It is ever so that concerning eating habits,
With excessive gorging, (one's breath) will be harmed
and the form will be unable to hold it all.
With excessive abstention, the bones will dry up
And the blood will congeal.
The middle ground between gorging and abstention
is called moderation.
It provides a place for the vital essence to dwell
and for knowledge to develop.
If hunger or overindulgence is excessive,
Deal with it in a planned manner.
When too full, quickly move about;
when hungry, relax your thoughts;
when feeling old and exhausted, forget your worries.
If, having eaten too much, you do not quickly move about,
The breath will not circulate to your four extremities.
If, being hungry, you do not relax your thoughts,
Your hunger will not be alleviated.
If, being old, you do not forget your worries when troubled,
you will be quickly exhausted.

next