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Whenever one wishes to diagnose the pulse, one must first regulate one's own breath. Press and observe the patient's respiration to await whether it is slow (Chi), rapid (Shu), excessive, or insufficient. This is what is meant by "using my medical approach to treat that patient," achieving a convergence of knowledge and spirit.

Diagnosing the pulse requires first understanding the terms "pulse" (Mai) and "respiration" (Xi). Pulse refers to blood; respiration refers to Qi. The pulse does not move on its own but is driven by Qi. It is said that "a long pulse indicates regulated Qi."

Diagnosis requires recognizing the Renying (Human Welcome acupoint) and Qikou (Qi Mouth pulse position) to differentiate internal and external causes. If the pulse does not correspond with Renying and Qikou, it belongs to non-internal, non-external causes. The area one cun anterior to the crease (Guanqian Yifen) concerns human life.

Diagnosis requires first knowing the fundamental pulses of the Five Zang organs and Six Meridians before identifying pathological pulses. When the annual influence governs the Zang organs, climatic changes transmit in reverse; Yin and Yang have their times, differing from the pulse.

Diagnosis requires recognizing the names and characteristics of twenty-four pulse types, ensuring they correspond with the Guanqian Yifen, deducing symptoms, and matching them with the patient's condition to avoid errors, thereby serving as a basis.

The Classic states: One should usually diagnose at dawn (Pingdan), when Yin Qi has not yet stirred, Yang Qi has not yet dispersed, food and drink have not been consumed, the Jing Mai are not yet full, and the Luo Mai are balanced. Only then can one diagnose abnormal pulses.

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The strength and weakness of the Six Fu organs are used to observe the flourishing and declining state of the physical form. The head is the mansion of clarity and intelligence; if the head droops and the eyes are sunken, the spirit has been depleted. The back is the mansion of the chest; if the back is curved and shoulders sag, the chest is about to fail. The waist is the mansion of the Kidney; if turning and shaking are impossible, the Kidney is about to be exhausted. The knees are the mansion of sinews; if bending and extending are impossible, the sinews are about to be exhausted. The bones are the mansion of marrow; if walking causes trembling and shaking, the bones are about to be exhausted. Inability to store contents (referring to diarrhea) indicates insecurity of the intestines and stomach. Unceasing water springs (referring to urinary incontinence) indicates inability of the Bladder to store. Gaining strength leads to life; losing strength leads to death. These syndromes must be asked about by the physician; they are difficult to clarify through pulse alone but easy to identify through symptoms. Therefore, the Sages imparted teachings, and students should understand them comprehensively and not neglect them.