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Internal and external are opposites; strength and weakness are opposites. Comparing strength with weakness, strength can endure. Comparing internal with external, the external should not be neglected. Internal strength emphasizes firmness, while external strength emphasizes bravery. Firmness combined with bravery constitutes true bravery, and bravery combined with firmness constitutes true firmness. Only when one is both firm and brave can one achieve a body that remains uncorrupted through countless kalpas, which is then considered a Diamond Body (Jingang Zhi Ti).

There are three principles for cultivating internal strength: First, guard the Middle Way (Zhong Dao). Guarding the middle refers to focusing on accumulating Qi (vital energy). Accumulating Qi focuses on the six sense organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. The key to beginning practice lies in the subtlety of kneading (Rou). The method is detailed later. When kneading, one should unbutton the clothes and lie supine. The place where the palm rests, specifically between the chest and abdomen under one palm, is named "the Middle" (Zhong). This is the location where Qi is stored and must be guarded. The method of guarding involves restraining the gaze from the eyes, condensing the auditory awareness from the ears, regulating the breath from the nose, sealing the mouth's speech, keeping the body at ease without labor, locking the mind to prevent it from wandering, keeping the four limbs still, and focusing the mind in meditation. One should first visualize the Middle Way, then eliminate all delusional thoughts, gradually reaching a state of undivided immobility. This is called "guarding," and it conforms to the proper form. Since kneading occurs here, the essence, Qi, and spirit of the whole body converge here. Over time, through accumulation, a patch of Geng Metal Qi (representing righteous Qi or Lung Qi) will naturally form. If scattered thoughts arise and the mind wanders to worldly affairs, the spirit and Qi will follow and fail to condense; thus, the kneading becomes futile, yielding no benefit.

Second, do not entertain other thoughts. The essence, Qi, spirit, and blood within the human body cannot act autonomously; they obey the intent entirely. Where the intent goes, they go; where the intent stops, they stop. During the guarding of the middle, the intent should follow the area beneath the palm, which conforms to the proper form. If the intent wanders to various limbs, the condensed and accumulated essence, Qi, and spirit will immediately disperse to those limbs, resulting in external strength rather than internal strength. Kneading without accumulation is also futile, yielding no benefit.

Third, wait until the Qi fills the entire system. Both kneading and guarding are used to accumulate Qi. Once Qi is accumulated, the spirit, blood, and vessels attach to it. By guarding without letting the intent wander and kneading for a long time, the Qi remains contained in the center without overflowing sideways. As Qi accumulates, strength naturally accumulates; as Qi fills up, strength naturally circulates throughout the body. This Qi is what Mencius described as "supremely large and supremely strong, filling heaven and earth," known as our Haoran Zhi Qi (Noble Spirit). If the Qi has not yet filled the system and the intent wanders outward, dispersing into the four limbs, neither external strength nor internal strength will be complete or firm, resulting in failure in both aspects.

Ban Ci Mi Di stated: At birth, human nature is originally good. If this is divided by desires and scattered thoughts, the original face is completely obscured. Furthermore, the six sense organs divide and damage the spiritual clarity, obscuring wisdom, thereby preventing the realization of the Dao. Therefore, Master Bodhidharma sat facing the wall at Shaolin for nine years, not indulging the desires of the eyes and ears. With the eyes and ears not indulged by desire, the monkey-like and horse-like mind (metaphors for restless thoughts) are naturally shackled. Thus, Master Bodhidharma obtained this true method, enabling him to return west with only one shoe and attain enlightenment. This passage is the Mind Seal of Bodhidharma Buddha, the true method for establishing the foundation. Its core lies in the phrase "guarding the middle," and its application lies in the seven items starting with "restraining the gaze." If one practices according to the method, even the foolish will become enlightened, and even the weak will become strong. The Pure Land can be attained instantly.