大道起手。在乎性命。两者合一。得其把柄。
东亭曰。学问之大。莫大于性命。性命之学。不明于世也。久矣。故今将性命之玄旨。遂
以发明之
。盖人父母未生之前。本来性命合一。到十月胎圆气足。形动胞裂。犹如高山失足HT 地一声
。而性命到此。则分为一矣自此性不能见命。命不能见性。少而壮。壮而老。老而呜呼。是
以上古至人。大发仁慈。教后世学人再入胞胎。重造我之性命。将我之神气。入于窍内。合
而为一。古人谓之性命双修。而性命双修。斯为仙道。男女交合。斯为凡道。凡道仙道。其
道一也。凡道以女嫁男。仙道以男嫁女。凡道汞去投铅。仙道铅来投汞。凡道未济仙道既济
。凡道是顺。仙道是逆。顺行有生有死。逆修万劫常存。凡道妇人怀孕后。有一物如豆子大。
觉
在脐下跳动。医书谓之胎原。胎原者。人身从此发源也。由是而五脏六腑。由是而四肢百骸
。
由是而能视能听。能持能行。由是而能仁能义。能礼能智。由是而能圣能神。能文能武。若
达此理。乃凡父凡母交。凝成一胎原也。仙道自结丹头后。亦有一物如豆子大觉在脐下跳动
。惟斯命宝上天所秘。圣贤仙佛。留下丹经子书。佥不肯明言直论。巧喻设象。万号千名无
非此物无非此窍也。如不谙此窍。而欲修道。真是涉水捕鸡兔。登山索鱼龙矣。三丰祖师云
。修炼不知玄关。如入暗室一般。苟或不知玄关。但从何处采取。从何处烹炼。真种从何处
觅。药物从何处产。炉鼎从何处立。周天从何处运。阳火从何处进。阴符从何处退。卯酉从何
处沐浴。小周天始终功夫靡不在玄关用事。若达此理。乃圣父灵母交。凝成一玄关也。紫阳
真人云。此窍非凡窍。乾坤共合成是也。凡道无胎原。不能生男生女。仙道无玄关。又岂能
成佛作祖乎。学人先明玄关之理待后行功。心有主宰也得此法者。至简至易。不得此法者愈
繁愈难。自知一天必有一地。一日必有一月。一男必有一女。一龙必有一虎。一龟必有一蛇
。一雄必有一雌。一阴必有一阳。易曰。一阴一阳之谓道。吕翁云。玄篇种种说阴阳二字名
为
万法王。三丰祖云女子无夫为怨女。男子无妻是旷夫。天下万事万物莫不有对。若能知二八
同
类。三五合一。自然语一悟百。豁然贯通。再加平时熟读丹经。仔细参悟。则无弗明矣。后
信心愈坚。而功行愈笃。如拨开云雾而得见天日也。抱朴子曰。世或有好道者。不见此法。
不
遇真师无由闻天下之有斯妙事也。少年下手。立见效验。若不能顷刻见效。便是伪师。哄弄愚
夫。乌足信乎然道有三秘。一曰采取。二曰药物。三曰火候。三者之外。更有玄关。三丰所
谓不识玄关端的处。真铅采来何处安。只知玄关。而不知采取。紫阳所谓铅遇癸生须急采。
金逢望远不堪尝只知采取。而不知药物。紫阳所谓鼎内若无真种子。犹将水火煮空铛。只知
采取。药物。玄关。而不知火候者。上阳子所谓外火虽动而内联符闭息不应。枉费神功。以至
逐节功夫。文武火候亦如算法。九九八十一归除也。其中细微。教人见子打子也。于是调息
之法。人能知进气者。其心愈细。而气愈微。只消数十息。多则百余息。自然气伏于下元
。则其息长而远矣。出于三焦之上。则其息短而促矣。所以灵龟千岁者。善调息之故也。常
将日光下照。海水自然上潮。潮信至。则先天气生。入药镜云。先天气。后天气得之者。常
似醉。是也。夫天气下降。地气上升。而万物始生男精和于女血。而胎原始成。丹道亦然。旌
阳祖云。与君说破我家风。太阳移在月明中。又云。日精若与月华合。自有真铅出世来。柯
怀经云。日里金乌。飞入广寒。此所谓心中之阴气。去和肾中之阳气。阴气得此阳气。则有
安身
立命之所也。朝元子云。南边血是砂中汞。北畔精为水内铅。柯怀经云。风吹杨柳铅情现。
雨洒桃花汞性开。马自然云。铅汞鼎中居。烧成无价珠。都来两个字。了尽万家书。钟离翁
曰。除却铅汞两味药。其他都是诳愚迷。欲修先天大道。妙在一阳下手。冬至乃一岁一阳。月
出庚。乃一月一阳。子时乃一昼夜一阳。学人。须明白我身中一阳。身中一阳即外肾举也。
无念而举斯为清。有念而举斯为浊。岂不究哉。柯怀经云。一阳初动自心知。正是
丹家下手时华阳祖云。阳生之时即起手之时。能于此时。下
手又何疑惑乎。铅返之际。运一点汞。以迎之此章凝神入气之时也。逐日行工。须藉巽风吹
嘘。则铅尽化为气矣。栖云先生云。人吃五谷。化为阴精不曾 炼。此物在里面作怪。只用
丹
田自然呼吸之气吹动其中真火。水在上。火在下。水得火自然化而为气。其气上腾熏蒸。传
透一身之关窍流通百脉。烧得里头神嚎鬼哭将阴精炼尽。阴魔消散矣。又觅元子云。阴精者。
五
谷饮食之精。苟非巽风坤火猛烹极炼。此精必在身中。思想淫欲。搅乱心君。务要凝神调息
。使橐 鼓风。而风吹火。烹炼阴精。化而为气。其武火能采取。又能炼铅。文火能温养。又
能益汞。古人谓之文烹武炼。是也。所谓巽风者。后天呼吸之气。乃母气也。先天真一之气
。乃子气也。以母气伏子气。如猫捕鼠。见贼即擒。则用风之法得也。子时用武火。他时用文
火。用橐 为武火。不用橐 为文火。然火候未得师授终难自知。天道无一息不运丹道无一息
不行。必要行到无息。方成一个大丹。而先天之气。来自虚无真正迅速。若起大明觉。则入
于后天。非先天清真之气也。倘稍迟。即转经化为浊精而泄。亦无所用矣。悟真篇云。见之不
可用。用之不可见。恍惚里相逢。杳冥中有变。古人比喻亲切。今人心内糊涂。反谓丹经不
曾直说。良可叹也。每当活子时。外形勃起。神入气穴。用武火猛炼。少顷阳痿。用文火温养
或一月之间。或百日之期。则我身内之玄关。自然透露矣。天秩老师云。人能知铅汞二物。
合成一物。则玄关始立矣。柯怀经云。玄关本无。待神气交而后有上阳子云。两者相形
。一物生焉。五化篇云。阴阳相搏芝菌无根而生也。燥湿相育。蝤蛴不母而产也。以上言立玄关
之法也。老子云。恍恍惚惚。其中有物杳杳冥冥。其中有精。庄子云。北溟有鱼。其名为鲲。魏
伯阳云。知白守黑。神明自来。丹经云。真铅真汞。人不识。露出一钩清净月。此章言玄关初
立。则五阴之下。一阳始生也。三丰祖云。玄关往来无定位。又云黄庭一路皆玄关。此二句
盖言玄关透露已久。活活泼泼。曾无定向。纯阳祖云。玄牝玄牝真玄牝不在心兮不在肾。穷
取生身受气初。莫怪天机都泄尽。悟真篇云。劝君穷取生身处。返本还原是药王。此二段。
言透露玄关之所。则男子之气穴。与妇人之子宫。是也。而气穴子宫。其地一也。其位同也。
间有不同者。只是中间颠倒。颠耳。如何是中间。程子曰。不偏不倚是也。知此道者。则曰。君子中
庸不知此道者则曰。小人反中庸。如何是颠倒易曰。地天泰是也。既知颠倒颠。则可以盗天
地之机
。而成造化，程伊芳川云。若非窃造化之机。安能长生乎。阴符经云。其盗机也。能知盗机者。
而命由我。不由天矣。且夫六合内一虚窍者，则上天下地交媾。于虚窍之中。东日西月。运
行于虚窍之外。而万物得以生生无穷。实因天地之交感。日月之营运也。虽天地交感。日月营运
。若无土为根基。而万物何以发生乎。然五行无土则不全。五金无土则不生。五谷无土
则不实。金丹无土则不成。金丹之始终全赖真土以成功。盖土者意也。却非后天之意乃先天
之真意也。尹真人云。真意者。干元也。乃天地之母。阴阳之根。水火之本。日月之源。
三
。终在玄关处交媾何也。东亭答曰。不在玄关处交媾。根基何所立焉。金碧古文云。上弦金
八两。下弦水半斤。两弦媾其精。乾坤体乃成。即此义也。天秩老师云。修炼功勤者。效验极速。
只消
三两月。多则百余日。玄窍补足。其物上至心宫。下至肾府。纵横顺逆。莫可遮拦。庄
子云。化而
为鸟。其名为鹏。丹经所谓菩提子。又谓舍利子。又谓黍米玄珠。又谓人参果。异名极多。
无非喻我身中之种子也。无非喻我身中之玄关也。无非喻我身中之太极也。学人。 炼至此
。切勿犯淫。如有犯淫等事。大则必死。小则必疯。可不戒之。
大道起始之处，在于性命。性与命两者合一，才能掌握修道的关键。
汪东亭说：学问之大，没有比性命之学更宏大的了。然而性命之学在世间不明朗，已经很久了。所以今天我将性命玄妙的宗旨，加以阐明。
大概人在父母未生之前，本来性命是合一的。等到十月胎气圆满充足，形体发动、胞衣破裂，就像从高山失足坠落，“扑通”一声落地。而性命到了这个时候，就分离为二了。从此性不能见命，命不能见性。从年少到壮年，从壮年到老年，从老年到死亡。所以上古得道之人，大发慈悲心，教导后世的学人重新进入胞胎，再造我的性命。将我的神与气，纳入窍内，合而为一。古人称之为“性命双修”。而性命双修，这就是仙道。男女交合，这就是凡道。凡道和仙道，其道理是一样的。凡道是以女嫁男，仙道是以男嫁女。凡道是汞去投铅，仙道是铅来投汞。凡道是未济卦的状态，仙道是既济卦的状态。凡道是顺行，仙道是逆行。顺行则有生有死，逆行修炼则万劫常存。凡道中妇人怀孕后，有一物如豆子大小，感觉在脐下跳动，医书中称之为“胎原”。胎原，是人身的发源之处。由此产生五脏六腑，由此产生四肢百骸，由此能看能听，能拿能走，由此能仁能义，能礼能智，由此能圣能神，能文能武。如果通达这个原理，就是凡父凡母交合，凝结成一个胎原。
仙道自结丹头之后，也有一物如豆子大小，感觉在脐下跳动。只有这命宝是上天所秘藏的。圣贤仙佛留下的丹经子书，都不肯明言直论，而是用巧妙的比喻和意象，成千上万种名称，无非是指这个物体，无非是指这个窍穴。如果不明白这个窍穴，却想修道，真是像涉水去捕捉鸡兔，登山去寻找鱼龙一样徒劳。张三丰祖师说：修炼不知道玄关，就像进入黑暗房间一样。如果不知道玄关，那么从何处采取？从何处烹炼？真种从何处寻觅？药物从何处产生？炉鼎从何处建立？周天从何处运行？阳火从何处进？阴符从何处退？卯酉从何处沐浴？小周天始终的功夫，无不是在玄关上用事。如果通达这个原理，就是圣父灵母交合，凝结成一个玄关。紫阳真人说：此窍非凡窍，乾坤共合成，说的就是这个。凡道没有胎原，就不能生男生女；仙道没有玄关，又怎么能成佛作祖呢？学人先要明白玄关的道理，然后才进行功法练习。心里有了主宰，得到这个方法，就至简至易；没有得到这个方法，就越繁越难。自己知道一天必有一地，一日必有一月，一男必有一女，一龙必有一虎，一龟必有一蛇，一雄必有一雌，一阴必有一阳。《易经》说：一阴一阳之谓道。吕洞宾说：玄篇种种说阴阳二字，名为万法王。张三丰祖师说：女子无夫为怨女，男子无妻是旷夫。天下万事万物没有不对应的。如果能知道二八同类，三五合一，自然能举一反三，豁然贯通。再加上平时熟读丹经，仔细参悟，就没有不明白的了。后来信心更加坚定，功夫修行更加笃实，就像拨开云雾而见到天日一样。葛洪（抱朴子）说：世上或许有喜好修道的人，没见到这个方法，没遇到真正的师父，就没有途径听闻天下有这样奇妙的事情。少年时下手，立刻见效验。如果不能顷刻见效，就是伪师，哄弄愚夫，哪里值得相信呢？
然而道有三秘：一是采取，二是药物，三是火候。三者之外，更有玄关。张三丰所谓“不识玄关端的处，真铅采来何处安”。只知道玄关，而不知道采取，正如紫阳真人所说“铅遇癸生须急采，金逢望远不堪尝”。只知道采取，而不知道药物，正如紫阳真人所说“鼎内若无真种子，犹将水火煮空铛”。只知道采取、药物、玄关，而不知道火候，正如上阳子所说“外火虽动而内联符闭息不应，枉费神功”。至于逐节功夫，文武火候也像算法一样，九九八十一归除。其中细微之处，教人见子打子（顺势而为）。于是调息的方法，人能知道进气，心就会越来越细，气就会越来越微，只需数十息，多则百余息，自然气伏于下元，那么呼吸就长而远了。出于三焦之上，呼吸就短而急促了。所以灵龟能活千岁，是善于调息的缘故。常常将日光下照，海水自然上潮。潮信到来，先天气就产生。《入药镜》说：先天气，后天气，得之者，常似醉，就是这个意思。天气下降，地气上升，万物始生。男精和于女血，胎原始成。丹道也是如此。许逊（旌阳祖）说：与君说破我家风，太阳移在月明中。又说：日精若与月华合，自有真铅出世来。柯怀经说：日里金乌，飞入广寒。这所说的就是心中的阴气，去调和肾中的阳气。阴气得到这个阳气，就有安身立命之所了。朝元子说：南边血是砂中汞，北畔精为水内铅。柯怀经说：风吹杨柳铅情现，雨洒桃花汞性开。马自然说：铅汞鼎中居，烧成无价珠。都来两个字，了尽万家书。钟离权（钟离翁）说：除却铅汞两味药，其他都是诳愚迷。
想要修炼先天大道，妙在一阳下手。冬至是一年中的一阳，月亮出庚是一月中的一阳，子时是一昼夜中的一阳。学人，必须明白我身中的一阳。身中的一阳即外肾勃起。无念而举是为清，有念而举是为浊。难道不探究吗？柯怀经说：一阳初动自心知，正是丹家下手时。华阳祖师说：阳生之时即起手之时。能在这个时候下手，又有什么疑惑呢？铅返之际，运一点汞，以迎接它。这是凝神入气的时刻。每日行功，须藉巽风（呼吸之气）吹嘘，则铅尽化为气矣。栖云先生说：人吃五谷，化为阴精不曾炼，此物在里面作怪。只用丹田自然呼吸之气吹动其中真火，水在上，火在下，水得火自然化而为气。其气上腾熏蒸，传透一身之关窍，流通百脉，烧得里头神嚎鬼哭，将阴精炼尽，阴魔消散矣。又觅元子说：阴精者，五谷饮食之精。苟非巽风坤火猛烹极炼，此精必在身中，思想淫欲，搅乱心君。务要凝神调息，使橐龠鼓风，而风吹火，烹炼阴精，化而为气。其武火能采取，又能炼铅；文火能温养，又能益汞。古人谓之文烹武炼，就是这个意思。所谓巽风者，是后天呼吸之气，乃母气也。先天真一之气，乃子气也。以母气伏子气，如猫捕鼠，见贼即擒，则用风之法得也。子时用武火，他时用文火。用橐龠为武火，不用橐龠为文火。然而火候未得师父传授，终究难以自知。天道无一息不运，丹道无一息不行。必要行到无息，方成一个大丹。而先天之气，来自虚无，真正迅速。若起大明觉，则入于后天，非先天清真之气也。倘稍迟，即转经化为浊精而泄，亦无所用矣。《悟真篇》说：见之不可用，用之不可见，恍惚里相逢，杳冥中有变。古人比喻亲切，今人心内糊涂，反谓丹经不曾直说，良可叹也。每当活子时，外形勃起，神入气穴，用武火猛炼。少顷阳痿，用文火温养。或一月之间，或百日之期，则我身内之玄关，自然透露矣。天秩老师说：人能知铅汞二物，合成一物，则玄关始立矣。柯怀经说：玄关本无，待神气交而后有。上阳子说：两者相形，一物生焉。《五化篇》说：阴阳相搏，芝菌无根而生也；燥湿相育，蝤蛴不母而产也。以上言立玄关之法也。老子说：恍恍惚惚，其中有物；杳杳冥冥，其中有精。庄子说：北溟有鱼，其名为鲲。魏伯阳说：知白守黑，神明自来。丹经说：真铅真汞，人不识，露出一钩清净月。此章言玄关初立，则五阴之下，一阳始生也。张三丰祖师说：玄关往来无定位。又说：黄庭一路皆玄关。此二句盖言玄关透露已久，活活泼泼，曾无定向。纯阳祖师说：玄牝玄牝真玄牝，不在心兮不在肾。穷取生身受气初，莫怪天机都泄尽。《悟真篇》说：劝君穷取生身处，返本还原是药王。此二段，言透露玄关之所，则男子之气穴，与妇人之子宫，是也。而气穴子宫，其地一也，其位同也。间有不同者，只是中间颠倒颠耳。如何是中间？程子说：不偏不倚是也。知此道者，则曰：君子中庸。不知此道者则曰：小人反中庸。如何是颠倒？《易经》说：地天泰是也。既知颠倒颠，则可以盗天地之机，而成造化。程伊川说：若非窃造化之机，安能长生乎？《阴符经》说：其盗机也。能知盗机者，而命由我，不由天矣。
且夫六合内一虚窍者，则上天下地交媾，于虚窍之中。东日西月，运行于虚窍之外，而万物得以生生无穷。实因天地之交感，日月之营运也。虽天地交感，日月营运，若无土为根基，而万物何以发生乎？然五行无土则不全，五金无土则不生，五谷无土则不实，金丹无土则不成。金丹之始终全赖真土以成功。盖土者意也。却非后天之意，乃先天之真意也。尹真人说：真意者，干元也。乃天地之母，阴阳之根，水火之本，日月之源。终在玄关处交媾何也？东亭答曰：不在玄关处交媾，根基何所立焉？《金碧古文》说：上弦金八两，下弦水半斤。两弦媾其精，乾坤体乃成。即此义也。天秩老师说：修炼功勤者，效验极速。只消三两月，多则百余日，玄窍补足。其物上至心宫，下至肾府，纵横顺逆，莫可遮拦。庄子说：化而为鸟，其名为鹏。丹经所谓菩提子，又谓舍利子，又谓黍米玄珠，又谓人参果，异名极多，无非喻我身中之种子也。无非喻我身中之玄关也。无非喻我身中之太极也。学人，炼至此，切勿犯淫。如有犯淫等事，大则必死，小则必疯，可不戒之。
The beginning of the Great Dao lies in Xingming (Nature and Life). When Nature and Life are united as one, one grasps the key to cultivation.
Wang Dongting said: Among all studies, none is greater than the study of Xingming. However, the learning of Xingming has remained obscure in the world for a long time. Therefore, today I will elucidate the profound principles of Xingming.
Generally speaking, before one's parents gave birth, one's original state was a unity of Xing and Ming. Only when the fetal qi is complete after ten months, with the form moving and the amniotic sac rupturing—like falling from a high mountain with a "thud"—does Xingming separate into two at this point. From then on, Xing cannot see Ming, and Ming cannot see Xing. From youth to maturity, from maturity to old age, and from old age to death. Thus, the sages of ancient times, moved by great compassion, taught later generations of learners how to re-enter the womb and recreate their own Xing and Ming. By placing one's Shen (Spirit) and Qi (Vital Energy) within the aperture and uniting them as one, the ancients called this "dual cultivation of Xing and Ming." Dual cultivation of Xing and Ming constitutes the Immortal Dao. The sexual union of men and women constitutes the Mundane Dao. Although the Mundane Dao and the Immortal Dao differ in practice, their underlying principle is the same. In the Mundane Dao, woman marries man; in the Immortal Dao, man "marries" woman. In the Mundane Dao, Mercury (representing Yang/Spirit) goes to seek Lead (representing Yin/Essence); in the Immortal Dao, Lead comes to embrace Mercury. The Mundane Dao corresponds to the Hexagram Wei Ji (Before Completion), while the Immortal Dao corresponds to the Hexagram Ji Ji (After Completion). The Mundane Dao follows the direction of natural progression (Shun), whereas the Immortal Dao follows the direction of reversal (Ni). Following the natural path leads to birth and death; reversing through cultivation ensures eternal existence.
In the Mundane Dao, after a woman becomes pregnant, there is an object the size of a bean that pulses below the navel. Medical texts call this the "Fetal Origin" (Taiyuan). The Fetal Origin is the source of the human body. From it arise the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, the four limbs and hundred bones, the ability to see and hear, to hold and walk, to practice benevolence and righteousness, propriety and wisdom, to become sage-like and divine, literate and martial. To understand this principle is to recognize the union of mundane father and mother condensing into a single Fetal Origin.
Similarly, in the Immortal Dao, after the formation of the Dan head, there is also an object the size of a bean pulsing below the navel. This "Treasure of Life" is kept secret by Heaven. Sages, Immortals, Buddhas, and Deities left behind alchemical classics and subtexts but refused to speak plainly. Instead, they used clever metaphors and imagery, creating thousands of names, all referring to this object and this aperture. If one does not understand this aperture yet wishes to cultivate the Dao, it is like trying to catch chickens and rabbits in water or searching for fish and dragons on a mountain. Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "If one does not know the Xuanqiao (Mysterious Aperture) during cultivation, it is like entering a dark room." If one does not know the Xuanqiao, from where does one extract? From where does one refine? Where is the True Seed sought? Where do the Medicines originate? Where is the Furnace and Cauldron established? Where is the Microcosmic Orbit circulated? Where does Yang Fire advance? Where does Yin Talisman retreat? Where is the bathing process at Mao and You? All stages of the Small Microcosmic Orbit rely entirely on the Xuanqiao. Understanding this principle is akin to the spiritual union of Sage Father and Spirit Mother condensing into a Xuanqiao. Purple Yellow True Person said: "This aperture is no ordinary aperture; together with Heaven and Earth, it is formed." Without the Fetal Origin, the Mundane Dao cannot produce sons and daughters; without the Xuanqiao, how can the Immortal Dao enable one to become a Buddha or Ancestor? Learners must first understand the principle of the Xuanqiao before practicing. With mental mastery and this method, the path is extremely simple and easy; without it, the path becomes increasingly complex and difficult. One knows that every day has its corresponding place, every month has its cycle, every male has his female counterpart, every dragon has his tiger, every turtle has his snake, every male has his female, every Yin has its Yang. The *I Ching* states: "One Yin and one Yang is called the Dao." Lü Dongbin said: "The mysterious chapters discuss Yin and Yang extensively, naming them the King of Ten Thousand Methods." Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "A woman without a husband is a resentful woman; a man without a wife is a widower." All things in the world have counterparts. If one understands the similarity of 'two eights' and the unity of 'three and five,' one will naturally comprehend everything upon hearing one thing, achieving sudden enlightenment. Coupled with diligent reading and careful contemplation of alchemical classics, nothing will remain unclear. As faith strengthens, practice deepens, like clearing clouds to see the sun and moon. Ge Hong (Baopuzi) noted: "Some who love the Dao may not encounter this method or a true master, thus never hearing of such wonders." Starting young yields immediate results. If there are no instant results, it is a false teacher deceiving fools; such claims are unworthy of belief.
However, the Dao has three secrets: Extraction, Medicine, and Fire Timing. Beyond these three lies the Xuanqiao. As Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "Not knowing the exact location of the Xuanqiao, where can True Lead be placed?" Knowing only the Xuanqiao but not Extraction is like Purple Yellow True Person's warning: "When Lead meets Gui (water/Yin), extract urgently; if Gold waits too far, it is unfit for tasting." Knowing only Extraction but not Medicine is like: "Without the True Seed in the cauldron, one merely boils an empty pot with water and fire." Knowing Extraction, Medicine, and Xuanqiao but not Fire Timing is like Shangyang Zi's warning: "Although external fire moves, internal talismans close and breath stops, wasting spiritual effort." Each stage of work involves Wen (Civil/Gentle) and Wu (Martial/Intense) fire timing, calculated like arithmetic (9x9=81 divisions). The subtleties teach one to act according to circumstances. Regarding breathing regulation: knowing how to inhale makes the mind finer and Qi more subtle. After dozens or over a hundred breaths, Qi naturally settles in the Lower Yuan, making respiration long and distant. If Qi rises above the Triple Burner, respiration becomes short and hurried. Thus, the spiritual tortoise lives for a thousand years due to skilled breathing regulation. Just as sunlight shines down causing seawater to rise, when the tide arrives, Pre-Heaven Qi arises. The *Jingyi* says: "Pre-Heaven Qi and Post-Heaven Qi; those who obtain them feel perpetually intoxicated." When Heavenly Qi descends and Earthly Qi ascends, all things begin to grow. Male essence harmonizes with female blood, forming the Fetal Origin. Alchemy is the same. Patriarch Xu Xun said: "Let me reveal my family tradition: The Sun shifts into the Moonlight." And: "If Solar Essence merges with Lunar Radiance, True Lead emerges from the world." Ke Huaijing said: "The Golden Crow in the Sun flies into Guanghan Palace." This refers to the Yin Qi of the Heart going to harmonize with the Yang Qi of the Kidney. When Yin Qi receives this Yang Qi, it finds a place to settle and live. Chaoyuanzi said: "Blood on the south is Mercury in cinnabar; Essence on the north is Lead in water." Ke Huaijing said: "Wind blowing willows reveals Lead's emotion; rain sprinkling peaches opens Mercury's nature." Ma Ziran said: "Lead and Mercury reside in the cauldron, burned into priceless pearls. It all comes down to two words, resolving ten thousand families' books." Zhongli Quan said: "Apart from Lead and Mercury, other medicines deceive the foolish."
To cultivate the Pre-Heaven Great Dao, the wonder lies in acting when "One Yang" arises. Winter Solstice is the One Yang of the year; the moon appearing at Geng is the One Yang of the month; Zi hour is the One Yang of the day. Learners must understand the One Yang within their body. The One Yang within the body is the erection of the external kidneys. Erection without thought is clear; erection with thought is turbid. Is this not worth investigating? Ke Huaijing said: "When One Yang first stirs, one knows it from the heart; this is precisely the time for alchemists to begin." Patriarch Huayang said: "The time of Yang generation is the time to start. Acting at this moment, what doubts remain?" When Lead returns, move a bit of Mercury to welcome it. This chapter describes Shen entering Qi. Daily practice requires the wind of Xun (breath) to blow, turning Lead entirely into Qi. Mr. Qiyun said: "Humans eat five grains, transforming them into Yin Essence. If not refined, this object causes trouble inside. Use only the natural breathing Qi of the Dantian to stir the True Fire within. Water is above, Fire is below; Water gets Fire and naturally transforms into Qi. This Qi rises and steams, penetrating all apertures and circulating through hundred vessels, burning until spirits wail and ghosts cry, refining Yin Essence completely, dissipating Yin Demons." You Miyuanzi said: "Yin Essence is the essence of five grains and food. Unless subjected to intense cooking and refining by Xun Wind and Kun Fire, this essence remains in the body, stirring up lustful thoughts and disturbing the Heart Monarch. One must focus Shen and regulate breath, making the bellows blow wind, so wind blows fire, cooking Yin Essence into Qi. Martial Fire can extract and refine Lead; Civil Fire can nourish and benefit Mercury. The ancients called this Civil Cooking and Martial Refining."
What is called Xun Wind is Post-Heaven breathing Qi, which is the Mother Qi. Pre-Heaven True One Qi is the Son Qi. Using Mother Qi to subdue Son Qi is like a cat catching a mouse, seizing the thief immediately; this is the method of using wind. Use Martial Fire at Zi hour, Civil Fire at other times. Using the bellows is Martial Fire; not using the bellows is Civil Fire. However, without a master's instruction on fire timing, it is hard to know oneself. Heaven's Dao operates without a pause; Alchemy proceeds without a break. One must reach the state of no breath to achieve the Great Dan. Pre-Heaven Qi comes from emptiness and is truly rapid. If conscious awareness arises, one enters Post-Heaven, losing the pure Pre-Heaven Qi. If delayed even slightly, it transforms into turbid essence and leaks, becoming useless. The *Wuzhen Pian* says: "What is seen cannot be used; what is used cannot be seen. They meet in illusion; changes occur in darkness." The ancients used apt metaphors. Today, people are confused internally, claiming alchemical classics never spoke directly. Truly lamentable. Whenever the Living Zi Hour occurs, with external erection, Shen enters the Qi Aperture, using Martial Fire for intense refinement. After a short while, flaccidity occurs; use Civil Fire for nourishment. Within a month or hundred days, the Xuanqiao within the body will naturally reveal itself. Teacher Tianzhi said: "If one knows that Lead and Mercury combine into one substance, the Xuanqiao is established." Ke Huaijing said: "The Xuanqiao originally does not exist; it exists only after Shen and Qi intersect." Shangyang Zi said: "When two aspects interact, one substance is born." The *Wuhua Pian* says: "Yin and Yang contend, mushrooms grow without roots; dryness and moisture nurture, larvae are born without mothers." These describe the method of establishing the Xuanqiao. Laozi said: "Huanghuang huhu, there is something within; yaoyao mingming, there is essence within." Zhuangzi said: "In the Northern Sea there is a fish, named Kun." Wei Boyang said: "Know the White, keep to the Black, and Divine Intelligence will come naturally." Alchemical classics say: "True Lead and True Mercury, unrecognized by humans, reveal a hook of pure clear moon." This chapter discusses the initial establishment of the Xuanqiao, where under five Yins, one Yang begins to generate. Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng said: "The Xuanqiao comes and goes without fixed position." And: "The entire Huangting pathway is the Xuanqiao." These two lines imply the Xuanqiao has been revealed for a long time, lively and dynamic, without fixed orientation. Pure Yang Patriarch said: "Xuanpin, Xuanpin, true Xuanpin, neither in the heart nor in the kidney. Seek deeply the beginning of receiving life and Qi; do not blame that heavenly secrets are fully disclosed." The *Wuzhen Pian* says: "Advise you to seek deeply your place of birth; returning to the root and restoring the origin is the King of Medicines." These two sections describe the location of the revealed Xuanqiao: the Qi Aperture of men and the Uterus of women. The Qi Aperture and Uterus share the same ground and position. Differences lie only in the "inverted inversion" in the middle. What is the middle? Master Cheng said: "Unbiased and unswerving is the middle." Those who know this Dao say: "The Gentleman practices the Mean." Those who do not know this Dao say: "The Petty Man violates the Mean." What is the inversion? The *I Ching* says: "Di Tian Tai (Peace) is it." Having understood the inverted inversion, one can steal the mechanism of Heaven and Earth and accomplish creation. Cheng Yi said: "Unless one steals the mechanism of creation, how can one achieve longevity?" The *Yinfu Jing* says: "Its stealing mechanism..." Those who know the stealing mechanism make their destiny depend on themselves, not on Heaven.
Within the six directions, there is one void aperture. Here, Heaven and Earth interact within the void aperture. The East Sun and West Moon operate outside the void aperture, allowing all things to generate endlessly. This is truly due to the interaction of Heaven and Earth and the operation of Sun and Moon. Even with Heaven and Earth interacting and Sun and Moon operating, without Earth (Soil) as the foundation, how would all things arise? If the Five Elements lack Earth, they are incomplete; if the Five Metals lack Earth, they do not grow; if the Five Grains lack Earth, they are not substantial; if the Golden Dan lacks Earth, it cannot form. The beginning and end of the Golden Dan rely entirely on True Earth to succeed. Earth represents Intent (Yi). Yet this is not Post-Heaven intent, but Pre-Heaven True Intent. True Person Yin said: "True Intent is the Creative Force (Qianyuan). It is the Mother of Heaven and Earth, the Root of Yin and Yang, the Basis of Water and Fire, the Source of Sun and Moon." Why does the final interaction occur at the Xuanqiao? Dongting answered: "If the interaction does not occur at the Xuanqiao, where is the foundation established?" The *Jinbi Guwen* says: "Upper half-moon Gold eight taels, lower half-moon Water half a jin. The two halves intertwine their essence, and the structure of Heaven and Earth is formed." This is the meaning. Teacher Tianzhi said: "For those diligent in cultivation, results appear very quickly. In just three months, or at most over a hundred days, the Mysterious Aperture is filled. Its substance rises to the Heart Palace and descends to the Kidney Mansion, flowing longitudinally, transversely, forward, and backward, unstoppable." Zhuangzi said: "Transformed into a bird, its name is Peng." Alchemical classics refer to this as Bodhi Seed, Relic Seed, Millet Pearl, Ginseng Fruit, etc. There are many names, all metaphorically referring to the seed within the body, the Xuanqiao within the body, and the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) within the body. Learners, when cultivating to this stage, must absolutely avoid sexual misconduct. If one commits such acts, severe consequences mean death, minor ones mean madness. Can one not beware?