Prevention of Mental-Emotional Problems

Mental activity is the most important aspect of the Mind and this is affected by either excessive
thinking or excessive emotional strain. It follows then that the most important measures one can
take to prevent mental-emotional problems are to restrain one's mental activity and avoid
emotional strain. "To restrain one's mental activity" means not only avoiding excessive mental
work, but also avoiding thinking too much altogether. These concepts are heavily influenced by
Daoist ideas of "nourishing life" by calming the Mind and preventing distracting thoughts. The
very first chapter of the "Simple Questions" says:

... one should live a quiet life with few desires so that one can preserve one's Qi

and guard one's Mind in order to avoid disease. Thus if emotions are absent and

craving is curbed, the Heart is peaceful and there is no fear84.(275)

Thus, in order to attain a tranquil Mind the ancient Daoist sages advocated three basic attitudes:

1. Avoid excessive thinking


2. Avoid excessive craving


3. Avoid distracting thoughts.

Restraining craving is particularly applicable to Western industrialized societies where
consumerism is rampant and the pressures of advertising contribute to creating ever new
"needs". Restraining craving and desire is very important to achieve mental tranquillity as
excessive craving stirs up the Minister Fire which harasses the Heart and Pericardium.

This Daoist ideal is of course terribly difficult to attain but even just barely striving towards parts
of it is a step in the right direction.

In the past, some Daoist doctors even formulated "prescriptions", mimicking herbal
prescriptions, to calm the Mind, restrain thinking and curb emotions. Two of them will be
presented here as examples.

Xiang Sui Wan
("Pill" to the Likeness of Marrow)

• NOT THINKING TOO MUCH = nourishes the Heart (emperor ingredient)


• RESTRAINING ANGER = nourishes the Liver