道家的修養是”順則成人，逆則成仙”。最近我們所出的《黃庭外景經的圖述》一書已略討論過這問題，我們認為黃庭、玉房和命門(圖一)是和腹腔神經叢、上腸繫膜神經叢和腸間神經叢(圖二)直接或間接關係。

 

      The cultivation in Taoism is “if one follows the natural order, they become human; if one goes against it, they become immortal.” In our recent book “Illustrated Commentary on the Huang Ting Wai Jing Jing”, we have discussed this issue briefly. We believe that Huang Ting, Jade Chamber, and Mingmen (Figure 1) are directly or indirectly related to the celiac plexus, superior mesenteric plexus, and enteric nervous plexus (Figure 2).

 

           

 

            腹部神經叢 – Abdominal Nerve Plexuses

 

1.    腹腔神經叢: 腹腔神經叢位於T₁₂到L₁椎骨水平。它接受來自大內臟神經的纖維，這些神經源自T₅-T₉脊髓段。

2.    上腸繫膜神經叢:上腸繫膜神經叢位於L₁脊骨水平。它主要接收來自小內臟神經的纖維，這些神經源自T₁₀-T₁₁脊髓段。

3.    腸間神經叢:腸間神經叢橫跨上腸繫膜和下腸繫膜神經叢之間的區域，通常在L2到L3脊骨水平。它包含來自腰內臟神經的纖維，這些神經源自L₁-L₂脊髓段。

 

1.    Celiac Plexus: The celiac plexus is located around the level of the T₁₂ to L₁ vertebrae. It receives fibers from the greater splanchnic nerves, which originate from the T₅-T₉ spinal segments.

2.    Superior Mesenteric Plexus: The superior mesenteric plexus is situated around the level of the L₁ vertebra. It primarily receives contributions from the lesser splanchnic nerve, which arises from the T₁₀-T₁₁ spinal segments.

3.    Intermesenteric Plexus: The intermesenteric plexus spans the area between the superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric plexuses, generally around the L₂ to L₃ vertebral levels. It contains fibers from the lumbar splanchnic nerves, which originate from the L₁ – L₂ spinal segments.

 

黃庭、玉房和命門的位置

Location of Huang Ting, Jade Chamber and Mingmen

 

圖一

Figure 1

 

腹部神經叢 – Abdominal Nerve Plexuses

 

 圖二

Figure 2

 

以上所說的”順則成人、逆則成仙”就是返老還童的修練，是由老年返回少年或

童年，甚至回到胚胎時期，那麼怎樣修法呢?道家的修練是由炁開始，打通十二經脈和奇經八脈，又能將炁進入五臟六腑。在未進一步討論之前，我們先介紹以下胚胎學的數點。

 

The aforementioned “If one follows the natural order, they become human; if

one goes against it, they become immortal” refers to the cultivation of reversing aging, returning from old age to youth or childhood, and even back to the embryonic stage. So, how is this practiced? Taoist cultivation starts with Qi, clearing the twelve meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels, allowing Qi to enter the five organs and six viscera. Before further discussion, let’s introduce the following points about embryology.

 

胚胎學– Embryology

1.    生殖脊 – Gonadal Ridges

在發育的胎兒中，生殖脊位於較低的胸椎和上腰椎部分，大約從第六胸椎(T₆)到第一腰椎(L₁)的位置。這是胚胎中生殖脊形成的一般區域，也是原始生殖細胞遷移到開始生殖腺發育的地方。

 

In a developing fetus, the gonadal ridges are positioned at the level of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, roughly from the sixth thoracic (T₆) to the first lumbar (L₁) vertebrae. This is the general area in the embryo where the gonadal ridges form and where the primordial germ cells migrate to initiate the development of the gonads.

 

2.    原始生殖細胞- Primordial Germ Cells

原始生殖細胞（PGCs）在發育中的胚胎起源於表皮層，並通過卵黃囊壁遷移到發育中的生殖腺。它們的遷移涉及沿著後腸的背部腸繫膜移動到生殖脊，這些生殖脊最初位於脊柱的下胸椎和上腰椎段，具體是T₁₀至L₂水平。

 

這種遷移對於在生殖腺中建立未來的生殖細胞至關重要。原始生殖細胞遷移到生殖脊的過程在胚胎發育的早期階段發生，大約在妊娠的第五至第六周。

 

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in a developing embryo originate in the epiblast and migrate through the yolk sac wall to the developing gonads. Their migration involves moving along the dorsal mesentery of the hindgut to the gonadal ridges, which are initially located near the region of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spine, specifically around the levels of T₁₀ to L₂. (Figure 3)

 

This migration is crucial for the establishment of future reproductive cells within the gonads. The migration of PGCs to the gonadal ridges occurs during the early stages of embryonic development, around the fifth to sixth week of gestation.

 

性腺和原始生殖細胞關係

Relationship Between Primordial Germ Cells and Future Gonads

 

 

圖三

Figure 3

 

3.    生殖腺 – Gonads

在胎兒中，最初發展成為生殖腺（男性的睪丸和女性的卵巢）的性腺脊起源於中間間葉，靠近第六至第十胸椎(T₆至T₁₀)。這個區域對應於細胞開始增值和分化成特定組織，形成生殖器官的脊髓水平。

 

In a fetus, the genital ridge, which eventually develops originates from the intermediate mesoderm near the levels of the sixth to tenth thoracic vertebrae (T6 to T10). This region corresponds to the spinal levels where the cells begin to proliferate and differentiate into the specific tissues that form the reproductive organs.

 

似乎有些混淆，成年人的性腺（睪丸和卵巢）的神經支配確實涉及較低的胸椎

和上腰椎，特別是在T₁₀至L₁之間。然而，在胎兒發育期間，性腺脊初次形成位於T6至 T10的胸椎段。

 

      成人時，特定神經支配性腺區域，如睪丸或卵巢動脈，源於T₁₀至L₁，這負責這些器官的感覺和自主控制。因此，T₁並不直接涉及性腺。

 

      It seems there might be some confusion here. The spinal levels associated with the innervation of the gonads (testes and ovaries) in adults indeed involve lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, specifically around T₁₀-L₁. However, during fetal development, the initial formation of the genital ridge occurs near the thoracic segments T₆ to T₁₀.

 

            As an adult, the specific nerves innervating the gonadal regions, such as the testicular or ovarian arteries, originate around T₁₀ to L₁, which is responsible for the sensation and autonomic control of these organs. Thus, T₁ would not be directly involved with the gonads.

 

 

            中國傳統理念，血氣對人體健康很重要，我們認為血就是循環系統，而氣就是炁，炁與神經系統有關。我們在《黃庭外景經》一書內已討論過血炁問題，黃庭內所說的靈根就是神經叢，特別是腹部大動脈上的神經叢。黃庭就是太陽叢，其色玄黃，經內說的大動脈是樹、杖和籥等來代表或形容，而其色是赤褐。

 

      In traditional Chinese concepts, blood and Qi are very important for human health. We believe that blood corresponds to the circulatory system, while Qi corresponds to the vital energy, which is related to the nervous system. In our book “Illustrated Commentary on the Huang Ting Wai Jing Jing”, we have discussed the issue of blood and Qi. The term “靈根＂ mentioned in Huang Ting refers to the nerve plexus, especially the nerve plexus on the abdominal aorta. Huang Ting is the solar plexus, with a color of dark yellow. The aorta in the classic text is represented or described using metaphors like trees, staffs, and flutes, and its color is reddish-brown.

 

            從道家或瑜珈的修練，如果能冥想在靈根上，尤其在太陽叢（第二個腦）地帶，修練者可以獲得智慧或五通。為什麼呢？從胚胎的生長或進化，太陽叢和其他附近神經叢都和初始生殖細胞，生殖器官和大動脈（圖四）有關。用道家的理論＂逆則成仙＂，如果冥想和炁的修練集中在太陽叢地帶而引發原始細胞的活躍，不是可以返老還童嗎！

 

      From Taoist or Yoga practices, if one can meditate on the spiritual root, especially in the area of the solar plexus (the second brain), the practitioner can gain wisdom or five supernatural abilities. Why is this so? From the perspective of embryonic growth or evolution, the solar plexus and other nearby nerve plexuses are related to primordial germ cells reproductive organs, and aorta (Figure 4). According to Taoist theory, “going against the natural order leads to immortality”, if meditation and Qi cultivation in the solar plexus area activate primordial cells, wouldn’t this result in reversing aging?

 

腹部主動脈和原始生殖細胞關係

Relationship of Abdominal Aorta and Primordial Germ Cells

 

 

圖四

Figure 4

            中外古書有液體或風等的句語，我們認為它們都是炁的代表暗語（請看圖五和圖六），另外，如果炁的訊息可以影響初始生殖細胞的變化，那麼返老還童要全息，如任督二脈相通，從圖七可以看到腰脊骨L₂的附近盆部的副交感神經才可以和上身的副交感神經相通

 

            Ancient books from both China and the West often use terms like fluid or wind, which we believe are metaphorical representations of Qi (see Figure 5 and Figure 6). Furthermore, if the messages carried by Qi can influence the changes in primordial germ cells, then reversing aging requires a holistic approach, such as connecting the Ren and Du meridians. From Figure 7, it can be seen that only by connecting the parasympathetic nerves near the lumbar spine L₂ region with the parasympathetic nerves of the upper body can this be achieved.

 

            在西方有兩文獻提及太陽叢和兒/女或人的產生，太陽叢我們認為就是黃庭(圖五) ，在脊骨或肋骨之間的液體(圖六)或許就是炁，所以黃庭(太陽叢)是靈性(靈童?)產生的地方。

 

In the west, there are two documents mentioning the solar plexus and the generation of children or humans. We believe that the solar plexus corresponds to Huang Ting (Figure 5). The fluid between the vertebrae or ribs (Figure 6) may be Qi, so Huang Ting (solar plexus) is the place where the spiritual lad (靈童?) is generated.

 

圖五，有人說:「松果體(約瑟)和腦垂體(瑪麗亞) ，是每個孩子在約十二歲時在太陽叢中出生的靈性之子的副母。」

 

Figure 5, somebody said: “ The pineal gland (Joseph) and pituitary gland (Mary), parents of the spiritual son/daughter born in the solar plexus in every child at about the age of twelve.”

 

 圖五

Figure 5

在《古蘭經》中，有關於人類創造的描述，提到人類是由一種從脊椎和肋骨之間流出的液體創造的。這裡是這一概念的中文翻譯和解釋:

 

在《古蘭經》第86章第5-7節中提到:

「人應當思考自己是怎麼被創造出來的。他是由一道從脊椎和肋骨之間流出的液體創造的。」

 

In the Quran, there are descriptions of the creation of humans, mentioning that humans are created from a fluid emitted from between the backbone and the ribs. Here is the translation and explanation in English:

「Let man consider from what he is created. He is created from a fluid, ejected, emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.” (Figure 6)

 

脊椎和肋骨之間

Between the Backbone and the Ribs

 

圖六

Figure 6

 

副交感神經的兩部

Two Divisions of the Parasympathetic System

 

圖七

Figure 7

 

 

以上的討論和推測是我們修練三十多年的見證，讓讀者或修練者自己去思考和實踐，希望有一天科學能給我們一個答案。

 

The above discussions and speculations are based on our thirty-plus years of cultivation experience, allowing readers or practitioners to think and practice for themselves. We hope that one day science will provide us with an answer.