48: Chapter 47 Internal Five Elements and Taoist Five Elements

As his brain throbbed slightly, waves of memories surged into his mind.

Unlike his own studies, the understanding gained through memory transmission was much deeper.

It was equivalent to skipping all the effort of studying, researching, and pondering, jumping straight to a level of certain proficiency.

"So that's how it is!"

As the memory transmission finished, Li Changsheng understood the principles behind Longevity Qigong.

Previously, when searching for Qi cultivation methods, he had glanced over Longevity Qigong, but felt it was rather obscure, containing many Daoist theories involving Yin and Yang, Five Elements, and Innate concepts.

Because he didn't understand it, it was difficult to read, so he hadn't studied it much.

But now, with the memory transmission, he knew Longevity Qigong inside and out.

Simply put, this was a method for cultivating Internal Martial Arts, training the mind and spirit, and refining Innate Qi. Its principles shared some similarities with Internal Alchemy Meditation.

However, unlike Internal Alchemy Meditation, which uses the human body as a Cauldron to Cultivate the whole, Longevity Qigong Cultivates the Five Elements.

Of course, the Five Elements here are not the Spiritual Roots found in cultivation novels, but rather Daoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine terms referring to the five viscera.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth correspond to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, respectively.

Do not think that the theories of our ancestors are nonsense or some form of metaphysics; in fact, they are already applied in clinical medicine and possess rigorous scientific validation.

Take the simplest example: nourishing the kidneys!

(Take note! Suitable for both men and women.)

The Five Elements correspond to the five viscera, interconnected and mutually restrictive, working together to complete the processes of rising and falling, absorption, and metabolism of Qi, blood, and bodily fluids. The kidneys, the Foundation of Innate essence, rely on the Acquired spleen and stomach for nourishment; therefore, the prerequisite for nourishing the kidneys is to strengthen the spleen and stomach.

Let's take two medicinal diet recipes as examples.

Cuscuta and Goji Berry Porridge: Cuscuta, Goji berries, japonica rice.

Cuscuta: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, secures essence, reduces urination, and improves vision.

Goji berries: Nourish the kidneys and essence, nourish the liver and improve vision.

Japonica rice: Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach, replenishes Qi and harmonizes the middle burner.

Suitable for: People with kidney deficiency, frequent nocturia, dizziness, fatigue, lower back pain, and tinnitus or deafness.

Not suitable for those with phlegm-dampness, damp-heat, or Yin deficiency with excessive fire.

Rehmannia Stewed with Small Intestine: Rehmannia, Goji berries, pork small intestine, ginger.

Rehmannia: Nourishes kidney Yin, replenishes essence and marrow.

Goji berries: Nourishes the liver and kidneys.

Pork small intestine: Strengthens the spleen and drains dampness.

This is more suitable for women: soreness and weakness of the waist and knees caused by kidney Yin deficiency, irregular menstruation, scanty menstrual flow, hot flashes, night sweats, and heat in the palms and soles.

Not suitable for patients with high cholesterol or gout.

Notice that these ingredients and medicinal herbs have one thing in common: strengthening the spleen!

And since they are mainly cooked warm, they also nourish the stomach, which shows that the theory of the Five Elements is correct.

[Note: I have written down the unsuitable symptoms; if you have these, do not eat these. First, figure out whether it is kidney Yang deficiency or Yin deficiency. I originally had another better recipe for men, but I'll skip it for fear of censorship. I will write about hair loss treatment if the plot allows it later; after all, these two aspects are the main worries for many people these days (doge face for self-preservation).]

Compared to Vajra Qigong, Longevity Qigong is more suitable for people with a weaker Physique, meaning those who have a significant deficiency of Yang Qi in their bodies.

"Not bad, it suits me quite well. Compared to Vajra Qigong, which requires a naturally strong Physique, Longevity Qigong doesn't have as many strict requirements."

Flipping through the memories, Li Changsheng understood.

Those with a good Physique can practice Vajra Qigong directly, while those with a poor Physique should start with Longevity Qigong.

Moreover, Longevity Qigong connects the Five Elements and the viscera, having a miraculous effect on regulating one's internal organs; in this regard, it is actually more targeted than the Eight Brocades.

"In that case, the method of cultivating the Five Elements is quite helpful to me. Many longevity methods, even Internal Martial Arts involve the Five Elements, so can I continue to improve along the path of the Five Elements?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and sent a WeChat message to Zhang Youdao.

"Old man, do you know which other fist styles in Internal Martial Arts involve the Five Elements besides the Crushing Fist?"

Li Changsheng originally thought the old man had gone to sleep and that he would probably have to go to the lake tomorrow to see him.

As it turned out, he replied in no time.

"What's the matter with you today, kid? First Qi cultivation, then the Five Elements. Don't be overly ambitious; you are already on the right path."

"The Crushing Fist is one of the Xingyi Five Elements, which means the other fist styles correspond to the remaining Five Elements. You can find out by looking it up yourself."

The old man's voice message clearly carried a hint of complaint.

Is that so?

Li Changsheng was thoughtful and directly typed 'Xingyi Five Elements Fist' into the internet, and sure enough, he found it immediately.

After reading for a while, Li Changsheng couldn't help but stroke his chin.

"The Xingyi Five Elements are Splitting Fist (Metal), Drilling Fist (Water), Crushing Fist (Wood), Cannon Fist (Fire), and Crossing Fist (Earth). Practicing different Five Elements fist styles also greatly helps the corresponding viscera."

"Our ancestors truly had great wisdom to have been gradually unlocking the human body's Treasure Trove so long ago."

Combining this with Longevity Qigong, Li Changsheng also understood that cultivating the Five Elements and viscera is of great help to fist styles and the Martial Arts path.

As the saying goes: when the heart moves, it is like a flame; when the liver moves, it is like a flying arrow; when the spleen moves, it strikes with great force; when the lungs move, it sounds like thunder; when the kidneys move, it is as fast as the wind. When the Five Elements are in harmony, the body is free from all diseases.

Just as Li Changsheng previously used the Crushing Fist to stir up liver fire, his fist was like a flying arrow with the momentum of a Dragon, and his punch was like a cannon that could break through walls.

"In other words, if I succeed in cultivating the Five Elements, even if my unarmed combat skills are slightly inferior, the Foundation itself will be strong enough."

Li Changsheng was thoughtful; he felt he should properly plan his next cultivation core.

He opened the mind map document on his computer, pondering while recording.

"First, continue to Cultivate Internal Alchemy Meditation to achieve smooth circulation of Qi throughout the body, thereby making a Breakthrough in the meridian guidance of the Eight Brocades."

"Secondly, Cultivate Longevity Qigong and the Five Elements. Then, gradually Cultivate the other four of the Xingyi Five Elements to achieve the effect of the Five Elements in harmony."

"Additionally, Longevity Qigong also has the effect of opening the Ren and Du Meridians, though it is said that the Eight Brocades meridian guidance also has similarities, yet very few people can reach this step."

"Perhaps Daoist Master Zhang Zhishun has already opened them."

Writing and sketching, he busied himself for an hour before finally completing the full mind map.

In general, Li Changsheng decided to focus on cultivating the Five Elements and viscera in the future. His short-term goal was to enter meridian guidance, his Middle Stage goal was to learn the Xingyi Five Elements and master them, and his long-term goal was to open the Ren and Du Meridians.

"According to the book Source of Qi and online information, to achieve longevity, one cannot bypass the Ren and Du Meridians."

Because for the human body to live longer, achieving the small heavenly circuit of meridian circulation is inevitable.

In infancy, the Ren and Du Meridians are connected, which is why from early childhood to childhood, the human body develops and grows rapidly; this is what the Daoists call the Pure Yang Body.

By the age of fourteen or sixteen, the Ren and Du Meridians begin to close.

"No wonder the book Source of Qi often mentions returning to the infant state. It is indeed not without reason."

And some Wuxia novels and real-life Chinese Martial Arts also state that starting martial arts training from a young age to build a Foundation is the best time. When one is older, the body is set, the Ren and Du Meridians are closed, and cultivation becomes extremely arduous.