On Health Preservation in the Treatise on Stability and Life Principle
The Treatise on Stability and Life Principle, authored by Wang Guizhong, a native of Wuzhou during the Yuan Dynasty. Wang was passionate about alchemy and deeply skilled in medicine, living past ninety. The entire book comprises 16 volumes, focusing on health preservation in three main areas:
1. Health preservation must begin from marriage, conception, infancy, and childhood. The text argues: "A moth without strength cannot form a cocoon; a flower without strength cannot bear fruit." Only when both parents are strong and their essence full and blood abundant can offspring be healthy and long-lived. Thus, health preservation must start from marriage and pregnancy. During pregnancy, one must strictly observe taboos—avoid sexual intercourse, moderate emotions, manage labor and rest, and cultivate a tranquil disposition to support fetal health. One should emulate King Wen of Zhou’s "maternal education" method: have pregnant women frequently view gold-inlaid jade, grain containers, mountain and river paintings, and listen to readings of classics and histories, allowing these refined energies to enter the fetus, promoting intellectual development. After birth, infants should be carefully cared for through practices like tongue wiping, umbilical care, bathing, and medication.
2. For middle-aged health preservation, nurturing the heart is paramount. Following the principle of "Ling Lan Secret Classic" in Su Wen, Wang emphasized: "The heart is the sovereign official... when the sovereign is clear, the ministers are at peace; thus, health preservation leads to longevity." He also believed that the essence of "On the Art of Health Preservation" in Zhuangzi lies in the heart as the core of health preservation. Therefore, nurturing the heart is the primary task. Heart cultivation must begin in childhood. After adulthood, immersed in society, those who practice health preservation must eliminate selfish desires, express emotions freely, avoid impatience, refrain from obsessively pursuing fame and wealth, "adapt to fortune and misfortune, act according to one’s abilities, and carry responsibilities without being swayed by external things." Avoid actions beyond one’s capabilities—"do not strive when unable, force when incapable"—maintain a serene heart, prevent excessive physical and mental strain, accumulate essence and preserve spirit, thus achieving longevity.
3. For elderly health preservation, emphasis lies on spiritual cultivation and lifestyle management, prioritizing prevention. In spiritual cultivation, the text cites Confucius: "When old, one’s vital energy declines; beware of greed." It advocates eliminating thoughts of gain and loss to avoid "hesitation and indecision, restless sleep and anxiety," which harm health. Drawing from Laozi’s saying "Excessive care for life harms life," the text stresses that elderly health preservation should involve reading poems by sages that dispel illusions, "cleansing inner tensions." Maintain detachment from fame and fortune, avoid unwarranted anger, refrain from indulgence in sounds and colors, resist excessive taste cravings, avoid immoral thoughts, avoid reading useless books, and neglect unnecessary tasks. Keep the mind serene, prevent "incessant worries day and night" and "joyous events inevitably bring harm," naturally ensuring long life and prosperity. In lifestyle management, due to aging and declining vitality—"spirit follows external objects, qi dissipates with spirit, nourishing and protective systems weaken, and orifices behave abnormally"—extra vigilance is required. Eat light, moderate sexual activity. For example, elderly individuals with robust, dense constitutions should consume coarse, refreshing foods; reduce meat intake; prefer fruits like jujube, persimmon, lotus root; eat more leeks and radishes. When hungry, eat warm food first, then temperate, cool, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Avoid sticky, spicy, hot, or dry foods casually. Even if physically thin, elderly with strong constitution and phlegm conditions may be managed similarly to robust elders. For frail, thin elderly, clothing and medicines should be warm and thick. Avoid cold, stomach-damaging, pungent, grilled, raw, greasy foods. For obese elderly with loose stools and frequent susceptibility to wind-cold, adopt the same regimen as frail elders.