Library

"Yongxin Shengzhen" (Attentively Examining the True Qi) refers to excessive mental exertion, which damages the body's true qi. The character "Sheng" (省) means "Sun" (损, damage), just as "Xie" (邪) is synonymous with "Xie" (斜, oblique). If thinking and worrying are not regulated, it will consume the true yin of the Heart. The Heart is the master of the twelve organs, while the Spleen is an isolated organ that irrigates the four directions. If the ruler (Heart) is unclear, the twelve organs face danger; if the Spleen is diseased, the five zang organs become unsettled. *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: "Those whose hearts are injured by worry and anxiety will have a Xian pulse (String-taut pulse)." Therefore, the phenomenon of "Taiyin Zang Bo" (Tibetan Pulse Striking) occurs because excessive mental effort has damaged the true qi. The Spleen cannot distribute essence to the five zang organs, resulting in deficient qi in the five pulses. It fails to transport fluids for the Stomach, leading to disharmony of Stomach qi. "Qi deficiency" and "disharmony" refer to the lack of harmonious flow of qi, which is the meaning behind the String-taut pulse. Old interpretations are not appropriate.

"Yin Yang Jie" (Binding of Yin and Yang) is one phrase, meaning both the Cun (Inch) and Chi (Cubit) positions exhibit Jin pulses (Tight pulse). "Xie" (Oblique) is another phrase, referring to the undulating shape of the pulse, indicating abundant yin and scarce yang, with fewer floating pulses anterior to the Guan (Bar) position and more sunken pulses posterior to it. This corresponds to what *Suwen: Daqi Lun* describes as simultaneous sunken pulses of the Liver and Kidney, which indicates Shishui disease (Stone Water accumulation). This pathology involves yang deficiency and yin binding, known in later generations as Dan Zhang Fu (Single Abdominal Distension). Hence, it is said that the lower abdomen swells. Previous authors discussing Single Abdominal Distension never explicitly identified it as Stone Water. Annotations also state that Stone Water was never described as Single Abdominal Distension. This is likely because they did not realize it was Stone Water, thus establishing the name "Single Abdominal Distension." The term "Shi" (Stone) implies hardness and coldness.

*Mai Jing* contains text stating: "The pulse is deeply hidden and invisible; only by reversing the hand position can it be felt." Previous scholars did not understand the meaning of "Fan Yang" (Reverse Elevation) and interpreted it as "Fu Shou" (Hand turned palm down), which makes no sense. I ponder that the "Fu" (Deep-hidden pulse) mentioned here is not a true Fu pulse, but rather the extreme degree of Chen (Sunken pulse). In all pulse diagnoses, the hand is placed palm up. "Fan Yang" means elevating the wrist high on a pillow while folding the palm backward and letting it hang down. This traction tightens the tendons and vessels, causing them to stand out, so that even deep pulses become visible externally and palpable.

These few sentences were not clearly explained by old interpretations, yet they are actually very simple. The term "Ying" (Correspondence) refers to the correspondence with the six qi of the Three Yin and Three Yang. Heaven and Earth are expressed through Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, not referring to Si Tian (Chief of Heaven) or Si Di (Chief of Earth). "Ying Tian" (Corresponding to Heaven) refers to the combination of the six qi with the Heavenly Stems. For example, in a Jia year, the cycle begins with Taiyang Cold-Water qi. After five years, it must shift right by one step to restart the Taiyang cycle, meaning the Jia stem no longer corresponds with Taiyang qi; hence it is called "Dong" (Moving). "Ying Di" (Corresponding to Earth) is like starting with Taiyang in a Zi year; after six years it reaches the Wu position, and after another six years it returns to Zi. The numbers are fixed without discrepancy; hence it is called "Jing" (Static). Heaven uses six as its rhythm, Earth uses five as its system. Circulating the qi of Heaven, six periods constitute one complete cycle; terminating the register of Earth, five years constitute one revolution. This means Heaven uses Earth's six as its limit, and Earth uses Heaven's five as its system, mutually restricting each other so they do not coincide. Earth circulates within Heaven, completing its cycle in six periods; Heaven terminates within Earth, completing its cycle in five years. These two phrases clarify their non-coincidence. Non-coincidence leads to mutual generation and restriction, creating change within. Thus, when five and six combine, seven hundred and twenty qi cycles form one Ji (period), totaling thirty years; one thousand four hundred and forty qi cycles form one Zhou (revolution), totaling sixty years. Deficiencies and excesses are all observable. "Jun Huo Yi Ming, Xiang Huo Yi Wei" (Ministerial Fire illuminates, Ministerial Fire takes its place) is best explained by Zhang Jingyue. These two sentences have no profound meaning; they merely clarify why there are two types of fire within the six qi.