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The beginning of the Great Dao lies in Xingming (Nature and Life). When Nature and Life are united as one, one grasps the key to cultivation.

Wang Dongting said: Among all studies, none is greater than the study of Xingming. However, the learning of Xingming has remained obscure in the world for a long time. Therefore, today I will elucidate the profound principles of Xingming.

Generally speaking, before one's parents gave birth, one's original state was a unity of Xing and Ming. Only when the fetal qi is complete after ten months, with the form moving and the amniotic sac rupturing—like falling from a high mountain with a "thud"—does Xingming separate into two at this point. From then on, Xing cannot see Ming, and Ming cannot see Xing. From youth to maturity, from maturity to old age, and from old age to death. Thus, the sages of ancient times, moved by great compassion, taught later generations of learners how to re-enter the womb and recreate their own Xing and Ming. By placing one's Shen (Spirit) and Qi (Vital Energy) within the aperture and uniting them as one, the ancients called this "dual cultivation of Xing and Ming." Dual cultivation of Xing and Ming constitutes the Immortal Dao. The sexual union of men and women constitutes the Mundane Dao. Although the Mundane Dao and the Immortal Dao differ in practice, their underlying principle is the same. In the Mundane Dao, woman marries man; in the Immortal Dao, man "marries" woman. In the Mundane Dao, Mercury (representing Yang/Spirit) goes to seek Lead (representing Yin/Essence); in the Immortal Dao, Lead comes to embrace Mercury. The Mundane Dao corresponds to the Hexagram Wei Ji (Before Completion), while the Immortal Dao corresponds to the Hexagram Ji Ji (After Completion). The Mundane Dao follows the direction of natural progression (Shun), whereas the Immortal Dao follows the direction of reversal (Ni). Following the natural path leads to birth and death; reversing through cultivation ensures eternal existence.

In the Mundane Dao, after a woman becomes pregnant, there is an object the size of a bean that pulses below the navel. Medical texts call this the "Fetal Origin" (Taiyuan). The Fetal Origin is the source of the human body. From it arise the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, the four limbs and hundred bones, the ability to see and hear, to hold and walk, to practice benevolence and righteousness, propriety and wisdom, to become sage-like and divine, literate and martial. To understand this principle is to recognize the union of mundane father and mother condensing into a single Fetal Origin.

Similarly, in the Immortal Dao, after the formation of the Dan head, there is also an object the size of a bean pulsing below the navel. This "Treasure of Life" is kept secret by Heaven. Sages, Immortals, Buddhas, and Deities left behind alchemical classics and subtexts but refused to speak plainly. Instead, they used clever metaphors and imagery, creating thousands of names, all referring to this object and this aperture. If one does not understand this aperture yet wishes to cultivate the Dao, it is like trying to catch chickens and rabbits in water or searching for fish and dragons on a mountain. Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "If one does not know the Xuanqiao (Mysterious Aperture) during cultivation, it is like entering a dark room." If one does not know the Xuanqiao, from where does one extract? From where does one refine? Where is the True Seed sought? Where do the Medicines originate? Where is the Furnace and Cauldron established? Where is the Microcosmic Orbit circulated? Where does Yang Fire advance? Where does Yin Talisman retreat? Where is the bathing process at Mao and You? All stages of the Small Microcosmic Orbit rely entirely on the Xuanqiao. Understanding this principle is akin to the spiritual union of Sage Father and Spirit Mother condensing into a Xuanqiao. Purple Yellow True Person said: "This aperture is no ordinary aperture; together with Heaven and Earth, it is formed." Without the Fetal Origin, the Mundane Dao cannot produce sons and daughters; without the Xuanqiao, how can the Immortal Dao enable one to become a Buddha or Ancestor? Learners must first understand the principle of the Xuanqiao before practicing. With mental mastery and this method, the path is extremely simple and easy; without it, the path becomes increasingly complex and difficult. One knows that every day has its corresponding place, every month has its cycle, every male has his female counterpart, every dragon has his tiger, every turtle has his snake, every male has his female, every Yin has its Yang. The *I Ching* states: "One Yin and one Yang is called the Dao." Lü Dongbin said: "The mysterious chapters discuss Yin and Yang extensively, naming them the King of Ten Thousand Methods." Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "A woman without a husband is a resentful woman; a man without a wife is a widower." All things in the world have counterparts. If one understands the similarity of 'two eights' and the unity of 'three and five,' one will naturally comprehend everything upon hearing one thing, achieving sudden enlightenment. Coupled with diligent reading and careful contemplation of alchemical classics, nothing will remain unclear. As faith strengthens, practice deepens, like clearing clouds to see the sun and moon. Ge Hong (Baopuzi) noted: "Some who love the Dao may not encounter this method or a true master, thus never hearing of such wonders." Starting young yields immediate results. If there are no instant results, it is a false teacher deceiving fools; such claims are unworthy of belief.

However, the Dao has three secrets: Extraction, Medicine, and Fire Timing. Beyond these three lies the Xuanqiao. As Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "Not knowing the exact location of the Xuanqiao, where can True Lead be placed?" Knowing only the Xuanqiao but not Extraction is like Purple Yellow True Person's warning: "When Lead meets Gui (water/Yin), extract urgently; if Gold waits too far, it is unfit for tasting." Knowing only Extraction but not Medicine is like: "Without the True Seed in the cauldron, one merely boils an empty pot with water and fire." Knowing Extraction, Medicine, and Xuanqiao but not Fire Timing is like Shangyang Zi's warning: "Although external fire moves, internal talismans close and breath stops, wasting spiritual effort." Each stage of work involves Wen (Civil/Gentle) and Wu (Martial/Intense) fire timing, calculated like arithmetic (9x9=81 divisions). The subtleties teach one to act according to circumstances. Regarding breathing regulation: knowing how to inhale makes the mind finer and Qi more subtle. After dozens or over a hundred breaths, Qi naturally settles in the Lower Yuan, making respiration long and distant. If Qi rises above the Triple Burner, respiration becomes short and hurried. Thus, the spiritual tortoise lives for a thousand years due to skilled breathing regulation. Just as sunlight shines down causing seawater to rise, when the tide arrives, Pre-Heaven Qi arises. The *Jingyi* says: "Pre-Heaven Qi and Post-Heaven Qi; those who obtain them feel perpetually intoxicated." When Heavenly Qi descends and Earthly Qi ascends, all things begin to grow. Male essence harmonizes with female blood, forming the Fetal Origin. Alchemy is the same. Patriarch Xu Xun said: "Let me reveal my family tradition: The Sun shifts into the Moonlight." And: "If Solar Essence merges with Lunar Radiance, True Lead emerges from the world." Ke Huaijing said: "The Golden Crow in the Sun flies into Guanghan Palace." This refers to the Yin Qi of the Heart going to harmonize with the Yang Qi of the Kidney. When Yin Qi receives this Yang Qi, it finds a place to settle and live. Chaoyuanzi said: "Blood on the south is Mercury in cinnabar; Essence on the north is Lead in water." Ke Huaijing said: "Wind blowing willows reveals Lead's emotion; rain sprinkling peaches opens Mercury's nature." Ma Ziran said: "Lead and Mercury reside in the cauldron, burned into priceless pearls. It all comes down to two words, resolving ten thousand families' books." Zhongli Quan said: "Apart from Lead and Mercury, other medicines deceive the foolish."

To cultivate the Pre-Heaven Great Dao, the wonder lies in acting when "One Yang" arises. Winter Solstice is the One Yang of the year; the moon appearing at Geng is the One Yang of the month; Zi hour is the One Yang of the day. Learners must understand the One Yang within their body. The One Yang within the body is the erection of the external kidneys. Erection without thought is clear; erection with thought is turbid. Is this not worth investigating? Ke Huaijing said: "When One Yang first stirs, one knows it from the heart; this is precisely the time for alchemists to begin." Patriarch Huayang said: "The time of Yang generation is the time to start. Acting at this moment, what doubts remain?" When Lead returns, move a bit of Mercury to welcome it. This chapter describes Shen entering Qi. Daily practice requires the wind of Xun (breath) to blow, turning Lead entirely into Qi. Mr. Qiyun said: "Humans eat five grains, transforming them into Yin Essence. If not refined, this object causes trouble inside. Use only the natural breathing Qi of the Dantian to stir the True Fire within. Water is above, Fire is below; Water gets Fire and naturally transforms into Qi. This Qi rises and steams, penetrating all apertures and circulating through hundred vessels, burning until spirits wail and ghosts cry, refining Yin Essence completely, dissipating Yin Demons." You Miyuanzi said: "Yin Essence is the essence of five grains and food. Unless subjected to intense cooking and refining by Xun Wind and Kun Fire, this essence remains in the body, stirring up lustful thoughts and disturbing the Heart Monarch. One must focus Shen and regulate breath, making the bellows blow wind, so wind blows fire, cooking Yin Essence into Qi. Martial Fire can extract and refine Lead; Civil Fire can nourish and benefit Mercury. The ancients called this Civil Cooking and Martial Refining."

What is called Xun Wind is Post-Heaven breathing Qi, which is the Mother Qi. Pre-Heaven True One Qi is the Son Qi. Using Mother Qi to subdue Son Qi is like a cat catching a mouse, seizing the thief immediately; this is the method of using wind. Use Martial Fire at Zi hour, Civil Fire at other times. Using the bellows is Martial Fire; not using the bellows is Civil Fire. However, without a master's instruction on fire timing, it is hard to know oneself. Heaven's Dao operates without a pause; Alchemy proceeds without a break. One must reach the state of no breath to achieve the Great Dan. Pre-Heaven Qi comes from emptiness and is truly rapid. If conscious awareness arises, one enters Post-Heaven, losing the pure Pre-Heaven Qi. If delayed even slightly, it transforms into turbid essence and leaks, becoming useless. The *Wuzhen Pian* says: "What is seen cannot be used; what is used cannot be seen. They meet in illusion; changes occur in darkness." The ancients used apt metaphors. Today, people are confused internally, claiming alchemical classics never spoke directly. Truly lamentable. Whenever the Living Zi Hour occurs, with external erection, Shen enters the Qi Aperture, using Martial Fire for intense refinement. After a short while, flaccidity occurs; use Civil Fire for nourishment. Within a month or hundred days, the Xuanqiao within the body will naturally reveal itself. Teacher Tianzhi said: "If one knows that Lead and Mercury combine into one substance, the Xuanqiao is established." Ke Huaijing said: "The Xuanqiao originally does not exist; it exists only after Shen and Qi intersect." Shangyang Zi said: "When two aspects interact, one substance is born." The *Wuhua Pian* says: "Yin and Yang contend, mushrooms grow without roots; dryness and moisture nurture, larvae are born without mothers." These describe the method of establishing the Xuanqiao. Laozi said: "Huanghuang huhu, there is something within; yaoyao mingming, there is essence within." Zhuangzi said: "In the Northern Sea there is a fish, named Kun." Wei Boyang said: "Know the White, keep to the Black, and Divine Intelligence will come naturally." Alchemical classics say: "True Lead and True Mercury, unrecognized by humans, reveal a hook of pure clear moon." This chapter discusses the initial establishment of the Xuanqiao, where under five Yins, one Yang begins to generate. Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "The Xuanqiao comes and goes without fixed position." And: "The entire Huangting pathway is the Xuanqiao." These two lines imply the Xuanqiao has been revealed for a long time, lively and dynamic, without fixed orientation. Pure Yang Patriarch said: "Xuanpin, Xuanpin, true Xuanpin, neither in the heart nor in the kidney. Seek deeply the beginning of receiving life and Qi; do not blame that heavenly secrets are fully disclosed." The *Wuzhen Pian* says: "Advise you to seek deeply your place of birth; returning to the root and restoring the origin is the King of Medicines." These two sections describe the location of the revealed Xuanqiao: the Qi Aperture of men and the Uterus of women. The Qi Aperture and Uterus share the same ground and position. Differences lie only in the "inverted inversion" in the middle. What is the middle? Master Cheng said: "Unbiased and unswerving is the middle." Those who know this Dao say: "The Gentleman practices the Mean." Those who do not know this Dao say: "The Petty Man violates the Mean." What is the inversion? The *I Ching* says: "Di Tian Tai (Peace) is it." Having understood the inverted inversion, one can steal the mechanism of Heaven and Earth and accomplish creation. Cheng Yi said: "Unless one steals the mechanism of creation, how can one achieve longevity?" The *Yinfu Jing* says: "Its stealing mechanism..." Those who know the stealing mechanism make their destiny depend on themselves, not on Heaven.

Within the six directions, there is one void aperture. Here, Heaven and Earth interact within the void aperture. The East Sun and West Moon operate outside the void aperture, allowing all things to generate endlessly. This is truly due to the interaction of Heaven and Earth and the operation of Sun and Moon. Even with Heaven and Earth interacting and Sun and Moon operating, without Earth (Soil) as the foundation, how would all things arise? If the Five Elements lack Earth, they are incomplete; if the Five Metals lack Earth, they do not grow; if the Five Grains lack Earth, they are not substantial; if the Golden Dan lacks Earth, it cannot form. The beginning and end of the Golden Dan rely entirely on True Earth to succeed. Earth represents Intent (Yi). Yet this is not Post-Heaven intent, but Pre-Heaven True Intent. True Person Yin said: "True Intent is the Creative Force (Qianyuan). It is the Mother of Heaven and Earth, the Root of Yin and Yang, the Basis of Water and Fire, the Source of Sun and Moon." Why does the final interaction occur at the Xuanqiao? Dongting answered: "If the interaction does not occur at the Xuanqiao, where is the foundation established?" The *Jinbi Guwen* says: "Upper half-moon Gold eight taels, lower half-moon Water half a jin. The two halves intertwine their essence, and the structure of Heaven and Earth is formed." This is the meaning. Teacher Tianzhi said: "For those diligent in cultivation, results appear very quickly. In just three months, or at most over a hundred days, the Mysterious Aperture is filled. Its substance rises to the Heart Palace and descends to the Kidney Mansion, flowing longitudinally, transversely, forward, and backward, unstoppable." Zhuangzi said: "Transformed into a bird, its name is Peng." Alchemical classics refer to this as Bodhi Seed, Relic Seed, Millet Pearl, Ginseng Fruit, etc. There are many names, all metaphorically referring to the seed within the body, the Xuanqiao within the body, and the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) within the body. Learners, when cultivating to this stage, must absolutely avoid sexual misconduct. If one commits such acts, severe consequences mean death, minor ones mean madness. Can one not beware?