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A person asked: "The *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) contains methods of sexual cultivation for tonification. Can they be used?" I replied: "The *Zhuan* (Commentaries) states: 'Good fortune, misfortune, regret, and shame arise from movement.' Therefore, human diseases also arise from excessive activity; when this activity reaches its extreme, illness and death ensue. In human life, the Heart (Zang organ governing blood and spirit), associated with Fire, resides in the upper part, while the Kidneys (Zang organs storing essence), associated with Water, reside in the lower part. Water ascends and Fire descends; this rising and falling cycle is endless, thus preserving vitality. The nature of Water is stillness, while the nature of Fire is movement. Movement is easy, but stillness is difficult. The Sages never ceased to speak on this point. Confucian scholars established teachings such as: rectifying the mind, gathering the mind, and nourishing the mind. All these are intended to prevent the reckless movement of this Fire. Physicians establish teachings such as: tranquility and emptiness, guarding the spirit within. These are also intended to curb the reckless movement of this Fire. Generally, Ministerial Fire (the fire of the Mingmen residing in the yin aspects of the Liver and Kidneys) is hidden within the Yin compartments of the Liver and Kidneys. If Lord Fire (Heart Fire) does not move recklessly, Ministerial Fire only obeys orders and maintains its proper position. How could there be scorching flames or wild, erratic forces? The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) hexagram Dui (Lake/Joy) takes its image from a young girl. Dui means joy. When encountering a young man, Gen (Mountain/Stillness) represents Xian (Influence). Xian means influence without conscious intent. Gen means stopping. The methods of sexual cultivation contain the meaning of Gen's stillness. If one practices Gen's stillness but fails to truly stop, it merely leads to injury and harm; what benefit or tonification is there? Upon careful examination of the intent of the *Qianjin Fang*, it was written for those in their prime who indulge in lust, whose Water nature is no longer as still as before. Thus, sexual methods were recorded as an aid to tonification. This can only be applied to those with robust constitutions, calm minds, and immovability in the face of temptation. Without the heart of a sage or the bones of an immortal, it is not easy to achieve. Women follow the principle of Water, men follow the principle of Fire. Water controls Fire; one delights in arousal, the other in giving. This is the natural order. To regard sexual intercourse as a method of tonification has killed many people. Moreover, since the middle antiquity, customs have deteriorated daily, and innate endowments have grown thinner. It is extremely difficult to explain dreams to fools!

Shao Yong said: Heaven relies on Earth, and Earth relies on Heaven; Heaven and Earth mutually support and attach to each other. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "The Great Qi lifts it up." Since the separation of clear and turbid energies, Heaven moves with Qi on the outside to encompass Water, while Earth floats on Water with its form in the center. This Qi is what is called "Heaven." From the perspective of its boundless nature, it is called "Great Qi." It is supremely pure, supremely firm, and supremely vigorous, belonging to Metal. Without supreme firmness, it cannot encompass this Water; without supreme vigor, it cannot circulate ceaselessly to lift the weight of the Earth; without supreme purity, its firmness and vigor cannot endure, and the ancient times would not remain ageless. Someone asked: "You say that Heavenly Qi belongs to Metal. This certainly aligns with the symbolic meaning of the *I Ching* hexagrams, but why do you insist on explaining it through the attribute of Metal?" Those who speak well of Heaven must find evidence in humanity; those who speak well of the great must use analogies from the small. Please explain this clearly to me. I said: Heaven generates all things, and humans are the most precious. Human form corresponds to Heaven and can serve as an analogy. The Lungs govern Qi and correspond externally to the skin and hair. The *Neijing* states that Yang serves as the external defense; is this not referring to the skin and hair? This is the image of Heaven. Encasing bones, flesh, Zang, and Fu organs within is the image of Earth. Blood flows within the skin and between muscle layers, circulating day and night without end; this is the image of Water. Observing these three together, is it not Water floating the Earth, Heaven encompassing the Water, and Earth suspended in the middle? When the Sages created the *I Ching*, they took Metal as the symbol of Qi. There is indeed profound significance in this!