典藏书目

The *Taishang Xuanjing* (Supreme Profane Mirror) states: Pure yang that ascends is called Qi (vital energy), and pure yin that descends is called Ye (body fluids). When Qi and Ye intersect between the bone meridians, it is called Sui (marrow); when they intersect outside the bladder, it is called Jing (essence). If Heart Qi resides in the Liver, and Liver Jing is not secure, one experiences dizziness and lackluster eyes; if Heart Qi resides in the Lungs, and Lung Jing is not secure, muscles become thin and weak; if Heart Qi resides in the Kidneys, and Kidney Jing is not secure, Shen (spirit) and Qi diminish; if Heart Qi resides in the Spleen, and Spleen Jing is not secure, teeth loosen and fall out, and hair becomes brittle and falls. Among the Five Viscera, the Kidney is the pivot of Jing, and the Heart is the channel of Qi. True Jing resides in the Kidney, while other Jing naturally returns; as stated below: True Qi resides in the Heart, and other Qi naturally returns to the Yuanfu (Primordial Mansion/Dantian).

Master Lü said: "Nourish the spiritual root with Jing, nourish the spirit with Qi; this is the truest truth, beyond which there is nothing more true. Immortals do not explain it clearly, causing thousands upon thousands of people to be lost."

He also said: "A sixteen-year-old beauty is soft as curd, but a sword at her waist cuts off the lives of fools. Although no heads are seen falling, secretly she causes your marrow to dry up."

Peng Zu said: "Pity, pity, truly pity. You possess treasures within but fail to recognize them, instead giving them to powder skeletons (death), and seeking autumn stone (a mineral drug) in the human world."

Another immortal stated: "If the Weilu gate (tailbone area, a key point for conserving essence) is not controlled, the ocean will dry up. The nine-turn elixir is merely talk. Even if you have the Banlong pearl on top of your head, it cannot fill the deficiency below the Yutang gate (lower abdomen/kidney region)."

Master Liaoyang said: "The primordial Qi in the human body arises daily. However, because people do not know how to preserve it, it is invaded and depleted by two types of evil influences. What are these two evils? They are the external evils of wind, cold, summer-heat, and dampness, and the internal evils of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. These attack day and night, causing primordial Qi to exhaust until death ensues. A true person knows how to preserve life by retaining primordial Qi. Therefore, they advocate raising Yuanjing and protecting Yuanqi, combining them into one solid entity that does not dissipate or scatter, resisting invasion by the two evils, thereby achieving longevity."

Shi Jiongwu said: "Qi is the medicine that adds years; the Heart is the deity that directs Qi. If one understands the master of Qi circulation, one can become an immortal."

Tan Zixiao said: "Shen is like a mother, and Qi is like a son. Using Shen to summon Qi is like a mother calling her son; who would dare not come?"

Liu Chijiao said: "Shen and Qi are natural, loving each other like mother and child. Only worldly emotions separate them, preventing reunion. Remove one part of worldly emotion, and there is one part of free ascent and descent (Qi movement)."

Li Qing'an said: "When the Heart returns to emptiness and silence, and the body enters non-action, forgetting both motion and stillness, Jing naturally transforms into Qi, Qi naturally transforms into Shen, and Shen naturally returns to emptiness."

Qiu Changchun said: "Cultivation requires the 'Three Completions': Guard against overthinking to complete Shen; guard against excessive speech to complete Qi; guard against lust to complete Jing. It also requires the 'Three Fullnesses': When Shen is full, one has no desire for sleep; when Qi is full, one has no desire for food; when Jing is full, one has no desire for sexual activity."

Someone asked: "Having heard the maxims of previous cultivators, what is the method for beginning practice?" The answer was: "It depends entirely on the effort exerted by the individual. I earnestly advise cherishing Jing because the mind of lust is easily stirred, and the fire of desire is hard to suppress. Once emotional thoughts arise, Jing leaves the Kidney mansion, either exiting with urine or leaking externally. Does it require intercourse to leak? Thus it is said: 'Being moved internally inevitably shakes the Jing.' This is why ancients avoided women as they would avoid enemies. At the moment desire stirs, one must immediately shift one's thoughts and employ breathing regulation methods: exhaling connects to the Heavenly Root, inhaling connects to the Earthly Root. With internal focus, desire can be turned back. Initially forced, it becomes natural over time. If one indulges in lewd leakage, countless beautiful faces will ruin the lives of thousands of youths; piles of yellow earth will bury many heroes of the world. Speaking of this, does it not chill the heart? Therefore, sages plan for descendants with natural restraint. Why? Men reach seminal emission maturity at sixteen. Before twenty, recovery takes two days; after thirty, ten days; after forty, one month; after fifty, three months; after sixty, seven months. Thus, it is said that at sixty, one should close the door and cultivate carefully, as this is the foundation of lifespan. Otherwise, what good are diligent tu-na (breathing exercises), daoyin (guiding and pulling), and medicinal herbs? Only by conserving this Jing can Qi be strong and Shen complete, gradually leading to longevity."

Someone said: "There are those who drink enough to intoxicate four guests, embracing sixteen-year-old beauties for pleasure daily, yet remain vigorous in old age. They shun Yi Di (wine) and dismiss Li Ji (beauty), competing in abstinence from these two, yet their vitality does not cease. Why?" The answer was: "This depends on the different constitutions individuals are born with. However, few escape harm from relying on their innate advantages. Only by loving life can one extend life."