Ming Jie Wu of Fengyang TCM — The Way of Nurturing Life (Written in Massachusetts, 2004)
Confucius said in The Great Learning:
“Only when one knows where to stop can one be determined. Only when one is determined can one be calm. Only when one is calm can one be at peace. Only when one is at peace can one deliberate. Only through deliberation can one attain.”
“The noble person understands righteousness; the petty person understands profit.”
“When joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure have not yet arisen, it is called equilibrium (zhong). When they arise in proper moderation, it is called harmony (he). Achieving equilibrium and harmony allows Heaven and Earth to be properly ordered, and all things to flourish.”
This teaches us that Heaven, Earth, and all things are inherently one. When my heart is upright, it aligns with the righteous energy (zheng qi) of Heaven and Earth. When my qi is strong, it flows in harmony with the qi of the universe. This is the profound effect of nurturing qi, a path achievable only by those of great cultivation. It is the embodiment of sincerity (cheng) and clarity (ming), not something that shallow study can grasp.
Mencius, inheritor of the true transmission of the Dao, elaborated on the great significance of nurturing qi. He said:
“I am good at nourishing my vast and flowing qi!”
What is this hao ran zhi qi (vast and flowing qi)? He explained:
“It is a qi that unites with righteousness and the Dao and is never diminished.”
A person’s every word and action must conform to the Dao of Heaven to achieve unity with nature and strengthen their righteous energy. Otherwise, this zheng qi will inevitably weaken. Mencius also said:
“It is generated through the accumulation of righteousness, not something that can be taken by imitation.”
Only by continually doing good deeds can one cultivate and increase this morally forceful qi. Performing a few virtuous acts for the sake of reputation cannot produce it. He also said:
“Qi is nourished by uprightness and is not harmed.”
One must treat others with integrity and avoid deceitful or manipulative behavior. Further, he advised:
“Hold to your resolve, and do not vent your qi.”
Thus, one must cultivate patience and not give in to temper. These maxims contain essential truths about health and longevity and align with the spiritual cultivation methods of Laozi and Zhuangzi.
Mencius also taught methods of nurturing qi:
“Seek what has been lost in the heart, and do not be emotionally disturbed.”
Be undistracted by sights and sounds, remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapses before you, and be unafraid even if a tiger roars behind you.
“Do not force growth—follow the natural course.”
This is the way of cultivating qi and life itself, according to nature.
Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty wrote in Inscription on Nurturing Life:
“To calm the spirit, embrace joy. To cherish qi, maintain harmony and purity.”
The renowned physician Chen Zhi of the Song Dynasty gave a more specific description of health preservation in his Book of Caring for the Elderly and Honoring Parents:
“Only those who are good at preserving and nurturing themselves can attain the path of peace and joy.”
The Celestial Immortal Taiyi said:
1. “Speak little to preserve true qi;
2. Abstain from lust to nurture essence qi;
3. Eat lightly to nourish blood qi;
4. Swallow saliva to nourish organ qi;
5. Avoid anger to nourish liver qi;
6. Moderate food and drink to nourish kidney qi;
7. Minimize worry to nourish heart qi.”
Human life arises from qi, and qi follows the spirit. To truly nourish qi, one must focus the spirit—and thereby attain the Dao.
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) adopts the format of a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and his physician Qi Bo, but in truth it was a systematic compilation by Confucian physicians of the Han Dynasty, gathering effective health practices and medical theories from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
The first chapter, Discourse on Heavenly Truth in Antiquity, focuses on the Dao of nurturing life, emphasizing spiritual cultivation:
“Calmness and emptiness allow true qi to follow; when the spirit is preserved inwardly, how can illness arise?”
“When the mind is at ease and desire is minimal, when the heart is peaceful and unafraid, when the body labors without exhaustion—qi flows smoothly.”
Desires do not exhaust the eyes, and lustful thoughts cannot disturb the heart. Those skilled in health cultivation model themselves on the cycles of yin and yang and the calculations of the cosmos. The text discusses the cultivation of “true men,” “perfected men,” “sages,” and “worthies,” all of whom follow the Dao of adapting to seasonal and cosmic changes—a practice rooted in the unity of Heaven and humanity.
The chapter Vital Energy Connecting to Heaven explains how human qi is intertwined with the qi of nature and the five elements. Life arises from qi received from Heaven, and thus harmonizing with Heaven is the foundation of existence. It explains the principle of yin-yang unity and opposition, stating:
“When yin is balanced and yang is conserved, the spirit is healthy.”
“Inhale the yang of Heaven to nourish qi, drink the yin of Earth to nourish blood.”
The Dao of nurturing life takes “the unity of Heaven and humanity” as its guiding principle—this is the essence of Chinese medicine’s holistic view. Its practical methods include regulating the body, breath, and mind. Regulation of the body forms the foundation and runs through all other methods. As the saying goes, “One must first rectify the body before rectifying the heart.” Eventually, this gives rise to a stream of righteous qi. When Heaven and humanity are unified, righteous energy flows endlessly and can never be depleted.
The Neijing states:
“When upright qi resides within, evil cannot invade. Where evil gathers, qi must be deficient.”
Thus, the cultivation of upright qi through the Dao of life preservation not only helps prevent and cure illness—it also enables one to create a life of purpose, health, joy, and longevity. Moreover, it can help others attain the same.
Yet, in today’s Chinese medicine colleges, some professors explain this phrase—“upright qi resides within, evil cannot invade”—as simply “the immune system resists viruses.” Such a mechanical interpretation strips the statement of its true meaning, and discards the core of Chinese medicine: the holistic, Heaven-human unity.
Textbook editors often write in their prefaces, “Discard the dross and retain the essence.” But from how they interpret the doctrine, it’s clear they have discarded the very essence of Chinese medicine—the holistic worldview rooted in the unity of Heaven and humanity.
Consequently, many Chinese medicine doctors, lacking strong upright qi, turn to Western medicine, or move into administrative or other unrelated fields. Only those whose qi is strong and who have received guidance from enlightened teachers can truly enter the gate of Chinese medicine, master its principles, methods, formulas, and materia medica, and heal disease effectively. As Mencius said:
“I am good at nourishing my vast and flowing qi.”
If a physician fails to understand the Dao of nurturing life and is instead misled by heterodox paths and deviant teachings, they will end up deceiving others and themselves—losing their way. Therefore, return to the correct path as soon as possible. Revitalize your upright qi and recover your physical and mental health. Only then can you genuinely relieve the suffering of your patients and fulfill your calling as a healer.