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Human beings are transformed from Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, formed by the father's essence (Jing) and the mother's blood. The five sense organs and all meridians serve their functions; intentions, desires, thoughts, and reflections fully exert their capabilities. This is the spirit of all living things.

However, at the beginning of the generation of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), there was not only no essence or Qi, but also no form or sound. This is referred to as "Pre-heaven" (Xiantian). Only when Qi condenses does essence begin to form; once essence forms, Spirit (Shen) arises. When Spirit arises, Qi becomes abundant day by day; when Qi is abundant, essence becomes more solid; when essence is solid, Spirit becomes even more prosperous and infinite. Thus, in the womb, nourished by Qi and Blood, the fetus gradually takes shape; as the form develops, it generates Qi; as Qi develops, perception and movement arise. After the fetal term is complete, the body is born. This is the Post-heaven following Pre-heaven, and the Pre-heaven within Post-heaven.

The essence and Qi transformed by the Two Modes (Liangyi), the spleen, stomach, liver, lungs, and kidneys transformed from the substance of the Five Elements, the subtle functions of skin, essence, marrow, and bones, and the throat, tongue, lips, teeth, gums, ears, eyes, mouth, nose, and heart—all these are not yet full. Males must wait until seminal fluid is full, and females must wait until Tian Gui (menstruation/sexual maturity) arrives. Then, the five Zang organs and six Fu organs, hair follicles, pores, and the twelve meridians—which receive endowment from Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, and from the father's essence and mother's blood—can achieve great completion. This is called "Post-heaven" (Houtian). Pre-heaven relies on Post-heaven for nourishment, and Post-heaven relies on things generated by Heaven, Earth, and the Five Elements for nourishment. If one can act according to the seasons and be appropriate in all aspects, everyone could have the longevity of the ancient emperors. Unfortunately, the timing and human affairs of later generations differ from those of antiquity. There are inevitably constraints due to constitutional endowment and obscurations by human desires, irregular daily routines, and unregulated diet. Hence, distinctions arise between long and short life, and between strength and weakness. Although the major numbers of life and death are determined by Heavenly Mandate, the strength or weakness during life depends on human effort. In ancient times, the emperors and sages knew that endowments varied, leading to differences between the wise and the foolish, and they could not lead everyone into the Dao. Therefore, they established various treatments such as acupuncture, Bian stone (lithotherapy), and herbal decoctions. However, in medicine, there are cases with only purging methods and no tonifying methods, or vice versa, making it difficult to apply both simultaneously. Thus, practitioners of Immortals and Buddhas pioneered methods of Daoyin (guiding and pulling exercises) and Fuqi (swallowing Qi/breathing exercises), acting in accordance with the principles of Heaven and Earth's generation, to supplement the insufficiencies of Pre-heaven and Post-heaven Yin and Yang. In essence, this is consistent in principle with the Confucian practice of cultivating character and nurturing the mind, and with the medical practices of attacking pathogens, dispersing stagnation, purging excess, and tonifying deficiency. Though the names differ, the logic is the same; though the paths differ, the effects are identical. The specific items and sequence have been detailed in the scattered discussions, general songs, and various diagrams. If one follows the standards, practicing once or twice daily without interruption, after one hundred days, one may never need medicine again. Persisting in this lifelong without decline, the efficacy will be far greater than imagined. With my shallow knowledge, I have borrowed from others' wisdom. I do not claim future verification, but observing myself: having practiced for just one year, old ailments have disappeared, the smoking habit has been broken, walking has become particularly strong, diet has improved, and mental energy and physical strength are vastly different from forty years ago—a gap like heaven and earth. Even this state alone shows a distinction between immortal and mortal. Recalling the scenes in previous drinking and smoking circles, it truly felt like being in a sea of sin and demonic realms. Now, waking from a dream, I realize the reason for the innate endowment bestowed by Heaven. Therefore, I write this to warn myself.