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All diseases have medicines to treat them, but when this mind moves with delusion, all troubles are invited. Even if a hundred Hua Tuo or Bian Que were standing by, there would be no place to administer medicine. To recognize this illness is something even an ordinary physician can accomplish.

In the past, Chen Lie suffered from dullness of intellect. After sitting in stillness for one hundred days, his memory suddenly opened, allowing him to read and remember everything at a glance. If awareness of the future can be cultivated, how can existing illnesses not be eliminated? The *Zuowang Pian* (Treatise on Sitting and Forgetting) states: "The mind is the master of the body and the commander of the spirit." Stillness generates wisdom; movement generates confusion. This is indeed true.

Laozi said: "Exhale gently, inhale continuously; deepen the root and solidify the base." This is the way to long life and clear vision. The *Neiguan Jing* (Scripture of Inner Observation) says: "When Qi enters the body, it is called life; when the Spirit leaves the form, it is called death. Understanding both life and death constitutes the Dao." If one can cherish Essence, treasure Spirit, pretend not to hear what is heard, and pretend not to see what is seen, seeking vitality within stillness, then one achieves longevity.

Movement leads to stubbornness, where evil tendencies gather, like stone: nourished by rain and dew, yet water flows away and does not remain, resulting in barren soil. Stillness leads to emptiness, where virtue gathers, like a valley: nourished by rain and dew, water remains and does not flow away, thus becoming fertile ground for grain.

Examining ancient immortals, most attained their state amidst illness and hardship. Generally, those in comfort tend to prefer movement; preferring movement leads to licentious desires, causing the interstices (pores/skin texture) to loosen daily, leading to chronic ailments without needing external medicine. Conversely, those in illness tend to prefer stillness; preferring stillness leads to reflection and cultivation, cleansing the mind to progress, which forms the foundation for escaping suffering and achieving immortality.

Disturbances from the Seven Emotions open gaps where diseases arise, akin to woodworms born from and harming wood. If one can silently reflect on one's faults, with a pure mind, the body will also be peaceful. Although karmic debts may already be cleared, how much more so will minor ailments vanish quickly?

Formerly, Master Cheng sighed upon seeing others sit in stillness, praising their good learning. Master Zhu wished to use sitting in stillness to supplement the effort required to retrieve the scattered mind of the people. Like planting trees: stillness makes roots deep, leading to lush growth; movement loosens the base, leading to breakage and collapse.

Movement is not only about artificiality and eccentricity; all deluded thoughts, speech, and actions are endless obstacles. Stillness not only nurtures Spirit and Qi but also applies to governing people, managing affairs, and ruling the state—essentially organizing the fundamental and the secondary. Those with great wisdom stand firm like mountains; this is stillness. Those with small capacity float like tumbleweed and duckweed; this is movement. Facing the blue sky with awe, hearing thunder without alarm; walking on flat ground with fear, crossing storms without doubt. Only through stillness is there adherence; only through stillness is there action.

All phenomena are like dreams and illusions; all afflictions are demons and thieves. Consider that before birth there was emptiness, at birth there was karma, and after death there is ash. In this regard, humans are no different from beasts or grass. How can one preserve the root of nature? Laozi said: "What gives me life is Spirit; what kills me is Mind." Therefore, the Mind takes Spirit as its master. When the body is still, Spirit resides within it; when the body is restless, Spirit departs from it. Thus, by transcending the physical body, preserving the Spirit, keeping the mind still and guarding unity, the Spirit will not leave, the body will align with the Dao, and one can achieve longevity.

Speaking little avoids being trapped by others; acting little avoids being criticized by others; using little intelligence avoids being exhausted by others; possessing little skill avoids being exploited by others. What aspect of life is unsuitable for stillness?

Qi that is still and clear represents the image of Heaven; Mind that is still and peaceful represents the image of Earth; Nature that is still and bright represents the image of the Sun and Moon; Roots that are still and sprouting represent the image of All Things.

Former sages said: "For every disease, there is a cure." For palpitations, practice scattering forgetfulness to calm them; for melancholy, practice joy to open them; for wind-dampness, practice Daoyin (guiding and pulling exercises) to drive them out; for leakage, practice lifting and swallowing to dam them; for deficiency, practice frugality and blocking to nourish them; for excess, practice blandness to subdue them. Prescribing medicine according to the disease is like lighting a lamp to dispel darkness; it is merely the function of stillness practice.

A lamp does not burn without oil; too much oil extinguishes the flame. Grain does not grow without water; too much water rots the grain. If a patient eats before previous food is digested, adding another meal increases the illness. Only movement pursuing abundance leads to danger; only stillness adhering to simplicity ensures safety.

Birds eating sparingly fly higher; eating too much, like geese fattening the body, brings impending harm. Fragrant and delicious foods consume the form, and white teeth damage the Essence. Stillness practice naturally avoids these ailments.