Audio Summary:
This audio primarily discusses the conversation between Liang Dong and Teacher Xu Wenbing about the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) and its life wisdom, as well as insights on career choices. They first emphasize the profound meanings contained in each character of the Huangdi Neijing, and through the analysis of “Dao” and “Li,” they showcase the ancient understanding of the universe and all things. Next, they review the previous discussion on the “Shanggu Tianzhen Lun” (On the Primordial Nature of Ancient Times) and introduce views on career choices. Teacher Xu points out that career selection should be cautious, considering not only livelihood but also the benefits to physical and mental health, avoiding professions that harm the body and mind. He also mentions the relationship between modern people’s anxiety and career choices, emphasizing the importance of the unity of body and mind. Finally, Liang Dong expresses his astonishment at the ignorance contained within familiar words, calling for people to remain humble, recognize their ignorance, and cherish life, not sacrificing their health for external success.
Notes:
1. Discussion on the Huangdi Neijing and Life Wisdom
Liang Dong and Xu Wenbing discuss the Huangdi Neijing, analyzing life wisdom and emphasizing the relationship between career choices and physical and mental health.
2. TCM Dietary Health and Yin-Yang of Numbers
Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates for moderation in diet, in accordance with Yin and Yang. The Yin-Yang of numbers influences choices; drinking and eating should be regulated.
3. Health Wisdom from the Huangdi Neijing
The Huangdi Neijing emphasizes moderation in diet and regularity in daily life, aligning with the changes of Yin and Yang in nature to maintain health and avoid disease.
4. The Path of Health in the Huangdi Neijing
The Huangdi Neijing teaches regularity in daily life, balancing body and spirit, and that health and longevity require controlling desires and avoiding illusions.
The Huangdi Neijing discusses health maintenance, aligning with nature to cultivate spirit and essence. Going against the natural order is harmful, while following the laws can lead to health and longevity.
Appendix: Original Text of the Shanggu Tianzhen Lun from the Huangdi Neijing
In ancient times, during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, people were born with spiritual essence, spoke in their youth, were harmonious in their growth, and became wise and sensitive as they matured, ultimately ascending to the heavens.
He asked the heavenly master: I have heard that the people of ancient times lived to be a hundred years old in both spring and autumn, and their movements did not decline; why do people today, at fifty, show signs of decline? Is it due to the changing times? Are people losing something?
Qi Bo replied: The people of ancient times understood the laws of Yin and Yang, harmonized with the techniques of numbers, maintained moderation in food and drink, had regular daily routines, and did not engage in excessive labor, thus their body and spirit were in harmony, allowing them to live out their natural lifespan and reach a hundred years.
People today are not like that; they use wine as a beverage, treat excess as normal, become intoxicated in their rooms, deplete their essence through desires, and scatter their true nature, unaware of the need to maintain fullness, fail to govern their spirit in a timely manner, rush to satisfy their hearts, go against the natural order, and have irregular daily routines, hence they decline by fifty.
Thus, the teachings of the ancient sages warned against the harmful winds of emptiness and evil, advising to avoid them at times, maintain tranquility and emptiness, and allow true energy to flow, keeping the spirit within, so that illness has no source.
Therefore, one should be calm and have few desires, keep the heart at peace and not fear, labor the body without fatigue, and follow the natural flow of energy, each fulfilling their desires, all achieving their wishes.
Thus, they enjoy their food, indulge in their clothing, delight in their customs, and do not envy one another, hence the people are said to be simple.
Thus, desires cannot tire their eyes, and evil cannot confuse their hearts; the foolish and wise, the virtuous and the unworthy, do not fear material things, thus they align with the Dao.
Therefore, they can all live to be a hundred years old and their movements do not decline because their virtue is complete and not dangerous.
The Emperor said: When a person grows old and has no children, is it due to the exhaustion of their material strength? Is it the natural order?
Qi Bo said: A girl at seven years old has abundant kidney energy, her teeth grow and her hair lengthens.
At fourteen, when the heavenly essence arrives, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) opens, and the Tai Chong Mai (Liver Meridian) is abundant, menstruation occurs regularly, thus she can have children.
At twenty-one, the kidney energy is balanced, thus the true teeth grow and reach their peak.
At twenty-eight, the tendons and bones are strong, and the hair reaches its peak, the body is robust.
At thirty-five, the Yangming Meridian (Stomach Meridian) declines, the face begins to wither, and hair begins to fall.
At forty-two, the three Yang Meridians decline above, the face becomes withered, and hair begins to turn white.
At forty-nine, the Ren Mai is deficient, the Tai Chong Mai declines, the heavenly essence is exhausted, and the earthly path is blocked, thus the body deteriorates and there are no children.
The kidneys govern water, receiving the essence of the five organs and six bowels and storing it, thus when the five organs are abundant, they can flow.
Now, when the five organs are all declining, the tendons and bones are slack, the heavenly essence is exhausted, hence hair turns white, the body becomes heavy, steps become unsteady, and there are no children.
The Emperor said: Why do some old people still have children?
Qi Bo said: This is due to their heavenly lifespan being excessive, their energy pathways are always open, and their kidney energy is sufficient.
Even if they have children, men do not exceed eighty, and women do not exceed seventy, while the essence and energy of heaven and earth are all exhausted.
The Emperor said: Can those who follow the Dao live to be a hundred and have children?
Qi Bo said: Those who follow the Dao can resist aging and maintain their form; although their bodies may be old, they can still have children.
The Yellow Emperor said: I have heard that in ancient times there were true people who could manipulate heaven and earth, grasp Yin and Yang, breathe in essence, stand alone and guard their spirit, their muscles were like one, thus they could endure as long as heaven and earth, with no end; this is the way of life.
In the middle ages, there were supreme individuals, pure in virtue and complete in the Dao, harmonizing with Yin and Yang, adjusting to the four seasons, leaving the world behind, accumulating essence and preserving spirit, roaming between heaven and earth, perceiving beyond the eight directions; this indeed extends their lifespan and strengthens them, also returning to the true person.
Next, there are sages who dwell in the harmony of heaven and earth, follow the principles of the eight winds, adapt their desires within the secular world, harbor no anger or resentment, act without wanting to separate from the world, dress without wanting to be seen by the world, do not labor their bodies in affairs, and have no worries in their thoughts, taking tranquility as their duty and self-contentment as their achievement, their bodies do not decay, and their spirits do not scatter, thus they can also live to be a hundred.
Next, there are wise individuals who follow the laws of heaven and earth, resemble the sun and moon, discern the stars, reverse and follow Yin and Yang, distinguish the four seasons, and align with the ancient Dao, thus they can also extend their lifespan.
Core Principles of Health Maintenance
Four Realms of Health Maintenance
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Disclaimer: The audio is sourced from the dialogue program between Xu Wenbing and Liang Dong. If there is any infringement, please contact for removal.