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*Suwen: Yipian Cifalun* (Treatise on Needling Methods from the Lost Chapters of the Treatise on Questions and Answers) Appendix: Daoyin Method

The Yellow Emperor asked: If the rigid (Yang) and soft (Yin) Heavenly Stems lose their proper positions, will this cause the Qi of Heaven's movement to become deficient? Can diseases brought to the people by this be balanced and resolved? (The Ten Heavenly Stems are divided into Yin and Yang. The Yang Stems have rigid Qi, namely Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren. The Yin Stems have soft Qi, namely Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui. Hence they are called the Rigid and Soft Stems.)

Qibo replied: Your question is profound! To clarify its profound principles: as Heaven and Earth shift their movements, epidemics transform after three years. This is the visible root; there must be an escape gate (a method of treatment). (Root refers to the origin of disease. Escape gate refers to the method of treatment.)

Suppose in the year of Jia Zi, the rigid and soft [Stems] lose their positions. (Jia combines with Ji, both belonging to Earth Transport. In the years of Zi and Wu, Shaoyin [Lesser Yin] governs the Heaven position. Whenever Shaoyin governs Heaven, Yangming [Greater Yang] must govern the Earth position. Yangming corresponds to Mao and You years and pairs with Earth Transport; thus Ji Mao represents the transformation of the Earth position for the Jia Zi year. Therefore, above is Jia, below is Ji; above is rigid, below is soft. This is the combination of Heaven and Earth, the normal state of Qi transformation. The years Jia Wu and Ji You share the same Qi. The meaning of "losing position" is described in the following chapters.) If the rigid [Qi] does not take its proper place, the soft [Qi] stands alone and is deficient. (If in the previous year Gui Hai, Jueyin [Terminal Yin] governed Heaven and Wood did not withdraw its position, then although Jia Zi is a Yang year, Earth Qi remains improper. Since Jia Zi rigid Earth is not rectified above, the Ji Mao governing Earth below is also isolated and deficient.) The seasonal order is disrupted, and musical pitches do not follow suit. (Jia Zi is a Yang pitch, Tai Gong [Great Palace]. Ji Mao is a Yin tone, Shao Gong [Lesser Palace]. If the rigid loses its position, the pitch is discordant; if the soft is isolated and empty, the tone does not respond.) After three years like this, a major epidemic will occur. (Earth Qi is suppressed; after three years, it will erupt as an Earth Epidemic. Epidemic here refers to Warm Epidemic.) Examine its severity and depth. When the time comes, needling can be performed. (If depression is slight, the disease is shallow; if severe, the disease is deep. Observe the period when it is about to manifest; needle immediately when appropriate.) First, tonify Shenshu (BL-23, Kidney Shu). (Shenshu is located on the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. As an Earth Epidemic approaches, there is fear of damaging the Water Zang [Kidney], so one should first tonify Shenshu. Old commentary says: Before needling, warm the needle by holding it in the mouth, using a Yuanli needle. At the moment of needling, chant the incantation: "Five Emperors' Supreme Truth, Six Jia's Mysterious Spirit, Qi Talisman reaches Yin, hundred evils close the pores." Chant three times. Remove the needle from the mouth, insert two fen, retain for six breaths, then advance to three fen. When Qi arrives, slowly withdraw the needle and press the point with your hand. Have the patient swallow Qi three times; this can also stabilize the Shen [Spirit]. Note: Wang Bing's commentary at the end of *Bingneng Lun* states that the received text lacks the 72nd chapter, referring to the *Cifalun* and *Benbinglun*. This shows these two chapters were lost before Wang Bing's time. The *Xin Zhengxiao* notes that current versions attribute lost chapters of *Suwen* to Wang Bing's commentary, but the language is vulgar and unworthy, proving this. Thus, the needling incantations below are clearly not Wang Bing's work. However, chanting them temporarily may calm the mind and focus intent, so they are recorded for optional use.) Three days later, you may needle the Jing-River/Transport point of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. (This is Taibai SP-3. Earth depression is severe, so needle here to drain Earth Qi. Old commentary says: Warm the needle in the mouth. Before needling, chant: "The Emperor supports Heaven's form, protects life to complete spirit." Chant three times, then needle three fen, retain for seven breaths. When Qi arrives, quickly withdraw the needle.) There is also a case where the lower Ji Mao does not arrive, leaving Jia Zi isolated. After another three years, an Earth Li [Malignant Epidemic] will occur. The methods of tonification and sedation are exactly the same as for Jia Zi. (Jia Zi's Earth position is governed by Yangming Ji Mao. If Ji Mao's soft Qi does not reach below, Jia Zi's rigid Qi stands isolated above. After three years, Earth Li will arise. Li refers to killing Li, a type of plague. The needling method is the same. For all years of Jia-Ji Earth Transport where upper and lower positions are lost, the treatment is the same.) After needling is completed, avoid traveling at night or going far. Keep pure and clean for seven days, observing fasting and abstinence. Those who have had chronic kidney disease, can face South at Yin hour, keep the spirit pure without scattered thoughts, hold the breath seven times, extending the neck to swallow Qi smoothly, as if swallowing a hard object. After seven cycles, swallow the saliva under the tongue continuously. (This is the method of nourishing Qi and returning Essence. Old commentary says: Daoist swallowing of Qi makes the abdomen resonate down to the navel; Zi Qi meets Mother Yuan Qi, hence called "returning to the root." Long-term practice strengthens the foundation. Swallowed saliva is called Tianchi Water, nourishing Jing, Qi, and Blood, cleansing the five Zang, first irrigating the Yuan Sea. It is also called Ligong Water, Yuchi, or Shenshui. Do not spit it out; swallow it to supplement Jing and Blood and benefit the Yuan Sea. I believe: The root of human life is Jing and Qi. Jing generates Qi; Qi generates Jing. When Qi gathers and Jing fills, Shen is vigorous; when Qi scatters and Jing declines, Shen departs. Thus, all cultivation texts discuss Jing, Qi, and Shen. Among these, Qi is paramount. As *Wuzhen Pian* says: "Dao arises from emptiness into One Qi, which produces Yin and Yang." Ancient songs say: "Qi is the medicine for adding years, Saliva is the lingzhi for continuing life." People rush about unaware, asking whom else to seek? All things in Heaven and Earth are formed by Qi transformation. Where Qi exists, numbers exist; where Qi ends, numbers end. Life and death depend on this. Qi must be cherished. Cherishing Qi is the way to longevity. Jin Dynasty Daoist Cheng discussed the essence of longevity and nature: "The key lies in preserving the Three, embracing the Origin, guarding the One." The Three are Jing, Qi, and Shen, named the Three Treasures. Embracing the Origin means guarding the Yuan Yang True Qi. Guarding the One means guarding the Shen. Shen resides in the Heart; the Heart has Xing, belongs to Yang, representing Southern Bing-Ding Fire. The Kidneys generate Yuan Yang as True Qi; its discharge is Jing, representing Northern Ren-Gui Water. Water is Ming [Life]; Ming is tied to Yin. This is called Xing-Ming [Nature-Life]. The Way of Three-One lies in visualization, descending to the Dantian, embracing Yuan Yang. After three to five years, naturally Shen stabilizes and Qi harmonizes; when merit is full, the Dao is achieved. Although Daoist discourses are numerous, they all trace back to the Jing-Qi meaning of this classic. Closing the breath here is for nourishing Qi; swallowing saliva is for benefiting Jing. The practical methods are found in Jiang's Tiaoqi Chapter, Su's Yangsheng Ju, and Li Zhenren's Sixteen-Character Formula, which serve as entry points. Jiang's Tiaoqi Chapter says: "Heaven and Earth are void, filled with Qi; the body's voids are filled with Qi." Exhaling turbid Qi is body Qi; inhaling clear Qi is Heaven-Earth Qi. Humans are in Qi like fish in water. Fish die without water exchange; humans die without Qi exchange. Good cultivators must understand Qi regulation. To practice, set up a closed room, warm bed and mat, lie supine with eyes closed. Practice breath-holding: inhale through nose until abdomen is full. When unbearable, exhale slowly through mouth, not all at once. When calm, repeat. Start with ten or twenty breaths, gradually increasing to seventy or eighty. Then clear Qi fills the viscera and chest. When proficient, during breath-holding, only short breaths remain in the nose. The held Qi feels like fire, steaming the Lung Palace. Upon release, the body becomes flexible like a snake, Shen outside the body, indescribably pleasant due to Qi circulating internally and externally. As Qi dissipates, return to normal. This practice values quantity and duration. Doing it once or twice daily leads to clear senses, solid spirit, light body, and elimination of diseases. Initially, ensure body and Qi are peaceful. If disturbed, stop until harmonious. Persistence brings benefit. Breath-holding is like subduing dragons and tigers; understand its spiritual principle. Chest should be empty, not full. If Qi stagnates, use spitting methods like the Six Sounds (He, Hu, Xi, Xu, Chui) to remove it. Otherwise, blockage may cause reverse flow, ulcers, or fullness. Su's Yangsheng Ju says: After Zi hour, before Yin hour, dress warmly, face East or South, sit cross-legged. Clench teeth thirty-six times, grip hands firmly, rest on waist/abdomen. Close eyes, calm mind, eliminate false thoughts. Close mouth and nose, do not let air out—this is Bi Xi [Breath Closure], a Daoist secret. Then visualize internal organs, imagine Heart as blazing fire, bright and clear, descending to Dantian. When abdomen is full and Qi extreme, exhale slowly without sound. When breath is even, stir tongue inside/outside lips/teeth to refine saliva. When mouth is full, bow head and swallow, making a gulping sound. Use intent to send Qi to Dantian. Repeat nine breath-holds and three swallows. Rub soles with hands to raise Yongquan Qi to top of head and warm lower abdomen/lower back. Rub eyes/ears/neck until hot. Press bridge of nose five-seven times. Comb hair over hundred times, then sleep until morning. Li's Sixteen-Character Formula: "Inhale, lift; Qi returns to navel. Lift, swallow; Water and Fire meet." Note: These sixteen characters are the "Sixteen Gold Ingots," simple and effective. Suitable for officials, commoners, scholars. During free moments or while walking/sitting/lying, when intent is focused, practice. Rinse mouth three-five times, stir tongue, touch roof of mouth. When saliva fills mouth, swallow with sound. Inhale clear Qi through nose, send with intent from heart/eyes directly to Dantian (1.3 cun below navel), hold briefly—this is one inhalation. Gently lift lower abdomen as if holding stool, using intent to pull Qi to navel, up through夾脊 (Jiaji), Shenshu, to Yu zhen Guan at back of head, entering Niwan (top of head). Ascend without feeling Qi rise—this is one exhalation. One inhalation-exhalation is one breath. As Qi rises, swallow again with sound, inhale clear Qi, send to Dantian, hold, lift again from lower abdomen to navel. "Qi returns to navel, life matches heaven." Swallowing with saliva is best; without saliva, still swallow with sound. Repeat 3-5, 7-9, 12, or 24 times. Go when ready, stop when needed. Do not forget, treat as main task, no interruption. Effective for madness. Long-term practice prevents disease, extends life, transforms body, eliminates ailments, natural lack of hunger/thirst, health surpasses normal. One year practice prevents colds, stagnation, abscesses, ulcers; improves hearing/vision/memory; cures chronic diseases; promises longevity. During intercourse, at the point of ejaculation, use lifting, exhaling, swallowing, inhaling to return Qi to Yuan Sea, controlling sexual energy, very beneficial. "Creation in my hands, Universe in my heart."功德 cannot be fully described. Note: Jiang's method allows lying or daytime; Su's allows sitting or nighttime; Li's allows leisure or busyness. Su's is complex/difficult but usable; do not be rigid. Choose long over short, act freely, prioritize naturalness, avoid force. Then whole body is Dao, no obstruction. Refinement beyond disease prevention. Peng Zu said: "Harmonizing and guiding Qi requires closed room, warm bed/mat, pillow 2.5 cun high, supine, eyes closed, breath held. Place goose feather on nose, unmoved for 300 breaths. Ears hear nothing, eyes see nothing, mind thinks nothing. Cold/heat cannot invade, stings cannot poison. Live 160 years, near True Person." Is this false? Generally, hundreds of Golden Dan methods focus on Shen Water and Hua Chi; hundreds of Jade Girl methods focus on Returning Essence and Gathering Qi. This captures the essence. Others mention turning wheel, moving river, reaching Jade Pass, ascending Niwan—all refer to lifting Qi. Advance with Martial Fire, retreat with Civil Fire—all refer to breathing. Red Dragon mixes water, Divine Water fills mouth—all refer to saliva. Fire enters navel wheel, burns body—all refer to Yang Qi rising from below to warm Yuan Sea and Sanjiao. Terms like Dragon/Tiger, Lead/Mercury, Kan/Li, Husband/Wife, Daoyin, Grafting—all share this purpose. Many names, summarized as "exhale less, inhale more." Medicine connects to Immortality; this is supreme. Do not dismiss as heresy or ridicule. Yin Hu means flowing/scattering.)

Suppose in the year of Bing Yin, rigid and soft lose positions. (Bing combines with Xin, both Water Transport. Yin-Shen years, Shaoyang [Lesser Yang] governs Heaven, Jueyin [Terminal Yin] governs Earth. Jueyin corresponds to Si-Hai and pairs with Water Transport; thus Xin Si is the Earth position transformation. Above is Bing, below is Xin; Bing is rigid, Xin is soft. Any irregularity is loss of position. Bing Shen and Xin Hai share similar Qi.) If the upper rigid Stem loses position, the lower soft cannot govern alone. (If previous year Yi Chou Heaven position Earth did not withdraw, Bing Yin Water, though rigid, cannot migrate to correct position, becoming deficient. Bing not rectified, Xin soft governs Earth alone below, also losing position.) Middle Water Transport is not excessive; do not stick to standard rules. (Bing is Yang Water, but if constrained, it is not excessive; do not assume excess and apply standard methods.) Heaven's distribution is surplus but loses upper rectitude; Heaven and Earth do not match, so pitches differ. (Yang year Heaven distribution surplus, but if upper/lower lost, Heaven/Earth mismatch. Bing Yin Yang pitch, Tai Yu silent; Xin Si Yin tone, Shao Yu unresponsive.) Thus Heaven's movement loses order; after three years, epidemic changes. (Water depression erupts; after three years, Water Epidemic occurs.) Examine severity; differences in size. Arrival depends on severity: late for mild, early for severe. (Weak Qi = small epidemic, slow arrival; Strong Qi = large epidemic, fast arrival.) First tonify Xinsyu (BL-15, Heart Shu). (Xinsyu is on Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Water evil approaches, fearing damage to Fire Zang [Heart], so tonify Xinsyu to secure root. Old commentary: Use Yuanli needle, warm in mouth. Press point, feel Qi move. Chant: "Taishi Supreme Clear, Danyuan Guards Spirit." Chant three times. Visualize fire light below point. Needle 1.5 cun, retain seven breaths. When Qi arrives, advance to three fen. Flick needle, wait for Qi movement, slowly withdraw. Press point. Patient holds breath three times and swallows.) Five days later, needle the He-Sea point of the Kidney Meridian. (Yingu KI-10, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Water evil approaches, needle here to drain Qi. Old commentary: Warm needle in mouth. Press point. Chant: "Taiwei Emperor, Five Qi Return to Truth, Six Xin Directors, Talisman Supports Black Cloud." Chant once. Needle four cun. Withdraw quickly when Qi moves.) Also, lower Earth Jiazi, Xin Si soft does not attach to rigid, also called loss of position; Earth transport is deficient. After three years, Water Li occurs. Needling methods are the same. (Earth Jiazi refers generally to Earth position transformation. Bing Yin Earth position governed by Jueyin Xin Si. If Xin Si does not migrate correctly below, soft does not attach to rigid. After three years, Water depression erupts as Li. Treatment is as above. For all Bing-Xin Water Transport years with upper/lower loss, treatment is the same.) After needling, beware of great joy/desire in heart. If not cautious, Qi scatters again. Keep quiet for seven days. (Post-needling caution required, otherwise ineffective.) Heart desires fullness; think little. (Thinking tires Shen; tired Shen weakens Heart. Especially cautious during Water dominance.)

Suppose in the year of Geng Chen, rigid and soft lose positions. (Yi-Geng are Metal Transport. Chen-Xu years, Taiyang [Greater Yang] governs Heaven, Taiyin [Greater Yin] governs Earth. Taiyin corresponds to Chou-Wei and pairs with Metal Transport; thus Yi Wei is Earth position transformation. Geng rigid, Yi soft. Irregularity means loss of position. Geng Xu and Yi Chou share same Qi.) Upper position lost, lower position has no union. Yi-Geng Metal Transport, thus not attracting each other. (If previous year Ji Mao Heaven number surplus, Yangming does not withdraw. Geng Chen loses position above, Yi Wei has no union below. Metal Transport incomplete, not attracting.) Heaven's distribution not withdrawn, Middle Transport wins/overcomes. Upper and lower clash, called loss of position. (Previous year Ji Mao Heaven number not withdrawn, Earth position Fire overcomes this year's Middle Transport.) Guxian and Linzhong, Shang [Market/Pitch] sound does not respond. (Geng Chen Yang pitch, Tai Shang, tube Guxian. Yi Wei Yin tone, Shao Shang, tube Linzhong. Metal Qi disordered, Shang sound does not respond.) Thus Heaven's transformation changes; after three years, major epidemic. (After three years, Metal Qi erupts as epidemic.) Examine Heaven's numbers; differences in micro/severe. Micro is micro, arrives in three years; Severe is severe, arrives in three years (Micro is slow, arrives after three years; Severe is fast, arrives at start of three years). First tonify Ganshu (BL-18, Liver Shu). (Ganshu on Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Metal evil approaches, fearing damage to Wood Zang [Liver], so tonify first. Old commentary: Warm Yuanli needle in mouth. Press point, feel Qi. Chant: "Qi starts clear, Emperor Talisman Six Ding, Left applies Cangcheng, Right enters Huangting." Chant three times. Visualize Green Qi below point. Needle three fen. When Qi arrives, advance five fen. Withdraw slowly when Qi moves. Press point. Patient swallows Qi.) Three days later, needle the Xing [Running] point of the Lung Meridian. (Jingqu LU-8, Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Metal evil approaches, needle its Xing point to drain Metal Qi. Old commentary: Warm Yuanli needle in mouth. Press with left hand. Chant: "Taishi Supreme True, Five Talismans Emperor, Yuanhe Qi Order, Enters God." Chant three times. Needle three cun, retain two breaths. Withdraw when Qi moves.) After needling, calm Shen for seven days. Avoid great anger. Anger causes True Qi to scatter.