Tianyinzi's Health Preservation Book

The first "Gradual School" of Sima Chengzhen, the "I Ching", has the hexagram of gradual. Lao Shi has the "Gradual School". A person's cultivation and realization of nature cannot be achieved through sudden enlightenment; they must progress gradually and proceed calmly. Therefore, the "Gradual School" is established. The first is to fast, the second is to stay in peace, the third is to meditate, the fourth is to sit and forget, and the fifth is to understand the mind. What is fasting? It is said: "Purify the body and keep a humble mind." What does it mean to be at ease? It is said: To live deep in a quiet room. What is contemplation? It is said: To settle one's mind and restore one's nature. What is meant by "sitting and forgetting"? It is said: "Forgetting one's form and self." What is divine interpretation? It is said: All laws connect with the divine. Therefore, those who practice these five aspects are called the gates of the five gradual steps. If you start with one, then gradually move on to two. After two, it gradually increases to three. When it reaches three, it gradually increases to four. When it reaches the fourth point, it gradually progresses to the fifth, and the immortal is accomplished. The second fast is not merely a diet of vegetables and grains. Bathing the body is not merely about taking a hot bath to remove dirt. The essence of the method lies in the regulation of diet and the smooth flow of friction. The lady, endowed with the energy of the five elements, consumed the foods of the five elements and thus gave birth to a physical form. Breathing essence and blood, how can one seek immortality by eating! However, the world does not know that the practice of "stopping food and conserving energy" in Taoism is a matter of moderation and does not mean to completely stop eating grains forever. When it comes to food, there is a practice of fasting. Fasting is a matter of purity, and fasting is a term for self-discipline. When hungry, eat immediately. Do not eat until you are full. This is what is called moderation. Do not eat unripe flavors, do not eat too many flavors, and do not eat rotten and breath-holding foods. All these should be avoided. Frequent rubbing of the hands against the skin warms it up and dispels cold air. This is what is called "refreshing the exterior". Sitting for long periods, standing for long periods and engaging in strenuous labor are all advisable to avoid. This is a method for regulating the body and mind. When the body is firm, the qi is complete. Therefore, fasting is the first step in the gradual approach. What is the third aspect of "An chu"? It is said that it does not mean having a grand hall or a spacious couch. One should sit facing south and sleep with the east head, achieving a balance of Yin and Yang and a balance of light and shade. A house has no height; if it is tall, it will have abundant sunlight and much brightness. A house should not be humble; if it is humble, it will be full of shade and darkness. Therefore, too much brightness harms the soul, while too much darkness harms the spirit. The soul of a person is Yang while the spirit is Yin. If it is injured by light or darkness, illness will arise. Therefore, the room where one resides must be able to embrace the energy of heaven and earth. If excessive Yang attacks the muscles and excessive Yin invades the body, wouldn't that be harmful? If one does not follow the gradual process of self-cultivation, it is not the way to be at ease. Therefore, it is said that in my room, Windows are on all four sides. They close when the wind blows and open when the wind stops. The seat I sat in had a front curtain and a back screen. If it was too bright, I would lower the curtain to reflect the inside; if it was too dark, I would roll up the curtain to allow the outside light to shine. When the heart is at peace internally and the eyes are at peace externally, both the mind and the heart are at peace, and then the body is at peace. The light and shade are still there, but there are too many worries and too many desires. How can one keep the inner and outer self at ease? Therefore, when learning the Tao, the second priority is to find a stable place. The fourth "storage" means to store my spirit, and "thinking" means to think of my body. Close your eyes and you will see your own eyes; close your mind and you will see your own heart. When the heart and the eyes do not depart from the body and do not harm the spirit, it is the gradual accumulation of thoughts. Ordinary people keep their eyes fixed on others all day long. Therefore, the heart also wanders outward. The heart is always engaged in other matters, so the eyes also tend to look outward. The fleeting light never shines again. How could one not fall ill but die? Therefore, returning to the root is called stillness, stillness is called returning to one's destiny, maintaining one's nature is the gateway to all the wonders. With this gradual accumulation of thoughts, half of the effort in learning the Tao has been achieved. The fifth "sitting in oblivion" refers to forgetting due to contemplation. To walk the path without seeing its actions is not the meaning of sitting. To have a view but not to put it into practice, is it not the meaning of forgetting? What does "no" mean? It is said: Because the mind remains still. What does "not seeing" mean? It is said: All forms are dissolved. Or they may ask: How can the mind remain still? Tian Yinzi remained silent and did not answer. Then he asked: How could all the forms be lost? Tian Yinzi meddled and did not look. Or, upon attaining enlightenment, one may retreat and say, "The fruit of the Tao lies within me!" Who am I? Who is Tianyin Ziguo? So I forgot both of us, and there was nothing to reflect on. The sixth fast of the divine understanding is called faith understanding, being at ease is called leisure understanding, keeping thoughts is called wisdom understanding, sitting and forgetting is called concentration understanding. When the four gates of faith, concentration, leisure and wisdom are in harmony with the divine, it is called divine understanding. The righteousness of the divine comes without effort, without haste but with speed. Yin and Yang adapt flexibly, heaven and earth last forever. When it combines the three elements, it is called Yi; when it integrates all things, it is called morality; when it comes to the original nature, it is called true suchness. Enter the Four True Suchnesses and return to non-action. Therefore, Tianyin Zi was born and died within the I Ching, driven by all things, still by all things, evil by one nature, and steadfast by one nature. Thus, I interpret life and death, movement and stillness, evil and steadfast by the divine. Among people, they are called human immortals; in the sky, they are called celestial immortals; on the earth, they are called earth immortals. Therefore, the ways of immortals all converge into one school. Note: The above article was kindly provided by the forum user "Huayi Sanren".