1. When the will is calm and desires are few, the heart is at peace and unafraid, the body may be weary but not fatigued, and the vital energy flows smoothly; each person follows their desires and all can achieve their wishes.
——Huangdi Neijing: On Ancient Naturalness
Explanation: A calm mind with few desires leads to inner peace without fear; the body may feel tired but not exhausted, thus the true qi (vital energy) is harmonized, allowing everyone to fulfill their wishes.
2. Therefore, excessive desires cannot disturb the eyes, and immoral temptations cannot confuse the heart; whether foolish or wise, virtuous or not, they are not swayed by external things, thus they align with the Dao.
Thus, those who can live to a hundred years and remain vigorous do so because their virtue is complete and unthreatened.
——Huangdi Neijing: On Ancient Naturalness
Explanation: Any improper desires do not attract their attention, and any immoral or deviant matters cannot confuse their minds. Regardless of whether one is foolish, wise, talented, or not, they can pursue inner stability without being preoccupied with external gains or losses, thus aligning with the principles of health preservation. Those who can live to a hundred years and remain vigorous do so because their health preservation principles are comprehensive and unbiased.
Extension: Restraining unnecessary desires and seeking physical and mental stability are essential to align with the principles of health preservation.
3. The sage does not treat existing illnesses but prevents them; does not treat chaos but prevents it.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On the Regulation of Qi
Explanation: The sage does not wait until illness occurs to treat it but takes preventive measures before illness arises.
Extension: Regular physical exercise and proper self-care are essential; do not wait until illness strikes to take care of oneself.
4. Yin and Yang are the principles of heaven and earth, the framework of all things, the parents of change, the foundation of life and death, and the abode of the spirit. To treat illness, one must seek the root.
——Huangdi Neijing: On the Correspondence of Yin and Yang
Explanation: Yin and Yang represent universal laws, the framework of all things, the origin of all changes, and the fundamental basis of life and death, containing profound truths. In treating diseases, one must seek the root of the changes in the condition.
Extension: As the saying goes, TCM treats the root cause. TCM is based on the theories of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements, viewing the human body as a unity of Qi, form, and spirit, using herbal medicine, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), acupuncture, and other methods to achieve harmony of Yin and Yang for recovery.
5. Yang is born and Yin grows; Yang kills and Yin hides.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On the Correspondence of Yin and Yang
Explanation: As Yang energy increases, Yin also flourishes. When Yang energy reaches a certain level, it will be concealed by Yin energy.
Extension: Yin and Yang both restrain and nourish each other. Sufficient Yang energy is necessary to nourish Yin fluids, supporting the organs and maintaining vitality.
6. All diseases arise from the morning’s clarity and the evening’s severity.
——Huangdi Neijing: On the Regulation of Qi: Divided into Four Seasons
Explanation: Various diseases often see patients feeling refreshed in the morning, calm during the day, but worsening in the evening, and most severe at night.
Extension: Qibo said this is due to the seasonal Qi. Spring brings life, summer promotes growth, autumn harvests, and winter stores; this is the natural order. One should also follow this pattern in a day, dividing it into four parts: morning as spring, noon as summer, evening as autumn, and midnight as winter. In the morning, the body’s Qi begins to grow, and the pathogenic Qi declines, hence clarity; at noon, the body’s Qi is strong, overcoming pathogens, hence calm; in the evening, the body’s Qi begins to decline, and pathogenic Qi begins to rise, hence severity; at midnight, the body’s Qi enters the organs, and pathogenic Qi resides alone in the body, hence it is most severe.
7. To go against the root is to cut off the foundation and destroy the true essence.
——Huangdi Neijing: On the Regulation of Qi
Explanation: Violating the fundamental principles of health preservation will damage the body’s essence and harm one’s health.
Extension: The human body is a microcosm; within the vast universe, this microcosm must follow the operational laws of the macrocosm, as the saying goes, “work at sunrise and rest at sunset.”
8. When the Qi of host and guest harmonizes, there is health; when they do not harmonize, there is illness.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On the Five Movements
Explanation: When the Qi of the host and guest harmonizes, it is peaceful; when they do not harmonize, illness arises.
Extension: Only by achieving a balance of Yin and Yang in the body can one avoid illness.
9. To go against the joys of life and have no regularity in daily activities leads to decline by the age of fifty.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On Ancient Naturalness
Explanation: Indulging in momentary pleasures and having no regularity in daily life leads to aging by the age of fifty.
Extension: Do not let youth lead to endless indulgence in desires, and do not stay up late; maintaining a regular daily routine is essential for health.
10. Nourish Yang in spring and summer, and nourish Yin in autumn and winter.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On the Regulation of Qi
Explanation: In spring and summer, nourish Yang to promote its growth; in autumn and winter, nourish Yin to support its storage.
Extension: Spring brings life, summer promotes growth, autumn harvests, and winter stores; the human body is a microcosm that should align with nature for health preservation.
11. Joy harms the heart, fear overcomes joy; anger harms the liver, and sadness overcomes anger.
——Huangdi Neijing: Suwen: On the Correspondence of Yin and Yang
Explanation: Joy can harm the heart, and fear can suppress joy; anger can harm the liver, and sadness can control anger.
Extension: Excessive joy can damage the spirit. Modern medical research shows that anger can lead to arrhythmia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and neurosis. Conversely, sadness can lower the breathing rate, helping to stabilize emotions. Thus, “sadness” can control “anger.”