Chapter 4 Discourse on the Golden Chest and True Words

Chapter 4

Discourse on the Golden Chest and True Words

The Cultivation of Ancient Sages and True Beings

Click here to listen (podcast):

This ancient text, presented as a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo, explores the fundamental principles of human life and longevity through the lens of Yin and Yang. It explains how aligning with the natural order of Heaven and Earth and harmonizing internal energies is crucial for health and extended life. The text outlines three levels of cultivation—sage, middle, and lower—distinguishing between those who achieve immense longevity and freedom from illness and those who merely preserve life but remain susceptible to disease. Ultimately, it emphasizes that true wisdom and a long life stem from a profound understanding and application of these universal principles.

Harmony of the Ages

Click here to listen (Music):

https://suno.com/s/dXs5NLsaEDIcErnJ

 Mountains rise where whispers dwell

Ancient secrets

Rivers tell

Yin to Yang

The circle flows

A balance kept

A life bestows

[Chorus]

Align with Heaven

Earth below

Feel the rhythm

Let it show

Through shadows deep and sunlight's glow

Harmony of sages

Let it grow

[Verse 2]

The wind it speaks

The trees comply

Stars align

No need to try

Through stillness

Time begins to bend

Infinite paths

No start

No end

[Prechorus]

Breath of dawn

Heart of stone

Find the truth

You're not alone

[Chorus]

Align with Heaven

Earth below

Feel the rhythm

Let it show

Through shadows deep and sunlight's glow

Harmony of sages

Let it grow

[Bridge]

Fire soft

Water bold

In the void

Treasures hold

A fleeting life

Eternal game

In balance found

All stays the same

Paragraph 1

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo:

"Human life has form, yet it cannot separate from Yin and Yang.

I wish to hear the truth about this."

 

Paragraph 2

Qi Bo replied:

"Heaven and Earth are the upper and lower aspects of all things;

Yin and Yang are the male and female aspects of blood and qi."

 

Paragraph🧠3

Thus one can live long without aging, remain intact without decline.

When Heaven and Earth unite, all things are born;

when Yin and Yang merge, transformation begins.

The origin of life is called Essence (Jing);

the union of two essences gives rise to Spirit (Shen).

 

🧠  

Paragraph 4

One who stores essence within essence is called a sage.

The sage dwells in harmony with Heaven and Earth, and follows the principles of the Eight Winds.

He adapts to cold and heat, balance joy and anger, live in peace, regulate Yin and Yang,and harmonize firmness and gentleness.

By living in such a manner, he can live as long as Heaven and Earth,with no end to their lifespan — this is the highest form of cultivation (Shàng Gōng).

Paragraph 5

The next skilled person: violent winds and storms cannot weaken his form,pathogenic Qi cannot invade, his hearing and vision remain clear, his sinews and bones are strong,and his Qi and blood do not leak.Even under severe winds and toxins, his not harmed.This is known as the middle-level practitioner (Zhōng Gōng).

Paragraph 6

The lower skilled person:

In spring, injured by wind, the pathogenic Qi lingers, causing chronic diarrhea;

In summer, harmed by heat, it leads to malaria in autumn;

In autumn, injured by dampness, results in edema and abdominal fullness;

In winter, harmed by cold, it causes warm diseases in spring.

This is the realm of the lower-level practitioner (Xià Gōng),who may preserve life but cannot eliminate disease.

When illness is missed, it is often too late to treat—sometimes even unworthy of asking.

 

Paragraph 7

The Yellow Emperor said: Excellent.

I have heard that in ancient times, there were True Beings (Zhēn Rén) who uplifted Heaven and Earth, grasped the principles of Yin and Yang, breathed in the essence of Qi, stood alone in stillness and guarded their spirit.

Their flesh and mind were in harmony, and so they lived as long as Heaven and Earth, with no end to their time.

This is the state from which the Dao arises.

 

Paragraph 8

Next are the Sages, who dwell in the harmony of Heaven and Earth and follow the principles of the Eight Winds.

They fulfill their desires moderately among worldly affairs, hold no anger or resentment in their hearts,

live within society without being bound by it, and

in quiet obscurity, serve as models for all under Heaven.

 

Paragraph 9

Thus, their attainment arises naturally and effortlessly.

The Way of Heaven rewards diligence,

the Way of Earth rewards kindness,

and human life rewards sincerity.

Hence, they are able to live long and endure.

 

Paragraph 10

Thus, Heaven has the four seasons and the five elements,

to govern the growth, maturation, retraction, and storage of all things,

producing cold, heat, dryness, dampness, and wind.

Humans possess five Zang-organs which transform into five types of qi,

giving rise to joy, anger, sorrow, pensiveness, and fear.