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Men, women, the old and the young can all practice. The subtle and profound principles become clear upon first encounter.

Wang Dongting said: Both men and women cultivate within their own bodies. It is merely that in the initial stages of effort, there are occasional differences. Men cultivate Qi (vital energy), starting at the Kan Palace (Kan Palace). The Kan Palace is the Dantian below the navel, which medical texts refer to as the "inner kidney" (internal reproductive essence organ). Women cultivate Form (physical structure/essence), beginning at the Li Position (Li Position). The Li Position is the center between the two breasts, which the ancients called the breast area. Liu Wuyuan stated: "The Sun cultivates Qi for men; the Yin cultivates Form for women." One must know that cultivating Qi is refining Lead (Zhenqian, True Lead), and cultivating Form is refining Mercury (Zhenzhu, True Mercury). If a man does not know True Mercury, he has only Yang without Yin; if a woman does not know True Lead, she has only Yin without Yang. Therefore, when men cultivate, they subdue the White Tiger (metaphor for seminal emission/libido); when women cultivate, they sever the Red Dragon (metaphor for menstruation). In the final stages of cultivation, men and women are the same. If a man knows True Mercury, he understands the final step of cultivating Form; if a woman knows True Lead, she understands the final step of returning the Elixir (Huandan). This is what Ziyang referred to as "the latter path is long." When people grow old, their spirit and energy decline, and there is no generation of Yang. Those who wish to cultivate often fear they cannot succeed. Patriarch Sanfeng said: "Old age originally has medicine to cure it; seek a wise master, ask for the prescription." Is this empty talk? Now, there is no need to seek out others; I hereby give you this prescription. First, select a quiet room, invite two or three close friends as companions. Walking, standing, sitting, and lying down should follow your own will, with no coercion. Proceed with effort according to this method. Accumulate Shen (Spirit) to generate Qi; accumulate Qi to generate Jing (Essence). After accumulating for a long time, diet gradually increases, limbs feel light and brisk, the Dantian feels warm, and external Yang rises vigorously. From then on, once calm, the vital energy will spontaneously arise. This desire is not achieved through magic; the principle is naturally so, similar to how water stored for too long breeds worms. The above fully explains the secrets of cultivation for elderly men and women. The following discusses the principle of generating Mercury. *Lingyuan Dadaoge* says: "Do not discuss tears, saliva, essence, fluids, Qi, blood, and liquids; reaching the root and exhausting the source, they are all the same. Where has this thing ever had a fixed location? It changes at any time according to the mind/intent." When felt in the body as heat, it becomes sweat; when felt in the eyes as sorrow, it becomes tears; when felt in the Kidneys as thought, it becomes essence; when felt in the nose as wind, it becomes nasal mucus. Flowing freely throughout the body, it ultimately does not exceed Divine Water (Shenshui). Divine Water is hard to describe, and few understand it. The section of nourishing life depends on True Qi. All ordinary people, when falling into deep sleep at night, also experience the generation of Yang, but do not know how to capture it, sadly missing the opportunity right before them. *Guizhi* states: "Yang Essence generates daily, but people do not know to gather it inwardly; it scatters throughout the body, becoming Posterior Mercury." Thus, everything done and said during the day is governed by Mercury. Once night comes, when Mercury is scarce, one inevitably falls into a deep sleep. When old age arrives, the sea water dries up, and there are no tides. This is because Mercury does not flow and moisten, Jing Water is exhausted, the Jing pathways are closed, the eyes become dim, and the ears become deaf. Hence it is said: "The common people use it daily but do not know it," meaning they do not know that the function of Mercury is exhausted. To keep Zhu Mercury (Cinnabar/True Mercury) constantly present, one must use Water Lead to restrain it. *Wuzhen Pian* says: "One must subdue and seek the Metal Elder (Jin Gong)." *Cantong Qi* says: "The Sun's flowing pearl always desires to leave people. Only after obtaining Golden Flower does it turn and interact." It also says: "The Maiden of the River Bank is spiritual and most divine. To restrain her, Yellow Sprout is the root." Speaking of 'Flowing Pearl' and 'Maiden' refers to True Mercury; speaking of 'Golden Flower' and 'Yellow Sprout' refers to True Lead. Elixir classics say: "Life cannot stand without Nature; Nature cannot exist without Life." This is the reason. Thus it is said: Refine Jing to transform into Qi, refine Qi to transform into Shen. Shen is Mercury, and Qi is Lead. Does this not mean Lead generates Mercury? *Guizhi* says: "People see gold produced from the moon, but do not know that the moon's light originates from the sun." Does this not mean Mercury can also generate Lead? Lead and Mercury generate each other; Wind and Fire refine together. Until Lead is exhausted and Mercury is dried up, this becomes the Golden Elixir. Just as the turtle obtains the Night Pearl and sheds its shell, the dragon obtains the Fire-Repelling Pearl and flies, the snake obtains the Wind-Calming Pearl and lives forever, and the fox obtains Moonlight and transforms into a human. Even different species can achieve this, how much more so humans failing to obtain the Elixir? The principle is clear. Heaven and Earth constitute one Taiji; all things possess one Taiji. Taking the principle of the Human Taiji as an example: Humans are one Taiji. Lead and Mercury are the Yin and Yang of Taiji. Xuan Guan (Mysterious Pass) is the Wuji within Taiji. Regarding Fuxi's Hetu (River Map), representing Prior Heaven opposition, those of Superior Virtue (Shangde) can learn it. Superior Virtue refers to the intact virgin body. Yu the Great's Luoshu (Lo Writing), representing Posterior Heaven circulation, those of Inferior Virtue (Xiade) can learn it. Inferior Virtue refers to the broken/dissipated body. Although the refinement methods for Superior and Inferior Virtue differ, their success is the same. True Lead contains Gold in Water; One and Four are Sun Wukong. True Mercury contains Wood in Fire; Two and Three are Zhu Wuneng. True Earth of Xuan Guan resides in the center; Generating Number Five is Sha Wujing. Do these not combine Three, Five, and One into Tang Sanzang? The White Horse represents the correct position within the body, beauty within, and畅通ness in the four limbs. Those in the world who read *Journey to the West* and understand the term "Sanzang" (Three Treasures), will find that the Way of the Golden Elixir will surely be successful. *Cantong Qi* says: "Three, Five, and One are the utmost essence of Heaven and Earth. They can be passed by oral instruction, but are difficult to transmit in writing." It is like crossing a river by boat or catching fish with a net. Without a boat, how to cross the river? Without a net, how to catch fish? Without the method, how to cultivate? Even if your wisdom exceeds Yan Hui and Min Ziqian, it is still difficult to guess forcibly. I now speak plainly, hoping that those of like mind will see it clearly at a glance.