Thus the Qi of the citizens : Is it bright? As though ascending to heaven. Is it dark and quiet? As though entering into an abyss. Is it wide and spacious? As though residing in the ocean. Is it close[A]? As though residing in oneself. Thus this Qi - Can not be brought to rest by using force, But can be calmed by using De. Can not be summoned by using your voice, But can be made welcome by using your intent. When you can respectfully* maintain it, and never lose it, This is called developed De. When De develops, and wisdom* arises, The bounty of the ten thousand creatures is attained. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always : the form of the heart/mind is Naturally full, naturally overflowing, Naturally born, naturally complete. The reason that you lose it Is certainly due to worries and happiness, love and anger, desire for profit. If you can leave behind worries and happiness, love and anger, desire for profit, Your heart/mind then returns [to its original nature] successfully. The nature of that heart/mind Benefits from calmness and the tranquility that comes from it. Do not be troubled, do not be confused, And harmony is then naturally achieved. Is it very bright? As though located right by your side. Is it very easy to overlook? As though it will never be attained. Is it very remote and indistinct? As though utterly without boundaries. To examine this, you need not go far : You use De daily. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now : Dao is the reason that the form [of the heart/mind] is full! But people can not be strong enough to keep it - It goes and does not return, It arrives but does not dwell. Is it silent? There is no one who can hear its sound. Is it close[A]? It is residing in the heart/mind. Is it very dim and obscure? You can not see its form. Is it very prolific? It gives us all life. You can not see its form, You can not hear its voice, Yet there is an order to its accomplishments. We call it Dao. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always : Dao is nowhere to be found, But in a virtuous heart/mind it can calmly dwell. When the heart/mind is still and Qi is regulated, Dao can then stay there. That Dao is not remote : Citizens attain it by being born. That Dao does not depart : Citizens rely on it for understanding. Thus : is it close[A]? As though it could be tied together with you. Is it very minute and subtle? As though it is utterly nowhere to be found. The nature of that Dao Detests thoughts and words about it. But when you cultivate your heart/mind and still your thoughts, Dao can then be attained. --------------------------------------------------------------------------