There are so many particularities in meditation!

  All aspects such as weather, location, human affairs, diet, etc. are all closely related to sitting in meditation and practicing qigong, not just sitting in meditation alone.

  For cultivators practicing qigong, their internal visions often go beyond the scope of Daoist scriptures. Therefore, they must consult and learn from experienced and knowledgeable teachers and friends to correct their biases and return to purity. This is a great cause of practical cultivation and verification with actions and efforts, not just high-sounding discussions about philosophy and mind nature based on mere imagination.

  The highest-level methods, although there are also oral instructions, have a relatively lower degree of danger. When practiced properly, there is no danger at all. Occasionally having a few dangerous situations is also not very important. For middle and lower-level methods, the more complex the oral instructions, the greater the danger. Therefore, the level of Daoist attainment must be examined and selected in advance. "Leaking of the elixir" refers to seminal emission. The problem of leakage is most common.

  And ordinary cultivators often like to reflect on the lower elixir field. Over time, the whole body's essence, qi, and spirit are all gathered here. If they do not know the proper way to preserve it, it may rush out through the passes. Not only is all previous efforts wasted, but the body is also greatly damaged. Those who practice the skills described in "Golden Immortal's Verification Theory" and "Wisdom Life Scripture" often suffer from this problem. Those who focus their intention on one aperture are more likely to see results. Those whose divine intention is scattered are difficult to achieve results. The experience of cultivators in practicing qigong is mostly like this.

  Guiding qi and regulating breathing are fundamentally two different things and cannot be confused. If guiding qi is not done properly, there may be dangers such as qi sinking, kidney swelling, and abdominal pain. Regulating breathing is different and does not have such dangers. Respond when things come and let go when things leave. For beginners, it is quite difficult to do this. For those who are dedicated to practicing qigong, it is always best to be physically at leisure and mentally calm. If one is exhausted from social interactions during the day and forces oneself to sit in meditation at night, even if one can gather one's mind, the effect is probably minimal.

  When sitting, body movements, although not to be mistaken as an illness, still have their limits. If it goes so far as shaking the head and wagging the tail, dancing with hands and feet, it is abnormal. Having sounds in the abdomen is indeed a good sign, but one must not use the force of breathing to deliberately make it sound. Only when the mind is at peace and settled and there are natural sounds is it appropriate. The reason there are sounds is the manifestation of the flow of qi inside the abdomen. When lustful thoughts arise and yang energy is aroused, if one gathers it, it will surely become an illusory elixir. Because the source is not clear, if one forces it to stay, it will eventually be lost.

  When distracting thoughts abound, one cannot gather and refine. It is best to be able to hold back one's thoughts. Otherwise, get up and take a walk or lie down. Wait until there are fewer thoughts and then practice again. However, the rise of distracting thoughts is mostly due to a harsh environment or being disturbed by worldly affairs. If one does not improve the environment and reduce worldly affairs, trying to get rid of distracting thoughts is like looking for fish by climbing a tree.

  The scene of the elixir appearing is a feeling of integration throughout the body, slight numbness in the hands and feet, a surge of saliva in the mouth, and movement of the joints. Generally, it is like this. However, one must not be rigidly bound by this. One should know that everyone's internal vision is different, and it all depends on understanding by heart.

  When the elixir appears, one must not have clear consciousness. This statement is very true. If what is gathered is intangible qi, there is no need to melt it. Just seek its condensation. Sitting in meditation is valuable for having rich experience. The scripture says, "A single point falls into the Yellow Court. Entering concentration to refine the yang spirit." Therefore, refining qi into spirit requires entering concentration. When there is no breath, there is concentration. After concentration for a long time, there is emptiness. When emptiness reaches the extreme, there is awareness. But the method of entering concentration must be such that internal qi does not go out and external qi does not enter. It seems to be nothing but there is something. The divine and qi are in concentration. It seems to be something but there is nothing. When the divine and qi are in concentration and there is no appearance of concentration, then it is concentration and entering concentration.

  Refining essence into qi is suitable for using intense fire. Refining qi into spirit is suitable for using gentle fire. Intense fire is fire with a stage. Gentle fire is fire without a stage. Therefore, it is said, "There is no need to perform fire control. The furnace is naturally warm." This is a state that is neither cold nor dry, seemingly existing but actually not. It is the scene without a stage. The secret formula says, "Refining qi into spirit, nourishing with gentle fire. When breath has neither coming nor going, one will surely achieve the right result." If concentration is scattered outward, it is difficult to achieve full fruition in ten months. If after ten months the fruition is not complete, then it must be an illusory fetus and it will be difficult for the yang spirit to emerge. Breath that stops without stopping, fire that burns without burning is the true fire.