On Health Preservation from "Yanshi Jiaxun"
"Yanshi JiaXun" was written by Yan Zhitui of the Northern Qi dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. Among its chapters, "Chapter Fifteen on Health Preservation" is the article that most centrally reflects Yan's guiding philosophy and methods on the subject.
The content on health preservation in "Yanshi JiaXun" mainly focuses on the following aspects:
1. Health preservation requires being realistic and practical, and involves diligent study and constant practice.
Yan Zhitui believed that throughout one's life, one is constantly bound by various responsibilities and ties. In youth, one must toil to support one's parents; after reaching adulthood, the burden of raising a wife and children is added. Furthermore, there are expenses for clothing and food, and worries over public and private affairs. In the midst of this flurry of affairs, it is impractical to seek to transcend the mortal world and hide away in the mountains for health preservation. Yan stated that he had carefully examined the classics of Taoism and concluded that "even if one achieves immortality, one will eventually die," and thus cannot escape the shackles of human life. Therefore, he did not advocate for studying and mastering this art for the sole purpose of preserving the body.
Regarding methods of health preservation, Yan emphasized starting with practical, everyday measures: diligent study, constant practice, and self-control. For example, in daily life, one should be mindful of cherishing and conserving one's spirit, regulating and nurturing one's vital energy (qi), maintain a regular daily routine, avoid overeating, and dress appropriately for the weather. One can also take tonifying or regulating herbs based on one's physical condition, such as Sophora fruit, almonds, goji berries, Solomon's seal rhizome, Atractylodes macrocephala, and plantain seed, from which one can derive great benefits. When one's teeth become loose in old age, one can knock them together 300 times every morning, and long-term persistence will yield benefits.
2. Health preservation should focus on avoiding disaster and preserving life.
Yan pointed out that a person practicing health preservation should first consider avoiding disaster and preserving their own life and family. Only with this life can there be a foundation for preserving the body. In ancient Lu state, there was a man named Dan Bao who was skilled at preserving his body and mind, but unexpectedly died due to a sudden disaster. Another man from Lu, Zhang Yi, was skilled at averting misfortune, but died from internal heat and anxiety caused by his own fears. Ji Kang of the Jin Dynasty wrote a thousand-word "On Health Preservation," but was brutally beheaded due to his arrogant and disrespectful behavior. Shi Chong of the Jin Dynasty frequently took life-prolonging medicines, but was punished for accumulating wealth through corruption. These are all cautionary tales that the wise people of the past took heed of when it came to health preservation.