Chapter 10: Cultivating the Spirit (第10章：能為)

載營魄抱一，能無離乎？
專氣致柔，能如嬰兒乎？
滌除玄鑒，能無疵乎？
愛國治民，能無知乎？
天門開闔，能為雌乎？
明白四達，能無知乎？
生之畜之，生而弗有，為而弗恃，長而弗宰，是謂玄德。
☸

Translation

Can you embrace the One with your soul without straying?
Can you concentrate your Qi to reach softness like a newborn?
Can you cleanse your mysterious mirror and leave no blemish?
Can you love the people and govern the state without "cleverness"?
Can you be receptive like the female as the gates of Heaven open and close?
Can you be enlightened and penetrate all directions without "knowledge"?

Give birth to them and nourish them.
Birth them but do not possess them;
Act but do not expect;
Lead but do not dominate.
This is called Mysterious Virtue (Xuande).

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

"Embracing the One" (抱一) is the core of Liuren meditation. It means unifying the physical body (Po) and the spiritual soul (Hun) into a single point of concentration. This is the foundation for all internal power.

"Concentrating Qi to reach softness" (專氣致柔) is the technical key. In our tradition, magic is not forced; it is allowed to flow. By cultivating the softness of a "newborn," the practitioner removes the rigid blockages that prevent the Immortal Master's power from entering.

The "Mysterious Mirror" (玄鑒) refers to the clarified mind. A practitioner must "cleanse" their intentions so that the magic they perform is pure and without "blemish" (ego/desire). This results in Mysterious Virtue (玄德), the highest form of spiritual attainment.

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