道不远，在身中，物即皆空性不空。性若不空神气住，气归元海寿无穷。欲得身中神不出，莫向
灵台留一物。物在身
中神不清，耗散真精损筋骨。神御气，气留形，不须杂术自长生。术则易知道难遇，几人遇了不专行。
所以千人万人学，毕竟终无一二成。神若出，便收来，神返身中气自回。如此朝朝与暮暮，自然赤
子产真胎。
金锁乃玄关处，玉匙即元气也。静坐之际，调鼻中之息。规守中扃，以得定处自然。神息绵绵，
不可以一毫别念。待调息已匀，鼻中自觉无出入息。但存中去处，一念坚固。以元气呼吸，息纳于玄关。
忽觉一声，其关即开，当时自有所见之趣。工夫至此，中字方洞彻矣。
金鼎欲留砂里汞。金鼎是中字，又即鼎炉，中间欲留存。砂里汞，是元精也。玉池先下水中
银。玉池是华池，水是神水也。金鼎中欲留其汞。静坐间先守中扃，中扃若守得定了，出入息自然微默。
微默之后，自觉息定，元气自在内藏呼吸。待身体自觉混融，恍不知有物、有自身、有天地后，
如此，华池水自来。待得满口，一咽 然有声，就下以意送至中扃。中扃玄关处 然一声响，似开锁。
恁时，就闭目回照，顾己内境，自灵异景象，不可尽述之耳。
问曰∶如何谓之金液还丹？答曰∶金液者，金水也。金为水母，母隐子胎，因有还丹之号也。
前贤有曰∶丹者，丹田也。液者，肺液也。以肺液还于丹田，故曰金液还丹。
问曰∶何谓铅汞？答曰∶非凡黑锡水银也。真一子曰∶铅是天地之父母，阴阳之根基。盖圣人采天
地父母之根而为大
丹之基，采阴阳纯粹之精而为大丹之质，且非常物造作也。汞性好飞，遇铅乃结，以其子母相恋也。
问曰∶何谓火？答曰∶火者太阳真气，乃坎中之阳也。紫清真人曰∶坎中起火是也。
问曰∶何谓候？答曰∶五日为一候，是甲子一终也。日有十二时，五日六十时，终一甲子也。
紫阳曰∶一刻之工夫，自有一年之节，以起火之际，顷刻一周天是也。
问曰∶此火候如何？答曰∶年中用月，月中用日，日中用时，时中用刻也。
问曰∶何谓真一？答曰∶人能将自己天真安于天谷之内，乃守真一之道也。金洞主云∶真一者，
在于北极大渊之中也。
问曰∶何谓动静？答曰∶阳主动，阴主静。翠虚曰∶动中求静，静中有为，动静有作，口口传之。
问曰∶何谓九还？答曰∶金生四，成数九。还者，自上而还下，九乃老阳之数。阴真君曰∶从子至申
为九还，亦顺也。
问曰∶何谓七返？答曰∶火生二，成数七。返者，自下而返上也，七乃少阳之数。阴真君曰∶从寅至
申为七返，逆行也。
问曰，何谓炉？答曰∶上品丹法，以神为炉，以性为药，以定为水，以慧为火。中品丹法，以神
为炉，以气为药，以日为火，以月为水。下品丹法，以身为炉，以气为药，以心为火，以肾为水。
又有偃月炉。
问曰∶何谓鼎？答曰∶鲍真人云∶金鼎近泥丸，黄帝铸九鼎是也。
问曰∶何谓药物？答曰∶即此药物，顺则成人，逆则成
丹。五行颠倒，大地七宝。五行顺行，法界火坑。百姓日用而不知也。紫清曰∶采药物于不动之中是也。
问曰∶何谓神水华池？答曰∶李筌云∶还丹之要，在于神水华池。紫阳曰∶以铅入汞，名
曰神水。以汞投铅，名曰华池。海蟾曰∶从来神水出高源。紫清曰∶华池正在气海内。
问曰∶何谓三关？答曰∶头为天关，足为地关，手为人关。
问曰∶何谓内三要？答曰∶第一要，大渊池也；第二要，绛宫也∶第三要，地户也。
问曰∶何谓外三要？答曰∶口之与鼻共窍，是神气往来之门户。下工之际，调鼻息，
缄舌气，闭兑也。
问曰∶何谓兑也？答曰∶真一子云∶兑，口也。
问曰∶婴儿 女正在何处？答曰∶婴儿在肾， 女在心。
问曰∶肾属水为阴，婴儿属阳，心属火为阳， 女属阴。何缘居此？答曰∶肾属坎，阴中有阳，
乃真阳也。心属离，阳中有阴，乃真阴也。
问曰，泥丸宫正在何处？答曰∶头有九宫，中曰泥丸。
问曰∶何谓金公？答曰∶金边着公，乃铅也。紫阳曰∶要能制伏觅金公。
问曰∶何谓黄婆？答曰∶黄乃土之色，位属坤，因取名焉。紫清曰∶金公无言 女死，黄婆不
老犹怀胎。
问曰∶呼吸何如？答曰∶呼则出心与肺，吸则入肾与肝。呼则接天根，吸则接地根。呼则龙
吟云起，吸则虎啸风生。呼吸风云，凝成金液。
问曰∶何谓琼浆玉液？答曰∶皆神水也。
问曰∶何谓神气？答曰∶神是火，火属心；气是药，药属身。神、气，子、母也。虚靖天师
云∶气者，生之元。神者，生之制。持满驭神，专气抱一，神根据气住，相合乃可长生。三茅真君
曰∶气是添年药，心为使气神。若知行气主，便是得仙人。
问曰∶何谓十二重楼？答曰∶人之喉咙管有十二节是也。
问曰∶何谓帘帏？答曰∶眼是也。下功之际，含光云房，曰闭户垂帘默默窥。
问曰∶何谓子午？答曰∶子午，乃天地之中也。在天为日月，在人为心肾，在时为子午，在卦
为坎离，在方为南北。
问曰∶何谓五位相得而各有合？答曰∶天地五十五数，故干得一九，合而成十。坤得四六，合
而成十。巽兑得二八，合而成十。震艮得三七，合而成十。离得五，坎得十，坎离无偶，所以自合也。
以数言之，则得天地之中数。以爻言之，则得天地之中爻。以位言之，则得天地之中位。坎离不亦大乎。
问曰∶何谓五岳？答曰∶《五岳真形图》曰∶在人之头。紫清有巾藏五岳冠之句。
问曰∶何谓玄牝？答曰∶在上曰玄，在下曰牝。玄关一窍，左曰玄，右曰牝。
问曰∶何谓玄牝之门？答曰∶鼻通天气曰玄门，口通地气曰牝户。口鼻乃玄牝门户矣。
问曰∶何谓三男三女？答曰∶干道索坤，长男曰震，中
男曰坎，少男曰艮。坤道索干，长女曰巽，中女曰离，少女曰兑。
问曰∶何谓火龙水虎？答曰∶虎，西方金也。金生水，反藏形于水。龙，东方木也。木生火，反
受克于火。太白真君曰∶五行不顺行，虎向水中生。五行颠倒术，龙从火里出，是也。
问曰∶何谓分至？答曰∶子时象冬至，阴极而阳生；午时象夏至，阳极而阴生；卯时象春分，阳中
含阴；酉时象秋分，阴中含阳。人身亦有分至。紫阳曰∶以身心分上下两弦，以神气别冬夏二至。
问曰∶何谓沐浴？答曰∶真气熏蒸，神水灌溉为沐浴。太上曰∶灌以甘泉，涤垢污，出自
华池，后归坤户。杏林曰∶沐浴资神水是也。
问曰∶何谓抽添？答曰∶既抽铅于肘后，须添汞于中黄。《传道集》曰∶可抽之时不可添是也。
问曰∶何谓搬运？答曰∶搬金精于肘后，运玉液于泥丸。下手工夫，口诀存焉。
问曰∶何谓三田？答曰∶脑为上田，心为中田，气海为下田。若得斗柄之机，斡运则上下循环，如
天河之流转也。
问∶背后三关？答曰∶脑后曰玉沉关，夹脊曰辘轳关，水火之际曰尾闾关。
问曰∶何谓神室？答曰∶元神所居之室也。朗然子曰∶未明心室千般挠，达了心田万事闲。
问曰∶何谓三花聚顶？答曰∶神、气、精混而为一也。玄关一窍，乃神、气、精之聚也。
问∶五气朝元？答曰∶五脏真气上朝于天元也。
问∶和合四象？答曰∶眼不视而魂在肝，耳不闻而精在肾，舌不动而神在心，鼻不嗅而魄在肺。
精、神、魂、魄聚于意土也。
问曰∶马牙、真主人神符、白雪？答曰∶皆铅汞之总名也。
问曰∶河车？答曰∶北方正气名曰河车。左曰日轮，右曰月轮。搬运正气，运在元阳，应节顺行，
下手无非此车之力。
问∶老嫩何也？答曰∶采药之时，审其老嫩。彭鹤林曰∶嫩时须采老时枯。紫阳曰∶铅见癸生须急
采，金逢望远不堪尝是也。
问∶浮沉？答曰∶铅浮而银沉也。
问∶清浊？答曰∶阴浊而阳清也。清者浮之于上，浊者沉之于下。修丹者，留清去浊属阴也。
问∶五行相克？答曰∶《金碧经》云∶金木相伐，水火相克。土旺金乡，三物俱丧，四海辐辏，
以致太平，并由中宫土德之功也。
问曰∶往来何也？答曰∶子往午来。阴符阳火，自子进符至辰巳，自午退符至戌亥。始复终坤，
皆以卦象则之。一消一长，一往一来，以成其变化。《易》曰∶阖户谓之坤，辟户谓之干。一阖一辟，
谓之变，往来不穷谓之通也。
问∶雌雄？答曰∶雌阴雄阳也。一阴一阳谓之道，孤阴寡阳不能自生。《参同契》曰∶雌雄相错，
以类相求。注曰∶雄，金砂也。雌，火汞也。相须合吐，类聚生成，以为神药也。
问曰∶防危？答曰∶防火候之差失，忌梦寐之昏迷。翠
虚曰∶精生有时，时至神知，百刻之中，切忌昏迷。
问∶交合？答曰∶磁石吸铁，隔碍潜通。
问∶有无？答曰∶《金碧经》云∶有无互相制，上有青龙居。两无宗一有，灵化妙难窥。
问∶刑德？答曰∶阳为德，德则出，万物生。阴为刑，刑则出，万物死。故二月阳中含阴而榆荚
落，象金砂随阴气动静落在胎中，故曰归根也。八月阴中含阳而荠麦生，象金水随阳气滋液于
鼎内，故卯酉乃刑德相负。阴阳两停，故息符火也。
问∶黑白？答曰∶《参同契》曰∶知白守黑，神明自来。白者金也，黑者水也，以金水之根而
为药基矣。
问∶寒暑？答曰∶真一子云∶不应候，风雨不调，水旱相伐。或阳火过刻或阴符失节，凝冬变
为大暑，盛夏反作浓霜。火候过差，灵汞飞走，运火之士，可不谨之？
问∶晦朔？答曰∶《参同契》曰∶晦朔之间，合符中行。乃金水符合之际也。
问∶固济？答曰∶太真云∶固济胎不泄，变化在须臾。言其水火既济，闭固神室而不可使之泄漏。
问∶圣胎？答曰∶无质生质，结成圣胎，辛勤保护。十月如幼女之初怀孕，似小龙养珠。盖神
气始凝结，极易疏失也。
问∶四正？答曰∶子午卯酉为四正。玄关一窍为四正宫也。
问∶黄庭正在何处？答曰∶在膀胱之上、脾之下、肾之前、肝之左、肺之右也。
问∶金乌玉兔？答曰∶日中乌，比心中液也。月中兔，比
肾中之气也。
问∶炼形？答曰∶炼形化气，炼气化神，炼神合道也。金洞主曰∶以精炼形，非凡砂石。
问∶张紫阳曰心肾非坎离，何也？答曰∶心肾特坎离之体耳，有体有用。
问∶所有者，何也？答曰∶气乃心之用也，属离。形乃肾之用也，属坎。交媾之际，运用于此矣。
问∶功夫？答曰∶知时而交媾，进火而防危，阳生而野战，刑德而沐浴。以至温养成丹也。
问∶野战？答曰∶《龙虎上经》曰∶文以怀柔，武以讨叛。紫阳曰∶守城野战知凶吉，增得灵砂满
鼎红。
问∶温养？答曰∶杏林云∶温养象周星。毗陵曰∶金鼎常留汤用暖，玉炉不要火教寒是也。
问∶烹炼？答曰∶烹金鼎、炼玉炉。口诀存焉。
问∶赏罚？答曰∶春气发生谓之赏，乃巳前阳火之候也。秋气杀物谓之罚，乃午后阴符之候也。
问∶守城？答曰∶抱元守一而凝神聚气也。
问∶堤防？答曰∶驱除杂念而专心不二也。
问∶神庐者，何也？答曰∶鼻也。乃神气出入之门。《黄庭经》云∶神庐之中当修治，呼吸庐
间入丹田。
问∶太一含真？答曰∶守真一于天谷，气入玄元，即达本来。天真答上曰∶真道养神，若能守我
在死气之关，令七祖枯骨皆在生气。生我者道，活我者神。将神守道，以道养神，是也。
问∶三尸？答曰∶《中黄经》云∶一者上虫居脑中，二者中虫居明堂，三者下虫居腹胃，名曰彭
琚、彭质、彭矫也。恶
人进道。喜人退志，上田乃元神所居之宫，惟人不能开此关。被尸虫居之，生死轮回，无有了期。
若能握元神栖于本宫，则尸虫自灭，真息自定。所谓一窍开而百窍齐开，大关通百体尽通。则天真
降灵，不神之神所以神也。
问∶胎息？答曰∶能守真一则息不往来，如在母胞胎之中，谓之大定也。
问∶玉池？答曰∶口也。《黄庭经》云∶玉池清水灌灵根，是也。
问∶橐龠？答曰∶橐乃无底囊，龠乃三孔笛，又是铁匠手中所弄鼓风之物也。《老子》曰∶天地
之间，其犹橐龠乎？《升降论》曰∶人能效天地橐龠之用。开则气出，合则气入。出则如地气之上升，
入则如天气之下降。一升一降，自可与天地齐长久矣。
问∶五芽？答曰∶乃五脏之真气。《中黄经》曰∶子能守之三虫弃，得见五芽九真气。
问∶屯蒙？答曰∶《道枢》云∶坎者水也，一变为水泽之节，再变为水雷之屯，其爻居寅。离
者火也，一变为火山之旅，再变为火风之鼎，三变为山水之蒙，其爻居戌。抽添水火，在于寅戌，十二
卦气，在于屯蒙运用也。
问∶采日精月华？答曰∶非外之日月也，采心中真液、肾中真气也。
问∶内外八卦？答曰∶头为干，足为坤，膀胱为艮，胆为巽，肾为坎，心为离，肝为震，肺为兑也。
大道并不遥远，它就在身体之中，万物表象虽空但本性不空。本性若不空，神与气便能安居；气回归元海（下丹田），寿命便无穷无尽。想要让身中的神不外泄，就不要在灵台（心）中留存任何杂念。物欲在身中，神就会不清明，耗散真精并损伤筋骨。神能驾驭气，气能留住形体，不需要繁杂的法术自然就能长生。法术容易知道，但道很难遇到，几个人遇到了却不专心实行。所以成千上万的人学习，最终没有一两个成功。神如果外泄，就要立刻收回来，神返回身中，气自然随之回归。这样早晚坚持，自然像赤子一样产生真胎（内丹）。
金锁指的是玄关窍，玉匙指的是元气。静坐时，调节鼻中的呼吸。规范守住中扃（中宫/丹田），以获得自然的安定状态。神与息绵绵相续，不能有丝毫别的念头。等到调息均匀后，鼻中自觉没有呼吸的出入。只需存守在中去之处，意念坚固。以元气进行呼吸，气息纳入玄关。忽然觉得一声响，那关窍就开了，当时自然会有所见的趣味。功夫到了这里，“中”字才真正洞彻了。
金鼎想要留住砂里的汞。金鼎指“中”字，也就是鼎炉，中间想要留存。砂里的汞，指的是元精。玉池先降下水中的银。玉池是华池，水是神水。在金鼎中想要留住汞。静坐时先守中扃，中扃如果守得定了，出入息自然微弱沉默。微默之后，自觉气息安定，元气自在内藏呼吸。等到身体自觉混融，恍惚不知有物、有自身、有天地后，华池的水自然会来。等到满口津液，吞咽时发出声音，就用意念将其送至中扃。在中扃玄关处忽然一声响，像开锁一样。那时，就闭目回照，顾视自己的内境，自然出现灵异景象，无法全部述说。
问：什么叫金液还丹？答：金液，就是金水。金是水的母亲，母亲隐藏于儿子的胎中，因此有了还丹的称号。前贤说：丹，指丹田。液，指肺液。将肺液返还于丹田，所以叫金液还丹。
问：什么叫铅汞？答：不是普通的黑锡和水银。真一子说：铅是天地之父母，阴阳之根基。圣人采集天地父母的根本作为大丹的基础，采集阴阳纯粹的精气作为大丹的质地，并不是用普通物质造作而成的。汞性喜欢飞散，遇到铅才会凝结，因为它们像母子一样相爱。
问：什么叫火？答：火是太阳真气，是坎卦中的阳爻。紫清真人说：坎中起火就是这样。
问：什么叫候？答：五天为一候，是一个甲子周期终结。一天有十二个时辰，五天六十个时辰，终结一个甲子。紫阳真人说：一刻的工夫，自有一年的节气，在起火的时候，顷刻间完成一周天运行。
问：这个火候怎么样？答：年中用月，月中用日，日中用时，时中用刻。
问：什么叫真一？答：人能够将自己的天真安放在天谷（上丹田/泥丸宫）之内，就是守真一的道。金洞主说：真一，在于北极大渊之中。
问：什么叫动静？答：阳主动，阴主静。翠虚真人说：动中求静，静中有为，动静都有作用，口口相传。
问：什么叫九还？答：金生四，成数为九。还，是从上往回返到下，九是老阳之数。阴真君说：从子时到申时为九还，也是顺行。
问：什么叫七返？答：火生二，成数为七。返，是从下往上返，七是少阳之数。阴真君说：从寅时到申时为七返，是逆行。
问：什么叫炉？答：上品丹法，以神为炉，以性为药，以定为水，以慧为火。中品丹法，以神为炉，以气为药，以日为火，以月为水。下品丹法，以身为炉，以气为药，以心为火，以肾为水。又有偃月炉。
问：什么叫鼎？答：鲍真人说：金鼎靠近泥丸宫，就像黄帝铸造九鼎一样。
问：什么叫药物？答：就是这个药物，顺行则成人，逆行则成丹。五行颠倒，是大地的七宝。五行顺行，是法界火坑。百姓日常使用却不知道。紫清真人说：采药物是在不动之中进行的。
问：什么叫神水华池？答：李筌说：还丹的要领，在于神水华池。紫阳真人说：以铅入汞，名叫神水。以汞投铅，名叫华池。海蟾真人说：从来神水出高源。紫清真人说：华池正在气海内。
问：什么叫三关？答：头是天关，足是地关，手是人关。
问：什么叫内三要？答：第一要，是大渊池；第二要，是绛宫；第三要，是地户。
问：什么叫外三要？答：口和鼻共有的窍，是神气往来的门户。在下功的时候，调节鼻息，缄舌气，关闭兑（口）。
问：什么叫兑？答：真一子说：兑，就是口。
问：婴儿姹女正在哪里？答：婴儿在肾，姹女在心。
问：肾属水为阴，婴儿属阳；心属火为阳，姹女属阴。为什么居住在这里？答：肾属坎卦，阴中有阳，是真阳。心属离卦，阳中有阴，是真阴。
问：泥丸宫正在哪里？答：头有九宫，中间叫泥丸。
问：什么叫金公？答：金字边加个公字，就是铅。紫阳真人说：要能制伏觅金公。
问：什么叫黄婆？答：黄是土的颜色，位属坤卦，因此取名。紫清真人说：金公无言姹女死，黄婆不老犹怀胎。
问：呼吸怎么样？答：呼则出于心与肺，吸则入于肾与肝。呼则接天根，吸则接地根。呼则龙吟云起，吸则虎啸风生。呼吸风云，凝成金液。
问：什么叫琼浆玉液？答：都是神水。
问：什么叫神气？答：神是火，火属心；气是药，药属身。神和气，是子和母的关系。虚靖天师说：气，是生命的本源。神，是生命的主宰。保持充盈驾驭神，专一抱持气，神依靠气而住，两者相合才可以长生。三茅真君说：气是添年药，心是使气神。如果知道行气的主旨，就是得到了仙人之道。
问：什么叫十二重楼？答：人的喉咙管有十二节。
问：什么叫帘帏？答：就是眼睛。在下功的时候，含光云房，叫闭户垂帘默默窥视。
问：什么叫子午？答：子午，是天地之中。在天为日月，在人为心肾，在时间为子午，在卦象为坎离，在方位为南北。
问：什么叫五位相得而各有合？答：天地五十五数，所以乾得一和九，合而成十。坤得四和六，合而成十。巽和兑得二和八，合而成十。震和艮得三和七，合而成十。离得五，坎得十，坎离没有配偶，所以自己相合。从数来说，得到天地之中的数。从爻来说，得到天地之中的爻。从位来说，得到天地之中的位。坎离不是很伟大吗？
问：什么叫五岳？答：《五岳真形图》说：在人的头部。紫清真人有巾藏五岳冠的诗句。
问：什么叫玄牝？答：在上叫玄，在下叫牝。玄关一窍，左叫玄，右叫牝。
问：什么叫玄牝之门？答：鼻通天气叫玄门，口通地气叫牝户。口鼻就是玄牝的门户了。
问：什么叫三男三女？答：干道索取坤，长男叫震，中男叫坎，少男叫艮。坤道索取干，长女叫巽，中女叫离，少女叫兑。
问：什么叫火龙水虎？答：虎，是西方金。金生水，反而隐藏形体于水中。龙，是东方木。木生火，反而受火克制。太白真君说：五行不顺行，虎向水中生。五行颠倒术，龙从火里出，就是这样。
问：什么叫分至？答：子时象征冬至，阴极而阳生；午时象征夏至，阳极而阴生；卯时象征春分，阳中含阴；酉时象征秋分，阴中含阳。人身也有分至。紫阳真人说：以身心分上下两弦，以神气别冬夏二至。
问：什么叫沐浴？答：真气熏蒸，神水灌溉称为沐浴。太上老君说：灌以甘泉，涤垢污，出自华池，后归坤户。杏林真人说：沐浴资神水就是这样。
问：什么叫抽添？答：既然从肘后抽铅，就必须在中黄添汞。《传道集》说：可以抽的时候不可以添就是这样。
问：什么叫搬运？答：搬金精于肘后，运玉液于泥丸。下手的功夫，口诀存在这里。
问：什么叫三田？答：脑为上田，心为中田，气海为下田。如果得到斗柄的机枢，斡运则上下循环，像天河流转一样。
问：背后三关？答：脑后叫玉枕关，夹脊叫辘轳关，水火之际叫尾闾关。
问：什么叫神室？答：元神居住的屋子。朗然子说：未明心室千般挠，达了心田万事闲。
问：什么叫三花聚顶？答：神、气、精混合为一。玄关一窍，是神、气、精的聚集处。
问：五气朝元？答：五脏的真气上朝于天元。
问：和合四象？答：眼不看而魂在肝，耳不听而精在肾，舌不动而神在心，鼻不嗅而魄在肺。精、神、魂、魄聚集在意土中。
问：马牙、真主人神符、白雪？答：都是铅汞的总名。
问：河车？答：北方正气名叫河车。左边叫日轮，右边叫月轮。搬运正气，运在元阳，应节顺行，下手无非是这个车的力量。
问：老嫩是什么？答：采药的时候，审视它的老嫩。彭鹤林说：嫩时须采老时枯。紫阳真人说：铅见癸生须急采，金逢望远不堪尝就是这样。
问：浮沉？答：铅浮而银沉。
问：清浊？答：阴浊而阳清。清的浮在上面，浊的沉在下面。修丹的人，留清去浊属于阴。
问：五行相克？答：《金碧经》说：金木相伐，水火相克。土旺金乡，三物俱丧，四海辐辏，以致太平，都是由中宫土德的功效造成的。
问：往来是什么？答：子往午来。阴符阳火，从子进符到辰巳，从午退符到戌亥。始复终坤，都以卦象来效法。一消一长，一往一来，以成就其变化。《易经》说：阖户谓之坤，辟户谓之干。一阖一辟，谓之变，往来不穷谓之通。
问：雌雄？答：雌阴雄阳。一阴一阳谓之道，孤阴寡阳不能自生。《参同契》说：雌雄相错，以类相求。注解说：雄，金砂也。雌，火汞也。相互需要合吐，类聚生成，作为神药。
问：防危？答：防止火候的差失，忌讳梦寐的昏迷。翠虚真人说：精生有时，时至神知，百刻之中，切忌昏迷。
问：交合？答：磁石吸铁，隔碍潜通。
问：有无？答：《金碧经》说：有无互相制，上有青龙居。两无宗一有，灵化妙难窥。
问：刑德？答：阳为德，德则出，万物生。阴为刑，刑则出，万物死。所以二月阳中含阴而榆荚落，象征金砂随阴气动静落在胎中，所以叫归根。八月阴中含阳而荠麦生，象征金水随阳气滋液于鼎内，所以卯酉乃刑德相负。阴阳两停，所以息符火。
问：黑白？答：《参同契》说：知白守黑，神明自来。白者是金，黑者是水，以金水之根而作为药基。
问：寒暑？答：真一子说：不应候，风雨不调，水旱相伐。或阳火过刻或阴符失节，凝冬变为大暑，盛夏反作浓霜。火候过差，灵汞飞走，运火之士，可不谨慎吗？
问：晦朔？答：《参同契》说：晦朔之间，合符中行。是金水符合之际。
问：固济？答：太真说：固济胎不泄，变化在须臾。说的是水火既济，闭固神室而不使之泄漏。
问：圣胎？答：无质生质，结成圣胎，辛勤保护。十月如幼女之初怀孕，似小龙养珠。因为神气开始凝结，极易疏失。
问：四正？答：子午卯酉为四正。玄关一窍为四正宫。
问：黄庭正在哪里？答：在膀胱之上、脾之下、肾之前、肝之左、肺之右。
问：金乌玉兔？答：日中乌，比喻心中液。月中兔，比喻肾中之气。
问：炼形？答：炼形化气，炼气化神，炼神合道。金洞主说：以精炼形，不是普通的砂石。
问：张紫阳说心肾非坎离，为什么？答：心肾只是坎离的体，有体有用。
问：所有者，是什么？答：气是心的用，属离。形是肾的用，属坎。交媾的时候，运用于此。
问：功夫？答：知时而交媾，进火而防危，阳生而野战，刑德而沐浴。以至温养成丹。
问：野战？答：《龙虎上经》说：文以怀柔，武以讨叛。紫阳真人说：守城野战知凶吉，增得灵砂满鼎红。
问：温养？答：杏林真人说：温养象周星。毗陵真人说：金鼎常留汤用暖，玉炉不要火教寒就是这样。
问：烹炼？答：烹金鼎、炼玉炉。口诀存在这里。
问：赏罚？答：春气发生叫做赏，是巳前阳火的候。秋气杀物叫做罚，是午后阴符的候。
问：守城？答：抱元守一而凝神聚气。
问：堤防？答：驱除杂念而专心不二。
问：神庐者，是什么？答：鼻子。是神气出入的门。《黄庭经》说：神庐之中当修治，呼吸庐间入丹田。
问：太一含真？答：守真一于天谷，气入玄元，即达本来。天真答上说：真道养神，若能守我在死气之关，令七祖枯骨皆在生气。生我者道，活我者神。将神守道，以道养神，就是这样。
问：三尸？答：《中黄经》说：一者上虫居脑中，二者中虫居明堂，三者下虫居腹胃，名叫彭琚、彭质、彭矫。恶人进道，喜人退志，上田是元神所居的宫，惟有人不能开此关。被尸虫占据，生死轮回，没有尽头。如果能握元神栖于本宫，则尸虫自灭，真息自定。所谓一窍开而百窍齐开，大关通百体尽通。则天真降灵，不神之神所以神。
问：胎息？答：能守真一则息不往来，如在母胞胎之中，叫做大定。
问：玉池？答：口。《黄庭经》说：玉池清水灌灵根，就是这样。
问：橐龠？答：橐是没有底的囊，龠是三孔笛，又是铁匠手中弄鼓风的东西。《老子》说：天地之间，其犹橐龠乎？《升降论》说：人能效法天地橐龠之用。开则气出，合则气入。出则如地气之上升，入则如天气之下降。一升一降，自然可以与天地齐长久。
问：五芽？答：是五脏的真气。《中黄经》说：子能守之三虫弃，得见五芽九真气。
问：屯蒙？答：《道枢》说：坎是水，一变成为水泽之节，再变成水雷之屯，其爻居寅。离是火，一变成为火山之旅，再变成火风之鼎，三变成山水之蒙，其爻居戌。抽添水火，在于寅戌，十二卦气，在于屯蒙运用。
问：采日精月华？答：不是外面的日月，是采心中真液、肾中真气。
问：内外八卦？答：头为干，足为坤，膀胱为艮，胆为巽，肾为坎，心为离，肝为震，肺为兑。
The Great Dao is not far; it resides within the body. Phenomena are empty, but Nature (Xing) is not empty. If Nature is not empty, Spirit (Shen) and Qi will dwell there; when Qi returns to the Yuan Sea (Lower Dantian), longevity becomes infinite. To keep the Spirit within the body from escaping, do not retain a single object (distraction) in the Lingtai (Heart/Mind). Objects within the body cloud the Spirit, deplete True Essence (Zhen Jing), and damage sinews and bones. Spirit commands Qi, and Qi retains the Form; without needing miscellaneous techniques, one naturally achieves longevity. Techniques are easy to know, but the Dao is hard to encounter; few who encounter it practice with dedication. Thus, thousands learn, yet ultimately not one or two succeed. If the Spirit escapes, gather it back immediately; when the Spirit returns to the body, Qi naturally follows. Practice this morning and night, and naturally the True Fetus (Neidan/Internal Elixir) of the Red Infant (Chizi) will be born.
The Golden Lock refers to the Xuan Guan (Mysterious Pass); the Jade Key refers to Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). During quiet sitting, regulate the breath in the nose. Regulate and guard the Zhong Jiong (Central Barrier/Dantian) to attain natural stability. Spirit and breath should be continuous and subtle, allowing not a single stray thought. When breathing regulation is even, one feels no entry or exit of breath at the nose. Merely maintain presence in the central location with firm intent. Breathe using Yuan Qi, drawing breath into the Xuan Guan. Suddenly feeling a sound, the pass opens, and naturally there is a pleasure of seeing. At this stage of skill, the character "Zhong" (Middle) is thoroughly penetrated.
In the Golden Cauldron, one wishes to retain the Mercury in the Cinnabar Sand. The Golden Cauldron refers to the character "Zhong" (Middle), which is also the Cauldron and Furnace, where retention occurs in the center. The Mercury in the Cinnabar Sand refers to Yuan Jing (Primal Essence). In the Jade Pool, the Silver in the Water descends first. The Jade Pool is the Hua Chi (Splendid Pool); the Water is Shen Shui (Spirit Water). Within the Golden Cauldron, one wishes to retain the Mercury. During quiet sitting, first guard the Zhong Jiong; if the Zhong Jiong is guarded firmly, the entering and exiting breath naturally become subtle and silent. After subtlety and silence, one feels breath stabilized, and Yuan Qi naturally stores itself in internal respiration. When the body feels mixed and fused,恍惚 (huanghu) unaware of objects, self, or heaven and earth, then the water of the Hua Chi comes naturally. When the mouth is full, swallowing produces a sound; use intent to send it down to the Zhong Jiong. At the Zhong Jiong/Xuan Guan, a sudden sound occurs, like unlocking a door. At that moment, close the eyes and look inward, observing the internal realm; naturally spiritual and miraculous scenes appear, which cannot be fully described.
Q: What is called Jin Ye Huan Dan (Golden Liquid Returning Elixir)?
A: Jin Ye (Golden Liquid) is Jin Shui (Metal/Water). Metal is the mother of Water; the mother hides in the son's womb, hence the name Returning Elixir. Former sages said: Dan (Elixir) refers to the Dantian. Ye (Liquid) refers to Lung Fluid. Returning Lung fluid to the Dantian is thus called Jin Ye Huan Dan.
Q: What are Qian (Lead) and Gong (Mercury)?
A: Not ordinary black tin and quicksilver. Zhen Yi Zi said: Qian is the parent of Heaven and Earth, the root of Yin and Yang. The Sage gathers the root of Heaven and Earth's parents as the foundation of the Great Elixir, and gathers the pure essence of Yin and Yang as the substance of the Great Elixir; it is not made of common matter. Gong has a nature of flying; it结 (condenses) only when meeting Qian, because they love each other like mother and son.
Q: What is Huo (Fire)?
A: Fire is the True Qi of the Sun, which is the Yang line within Kan (Water trigram). Ziqing Zhenren said: Rising fire from Kan is so.
Q: What is Hou (Watch/Timing)?
A: Five days constitute one Hou, marking the end of a Jiazi cycle. A day has twelve Shi (two-hour periods); five days have sixty Shi, completing one Jiazi. Ziyang said: The effort of one Ke (quarter hour) contains a year's solar term; at the time of starting fire, a complete Zhou Tian (Microcosmic Orbit) circulates in an instant.
Q: How is this Hu Hou (Fire Timing)?
A: Use months within the year, days within the month, hours within the day, and Ke (quarters) within the hour.
Q: What is Zhen Yi (True One)?
A: When a person places their Tian Zhen (Natural Truth/Spirit) within the Tian Gu (Heavenly Valley/Upper Dantian), this is the Dao of guarding Zhen Yi. Jindong Zhu said: Zhen Yi lies within the Great Abyss of the North Pole.
Q: What are Dong and Jing (Movement and Stillness)?
A: Yang governs movement; Yin governs stillness. Cuixu said: Seek stillness in movement; there is action in stillness; both movement and stillness have function, passed down orally.
Q: What is Jiu Huan (Nine Returns)?
A: Metal generates four, forming the number nine. Huan means returning from above to below; nine is the number of Old Yang. Yinzhen Jun said: From Zi to Shen is Nine Returns, which is also Shun (Direct/Forward).
Q: What is Qi Fan (Seven Returns)?
A: Fire generates two, forming the number seven. Fan means returning from below to above; seven is the number of Young Yang. Yinzhen Jun said: From Yin to Shen is Seven Returns, which is Ni (Reverse).
Q: What is Lu (Furnace)?
A: In the Superior method, Spirit is the Furnace, Nature is the Medicine, Stability is the Water, and Wisdom is the Fire. In the Medium method, Spirit is the Furnace, Qi is the Medicine, Day is the Fire, and Moon is the Water. In the Inferior method, Body is the Furnace, Qi is the Medicine, Heart is the Fire, and Kidney is the Water. There is also the Yan Yue Lu (Crescent Moon Furnace).
Q: What is Ding (Cauldron)?
A: Bao Zhenren said: The Golden Cauldron is near the Niwan Palace, just as the Yellow Emperor cast nine cauldrons.
Q: What is Yao Wu (Medicine/Materials)?
A: It is this medicine; following the flow creates humans, reversing it creates the Elixir. Reversing the Five Elements yields the Seven Treasures of the Earth; following them leads to the Fire Pit of the Dharma Realm. People use it daily without knowing. Ziqing said: Gathering medicine occurs in immobility.
Q: What are Shen Shui (Spirit Water) and Hua Chi (Splendid Pool)?
A: Li Quan said: The key to the Returning Elixir lies in Shen Shui and Hua Chi. Ziyang said: Putting Qian into Gong is named Shen Shui. Putting Gong into Qian is named Hua Chi. Haichan said: Since ancient times, Shen Shui flows from a high source. Ziqing said: Hua Chi is located within the Qi Hai.
Q: What are San Guan (Three Passes)?
A: The Head is the Heavenly Pass, the Feet are the Earthly Pass, and the Hands are the Human Pass.
Q: What are Nei San Yao (Internal Three Essentials)?
A: The first essential is Da Yuan Chi; the second is Jiang Gong; the third is Di Hu (Earth Door).
Q: What are Wai San Yao (External Three Essentials)?
A: The aperture shared by Mouth and Nose is the gateway for Spirit and Qi. In practicing, regulate nasal breath, seal tongue Qi, and close Dui (Mouth).
Q: What is Dui?
A: Zhen Yi Zi said: Dui is the Mouth.
Q: Where are the Infant (Ying Er) and Maiden (Cha Nu)?
A: The Infant is in the Kidney; the Maiden is in the Heart.
Q: Kidney belongs to Water (Yin), Infant belongs to Yang; Heart belongs to Fire (Yang), Maiden belongs to Yin. Why reside here?
A: Kidney belongs to Kan, containing Yang within Yin, which is True Yang. Heart belongs to Li, containing Yin within Yang, which is True Yin.
Q: Where exactly is the Niwan Palace?
A: The head has nine palaces; the middle one is called Niwan.
Q: What is Jin Gong (Golden Duke)?
A: Adding 'Gong' to 'Jin' makes 'Qian' (Lead). Ziyang said: One must subdue and seek Jin Gong.
Q: What is Huang Po (Yellow Auntie)?
A: Huang is the color of Earth, belonging to the Kun trigram, hence the name. Ziqing said: Without Jin Gong, the Cha Nu dies; Huang Po, though not aging, still carries a fetus.
Q: How is Respiration?
A: Exhaling goes out from Heart and Lung; inhaling enters Kidney and Liver. Exhaling connects to Tian Gen (Heaven Root); inhaling connects to Di Gen (Earth Root). Exhaling brings Dragon's chant and rising clouds; inhaling brings Tiger's roar and arising wind. Respiring wind and cloud condenses into Jin Ye (Golden Liquid).
Q: What are Qiong Jiang Yu Ye (Jade Dew)?
A: All are Shen Shui (Spirit Water).
Q: What are Shen and Qi?
A: Shen is Fire, belonging to Heart; Qi is Medicine, belonging to Body. Shen and Qi are Child and Mother. Xu Jing Tianshi said: Qi is the origin of life; Shen is the master of life. Maintain fullness and command Shen; concentrate Qi and embrace Oneness. Shen dwells based on Qi; together they allow longevity. Sanmao Zhenjun said: Qi is the medicine for adding years; Heart is the god commanding Qi. Knowing the master of Qi practice is attaining the Immortal.
Q: What is Shi Er Chong Lou (Twelve-Story Tower)?
A: The human throat tube has twelve segments.
Q: What is Lian Wei (Curtains)?
A: These are the eyes. In practice, holding light in the Cloud Chamber is called closing doors and lowering curtains to peek silently.
Q: What are Zi and Wu?
A: Zi and Wu are the center of Heaven and Earth. In Heaven, they are Sun and Moon; in Humans, Heart and Kidney; in Time, Zi and Wu; in Trigrams, Kan and Li; in Direction, North and South.
Q: What does "Five Positions Match and Each Has Union" mean?
A: Heaven and Earth have 55 numbers. Qian gets 1 and 9, combining to 10. Kun gets 4 and 6, combining to 10. Xun and Dui get 2 and 8, combining to 10. Zhen and Gen get 3 and 7, combining to 10. Li gets 5, Kan gets 10; Kan and Li have no pair, so they unite themselves. Numerically, they obtain the central number of Heaven and Earth. By lines, they obtain the central line. By position, they obtain the central position. Are not Kan and Li great?
Q: What are Wu Yue (Five Sacred Mountains)?
A: *Wu Yue Zhen Xing Tu* says: In the human head. Ziqing has a verse about hiding the Five Mountains in a hat/crown.
Q: What is Xuan Pin (Mysterious Female)?
A: Above is Xuan, below is Pin. The Xuan Guan One Aperture: Left is Xuan, Right is Pin.
Q: What is the Gate of Xuan Pin?
A: Nose connecting to Heaven Qi is Xuan Men; Mouth connecting to Earth Qi is Pin Hu. Mouth and Nose are the gates of Xuan Pin.
Q: What are Three Males and Three Females?
A: Qian seeking Kun: Eldest Son is Zhen, Middle Son is Kan, Youngest Son is Gen. Kun seeking Qian: Eldest Daughter is Xun, Middle Daughter is Li, Youngest Daughter is Dui.
Q: What are Fire Dragon and Water Tiger?
A: Tiger is Western Metal. Metal generates Water, hiding its form in Water. Dragon is Eastern Wood. Wood generates Fire, suffering control by Fire. Taibai Zhenjun said: When Five Elements do not follow the normal order, the Tiger is born from Water. The art of reversing Five Elements makes the Dragon emerge from Fire; this is so.
Q: What are Fen Zhi (Equinoxes and Solstices)?
A: Zi hour symbolizes Winter Solstice, Yin extreme and Yang born; Wu hour symbolizes Summer Solstice, Yang extreme and Yin born; Mao hour symbolizes Spring Equinox, Yang containing Yin; You hour symbolizes Autumn Equinox, Yin containing Yang. The human body also has Fen Zhi. Ziyang said: Divide upper and lower phases by Body and Mind; distinguish Winter and Summer Solstices by Shen and Qi.
Q: What is Mu Yu (Bathing/Cleansing)?
A: True Qi steaming and Spirit Water irrigating is called Bathing. Taishang said: Irrigate with sweet spring, wash away filth, coming from Hua Chi, returning to Kun Hu later. Xinglin said: Bathing relies on Shen Shui.
Q: What is Chou Tian (Drawing and Adding)?
A: Having drawn Qian from behind the elbow, one must add Gong to the Zhong Huang. *Chuandao Ji* says: When drawing is possible, adding is not; this is so.
Q: What is Ban Yun (Carrying and Transporting)?
A: Carry Jing Jing (Essence of Metal) to behind the elbow; transport Yu Ye (Jade Liquid) to Niwan. The initial work technique holds the secret formula here.
Q: What are San Tian (Three Fields)?
A: Brain is Upper Field; Heart is Middle Field; Qi Hai is Lower Field. If one grasps the mechanism of the Dipper Handle, rotating causes upper and lower circulation, like the Milky Way flowing.
Q: Back Three Passes?
A: Behind the head is Yu Zhen Guan; between shoulder blades is Lu Lu Guan; at the junction of Water and Fire is Wei Lu Guan.
Q: What is Shen Shi (Spirit Chamber)?
A: The chamber where Yuan Shen resides. Langran Zi said: Before understanding the Heart Chamber, there are thousand disturbances; having understood the Heart Field, all matters are leisurely.
Q: What is San Hua Ju Ding (Three Flowers Gather at the Crown)?
A: Shen, Qi, and Jing mix into one. The Xuan Guan One Aperture is the gathering place of Shen, Qi, and Jing.
Q: Wu Qi Chao Yuan (Five Qi Face the Origin)?
A: True Qi of the Five Organs ascends to Tian Yuan.
Q: He He Si Xiang (Harmonizing Four Symbols)?
A: Eyes not looking, Hun resides in Liver; Ears not hearing, Jing resides in Kidney; Tongue not moving, Shen resides in Heart; Nose not smelling, Po resides in Lung. Jing, Shen, Hun, and Po gather in Yi (Intent/Earth).
Q: Ma Ya, Zhen Zhu Ren Shen Fu, Bai Xue?
A: All are collective names for Qian and Gong.
Q: He Che (River Cart)?
A: The Righteous Qi of the North is called He Che. Left is Ri Lun (Sun Wheel); Right is Yue Lun (Moon Wheel). Carrying Righteous Qi, transporting in Yuan Yang, following seasons and direct order, the initial work relies solely on the power of this Cart.
Q: Lao Nen (Old and Tender)?
A: When gathering medicine, examine its oldness or tenderness. Peng Helin said: Gather when tender, wither when old. Ziyang said: When Lead meets Gui generation, gather urgently; Gold facing distance is unfit for tasting; this is so.
Q: Fu Chen (Floating and Sinking)?
A: Qian floats, Yin sinks.
Q: Qing Zhuo (Clear and Turbid)?
A: Yin is turbid, Yang is clear. Clear floats up, turbid sinks down. Alchemists retain clear and discard turbid, belonging to Yin.
Q: Wu Xing Xiang Ke (Five Elements Mutual Overcoming)?
A: *Jin Bi Jing* says: Metal and Wood fight, Water and Fire overcome. Earth prosperous in Metal's home, three things perish; four seas converge to achieve peace, all due to the merit of Central Palace Earth Virtue.
Q: Wang Lai (Coming and Going)?
A: Zi goes, Wu comes. Yin Fu and Yang Huo: advancing Fu from Zi to Chen/Si, retreating Fu from Wu to Xu/Hai. Beginning and ending with Kun, all modeled by hexagrams. One waning, one waxing; one going, one coming, achieving transformation. *I Ching* says: Closing the door is Kun; opening the door is Qian. One closing, one opening is Change; endless coming and going is Penetration.
Q: Ci Xiong (Female and Male)?
A: Ci is Yin, Xiong is Yang. One Yin, one Yang is the Dao; isolated Yin and sparse Yang cannot generate themselves. *Can Tong Qi* says: Female and Male intermingle, seeking each other by kind. Commentary: Xiong is Jin Sha (Metal Sand); Ci is Huo Gong (Fire Mercury). They require union and spitting, gathering by kind to generate, becoming Divine Medicine.
Q: Fang Wei (Preventing Danger)?
A: Prevent errors in Hu Hou; beware of confusion in dreams. Cuixu said: Essence generates at specific times; when time arrives, Shen knows. Within hundred marks, strictly avoid confusion.
Q: Jiao He (Union)?
A: Magnet attracts iron, passing through obstacles secretly.
Q: You Wu (Having and Non-being)?
A: *Jin Bi Jing* says: Having and Non-being mutually restrain; Azure Dragon resides above. Two Nos revere one Yes; spiritual transformation is subtle and hard to窥 (spy).
Q: Xing De (Punishment and Virtue)?
A: Yang is Virtue; Virtue exits, ten thousand things live. Yin is Punishment; Punishment exits, ten thousand things die. Thus, in February, Yang contains Yin and elm seeds fall, symbolizing Jin Sha falling into the fetus with Yin Qi's movement, called Returning to the Root. In August, Yin contains Yang and shepherd's purse grows, symbolizing Jin Shui nourishing in the Cauldron with Yang Qi. Thus Mao and You are Punishment and Virtue opposing. Yin and Yang balanced, so Fu Huo rests.
Q: Hei Bai (Black and White)?
A: *Can Tong Qi* says: Know the White, Guard the Black, and Divine Intelligence comes naturally. White is Metal; Black is Water; using Metal and Water roots as the medicine base.
Q: Han Shu (Cold and Heat)?
A: Zhen Yi Zi said: Not responding to seasons, wind and rain are unregulated, drought and flood fight. If Yang Huo exceeds its mark or Yin Fu loses its rhythm, frozen winter becomes great heat, midsummer turns to thick frost. Hu Hou error causes Ling Gong to fly away; those managing fire, can they not be cautious?
Q: Hui Shuo (Dark Moon and New Moon)?
A: *Can Tong Qi* says: Between Dark Moon and New Moon, Fu matches and moves in the center. This is the moment Jin and Water match.
Q: Gu Ji (Solidifying and Sealing)?
A: Tai Zhen said: Solidify and seal the fetus so it does not leak; transformation happens in an instant. This means Water and Fire are already balanced, sealing the Shen Shi tightly so it cannot leak.
Q: Sheng Tai (Sacred Fetus)?
A: Substance arises from non-substance, forming the Sacred Fetus, protected diligently. Ten months like a young girl's first pregnancy, like a little dragon nurturing a pearl. Because Shen and Qi begin to condense, it is very prone to loss.
Q: Si Zheng (Four Uprights)?
A: Zi, Wu, Mao, You are the Four Uprights. The Xuan Guan One Aperture is the Palace of the Four Uprights.
Q: Where is Huang Ting exactly?
A: Above the Bladder, below the Spleen, in front of the Kidneys, left of the Liver, right of the Lungs.
Q: Jin Wu Yu Tu (Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit)?
A: Crow in the Sun compares to Heart Fluid. Rabbit in the Moon compares to Qi in the Kidney.
Q: Lian Xing (Refining Form)?
A: Refine Form to Qi, refine Qi to Shen, refine Shen to merge with Dao. Jindong Zhu said: Refine form with Jing, not ordinary sand and stone.
Q: Zhang Ziyang says Heart and Kidney are not Kan and Li, why?
A: Heart and Kidney are merely the bodies of Kan and Li; they have Body and Function.
Q: Suo You Zhe, what is it?
A: Qi is the function of Heart, belonging to Li. Form is the function of Kidney, belonging to Kan. In the time of intercourse, operation applies here.
Q: Gong Fu (Effort/Practice)?
A: Know the time to intertwine; advance Fire and prevent danger; Wild Battle when Yang generates; Bathing during Punishment and Virtue. Until warming and nourishing to form the Elixir.
Q: Ye Zhan (Wild Battle)?
A: *Long Hu Shang Jing* says: Civilize to soothe, Militate to suppress rebellion. Ziyang said: Knowing auspicious and inauspicious in defending the city and wild battle increases Ling Sha filling the Cauldron red.
Q: Wen Yang (Warming and Nourishing)?
A: Xinglin said: Warming and nourishing resembles the Zhou Star. Piling said: Keep the Golden Cauldron warm with soup; do not let the Jade Furnace become cold; this is so.
Q: Peng Lian (Cooking and Refining)?
A: Cook the Golden Cauldron, refine the Jade Furnace. Secret formula exists here.
Q: Shang Fa (Reward and Punishment)?
A: Spring Qi generating is called Reward, the Huo Hou before Si hour. Autumn Qi killing is called Punishment, the Fu Hou after Wu hour.
Q: Shou Cheng (Defending the City)?
A: Embrace Origin and Guard Oneness to condense Shen and gather Qi.
Q: Di Fang (Embankment/Defense)?
A: Drive away distracting thoughts and focus undividedly.
Q: Shen Lu Zhe, what is it?
A: The Nose. The gate for Shen and Qi entry and exit. *Huang Ting Jing* says: Repair within the Shen Lu; breathe between the Lu into the Dantian.
Q: Tai Yi Han Zhen?
A: Guard Zhen Yi in the Tian Gu; Qi enters Xuan Yuan, reaching the original state. Tian Zhen answered: True Dao nourishes Shen; if one can guard oneself at the pass of dead Qi, letting seven ancestors' dry bones reside in living Qi. Dao gives life; Shen enlivens. Guard Dao with Shen, nourish Shen with Dao; this is so.
Q: San Shi (Three Corpses)?
A: *Zhong Huang Jing* says: The first worm lives in the brain; the second in Ming Tang; the third in abdomen/stomach, named Peng Ju, Peng Zhi, Peng Jiao. They hate people advancing in Dao and love people retreating in ambition. The Upper Field is the palace of Yuan Shen, but humans cannot open this pass. Occupied by corpse worms, samsara has no end. If one can hold Yuan Shen dwelling in its original palace, corpse worms extinguish themselves, and True Breath stabilizes. So, one aperture opens and hundred apertures open; major pass connects and hundred bodies connect. Then Tian Zhen descends with spirit; the spirit that is not spirit is truly spiritual.
Q: Tai Xi (Embryonic Breathing)?
A: Being able to guard Zhen Yi means breath does not come and go, like in the mother's womb, called Great Stillness.
Q: Yu Chi (Jade Pool)?
A: The Mouth. *Huang Ting Jing* says: Jade pool clear water irrigates the Spiritual Root; this is so.
Q: Tuo Yue (Bellows)?
A: Tuo is a bottomless bag; Yue is a three-hole flute, or the bellows used by blacksmiths. *Laozi* says: Between Heaven and Earth, is it not like Tuo Yue? *Shengjiang Lun* says: If humans can emulate the use of Heaven and Earth's Tuo Yue. Opening, Qi exits; closing, Qi enters. Exiting is like Earth Qi rising; entering is like Heaven Qi descending. One rising, one descending, naturally one can last as long as Heaven and Earth.
Q: Wu Ya (Five Sprouts)?
A: True Qi of the Five Organs. *Zhong Huang Jing* says: If you can guard these, three worms abandon; see Five Sprouts and Nine True Qi.
Q: Tun Meng (Difficulty and Youthfulness)?
A: *Dao Shu* says: Kan is Water, first changing to Water-Lake Jie, second to Water-Thunder Tun, its line resides in Yin. Li is Fire, first changing to Fire-Mountain Lv, second to Fire-Wind Ding, third to Mountain-Water Meng, its line resides in Xu. Drawing and adding Water and Fire lies in Yin and Xu; Twelve Hexagram Qi lies in the application of Tun and Meng.
Q: Cai Ri Jing Yue Hua (Gathering Sun Essence and Moon Splendor)?
A: Not external Sun and Moon, but gathering True Fluid in the Heart and True Qi in the Kidney.
Q: Nei Wai Ba Gua (Internal and External Eight Trigrams)?
A: Head is Qian, Feet are Kun, Bladder is Gen, Gallbladder is Xun, Kidney is Kan, Heart is Li, Liver is Zhen, Lung is Dui.