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(Ling Shu, Chapter "Guan Neng" continues from the previous chapter)
Lei Gong asked Huang Di: The treatises on acupuncture state: "Pass on the knowledge only to those who are worthy; do not speak of it to those who are not." How can one know who is worthy of receiving instruction? Huang Di replied: "By assigning each person tasks according to their abilities, they can thus master their respective duties." (Assigning them according to their abilities means utilizing people based on their talents.) Lei Gong said: "I wish to hear how these functions and abilities are allocated." Huang Di said: "Those with keen vision may be employed to observe colors. (These are individuals whose visual acuity stands out among others.) Those with acute hearing may be employed to discern sounds. (These are individuals whose auditory perception stands out among others.) Those who are agile in movement and fluent in speech may be employed to transmit medical theories. (This includes guiding, admonishing, resolving doubts, and clarifying truths, all of which constitute transmitting medical theories.) Those who speak slowly and calmly, possess dexterous hands, and have a careful and meticulous mind may be employed to perform acupuncture and moxibustion, regulate Qi and Blood, harmonize various patterns of rebellion and顺 (normalcy), inspect Yin and Yang, and integrate various prescriptions. (Speaking slowly implies not being rash; calmness implies not being chaotic; dexterity implies mastery over the lightness, heaviness, speed, and slowness of manipulation; a careful mind implies thorough reflection and observation without omission. Thus, they are capable of this responsibility. 'Di' is pronounced as 'Di'.) Those whose joints are relaxed, sinews are supple, and heart-mind is harmonious may be employed to practice Daoyin and Qi circulation therapy. (Daoyin aims to circulate Qi and Blood without causing injury. Therefore, only those with relaxed joints, supple sinews, and a harmonious heart-mind can undertake this task, the logic of which is clear. Nowadays, some massage practitioners, unaware of the pros and cons, exclusively use forceful and harsh techniques, exhausting patients, forcibly manipulating joints, and depleting Yuan Qi. Nothing is more harmful than this. Patients often consider this method inevitable; even if unbearable, they endure it reluctantly. Consequently, strong individuals become weak, and weak individuals fail to recover. This not only fails to cure diseases but exacerbates harm. One must exercise caution when employing such practitioners.) Those who speak maliciously and despise others may be employed to treat abscesses by spitting or to curse illnesses. (Those with foul mouths and poisonous tongues are so due to their innate constitution. They may find no utility in other matters but are suited for treating diseases through spitting and cursing.) Those with hard nails and cruel methods, who are adept at harming others in their work, may be employed to press upon accumulations and suppress bi-syndrome. (Note: Pressing accumulations and suppressing bi-syndrome also fall under the category of Daoyin and Qi circulation mentioned above. However, since accumulations are firm and bi-syndrome is entrenched, only those with hard nails and cruel methods can break them. Although the techniques are similar, their application varies in intensity.) Only by obtaining suitable personnel can methods be implemented and reputations be established. Without suitable personnel, achievements cannot be realized, and the teacher's name will not be known. Hence it is said: "Pass on the knowledge only to those who are worthy; do not transmit it to those who are not." This is what is meant. (The Treatise on the Great Transformation of Qi Interactions states: "To obtain a worthy person but not teach them is to lose the Way; to transmit to the unworthy is to recklessly leak Heavenly treasures." See Category 10 on Yunqi.) Those with cruel hands can be used to test pressing on turtles. Place a turtle under a vessel and press down on it from above; after fifty days, the turtle will die. Those with gentle and mild hands will see the turtle revive as before. (Turtles can circulate Ren Mai [Conception Vessel]; they breathe through their ears and guide hidden Qi, making them spiritual, long-lived, and resistant to death. Thus, this method can be used to verify whether a person's hands are cruel. 'Hand gentle/mild' does not refer to taste, but rather to being non-cruel.)