Library

The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The Heart is the official of the sovereign, from which Shen (Spirit/Mind) emerges.
The Heart is the root of life and the source of changes in Shen. Its luster manifests in the face, its nourishment fills the blood vessels, it belongs to Taiyang (Greater Yang) among the Yang organs, and communicates with the Qi of Summer.
The red color of the South enters and connects with the Heart, opening into the tongue, and storing Jing (Essence) in the Heart. Therefore, when disease is in the five Zang organs, the corresponding taste is Bitter, the element is Fire, the animal is Sheep, the grain is Millet, it corresponds to the four seasons, and above in the heavens it corresponds to the planet Yinghuo (Mars). Thus, one can know that the disease is in the Mai (Vessels); its musical note is Zhi, its number is seven, its odor is scorched, and its fluid is Sweat.
The South generates Heat; Heat generates Fire; Fire generates Bitterness; Bitterness generates the Heart; the Heart generates Blood; Blood generates the Spleen; the Heart governs the Tongue. In Heaven it is Heat, on Earth it is Fire, in the body it is the Vessels, in the Zang organs it is the Heart, in the sounds it is Laughter, in its transformations it is Worry, and in the emotions it is Joy. Excessive Joy damages the Heart; Fear overcomes Joy; Heat damages Qi; Cold overcomes Heat; Excessive Bitterness damages Qi; Salt overcomes Bitterness.

At Wu hour (11:00–13:00), the nine acupoints of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) Meridian are active: Jiquan (HT1), Qingling (HT12), Shaohai (HT3) needled deeply, Lingdao (HT4), Tongli (HT5), Yinxi (HT6), Shenmen (HT7), Shaofu (HT8), and Shaochong (HT9) are sought (eighteen points on both sides).
This meridian originates at Jiquan (HT1) and terminates at Shaochong (HT9). Selecting Shaochong (HT9), Shaofu (HT8), Shenmen (HT7), Lingdao (HT4), and Shaohai (HT3) corresponds to the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea points respectively.
The pulse originates in the Heart, emerges to belong to the Heart system, descends through the diaphragm, and connects with the Small Intestine; its branch arises from the Heart system, ascends along the pharynx, and connects with the eye; its main trunk again rises from the Heart system to enter the Lung, emerges from the axilla, descends along the posterior medial aspect of the upper arm, runs posterior to the Hand-Taiyin (Lung) and Hand-Jueyin (Pericardium) meridians, descends to the medial elbow, follows the posterior medial aspect of the forearm, reaches the end of the styloid process of the ulna (Rui Gu), enters the posterior medial aspect of the palm, follows the medial side of the little finger, and exits at its tip. This meridian has abundant Qi and scarce Blood; Qi and Blood pour into it during Wu hour.
The Heart is the Zang organ of Ding Fire; its pulse is reflected at the Left Cun position. Excess presents as Heat, deficiency presents as Cold; stillness brings peace, agitation brings restlessness. Deficiency-Cold manifests as timidity and frequent fright, forgetfulness and confusion, normal urination and defecation; the pulse must be Soft (Ru), Fine (Xi), Slow (Chi), and Deficient (Xu). Excess-Heat manifests as mania, delirious speech, red cheeks, dry tongue, scanty yellow urine and stool; the pulse must be Rapid (Shuo), Surging (Hong), Deep (Chen), and Full (Shi). When Heart Qi is excess, Heat appears on the exterior; when Heart Qi is deficient, Heat is retained internally. For deficiency, tonify its mother (Wood); for excess, sedate its child (Earth). Once deficiency and excess are known, tonification and sedation must be appropriate. Sweet flavor sedates and supplements with Salty; Hot Qi is supplemented and cooled with Cold properties. If Heart Yang is insufficient, use Rougui Cortex (Guixin), Haematitum (Daizhe Shi), or Magnesitum (Zhi Shiyingshi); to supplement Qi, use Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi). If Li Fire (Heart Fire) is excessive, use Folium Bambusae in Temulae (Zhuye), Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang), and Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhizi); to sedate, use Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian). To cool the Heart, use Cinnabar (Zhusha); to strengthen the Heart, use Amber (Hupo). If the tongue extends beyond one cun, apply pulverized Borax (Bingpian) externally to retract it; if epistaxis flows like a spring, sprinkle fried Sophorae Flos (Huaihua) to stop it. For sores, use Hupo Ointment; combine Cornu Bubali (Xijiao) with Zhusha. To calm the mind and spirit, use Zhusha and Lotus Seed Plumule (Liancao). Vitex Fruit (Manjingzi) cools blood in all meridians; Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao) clears fire in all six meridians. For palpitations and unrest, use Long Nao (Borneol), Adenophorae Radix (Shashen), and Herba Siegesbeckiae (Xiaocao); for forgetfulness, use Poria Cum Ramo (Fushen), Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui). For hypersomnia, drink bitter tea prepared by Lu Tong; for insomnia, take Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren) processed by Lei Gong. To cool blood and nourish Yin, use Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang); to promote fluids and quench thirst, use Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen). Apply powder of Clam Shell (Wenge) to cure mouth sores; hold Rust (Tiexiu Fen) to reduce tongue swelling. For stroke-induced aphasia, cool bamboo sap (Zhuli) after burning is better; for heat-induced loquacity, fly-dusted Zhusha settles the spirit excellently. For chest stuffiness and pain, open with Aurantii Fructus (Zhishi) and Trichosanthis Fructus (Gualou); for internal vexation and oppression, treat with Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhizi) and Fermented Soybean (Douchi). For hot heart pain, use fried Acori Tatarinowii Rhizome (Changpu) and Toosendan Fructus (Chuanlianzi), with roasted Shanzhizi; for cold heart pain, use Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) and Cinnamon Bark (Rougui), with fried Corydalis Rhizoma (Yanhusuo). For startling palpitations and night sweats, use Zhusha and Liuwei Dihuang Wan; for epistaxis and bleeding, decoct Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and fried Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Shaoyao). For heat-induced fright, Pearl (Zhenzhu) is exquisite; for mania, add Iron Powder (Tiefen). To calm the spiritual altar, mix Hupo, Dan Sha (Zhusha), and Jade Dust (Yuxie); to clear the divine mansion, combine Fushen, Yuanzhi, and Changpu. Great is Li (Fire/Heart), responding to things without trace. If true blood is deficient, seek true Lead (Kidney Water) to replenish; the most spiritual Heart requires proper cultivation; if Yuan Qi is damaged, seek true Mercury (Heart Spirit) to complete it. Medicinal use can indeed be transmitted by words, but reaching the highest level must be understood by the Heart.
The *Daoyin Benjing* states: The Heart is the master of the whole body, the path of life and death. Therefore, when the Heart arises, various desires arise, and Shen does not enter Qi; when the Heart is still, various desires are quiet, and Shen and Qi embrace. The *Neijing* says: In summer, human Yang Qi disperses outward, while Yin is hidden inward; this is a time when Jing and Shen are consumed, so one should avoid unblocking to leak Essence and Qi. The three months of summer are called Fanxiu (Flourishing and Beautiful); Heaven and Earth Qi intersect, and all things flower and fruit. Sleep late and rise early, do not dislike the sun, keep the will free from anger, let brilliance become beautiful; this is responding to the Qi of Summer, the way of nurturing. Violating this damages the Heart, leading to malaria in autumn. Therefore, people should often sit quietly in leisure, regulate the Heart and breathe, eat hot and avoid cold, keep eyelids lowered, gaze inward, descend Heart Fire to the Dantian, and make Shen and Qi embrace. Thus, *Taixuan Yangchu* says: Hide the Heart in the abyss, beautify its spiritual root. Shen does not escape. If the Heart is tied to affairs, Fire moves within. Heart Fire is flourishing in summer; the pulse should naturally be Hong (Surging). If it is Huan (Slow), it is heatstroke. Eat less at night, do not fan while sleeping, as wind pathogens easily enter. Previously, Kuang Ziyuan had heart disease. Someone said: A monk can treat heart disease without talismans or medicine. Ziyuan asked the monk, who said: Your illness arises from distress, and distress arises from delusion. Delusions appearing before you can be accommodated, yet you hesitate and waver, repeating many times without decision; this is present delusion. Or expecting future wealth and honor to come true, or expecting success and fame to retire to the fields; or expecting descendants to succeed and continue the scholarly tradition, and all matters that cannot necessarily succeed or be obtained; this is future delusion. These three types of delusions arise suddenly and vanish suddenly; Zen calls them Illusory Mind. To see their falsity and cut off thoughts is called Awakened Mind. It is said: Do not worry about thoughts arising, only worry about late awakening. If this Heart is like the Great Void, where can distress find footing? It is also said: Your illness also originates from the failure of Water and Fire to interact. Any infatuation with beauty and indulgence in lust is called External Desire by Zen. At night on the pillow, thinking of beauty may cause sleep disturbances, called Internal Desire by Zen. These two desires entangle and consume Yuan Jing. If one can separate from them, Kidney Water will naturally generate and ascend to the Heart. As for pondering texts and forgetting sleep and food, Zen calls it Obstacle of Reason. Managing affairs while ignoring toil is called Obstacle of Affairs. Although these are not human desires, they damage spirituality. If dispelled, Fire will not flare upward but descend to the Kidney. It is said: When dust does not touch, roots have no object; returning flow becomes one, and the six functions cease. It is also said: The sea of bitterness is boundless; turning back is the shore. Ziyuan followed his words, dwelt alone in a room, cleared all conditions, sat in meditation for over a month, and his heart disease disappeared.