Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi by Michael Puett & Christine Gross-Loh

Author:Michael Puett & Christine Gross-Loh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

The Inward Training

The Inward Training conceptualizes humans and the entire world as consisting of different forms of energy, called qi, and presents a way of refining qi effectively in order to live with more vitality. This poetic text embodies its own argument, as the verses move from discussions of Heaven above to the earth below and the inner workings of human beings.

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As for the essence of all things, it is this that is life. Below it generates the five grains; above it becomes the arrayed stars. Floating between Heaven and earth, we call it ghosts and spirits; stored within one’s chest, we call it a sage.

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Therefore this qi cannot be stopped with force, but it can be made to rest through power [ de ]; it cannot be called by sound, but it can be welcomed by musical pitch. Reverently hold fast to it and do not lose it.

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Now the Way is without a fixed place, but a good mind will bring it to rest and care for it. If the mind is still and the qi patterned [ li ], the Way can thereupon be brought to a stop.

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The Way is that about which the mouth cannot speak, the eye cannot see, the ear cannot hear. It is that with which one cultivates the mind and corrects the form. If men lose it, they die; if they obtain it, they live. If, in performing tasks, [the Way] is lost, one will fail; if it is obtained, the tasks will be completed.

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Heaven values correctness; earth values levelness; man values calmness and stillness. Spring, autumn, winter, and summer are the seasons of Heaven. Mountains, hills, streams, and valleys are the branches of earth. Happiness, anger, taking, and giving are the schemes of man. For this reason the sage alters with the seasons but is not transformed, follows things but is not changed.

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Only he who is capable of being correct and still is capable of being settled. If he has a settled mind within, ears and eyes that hear and see clearly, and four limbs that are durable and strong, then he can be the resting place of the essence. Essence is the essence of qi. When the qi follows the Way, there is life.

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Essence is the essence of qi.

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To unify things and be able to transform them is called spirit. To unify affairs and be able to alter them is called craft. Transforming but not altering the qi, altering but not changing one’s craft: only the superior person holding fast to the One is able to do this. By holding fast to the One and not losing it, he is able to rule over the myriad things. The superior person controls things; he is not controlled by them. He obtains the pattern [ li ] of the One.

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The extremity of divine illumination—so brilliant it knows the myriad things. Hold it fast within and do not be excessive. Do not allow things to disorder the senses, and do not allow the senses to disorder the mind.

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