Taoism emphasizes the unity of man and nature, and that Tao follows nature. Tao Te Ching states: "Man models himself on Earth, Earth models itself on Heaven, Heaven models itself on Tao, and Tao models itself on nature." This means that man should imitate the Earth, the Earth should imitate Heaven, Heaven should imitate the Great Tao, and the Great Tao should imitate nature. The law of Tao is natural and non-action, which necessarily goes against the desires of humans. It encompasses all things in the universe, including humans, within the embrace of Tao. As a product of Tao, humans can only achieve the optimal state of existence by acting in accordance with the laws of Tao and unifying with heaven, earth, and nature. Taoism holds that: "Heaven is Tao, and Tao is eternal; one will not encounter danger throughout one's life." Conforming to nature means conforming to the way of heaven and earth. Such a Tao can last forever, and life can be eternal and free from peril. Here, "Heaven" means conforming to nature. Taoists emphasize "Tao" here to inspire people to guide their daily life, conduct, and interactions through understanding the objective laws of nature. Since Tao follows nature, health preservation is a prominent aspect of it.
Humans and all things coexist in nature and are influenced by the seasonal changes of the natural world. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the qi of the earth rises to form clouds, and the qi of heaven descends to form rain. The interaction of heaven and earth gives birth to all things. As a product of the changes in yin and yang of heaven and earth, humans are inevitably affected by seasonal changes. Therefore, adapting to the four seasons is the fundamental principle for people to maintain health and prevent diseases. Regarding health preservation in the four seasons, the medical classic Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) provides clear explanations:
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"The three months of spring are called 'fa chen' (the emergence of new life from the old). 'Fa chen' means that yang qi begins to stir, promoting the elimination of the old and the growth of the new. At this time, all things thrive, and vitality gradually fills the world. People should go to bed later and get up earlier than in winter. After getting up in the morning, they can take a walk or do morning exercises to let their body and mind fully enjoy the breath of spring. In spring, it is particularly important to keep a cheerful mood. If one fails to control and regulate their emotions, leading to stagnation of liver qi, it is easy to fall ill."
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"The three months of summer are called 'fan xiu' (luxuriant growth). In summer, yang heat is abundant, and all things are prosperous. At this time, people had better go to bed later and get up earlier to correspond to the vigorous yang qi of heaven and earth, but not too late. They should also take an appropriate nap at noon. People sweat a lot in summer, so they must not be overly greedy for coolness, which can block the pores and hinder the excretion of sweat, causing summer heat to be trapped inside and unable to escape. Otherwise, it may lead to mild symptoms such as cold and discomfort, or severe symptoms such as summer heat attacking the pericardium, resulting in delirium and confusion."
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"The three months of autumn are called 'rong ping' (peaceful convergence). In autumn, the natural scenery is calm and convergence as all things mature. At this time, the sky is high, the wind is brisk, and the qi of the earth is clear and cool. It is advisable to go to bed early and get up early to keep the will calm and pure, so as to avoid the adverse impact of the harsh and astringent autumn qi on the human body."
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"The three months of winter are called 'bi cang' (closure and storage). In winter, plants wither, water turns to ice, trees become bare branches, and many animals hibernate in their dens without seeing sunlight. At this time, people should also follow the trend of closure and storage of heaven and earth, go to bed early and get up late, and engage in activities only after sunrise. Mentally, they should remain calm and composed."
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