stabilizes. Then, gently exhale turbid Qi two or three times through the mouth, and subsequently practice according to the seasonal regulations mentioned above.

For instance, in Spring, one must recite the character "Xu" softly, ensuring that one's own ears do not hear the sound. If heard, the breath becomes coarse; coarse breath risks leaking Qi. After exhausting the exhalation of the "Xu" character, immediately inhale clear Qi through the nose, directing it into the corresponding meridian and finally to the Dantian (Elixir Field). Each inhalation and exhalation cycle consists of 24 repetitions, or 36 repetitions. The other characters follow this pattern. This constitutes the regular practice aligned with seasonal movements.

For example, if one suffers from eye disease in Autumn, which relates to the Liver, one should practice the "Xu" character. Similarly, if one suffers from deficiency-yellow syndrome in Spring, one should practice the "Hu" character. These are methods of adaptive treatment corresponding to specific illnesses.

However, for lung diseases specifically, since the Lungs govern Qi, this method is not suitable. Instead, one should specialize in the technique of swallowing saliva (Yan Jin), which rapidly reduces fire.

(When cultivating this method, one must choose the Zi hour of the Zi day to begin, with a period of 27 days as a cycle. Symptoms such as deafness, consumptive fatigue, and abdominal distension will suddenly heal themselves. With prolonged practice, gurgling sounds will naturally be heard in the abdomen, and internal visualization will reveal specific phenomena; all diseases will be eliminated, and spirit will become abundant. As for advanced practices such as refining Jing into Qi, refining Qi into Shen, and refining Shen back to Void, these represent higher-level cultivation; they are not detailed here.)