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Utilizing the essence of all things, gathering the splendor of objects. Collecting into my Dantian (Lower Elixir Field), where my Dan (Elixir) resides, what is this Dan of mine? Lead (Qian), Mercury (Yin), and Cinnabar, guest and host guarding each other, like a nest raising crows. Sown with Wu-Ji (Earthly Stems), cultivated with Yi-She (Earthly Branches), nourished with Bing-Ding (Fire), irrigated with Heche (River Cart/Energy Path). Thus there are roots and stems, pistils and flowers; refined by fire during the day, blazing with red clouds.

The reason for human life and death lies none other than in Kan (Water/Kidney) and Li (Fire/Heart). When Kan and Li interact, there is life; when they separate, there is death; this is an inevitable principle. Li corresponds to the Heart, Kan corresponds to the Kidneys. The nature of the Heart is invariably upright. Even figures like Jie and Zhi (tyrants/thieves), insofar as they became such, did so because their inner self was frivolous while their outer appearance was solemn; thus they often acted contrary to their true nature. The Kidneys become strong and overflow, generating desires; even sages like Yao and Yan Hui are subject to this. However, insofar as they became sages, it was because their inner self was solemn while their outer appearance was light; thus they often acted in accordance with their nature. From this we see: the nature of the Heart follows the Way and is upright; the nature of the Kidneys is licentious and deviant; the virtues of Water and Fire are inherently thus. Zichan said: "Fire is fierce, and people fear it at the sight; Water is weak, and people play with it." Those who understand do not fail to know this. Dragon refers to Mercury, Essence, and Blood; it originates from the Kidneys and is stored by the Liver, belonging to Kan. Tiger refers to Lead, Qi, and Strength; it originates from the Heart and is governed by the Lungs, belonging to Li. When the Heart moves, Qi follows and arises; when the Kidneys overflow, Essence and Blood follow and flow. Just as fire produces smoke, smoke does not return to the firewood. In the world, those who do not practice the Dao have their Dragon constantly emerging from Water. Thus the Dragon flies and Mercury becomes light; their Tiger emerges from Fire. Thus the Tiger runs and Lead withers; this is the common logic of ordinary humans. Following this leads to death; reversing this leads to immortality. Hence the True Person says: "Proceeding forward makes one human; proceeding backward makes one the Dao." It also says: "The art of reversing the Five Elements: Dragon emerges from Fire. The Five Elements do not proceed normally; Tiger is born from Water."

A hermit taught me: "One can sit upright, close the eyes, regulate the breath, hold the fingers in a fist (Wogu), calm the mind, and when the breath becomes faint, slowly close it. (Dharma's Fetal Breathing method also requires closing the breath like this; Buddhist scriptures suggest waiting for it to stop naturally, which is likely difficult to achieve.) Although having no thoughts, one remains distinctly lucid and resolute, fierce like fire that cannot be violated. When the breath reaches its limit, open it slightly; when faint, close it again. (When opening, one must also sweep the Lower Dantian with each breath.) This practice relies on counting; more is better, longevity is the merit. Within ten days, the Dantian will warm up and water will rise. The longer, the warmer, almost like boiling. The rising water gathers like steam in the Niwan Palace (Brain). Li means attachment; appearing upon contact with objects is the nature of Fire. My eyes are led by colors, ears by sounds, mouth by tastes, nose by scents; Fire attaches to these accordingly. Now I am silent and unled by externals; Fire has nothing to attach to. Where will it go? Water is its consort. It will inevitably follow it. Kan means陷陷 (trap/sink); receiving objects is the nature of Water, especially its consort? When Water and Fire combine, Fire does not blaze upward, and Water rises from above. This is called 'Dragon emerges from Fire.' When Dragon emerges from Fire, it does not fly and Mercury does not dry up. After ten days, the head feels full and waist/legs feel light. During breath retention, roll the tongue up to lick the uvula. Though physically difficult, intent must reach there; with time, it becomes possible. If continued without cessation, Mercury descends into the mouth. While regulating breath, rinse and refine it, swallowing only when the mouth is full. If not full, retain it in the mouth for the next session, then send it to the Dantian with air. Nourish it with intent; over time, it transforms into Lead. This is called 'Tiger born from Water.' This theory is strange yet logical, subtle yet simple, and certainly credible.

However, I have a great worry. I have made this vow dozens of times in my life, but all were vague and fruitless. This Dao cannot be achieved unless one dedicates one's life to it, opens one's heart to receive it, and guards it with one's existence. I am now sixty years old, my reputation and status ruined, brothers separated, father and son scattered, living among barbarians, with no hope of returning north. The flavors of the secular world are clear enough. If I remain vague here, I would be worse than ordinary people. Therefore, recently I have renewed my vows, like ancients fleeing to mountains or exiled to remote lands, gnawing grass and eating snow—who were they? I have ordered a meditation mat and two desks built, under bright windows, specifically to study this. I have also prepared one hundred dried steamed cakes. Starting February 1st, I will completely cut off social interactions. Hungry, I eat these cakes; I drink no soup or water, nor eat anything else. Chew finely until saliva is produced, or drink a little wine. Sleep briefly after noon, lie down at first watch, rise at third watch, sit until dawn. Sometimes gather Sun Essence, sometimes Moon Essence; otherwise, if not counting breaths to refine Yin, I walk. This is the current Dragon-Tiger Method. Persisting for a hundred days may yield results. No reading books or scriptures, putting them aside for later; no touring landscapes; seeing no guests except Daoist priests; no drinking gatherings—all are useless. I deeply fear my fickle nature will not allow me to fulfill this promise, so I write this letter first. Perhaps someday I will feel ashamed before my brother and dare not change. This matter is very difficult; I do not know if I will truly succeed without shame. This letter serves to strengthen my resolve and inspire my brother.

Nourishing the tongue to lick the uvula is a recent method. Initially kept secret, claimed as the highest path of Zen, not transmitted for a thousand gold. People's views are indeed limited; though laughable, it is extremely effective. However, after a few days of practice, the tendons under the tongue become slightly tight and painful; one must gradually adapt. If the tip of the tongue can indeed touch the uvula, there is no quicker way to obtain the Water of the Hua Chi (saliva). It is also said this method is named 'A Drop of Snow on a Great Furnace' and should be kept secret.