While I originally intended to present each sentence "as is" (with no additional interpretation of the sentence as-a-whole on my part), there are many sentences which do not seem to make sense without a context. The more I study the Nei Ye, the more I have come to believe that it is talking about aligning the heart/mind, not the physical body, to receive Dao, De, Qi and essence. In particular, I believe that some references to "form" are referring to the "form of the heart/mind" (a phrase which is used explicitly three times), and so have added that phrase in two more places, indicated by [brackets]. In addition, a couple of references to "returning" are assumed to be referring to returning to one's nature (a phrase which is used explicitly once), and they are also indicated by brackets. There are a few more personal assumptions indicated by brackets. Other scholarly and personal interpretations are explained in the footnotes. The section (---) and sub-section (blank line) divisions are entirely due to the hubris of the translator. As far as I know, there are no section markers in the original manuscripts, because Rickett, Roth, and Eno often use different divisions. Definitions ----------- Some of the terms that are used repeatedly need to be discussed beforehand for clarity : Dao (Tao) : in the Dao De Jing, Dao is both the natural way of things and the process of following that way; here, it is something that is essential for life and that can dwell in the heart/mind; it is left untranslated so that the readers may "fill in the blank" for themselves as they read De (Te) : in the Dao De Jing, De is most often translated as "virtue" or "power" and is described in Chapter 49 as "goodness" or "virtue" and "honesty" or "trust"; here, it is something that can "arrive" in a person and is used daily; it is also left untranslated so that the readers may "fill in the blank" for themselves "Qi" (Ch'i) : vitality, life force, life energy, vital energy; it can also refer to the breath; here, it is needed for life and dwells in the heart/mind, and is also left untranslated "essence" : this is also something that can "arrive" and "settle" in a person, and is required for life It should be noted that "Qi" and "essence" are very intimately linked, if not actually referring to the exact same thing (but then why use two names?). Both Qi and essence are required for life and can dwell within the body, and there are lines apparently referring to the "essence of Qi" and the "Qi of essence".