Translation by Sifu John A. Fey
1 the first step is to enter the place from whence you came
2 the second step is to play in the field of
limitlessness
3 the third step is to demonstrate birth, growth,
maturation, and
death
4 the fourth step is to rest quietly listening for wisdom and the sacred sounds watching the web of moving existence all around
you
5 rest
and then
6 play again
This is an important point in the direct transmission process.
The student is asked to demonstrate "the interplay of being and not-being" by performing a series of transformative movements. In all three cases, l was required to engage in Taoist swordplay to reflect on the concept of "fine spun" that was introduced in Chapter Thirty-one.
Taoists regard this chapter and the activity it describes as a complete encapsulated summary of the entire Taoist philosophy. Though, as previously stated, ancient Taoists did not impose a rigid chapter structure on
"Conversations with the Ancient Child," this enfolded description of Taoism usually marked the halfway point of the classic.
1 HAND: Ritualistically enter a sacred precinct within the Tao Realm.
2 HAND: Begin a series of self-directed movement improvisations driven by a mystic state.
3 HAND: Graphically demonstrate the natural order of the universe with movement; that is, birth (yuan), growth (heng), maturation (li), and death (chen).
4 HAND: Assume a meditative posture, turn inward, and maintain a state of reflective awareness.
5-6 HAND: After a period of reflective meditation, begin the whole process anew.