Volume Five The ultimate truth

Baopuzi said: Subtle and hard to recognize, many are puzzled. How could my intelligence surpass that of others? Occasionally, there may be a partial understanding, just like a crane knowing the night and a swallow knowing the day of Wu Si, but it may not reach other matters. There is also a verification to know that immortality is achievable and that immortals have no ears of seeds. The subtleties of the Dao cannot be fully described, and its proximity is also beyond description. In the past, Geng Sang GUI Zi, Wen Zi Li Yan, worked hard for a long time and finally received the great instruction. There must be a reason for this. If one raises his head and holds his breath, who would not be glad to live and fear death? However, the allure of wealth and power lures his mind, the allure of plain beauty and fair skin confuses his eyes, the clarity of business flow confuses his ears, love and hate, interests and gains stir his spirit, and fame and fortune restrict his body. All these come without being summoned, and are accomplished without learning. They are not destined to become immortals. They are ignorant of reason and have a unique perspective, knowing how to adapt beyond the mundane. They are clear and distant, concerned about the closeness and distance of their own names, and yearn for the speed of lightning in the crevices. How can they abandon the pursuit of credit, suppress their hobbies, and cut off their immediate desires? What a distant feat that is hard to achieve? Existence arises from non-existence, and form must be established by spirit. What exists is the palace of non-existence. Form is the abode of the spirit. Therefore, it is compared to an embankment; when the embankment is broken, no water will be retained. If the direction is placed on a candle, when the candle is dim, the fire will no longer reside. When the body is overworked, the spirit scatters; when the energy is exhausted, life comes to an end. When the roots are exhausted and the branches are abundant, the green trees will wither away. When the spirit is exhausted and desires to prevail, the spirit will leave the body. When a man passes away, there is no reverse date. Once he decays and loses his life, a person who has achieved enlightenment should truly grieve. How could there be a reason for valuing Yin over jade? Therefore, in the mountains and forests where one cultivates one's nature, there are those who are proud of the mundane. They are more noble than warts, for all things are like cicada wings. How can one make grandiose statements and thus underestimate the nature of the world? I have truly understood what I have seen, so I have abandoned it as if I had forgotten it. Therefore, one can retreat to secluded and secluded places, hide the scale and cover the algae, suppress the eyes that desire to see, dispel the colors that damage the clarity, suppress the ears that listen to the sounds that cause confusion, cleanse the dark, guard the female and embrace the single, concentrate one's energy to be gentle, keep a peaceful and simple state, dispel the evil emotions of joy and sorrow, external gains and losses, honor and disgrace, cut off the poison of life, quiet many words to the center, listen and then understand thoroughly, look inward and then see the non-self, nourish the spiritual root in the netherworld, eliminate the temptation and admiration in contact with things, and reduce the shallow affairs. To control the pleasure 慔, to do nothing, to fulfill the natural order of heaven. My father absorbed the precious flowers, bathed the gods in the supreme clarity, removed the five stars externally, guarded the nine essence internally, held the jade key at the life gate, formed the North Pole at the Yellow court, led the three scenes at the bright hall, flew the primordial to refine the form, collected the spiritual liquid at the golden beam, dispelled the white and left the green, condensed the clear spring at the dantian, led the deep pearls in the five cities, the yao cauldron bent down 爨, the birds and plants chirped upwards, the brilliant flowers were displayed, the celestial deer exhaled the jade, the heavy rules were carried in the Crimson palace, the nine lights were hidden in the cave and the dark sky, the clouds were dark and thick, reaching the sky The long valley is clear and smooth, walking on tiptoes and dry, summoning the six men, sitting and lying in the purple room, sucking golden flowers, autumn mushrooms, red and green stems, 皛皛 precious ointment, dissolving and filling the sky, quenching hunger and thirst, preventing all kinds of diseases from flaying, free and easy on the day of Wu Si, harmonious and balanced drinking, restraining the soul and spirit, filling the bones and making the body light, thus capable of controlling the clouds and winds to soar through the void, and mixing the body to achieve eternal life. However, the depth of the dust on the beam cannot be measured by a single chisel, and the depth of the mountain 霤 cannot be achieved by the order of nature. The trouble lies in those who hear but do not believe, those who believe but do not act, and those who act but do not listen. Those who obtain it are very eager and keep it hidden; those who fail to do so are at most prominent and become apparent. The world cannot know what is hidden but can only see what is visible. Therefore, it is said that there is no immortal path in the world. Baopuzi said: "If you are cautious, water will not be wasted by sifting; if you have too much fat, fire will not be exposed to the sun. Long spring water will always be sharp without being cut; jin axes will be quickly worn out in daily use; snow will be hidden to avoid the warmth of summer; ice will be stored to stay deep in summer; a single piece of silk will not be scorched by a mirror; all flowers will be partially covered to survive the winter." Clay and soil are prone to decay, but when pottery is used to make tiles, it is as long-lasting as the two instruments. This is the one that decays quickly, but when burnt into charcoal, it will remain unbroken for a hundred million years. The Yuan dolphin, with its superior livestock, dies late; the fine horse, with its swift swimming, dies early; the cold insect, with its own adaptability, doubles its lifespan; the southern forest, with its warm and lush environment, is exhausted by the frost when exposed to evil energy; and becomes lush and elegant when exposed to the harmony of Yang. All things are the same, but their flourishing and withering have different functions. How could there be a fixed limit of autumn harvest and a fixed rule of winter storage? However, the period of life and death for human beings is not like that of plants in cold weather. The principle of prolonging and the way to remedy it is not merely a superficial benefit of warmth, but the effect of long-term observation. Why is this so? It is truly a pity that the world adheres to the old ways, regards the path of immortality as a false existence, and calls the words of the Yellow Elders false. Is it true that a fool would not believe in decoctions, medicines, injections or moxa? How much deeper is this? It is said that Yu Fu, Bian Que and Huan Cang Gong and the like are sure to cure diseases. Why not not die? It is also said that a wealthy and powerful family is not lacking in medical skills, but rather does not live long. This is a matter of natural destiny. It is to blame such people, to make them believe in immortals, that is to make oxen cling to wood and horses chase birds. Baopuzi said: "The three pills of the Soup-summoning Xiaodan, along with the tiny herbs of five grains and eight stones, can either melt hard ice immediately or float on water by themselves. They can cut off ghosts and gods, ward off tigers and leopards, break the accumulation in the internal organs, catch up with the dead, cause sudden death from a corpse, and return the soul to a state of impending death." If all these are ordinary medicines, yet they can bring the dead back to life, then why can't they prevent the living from dying? The Yue people saved the 虢 crown prince from his death, the Hu doctor brought Su Wu back to life when he was dying, Chunyu could manage his skull to regulate his brain, Yuanhua could 刳 his abdomen to 澣 his stomach, Wenzhi Qianqi could 瘳 his body in danger, and Zhongjing could pass through his chest to hold a red cake. These are the simple skills of a doctor. How could they not do the way of immortals? The reason why the lady passed away was due to the loss of her desires, her old age, the harm of various diseases, the poisoning of evil, the injury of evil qi, and the invasion of cold wind. Today, the Dao guides the circulation of qi, restores essence and nourishes the brain. One should eat and drink in moderation, live and work in moderation, take medicine, keep one's mind focused, enforce celestial precepts, wear pendants and talismans, and keep those who harm life at a distance. By doing so, one can avoid these six harms. Nowadays, the medicine "Tongming Shenqi Pills", "Neibu Wuluo SAN", "Gutian Gouqi Decoction", and "Huangshi Jianzhong Decoction" all lead to weight gain when taken. Qi Ye Qing Zhen, who took all kinds of harmful herbs, lived to be two hundred years old. His eyes and ears were sharp and he could even use needles to treat diseases. This is a modern fact recorded in good history. It is also said that there was a man named Wu Pu who received the play of the five birds from Huatuo to guide him and lived for over a hundred years. All these are the most basic forms of medicinal techniques. If they can still achieve such a state, how much more so for those who can utilize their subtleties? Nowadays, it is said by common people that among the four elements, the four can cure cholera. Winter heliotrope and purple gardenia can treat 欬 reverse diseases. Youdaoplaceholder1 reed and guanzhong can relieve nine parasites. Angelica sinensis and paeonia lactiflora can relieve colic. Qin-jiao and Du-huo can eliminate eight kinds of wind. Calamus and dry ginger can stop arthralgia and dampness. Cuspidus and Cistanche can replenish deficiency. Gansui and tingli can expel phlegm. Kuaolou and coptis can quench thirst. Cardamine 苨 and licorice can detoxify a hundred poisons. Reed can increase heat and protect the body. Ephedra and Daqing are the main agents of cold damage. However, the common people still think this is not the case. They would rather kill people and seek blessings, divide the yarrow and ask the evil spirits, and would not believe in the cure of diseases by good doctors. Instead, they use the different methods of witchcraft and history, and even tell them that golden elixirs can save the world and Zhi Ying can prolong life. In the past, Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu, proposed an extraordinary strategy that was unparalleled in his generation. His wisdom was beyond the reach of ordinary people and was even said to be something that could be achieved without death. His intelligence and application were not all inferior to those of the world. He said, "I will abandon the affairs of the human world and travel to the ears of the Red Pine." Then he began to practice Taoism and guide himself. He spent a year in the valley, planning the way of light actions, and under the guidance of Empress Lu, he sought the plan of the Prince An. As he had no choice, he devised a plan to draw the Four Sages. As he said, Empress Lu praised him. And by forcing them to eat it, it makes it impossible for them to understand. According to the secret records of Kong Anguo, the way to obtain the immortality of Huangshi Gong is not merely military strategy. It is also said that Liang Ben was a disciple of the Four Sages. He was a disciple of Mr. Lu Li's Qi Li Ji, all of whom were immortals. Liang all followed his divine prescriptions. Although he was forced by Empress Lu to follow and practice the path of immortality, he secretly saved the world. However, the world did not know him, so it is said that he died. As Kong Anguo said, it is truly a blessing to attain immortality. There was also Zhang Cang, the prime minister of the Han Dynasty. By chance, he obtained a minor skill, Suckling a woman's milk, and lived to be 180 years old. This was due to the thinness of the Dao, but Cang did it and still managed to live three times as long as his average life. Moreover, he was proficient in various skills and practiced all kinds of esoteric techniques. How could he not live a long life? This matter is recorded in the History of the Han Dynasty and is not an empty statement. Baopuzi said: Although taking medicine is the foundation of longevity, if one can also promote the circulation of qi, the benefits will be very rapid. If one cannot obtain medicine but promotes the circulation of qi and fulfills the principle, one can still live for hundreds of years. However, it is also necessary to know the art of the room. Therefore, if you do not understand the art of Yin and Yang and keep overexerting yourself, it will be difficult for the qi to flow effectively. The lady is in the qi, and the qi is in the person. From heaven and earth to all things, nothing must rely on qi to survive. Those who practice good deeds nourish their bodies internally and eliminate evil externally, yet the common people use them daily without realizing it. The Wu and Yue states had a method of prohibiting blessings, which was quite effective and many of them were 炁. Those who know this can enter the midst of a major epidemic and share a bed with the sick without being infected themselves. And they go in groups of dozens, all without fear. This is that 炁 can ward off natural disasters. There may be evil mountain spirits that invade people, throwing tiles and stones at them and setting fire to their houses. Whether it is visible communication or only hearing their voices and words, those who are good at restraining them use 炁 to stop them, and all are immediately eradicated. This is why 炁 can restrain ghosts and gods. When entering the mountains and forests where there are many streams and venomous pit vipers, if mortals pass by for a while, they will all be harmed. But those who are good at prohibiting it will use 炁 to prohibit it, and they can cut through for dozens of miles. Their companions will all be free from harm. It can also restrain tigers, leopards, snakes and bees, all of which prevent them from rising. Stop the bleeding with 炁. It can also strengthen the bones and tendons. If a white blade is blocked by 炁, it can be stabbed without being hurt. If a person is caught by a cobra, he will be cured immediately if he is forbidden by 炁. In modern times, Zuo Ci, Zhao Ming and others used 炁 to restrain water, and the water flowed against it by one or two zhang. Then he lit a fire on the thatched cottage, cooked and ate it, and the cottage did not burn. Then he hammered a large nail into the post, about seven or eight inches in, and blew it with a 炁, and the nail gushed out. He also gave 炁 a boiling decoction and threw about a hundred coins into it, so that one person could reach out to 摝 to take the coins without burning his hand. It is also forbidden to expose water to the central courtyard, as it will not be cold in the coldest days of winter. What can be cooked within a mile must not be steamed thoroughly. There is also a ban on barking dogs. In the past, the State of Wu sent General He to fight against bandits in the mountains. Among the bandits, there were some who were good at restraining them. Whenever they engaged in battle, the official troops could not draw their swords and spears, and bows, crossbows and arrows were all turned back, which always led to unfavorable situations. General He was wise and resourceful. He said, "I have heard that gold with blades can be forbidden, and insects with venom can be forbidden. But objects without blades and insects without venom cannot be forbidden. Those who can restrain our soldiers must not be able to restrain objects without blades." They made many strong wooden sticks and selected five thousand elite soldiers with extraordinary strength as the first to climb the mountain. They captured all the bandits on Bai Bi Mountain. The bandits, relying on their ability to restrain them, were unable to prepare. So the official army struck them with the white sticks, completely defeating the bandits. However, the restrained ones could no longer move, and the number of those who were killed was countless. If 炁 comes from the form and its effect is so great when used, how can there be any doubt that it cannot cure diseases and prolong life to cultivate one's nature? Those who are of middle and long moral integrity and have achieved great talent wrote a long discourse, also stating that "doing 炁 can prevent hunger and illness." This is a belief that I did not have at the beginning. As for those who do it, it is all true. If this is the ultimate way to cultivate one's nature and I have not yet achieved it, wouldn't I be able to indulge my heart in the affairs of the world and be sharp in thinking about human affairs? Those who are incapable of others will surely share the same illness as me. Once upon a time, there was a wise teacher who knew the way to immortality. The King of Yan ordered people to learn from him, but they failed to succeed and the teacher died. The Lord of Yan was furious with his envoy and was about to execute him. The remonstrator said, "What I worry about is nothing more than death, and what I am most concerned about is nothing more than life. Even if I lose my own life, how could I still prevent my Lord from dying?" You will not be punished. His remonstrance is indeed a good statement. If I have heard and practiced the method of 炁, then the deceased of the teacher may not have been unaware of it, but could not have abandoned worldly affairs to do it. Therefore, even if they knew it, it would not have been of any benefit. There must be a method of immortality." It is also said: "In Mi County, Henan Province, there was a divination master who had been studying Taoism for a long time. He then resigned from his position with his family. His initial steps were slightly higher, so he entered the clouds and was never seen again." This is what is meant by raising the body and flying lightly, ascending to the sky in broad daylight, and being above immortals. Chen Yuanfang and Han Yuanchang were both eminent scholars from Yingchuan, similar to Mi. The reason why they believed in the existence of immortals in the world was that their fathers, ancestors, and those who had witnessed divination became immortals and ascended to heaven. This is another proof of immortals.