Translation by Sifu John A. Fey
1 authenticity who are you where do you reside what sustains you where do you go
2 I am the original bodymind
I live in the folds of essence, energy, and spirit the tao way of life sustains me
3 I move about in the vast undifferentiated realm and the field of all that is possible
4 inhale and make the sound exhale and make the sound and write
5
Life Live Grow.
Full. Abundance Fulfillment
Divine potent Spiritual Rest Repose Serene Pure Clear Water. 6 since ancient times these have been the keys living and growing to an abundance of spiritual
force and
energized serenity acquired through tranquility 7 the pivot is a bowl of water left alone and
undisturbed
so the surface becomes as clear as glass able to reflect
8 illumination
balance, poise, and equilibrium
9 these are the secrets of wholeness within the tao way of life
10 without the tao way of life heaven, earth, and man are divided
11 life
fullness
divinity
tranquility
clarity
12 would all be forfeit
1-2 MIND: The original bodymind expresses itself in authentic action and behavior. The roots of that authenticity reside in a precise blending of the Three Treasures:
Essence, or ching: The motive force of life, radiant optimism, zest for life, personal drive, and determination. There is also a physical component of ching in Taoist physiology.Energy, or qi: Life-force energy, intrinsic energy; energy of creation. There is a physical component of qi in Taoist physiology.Spirit, or shen: The soul, the personal spirit of a human being. The shen bridges ordinary consciousness with the Tao Source and enters the bodymind at the time of conception. There is a physical component of shen in Taoist physiology.
3 MIND and HEART: A fundamental statement of
Taoist empowerment.
4-5 HAND: These are instructions in mystical technique designed to demonstrate the unity of ching, qi, and shen. The characters in stanza 5 are each written in one continuous motion and coordinated with a single breath. Simply put, the student envisions himself afloat in the Tao Realm with his mind fixed on the character and its meaning. The student takes a deep breath while intoning the sound "heng" and lifts his brush above the paper. Following the inhalation, the student exhales while intoning the sound "hah" and draws the character. The same process is observed with each of the fifteen characters that make up the stanza.
6 HEART: The drawing of each character and any interplay between Master and student should not disturb the student's quiescence.
7 MIND: A reflective mind misses nothing of what it reflects.
8-9 MIND and HAND: The mystical experience of Taoist illumination must occur in a fully realized Taoist life. The three watchwords both initiate and support illumination.
10-12 HEART: If no one cultivated the Tao, then the goodness of the whole universe would suffer.