The Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit through the Four Qi

In the third month of spring, this is called "growth and renewal". The universe is only alive, and all things thrive. One goes to bed at night and gets up early, walks widely in the courtyard, and slowly forms with hair to inspire one's will. One should live without killing, give without taking, reward without punishing. This is the response to the spring energy and the way of health preservation. If it goes against the trend, it will harm the liver. In summer, it is a cold transformation, and there will be fewer elders to serve. In the third month of summer, this is called Cao Xiu. The energy of heaven and earth is in harmony, all things are flourishing and bearing fruit. One goes to bed at night and gets up early, never tired of the day, keeping one's mind free from anger, making one's talents grow into beauty, and allowing one's energy to be released. If one loves something outside, this is the response of the summer energy, the way to nourish and grow. If one goes against it, it will cause sadness. In autumn, it is prone to malaria, and there are few people who offer it. In winter, it will lead to serious illness. In the third month of autumn, this is called a period of peace and tranquility. The weather is rapid and the earth's energy is clear. One goes to bed early and gets up early, rising together with the rooster. To calm the mind, to alleviate the autumn punishments, to gather the spirit, to make the autumn energy even and free from external desires, to make the lung energy clear, this is the response to the autumn energy, the way of nourishing and conserving. If it goes against this, it will harm the lungs. In winter, it will cause diarrhea, and few people will serve and store it. In the three months of winter, this is called "closing and storing". Water, ice and earth are all exposed, not disturbing the Yang. One goes to bed early and gets up late, waiting for the sunlight. One's mind is kept calm and hidden. If there is any private intention, if it has already been obtained, one should dispel the cold and seek warmth, not let the skin leak, and make the qi rush away. This is the response to the winter qi and the way of nourishing and storing. If it goes against the trend, it will harm the kidneys. In spring, there will be fatigue and fainting, and few people will support life. The weather is pure and bright. Its virtue never ceases, and thus it does not descend. When the sky is bright, the sun and the moon are not clear. Evil invades the empty orifices. The Yang energy is blocked, the earth energy is bright, and the clouds and mists are not clear. Then the white dew above should not be absorbed. If transportation is not carried out, all things will not be carried out. If it is not carried out, many famous trees will die, evil spirits will not be released, wind and rain will not be regulated, and white dew will not fall. Then the garden will not thrive. When the evil wind comes several times and the heavy rain falls several times, the four seasons of heaven and earth do not protect each other. If they are out of step with the Dao, they will never cease to exist. Only the sage follows, thus the body has no self. The same below. When a strange disease occurs, all things remain intact and vitality never ceases. If one goes against the spring qi, the Shaoyang will not be generated and the liver qi will change internally. If one goes against the summer energy, the sun won't last long and the heart energy will be blocked. If one goes against the autumn qi, the Taiyin will not be restrained and the lung qi will be filled with excess. When the winter energy is reversed, there will be less obstruction and no retention, and the kidney energy will sink alone. The Yin and Yang of the four seasons are the foundation of all things. Therefore, the sage nourishes Yang in spring and summer and Yin in autumn and winter to follow their roots. Thus, he rises and falls with all things at the gate of growth. If one goes against the root, it will replace the essence and destroy the truth. Therefore, Yin and Yang and the four seasons are the beginning and end of all things and the origin of life and death. If one goes against it, disasters will arise; if one follows it, harsh diseases will not occur. This is what is called attaining the Tao. The Way is practiced by the sages and admired by the fools. If one follows Yin and Yang, one lives; if one goes against them, one dies. If one follows them, one is in order; if one goes against them, one is in chaos. To go against them is to go against them. This is called the inner principle. Therefore, the sage treats the root cause of the disease rather than the existing one, and the root cause of the disorder rather than the existing one. This is what it means. When a disease has already developed, then medicine is prescribed; when chaos has already occurred, then treatment is carried out. It is like crossing a well when thirsty or forging an cone when fighting. Isn't it too late?