Chapter 22: Yielding and Overcoming (第22章：益謙)

曲則全，枉則直，
窪則盈，敝則新，
少則得，多則惑。
是以聖人抱一為天下式。
不自見，故明；不自是，故彰；
不自伐，故有功；不自矜，故長。
夫唯不爭，故天下莫能與之爭。
古之所謂「曲則全」者，豈虛言哉！誠全而歸之。
☸

Translation

Yield and you will be whole. Bend and you will be straight.
Hollow out and you will be filled. Be worn out and you will be renewed.
Have little and you will gain. Have much and you will be confused.

Therefore the Sage embraces the One and becomes a pattern for the world.
He does not show himself, so he is enlightened.
He does not justify himself, so he is distinguished.
He does not boast, so he receives credit.
He is not proud, so he endures.

Because he does not contend, no one in the world can contend with him.
Is the ancient saying "Yield and be whole" an empty phrase?
Truly, it is the path to wholeness.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In the Liuren path, "Yielding and being whole" (曲則全) is a profound tactical and spiritual instruction. In energy work and hand seals, a "curved" or "yielding" approach is often more powerful than a rigid, linear one. This is the essence of Soft Magic.

The "Embracing the One" (抱一) mentioned here reinforces the meditation practice from Chapter 10. By remaining centered and not "showing himself" (不自見), the master's power remains hidden and protected from the interference of others' egos.

"Not contending" (不爭) is the ultimate defense. If a practitioner does not push against the world with their own ego, there is nothing for an enemy's force to strike. By yielding, the master allows the Immortal Master's power to flow around and through obstacles, achieving a "wholeness" that no amount of force can reach.

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