子午二时内外视,应闭息升身,则肾中之火生矣。火为水中之金,烹而炼之,立可成丹
百脉通融,五脏无滞,四肢康健,而三化聚也。孙真人曰∶火阳得地,在六爻俱静之时,真
气通行,必在三阳交会之际,此为文火炼形,外邪不感,寿算无穷。
欲动则火炽,火炽则神疲,神疲则精滑而梦失也。每寤寐之时,必要凝息定气,以左手
二七,右手亦然,复以两手搓胁腹五七次,左右摇肩三两回,次咽气纳于丹田,握固良久,
乃正屈足侧卧,永无走泄矣。郑思远真人曰∶事多忘者神昏,汗多出者神脱,此是梦失神弱
,脱漏真精,乃修身之士大忌也。当励前功。
形容枯槁,切须守炉,炉者丹田,丹田者,肾前脐后也。若行住坐卧,一意不散,固守
,而又运用周天之火,自然生精、生气、生神。岂止变衰颜如童子?体为神仙,若壮健行之
,收功甚速。
有因食而积者,有因气而积者,久则脾胃受伤,医药难治。孰若节饮食,戒嗔怒,不使
聚为妙。凡有此等,盒饭升身闭息,往来鼓腹,俟其气满缓缓呵出,怡然运五七次,实时通
快。王穆真人曰∶未得通时,多痞塞隔气。若胸膈满塞,常用此法不止,除病散气,须无病
行之,自然真元增益,寿域可跻。
元气亏弱,腠理不密则风寒伤感。患者须端坐闭息,兜起外肾,头如礼拜,屈折至地,
真气得胜涤时,可六七次,汗出自愈。刘抱一真人未仙之日,曾感伤寒热,行此而安。此法
非止能治伤寒,即无病行之,头目清利,容颜润泽。
At the Zi (11 PM–1 AM) and Wu (11 AM–1 PM) hours, one should observe internally and externally. One must hold the breath and raise the body (intent), thus generating the True Fire within the Kidney. Fire is the Metal within Water; when cooked and refined, the Elixir can be formed immediately.
The hundred vessels become smooth and integrated, the five Zang organs remain unobstructed, the four limbs are healthy, and the "Three Transformations" gather. Sun Simiao (Sun Zhenren) said: "Fire belongs to Yang and gains the Earthly Qi; at the time when all six lines (of the hexagram) are still, the True Qi circulates freely. It must occur at the intersection of the three Yang meridians. This is called refining the form with Wen Huo (gentle fire). External pathogens cannot invade, and lifespan is boundless."
If sexual desire arises, the Fire becomes blazing; if the Fire blazes, the Spirit becomes fatigued; if the Spirit is fatigued, Essence slips away, leading to nocturnal emission. Whenever waking or falling asleep, one must concentrate the breath and stabilize the Qi. Rub the left hand seven times (2x7=14 strokes implied by 'two se', but text says 'left hand two se', likely meaning a specific count or rhythm, here translated as performing the action twice for seven counts or similar traditional counting, literally "left hand two se"), do the same with the right hand. Then rub the flanks and abdomen five to seven times with both hands, shake the shoulders left and right two or three times. Next, swallow the Qi and guide it into the Dantian. Hold the "Gu" grip (clenched fist with thumb inside) for a long while, then lie on your side with knees bent properly. In this way, there will never be leakage of Essence. Zheng Siyuan (Zhenren) said: "Those who forget much due to many affairs have confused Spirits; those who sweat excessively have dispersed Spirits. This is what causes weak Spirit from nocturnal emissions and loss of True Essence. It is a major taboo for those cultivating themselves. You must strive to maintain the previous efforts."
Withered appearance requires strict guarding of the "Furnace". The Furnace refers to the Dantian, which is located in front of the Kidneys and behind the navel. Whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, keep the intent undivided, guard firmly, and utilize the Huo Hou (fire timing/energy flow) of the Microcosmic Orbit. Naturally, Essence, Qi, and Spirit will be generated. How could it not only restore a youthful face like a child's? The body becomes that of an Immortal. If practiced by someone robust and healthy, the results are achieved very quickly.
Some accumulations are caused by food stagnation, others by Qi stagnation. Over time, the Spleen and Stomach are injured, making medical treatment difficult. Is it not better to regulate diet, avoid anger, and prevent accumulation? For such cases, one should raise the body (intent), hold the breath, and repeatedly distend the abdomen. Wait until the Qi is full, then slowly exhale through the mouth ("He" sound). Practice smoothly five to seven times, and immediately feel comfortable and unblocked. Wang Mu (Zhenren) said: "Before achieving unblocking, there is often bloating and Qi obstruction. If the chest and diaphragm are full and blocked, using this method repeatedly can dispel disease and scatter Qi. It must be practiced when free from illness. Naturally, the True Yuan (Original Qi) will increase, allowing one to reach the realm of longevity."
When Yuan Qi is deficient and the Cou Li (pores/skin texture) are not tight, Wind-Cold invasion occurs. The patient must sit upright, hold the breath, lift the external kidneys (testicles), and bow the head as if performing a ritual prostration, bending down to the ground. When the True Qi wins and purges, repeat six to seven times. Recovery comes naturally with sweating. Liu Baoyi (Zhenren), before becoming an Immortal, once suffered from Shānhán (Cold Damage) with heat. He practiced this method and found relief. This method is not only for treating Shānhán; even if practiced by healthy individuals, it clears the head and eyes, and nourishes the complexion.