Chapter 61: Remaining Low (第61章：謙德)

大國者下流，天下之交，天下之牝。
牝常以靜勝牡，以靜為下。
故大國以下小國，則取小國；小國以下大國，則取大國。
故或下以取，或下而取。
大國不過欲兼畜人，小國不過欲入事人。
夫兩者各得其所欲，大者宜為下。
☸

Translation

A great state should be like the low-lying delta where all streams meet.
It is the meeting point of the world, the "Female" of the world.
The female always overcomes the male through stillness;
Through stillness, she remains below.

Therefore, if a great state stays below a small state, it wins over the small state.
If a small state stays below a great state, it wins the trust of the great state.

Some stay below to win; some stay below and win naturally.
The great state only desires to nourish all people.
The small state only desires to serve and be safe.
When both get what they want, the great one should especially stay below.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In Liuren Fajiao, "Remaining Low" (為下) is the secret to Spiritual Unification. A master who acts like the "low-lying delta" becomes the meeting point for all spiritual forces. By being receptive and "still" (the Female quality), the practitioner can harmonize even the most "aggressive" (Male) energies.

"Winning through stillness" (以靜勝牡) is how we resolve spiritual conflicts. We do not use force to conquer entities; we use the "low" state of the Dao to absorb and neutralize them. This is the "Great State" of cultivation—the desire to "Nourish all beings" (兼畜人) without ego.

The teaching "The great one should stay below" is a direct instruction for high-level masters. The more power one holds from the Immortal Master, the more humble and yielding one must be to maintain the balance of the lineage.

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