Sun Simiao's Health Preservation - Defying the Mundane to Seek Immortality

The so-called anti-vulgarity means to act against the mundane. When many people speak loudly, I speak sparingly; when many people are complicated, I take notes; when many people are violent, I do not get angry. I do not let my mind be burdened by nothing, nor do I follow the conventions of the world. I remain calm and inactive, self-satisfied with my spirit. If I take this as the elixir of life, no one in the world will know. Sun Simiao summarized his various methods of health preservation with the two words "going against vulgality". Whether it is "conserving the spirit", "loving the qi", "nourishing the body", "being cautious in speech", "controlling diet", "guiding and breathing exercises", or "controlling sexual activity", although they are all specific methods of "not going against the pleasures of one's nature and being able to follow the way of looking up and down, not giving up the preferences of the eyes and ears and being able to look around", they are not easy to implement in practice. Because these health preservation methods are always contrary to the customs and conventions of The Times. Therefore, if a person lacks the courage and determination to go against the common folk, it is probably impossible for them to truly follow Sun Simiao's requirements for health preservation. Ji Kang of the Western Jin Dynasty once said, "There are five difficulties in maintaining good health," and Sun Simiao most agreed with this. These five difficulties best illustrate the significance of going against customs for health preservation. The desire for fame and fortune is inherent in everyone. The pursuit of fame and fortune, along with the loss of oneself, is the greatest of the mundane world. However, health preservation experts demand to completely abandon the desire for fame and fortune, and "be either alive or dead when it comes to fame and fortune." To be indifferent and inactive is to go against the mundane, but it is also very difficult. The seven emotions of joy and anger are inherent in human nature. When emotions arise, they burst forth spontaneously, sometimes filled with uncontrollable joy, sometimes with hair standing on end in anger, sometimes with grief and weeping, and sometimes with lingering worry and confusion. Health preservation experts require the regulation of joy, anger and the seven emotions, "suppressing anger to preserve Yin and suppressing joy to nourish Yang." If one is not a sage who has achieved enlightenment, can one transcend the three realms? This is the second difficulty in maintaining good health and going against the norm. The sound and color are not restrained, and the music and bamboo are melodious, charming and captivating, graceful and graceful, gentle and alluring. Who could be a tough man, but his heart would not be moved? However, it is not difficult for health preservation experts to suppress sexual desires, stay away from the curtains, and reduce emotional pleasures, going against customs! The endless flavors of life are the four hardships. In this world, eating, drinking, playing and having fun, these are the long-lasting aspects of the mundane world. Delicious dishes, delicacies from the mountains and the sea, with a satisfying taste and a full stomach right on the plate. Who would like to be an ascetic? However, health preservation experts demand a frugal diet, light flavors, and a diet that is plain and simple. It is also difficult for such a diet to go against the norm. The world is cold and indifferent, human feelings are thin, and people are full of deception and scheming. If one missteps and leads to total loss, how can one not be meticulous and deliberate, with long-term plans and deep calculations? However, health preservation experts advocate a state of detachment and tranquility, purity and non-action, to restore the spirit and energy. This unconventional approach to dealing with the world is known as the Five Difficulties. Those who wish to maintain good health should know these five difficulties. By getting rid of them and doing the opposite, the difficult can be turned into the easy. Those who can break away from the mundane can discuss health preservation with others. Those who can defy the mundane can live up to their prime years.