Now in his eighties, Professor Song Zuomin remains remarkably vigorous. He continues to see patients several days a week, inspiring admiration and self-reflection among younger physicians.
Spiritual Wellness
During his lectures, Professor Song frequently emphasized the importance of wellness.Master Song stated: Traditional Chinese medicine places great emphasis on health preservation. Classical medical texts contain an immense number of books or chapters dedicated to this subject—so vast they could fill libraries, easily accessible at hand. For instance, the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), the most authoritative extant work of Chinese medicine, devotes more chapters to health preservation than to treatment. Particularly in its opening chapter, "On the Primordial Truth of the Ancient," it proposes:'When the spirit is inwardly guarded, the wind-like pathogens cannot invade; By avoiding them at the right time, Maintaining tranquility and emptiness, The vital energy follows.' 'Maintain regular routines in daily life, Practice moderation in eating and drinking, Avoid excessive exertion.' These passages cover numerous aspects including diet, exercise, daily routines, and self-protection."
Master Song believed health preservation should encompass two dimensions: spiritual cultivation and physical cultivation.
Spiritual cultivation emphasizes a particular state of mind. It differs from modern psychological concepts like mental or emotional regulation. Psychological regulation involves consciously and purposefully adjusting one's emotions and cognition to control self-awareness. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine's spiritual cultivation stresses tranquility and emptiness—a state of diminished self-awareness, free from specific goals, desires, or demands, characterized by peaceful introspection. Simply put, it is a state of selflessness and self-forgetfulness.Only in this state do life's activities unfold most naturally and healthily. Only then can the "spirit" remain "internally guarded," and the "true qi" follow accordingly. How does one achieve selflessness and self-forgetfulness? Master Song stated: To attain this, one must learn to relinquish—remaining "unmoved by external gains, unburdened by personal losses"—and follow nature's course.In modern society, people struggle precisely with this. Material desires, ambition, greed for money, cravings for food and sensual pleasures, possessiveness, envy, arrogance—how can one achieve tranquility and emptiness, with the spirit guarding within? Therefore, to cultivate spiritual health, one must overcome desires and forget the self.
Dr. Song said: I am now over 80 years old and have dedicated more than 60 years to the medical profession. In my youth, I studied medicine to make a living. In middle age, I found joy in successfully treating each illness. In my later years, I recall the happy faces of patients I cured, finding happiness in relieving their suffering. Moreover, I still feel immense joy knowing I can continue to do something for them.If I have any remaining wish, it is to do more for the people around me while I still live.
Today's discussions of health preservation primarily focus on physical well-being—strengthening health through diet, daily routines, emotional regulation, and exercise to achieve longevity. In essence, it remains a form of self-preservation.
Diet: Dr. Song's daily meals centered on light, plant-based fare with minimal meat. He occasionally drank small amounts of wine, preferred mild flavors, and avoided spicy foods. He adhered to the principles of "good, full, and moderate": Breakfast was substantial since he often saw patients in the morning—typically a small bowl of milk or congee, one egg, and a steamed bun or pastry.He ate heartily at noon, making it his main meal with vegetables and staples, favoring more greens and less meat, and enjoying noodles while balancing refined and coarse grains. Dinner was light to avoid stomach discomfort and restless sleep; he often had only porridge and rarely ate staples. Only during celebrations would he sip half an ounce of white wine—he was never seen drinking heavily.
Daily Routine: Rising early and retiring early was a habit Mr. Song cultivated over many years. He also took a nap after lunch daily. Mr. Song placed great importance on the "midnight and noon naps." The term "midnight and noon naps" originates from ancient Chinese wisdom. "Midnight" refers to the Zi hour (11 PM to 1 AM); "noon" refers to the Wu hour (11 AM to 1 PM).Ancient wisdom held that these hours marked the peak ebb and flow of yin and yang energies, when humans should enter a state of stillness to align with nature's rhythms. Resting during Zi hour was considered especially vital, making late nights particularly harmful to health.
Pre-sleep routine: Before bed and upon waking, Mr. Song routinely performed abdominal massage.Method: Lie flat with the body fully relaxed. Place the left palm on the abdomen, stack the right hand over the back of the left hand, and rotate counterclockwise 64 times. Then rotate clockwise 64 times. Next, push and press 64 times from the chest down to the abdomen, moving from top to bottom.Apply gentle pressure, penetrating beneath the skin without exerting excessive force. Typically performed daily before sleep; when unwell, do it once upon waking and once before bed. Exercise: Master Song noted that Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty stated: "Flowing water does not rot; the hinge of a door does not decay." This illustrates the need for necessary exercise beyond work—such as Tai Chi or calisthenics—to promote health.Exercise should not be undertaken impulsively or with reckless intensity. It requires consistent effort, persevering regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, the intensity of activity should be appropriately moderate, maintaining physical and mental relaxation. Exercise should not be treated as a chore to be hurriedly completed, as this can be counterproductive.Mr. Song, who had poor health, spent half his day sitting during outpatient clinics with limited lower-body movement. Thus, his morning routine focused on leg lifts, kicks, knee rotations, and bending exercises—what he called his "back and leg exercises." Each session lasted about half an hour to stimulate blood circulation, unblock meridians, and strengthen muscles and bones.After morning exercises, he often does light household chores within his capabilities, such as sweeping the floor or washing clothes. He follows Zhu Xi's maxim: "Rise at dawn and sweep the courtyard." This not only keeps his limbs and body active but also contributes to household tasks. More importantly, it fosters harmonious family relationships—why not embrace it?
Emotional Well-being
Mr. Song emphasized that the key to longevity lies in one's mindset. As the saying goes, "We bring nothing when we come, and take nothing when we go," meaning we should not place excessive demands on material possessions. Life is filled with endless comparisons; only those who know contentment can find lasting joy. When desires go unmet, self-inflicted worries arise, disrupting normal physiological functions, damaging health, and accelerating aging.Among these, emotional instability is a particularly significant factor.
To contribute meaningfully to humanity brings peace of mind. "If not a great statesman, then a great physician" is a noble aspiration. Medicine is a lofty profession; practitioners should view it as a path to helping others achieve health, thereby finding personal fulfillment. A physician's duty is to heal and save lives.
When one achieves selflessness—when helping others becomes a source of joy—long life is assured.
Master Song's Exercise Method (Waist and Leg Training):
Starting Position: Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips, eyes looking straight ahead.
1.Leg Lifts: Raise the right leg upward 8-16 times, then raise the left leg 8-16 times. Inhale before each lift and exhale upon landing, maintaining a smooth, silent motion.
2. Knee Rotations: Bend forward at the waist, hands on knees. With knees bent, rotate knees clockwise from right to left 8-16 times, then counterclockwise.
3. Alternating Kicks: Alternate kicking each foot forward 16 times. Curl toes downward during kick, then flatten foot upon landing.
6. Waist Bend Exercise: Interlace fingers, palms facing forward. Slowly bend forward, reaching hands toward feet until nearly touching, 8-16 times.
When first performing these exercises, proceed moderately without straining. With time, they will become effortless.