《枕中经》

Lord Lao (Laojun) said: “The Great Dao (the Way) has no fixed form and ever abides in the hidden depths and far-reaching mystery. According with the conditions of things, it transforms and nurtures the myriad beings, and so responds to the utmost sincerity of the human heart. If you can quiet your mind and receive my true Jing (scripture/classic), you will be able to take in the principles it contains. One who can receive and uphold this Jing should keep mouth and body pure; when one then recites it, all manner of evil thoughts will not arise. It may be used to cure illness and prolong life, so that malign qi has nowhere to intrude and the host of demons is held in restraint.

This is because all sentient beings receive my true Qi (vital energy)—the original breath of the Dao—and thereby attain long life. One must now go further and cultivate the bodily form, constantly keeping pure the three karmas of body, mouth, and mind (conduct, speech, and thought), and clarifying and stilling the six passions (the six kinds of human sensation and desire). In this way the five Shen (the spirits who guard the five viscera) will of themselves protect the Three Ones (the inner foundations within the body, such as Jing (essence), Qi, and Shen). Whether one sits for a long time or lies at rest, the hun and po souls remain secure, and from morning until evening one stays healthy and at peace. Twice each day, with the Jing recited three times on each occasion, one may gain keen hearing and clear sight, and a body that is strong and light. The particulars follow; listen carefully.

Lord Lao said: Within the human body there are thirty-six thousand Shen; on the left are the three hun souls, and on the right the seven po souls. Upon the body are one thousand two hundred kinds of forms and shadows, and within the torso twelve thousand rays of essential radiance. The five viscera and the six bowels each have their Shen, twenty-four in all. You should constantly visualize these Shen and not allow them to leave the body. When illness comes, call upon them three times, and they will descend and manifest their true forms.”

Lord Lao said: If you wish to avoid the three calamities and nine adversities—a general term for all manner of disasters and hardships—you should recite as follows:

“I take Heaven as my father and Earth as my mother, and dwell between Heaven and Earth, ever as pure and fearless as an infant. The sun is my merit officer (the functionary of daily affairs), and the moon is my registrar (the subordinate official who keeps the records). The envoys of the Lord of Thunder stand to my left and right, and the Earl of Wind and the Master of Rain stand before me and behind me; the duty spirits of the Six Jia (divine generals of the Daoist tradition) encircle me. The Azure Dragon supports me on the left, and the White Tiger supports me on the right; the Vermilion Bird leads me forward, and the Dark Warrior follows behind. The Northern Dipper covers the crown of my head, and Tiangang points toward my two feet. The soaring serpent is in my hands, dispelling calamity for me.

I dwell within the Danfang (the inner place of cultivation of which practitioners speak), with Taiyi as my companion. Three are on the left and seven on the right, nine above and one below; two and four rest on my shoulders, and six and eight lie beside my feet. I occupy the center and fill the abdomen by means of the central palace. I now command the thousand ghosts and the ten thousand spirits each to return to their original places. Those who block my path in front must die; those who turn their backs on me must perish. Flee at once and hide yourselves. The celestial warriors and strongmen (divine generals of the heavens) cut down all that is inauspicious. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.”

Lord Lao said: When about to sleep, one should summon the spirit beasts to protect oneself. The Azure Dragon comes forth from my liver and keeps watch on the left; the White Tiger comes forth from my lungs and keeps watch on the right; the Vermilion Bird comes forth from my heart and keeps watch in front; the Dark Warrior comes forth from my kidneys and keeps watch behind. You four beasts, sharpen your teeth, guard me on every side, drive back wicked ghosts and demons, and keep them a thousand li away, so that they may not presume to invade my jade chamber (in the Daoist context, the dwelling place within the body). Let me sleep peacefully and have no nightmares. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

(At the end of the original text, the preceding passage on the four beasts standing guard, driving off evil, and sleeping in peace is repeated.)

Lord Lao (Laojun) said: When the recitation is finished, one should draw the Shen (spirit) and Qi (vital energy) back into the body. The liver stores the hun soul, the lungs store the po soul, the heart stores the Shen, the spleen stores will and intention, and the kidneys store Jing (essence) and Qi. Let the Azure Dragon return to the liver, the White Tiger return to the lungs, the Vermilion Bird return to the heart, and the Dark Warrior return to the kidneys; then let the Yellow Dragon stand guard over the spleen, so that the abdomen is filled and firm. In this way, malign Qi and evil ghosts cannot invade the body or remain in the abdomen. This command is to be carried out at once, as inviolable as a statute and ordinance.

Lord Lao said: After the Shen has been gathered back, knock the teeth thirty-six times (“sounding the Heavenly Drum,” the tooth-knocking method in Daoist cultivation of retaining the spirits), then swallow the saliva in the mouth thirty-six times. Next, hold the breath and count silently in the mind from one toward ten, stopping when the count reaches nine. Then visualize red Qi issuing from the mouth, whirling and spreading in all directions like firelight until it fills the entire room. When the visualization has settled, silently imagine oneself sleeping peacefully within it.

If one does this often, one will never fall ill, and a thousand kinds of demons and spectral beings will not dare to intrude. In this way one can unite with the Dao (the Way) and merge with the True, attaining long life and lasting clarity (living long while remaining lucid). One’s descendants will flourish in peace and joy, and the family’s wealth and honor will grow ever more prosperous; persons of rank will enter the gate in golden carriages, official standing will rise step by step, even to the Three Dukes (the exalted high offices of antiquity). With loyalty in the heart and filial devotion as one’s aim, one assists the sovereign. This command is to be carried out at once, like the edict and statutes of the Most High Nüqing (a deity, or a sacred title, in Daoism).