饮食之类,人之脏腑各有所宜,似不必过为拘执,惟酒为不宜。盖胎种先天之气,极宜清楚,极宜充实,而
酒性淫热,非惟乱性,亦且乱精。精为酒乱,则湿热其半,真精其半耳。精不充实,则胎元不固;精多湿热,则他
日痘疹,惊风、脾败之患率已基于此矣。故求嗣者必严戒之。与其多饮不如少饮,与其少饮尤不如不饮,此胎
元之大机也。若醉后入房,精荡而随薄矣。
经曰∶精不足者补之以味。然肥浓之味不能生精,惟淡泊之味乃能补精耳。夫万物皆有真味调和,胜则真
味失。不论荤素,蒸煮得法自有一种冲和恬淡之气,食之自能养精。盖食物甚多,惟五谷为得五味之正,故煮
粥饭熟后,上面有浓汁融成一团者,皆米之精液所聚也,食之骤能生精,试之有效。人能行是数者,非特为求
嗣之良方,亦可为摄生之妙术矣。
炼精全在肾家下手,内肾一窍名元关,外肾一窍名牝户。真精未泄,干体未破,则外肾阳气至子时而兴,
人身之气与天地之气相应。精泄体破,而人身阳生之候渐迟,有迟至丑,迟至寅,且有迟至卯而始生者,更有
终不生者,始与天地不应矣。炼之之诀,须于夜半子时披衣起坐,两手搓极热,一手将外肾兜住,一手掩脐心
而凝神于内肾,久久行之而精旺矣。
君火在心,心其君主也;相火在肾,肾其根本也。然二火相因无声不应,故心宜静,不静则火由欲动。
而自心挑肾,先心后肾者,以阳烁阴出乎勉强,勉强则气降而丹田失守已,失元阳之大本。肾宜足,肾足则
阳从地起,而由肾及心,先肾后心者,以水济火本乎自然,自然则气升而百脉齐到,斯诚化育之真机。故轻
薄之夫每从勉强,故多犯虚劳,
不利子嗣。忠浓之士常由自然,故品物咸享,何患后人。求嗣者,亦务阳道之真机则得矣。
In terms of diet, the organs and bowels of the human body each have their suitable foods, and one need not be overly rigid or dogmatic about them; however, alcohol is unsuitable. This is because the *xiantian zhi qi* (Pre-natal Qi) required for conception needs to be extremely clear and pure, and extremely substantial. The nature of alcohol is licentious and hot; it not only disturbs the mind (*Shen*) but also disrupts the essence (*Jing*). If the essence is disrupted by alcohol, half of it becomes damp-heat, leaving only half as true essence. If the essence is not substantial, the fetal foundation (*Taiyuan*) will not be secure; if there is excessive damp-heat in the essence, future ailments such as smallpox/measles (*Douzhen*), convulsive disorders (*Jingfeng*), and spleen failure are likely already rooted in this condition. Therefore, those seeking offspring must strictly abstain from alcohol. It is better to drink less than to drink more, and even better to abstain completely; this is the major mechanism concerning the fetal foundation. If intercourse occurs while drunk, the essence becomes scattered and thin.
The Classic states: "For those with insufficient Essence, replenish it with flavors." However, rich and heavy flavors cannot generate Essence; only bland flavors can tonify Essence. All things possess a true flavor, but if overcooked, this true flavor is lost. Regardless of whether meat or vegetables, if steamed or boiled properly, they naturally possess a mild, harmonious, and tranquil quality, which nourishes the Essence when consumed. Among the many foods, only the five grains truly embody the correct balance of the five flavors. Thus, after cooking porridge or rice, the thick liquid that condenses into a mass on the surface is the accumulation of the grain's essence. Consuming it can rapidly generate Essence, and trials have proven effective. If one practices these methods, it serves not only as an excellent prescription for conceiving but also as a wonderful technique for health preservation.
Refining Essence relies entirely on working at the level of the Kidney system. The internal opening of the Kidney is called *Yuanguan*, and the external opening is called *Pinhu*. When true Essence has not been leaked and the physical constitution has not been broken, the Yang Qi of the external genitalia rises at *Zishi* (the Rat hour, 11 PM–1 AM), aligning the Qi of the human body with the Qi of Heaven and Earth. Once Essence is leaked and the constitution broken, the timing of Yang Qi generation in the body gradually delays—sometimes until *Choushi* (Ox hour, 1 AM–3 AM), *Yinshi* (Tiger hour, 3 AM–5 AM), or even *Maoshi* (Rabbit hour, 5 AM–7 AM); some never generate it again, thereby losing alignment with Heaven and Earth. The secret to refining Essence is to get up and sit dressed at midnight (*Zishi*), rub hands until extremely hot, use one hand to support the external genitalia, and use the other hand to cover the center of the navel, focusing the spirit (*Shen*) within the internal Kidney. Practicing this for a long time will make the Essence robust.
The Ministerial Fire (*Junhuo*) resides in the Heart, which is the Sovereign organ; the Ministerial Fire (*Xianghuo*) resides in the Kidney, which is the root organ. However, these two fires are interdependent, like sound and echo. Therefore, the Heart should remain tranquil; if not tranquil, Fire moves due to desire. Those who first stir the Kidney through Heart activity, prioritizing Heart before Kidney, force Yang to scorch Yin through coercion. Coercion causes Qi to descend, leading to the loss of control over the *Dantian* and the abandonment of the fundamental Yuan Yang. The Kidney should be sufficient; when Kidney Essence is full, Yang arises from the earth, moving from Kidney to Heart. Those who prioritize Kidney before Heart, using Water to regulate Fire according to nature, find that Qi ascends naturally and all meridians arrive in harmony. This is indeed the true mechanism of creation. Therefore, frivolous individuals often act out of coercion and thus frequently suffer from deficiency-wasting syndromes (*Xulao*), hindering fertility. Honest and sincere individuals follow natural processes, allowing all things to thrive, so why worry about lacking descendants? Those seeking offspring should strive to understand the true mechanism of the Yang Dao.