There are two goals in medicine: treating diseases and preventing diseases. The current trend is shifting from disease-oriented medicine to health-oriented medicine. This aligns with the concept of "treating before disease" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese medicine has always emphasized the importance of health preservation and disease prevention, as seen in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. The term "health preservation" first appeared in the book Zhuangzi, referring to the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of life. The essence of health preservation lies in prolonging life and improving its quality.
Health preservation is a science of management, both of ourselves and of our life journey. According to modern calculations, the natural limit of human lifespan should be between 100 and 175 years. The National Aging Commission once conducted a survey and found that the highest age reached by males was 131 years and by females was 122 years. According to the limit of human lifespan, 60 to 70 years should be considered middle age, not old age. The reason why we haven't reached the limit of human lifespan is that we haven't taken proper care of our lives.
Traditional Chinese health preservation has a long history and rich culture. British scholar Joseph Needham once said, "Among all the cultures in the world, only the Chinese have the science of health preservation."
The unearthed "Illustrations of Health Preservation" from the Mawangdui Tomb already included methods such as breathing exercises and guided meditation. The famous Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao also discussed various theories of health preservation in his book "Qianjin Fang". When discussing traditional Chinese health preservation culture, it is impossible not to mention Laozi and Confucius, who represent two different schools of thought: Laozi emphasizes "tranquility and inaction" and "cultivating vital energy through natural harmony and qigong practice," while Confucius represents the idea of "striving for self-improvement in harmony with the natural order." These two schools of thought form a combination of stillness and movement, running through the development of traditional Chinese health preservation. The important moral concepts of "longevity through benevolence," "longevity through wisdom," and "desire without greed" are also important ideas in Confucian health preservation.
In the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, there is a passage that says, "In ancient times, those who understood the principles of yin and yang, the arts of numbers, and the regulation of food and drink, who maintained regular habits and did not overexert themselves, were able to live their entire natural lifespan of one hundred years." This mainly emphasizes the importance of understanding natural laws, harmonizing various methods according to the principles of yin and yang, and arranging diet and lifestyle in a moderate and regular manner. One important point is the concept of "unification of form and spirit," meaning that a person should achieve a harmonious balance of physical and mental well-being. Engaging in physical exercise without spiritual harmony is not considered complete.
Hua Tuo's "Five Animal Frolics" from the Han Dynasty, which was created based on the movements of five animals, later evolved into fitness methods like Tai Chi. In the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern dynasties, health preservation practitioners combined with medical practitioners, with many individuals being both doctors and proponents of Taoist philosophy. Tao Hongjing advocated the cultivation of spirit and preservation of form, as well as the concept of "keeping a small wick to keep the lamp burning." He compared human life to a lamp, with the oil as the source of life. If the lamp is lit too brightly, the oil will quickly run out. By keeping a small flame, the lamp can burn for a longer time. This is a low metabolism concept. We often say we need to work hard and strive, but in reality, it can affect the positive and beneficial factors within our lives. Therefore, we should change our perspective and let the flame of life burn longer by keeping a small wick.
