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The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) contains the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji), from which the Two Modes (Liangyi, Yin and Yang) are generated. Zhou Dunyi, fearing that people would not understand this principle, created the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate. "Non-ultimate" transforms into "Supreme Ultimate." What is called "Non-ultimate" is the Supreme Ultimate before differentiation; what is called "Supreme Ultimate" is Yin and Yang after differentiation. The central line divides the Supreme Ultimate; the character shape of "Zhong" (Middle/Center) corresponds exactly to the form of the Supreme Ultimate. This single line represents the Yang Yao (odd line) drawn by Fuxi; diagramming it with this single line represents the Non-ultimate. Since it is referred to as the Pre-heaven Supreme Ultimate, where Heaven has not yet been born and everything belongs to the formless state, why did Fuxi draw a single Yang Yao and Zhou Dunyi draw a circle, thus involving tangible traces? The answer is: this is an不得已 (unavoidable/necessary) method to reveal the intent to later learners. Humans are born receiving the Qi of the Middle from Heaven and Earth, and thus possess the form of the Supreme Ultimate within their bodies. In the human body, how can one fail to study it carefully?

Both kidneys belong to Water. The left is Yin Water, and the right is Yang Water; this view is incorrect. the Mingmen (Gate of Life) is located between the two kidneys. The two kidneys together in the human body constitute one Supreme Ultimate. The small black circle on the left side of the Mingmen is the acupoint of True Water; the small white circle on the right side of the Mingmen is the acupoint of Minister Fire (Xianghuo). This Water and this Fire are both formless, operating secretly and ceaselessly day and night.

The Mingmen is located in the human body, opposite the navel, attached to the spinal column. Counting from top to bottom, it is the fourteenth vertebra; counting from bottom to top, it is the seventh vertebra. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Beside the seventh section lies the Small Heart." This place is where the two kidneys reside. The left kidney belongs to Yin Water, and the right kidney belongs to Yang Water. Each extends one cun and five fen outward. In the middle is the palace where the Mingmen resides, which is the white circle in the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate. The small white orifice on its right is the Minister Fire. The small black orifice on its left is the True Water of Tianyi (One from Heaven). This Water and this Fire both belong to formless Yuan Qi (Original Qi). The Minister Fire receives orders from the Mingmen, and the True Water follows the Minister Fire. From Yin hour to Shen hour, it circulates twenty-five degrees of Yang; from You hour to Chou hour, it circulates twenty-five degrees of Yin. It flows continuously day and night among the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Stagnation leads to disease, and cessation leads to death. At the time of sexual intercourse between man and woman, the Fire meets first, and then the Essence gathers. Therefore, it is said that Fire precedes Water. Upon birth, humans first possess the Fire of the Mingmen. This insight was expounded by Chu Zhaixian, revealing what predecessors had not yet discovered. The worldly belief that "father provides Jing (Essence) and mother provides Xue (Blood)" is incorrect. Both men and women prioritize Fire as the precursor. Both have Jing, but in men, Yang contains Yin, so Fire is primary; in women, Yin contains Yang, so Jing is primary. It is acceptable to speak of Yin Jing and Yang Qi. When male and female energies intersect and gather, the physical form is then created. The created form belongs to Post-heaven. Although the post-heaven body possesses all bones and limbs, without even a spark of pre-heaven Fire Qi, it would be nothing but dead ash. However, the reason why the Monarch of Yuan Yang can respond to affairs and interact with things is that all planning originates from the Heart (Zang organ); therefore, the Heart is considered primary. As for dwelling in truth and nurturing breath, serving as the root of endless generation and transformation, this is uniquely stored within the two kidneys; thus, the Kidneys are particularly emphasized. In reality, however, it is neither the Kidneys nor the Heart. (From *Feng Shi*)

Li Shizhen stated: The Mingmen is the substance that stores Jing and connects to the Bao (uterus/womb). Its structure is neither fat nor flesh, wrapped in a white membrane. It is located in the center of the two kidneys at the seventh vertebra of the spine, connected to the spine, communicating downward with the two kidneys, upward with the Heart and Lungs, and penetrating the brain. It is the origin of life, the master of Minister Fire, and the mansion of Jing and Qi. All humans and animals possess it. Human reproduction and the creation of all living beings originate from here. When men and women engage in sexual union to combine essence, they all rely on this Mingmen Fire to form the fetus. A person's fortune or misfortune, longevity or shortness of life, all root in this.