The Yellow Emperor Chapter 81 – Basic Question – On the Subtleties of Essence 解精微论

This Chapter is a dialogue from the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 81, which explores the physiological basis of tears and nasal discharge. Lei Gong questions the Emperor regarding instances of crying without tears or with minimal nasal discharge, prompting a discussion of the relationship between emotions (especially grief), bodily fluids, and the balance of yin and yang within the body. The Emperor explains these phenomena through the lens of the heart, kidneys, brain, and the interplay of "willpower" (志) and "spirit" (神). The text ultimately uses these examples to illustrate the complexities of internal medicine and the importance of understanding the body's underlying energetic principles.