Translation by Sifu John A. Fey
1 what is more important to you what others think of you or
what you think of your body, mind, and spirit
2 is your natural energy, essence, and inspiration worth more to you than acquired material things
3 is gaining more or less painful than losing
4 speaking with the mystery refining your nature studying your emotions will inform you
5 if you love well you will spend yourself well
6 if you love too often you will exhaust yourself and die 7 when the power of the tao source of life flows into you from above
contentment and happiness abound
8 when you know how to extend your love and life in a way that does not impose itself on the
universe
then you will flow into it knowing when to move forward and backward when to twist left or right
when it's time to float upward or settle downward when it's best to move on or simply stand still
9 know these things and you will realize your
limitlessness
10 be the sacred friend that joins the hands of heaven and earth
accepting all the flaws and faults within and without your bodymind bearing on your shoulders
the good and the bad all around you
11 and you will preserve the bodymind of the world
1 MIND and BODY: This refers to your self-image.
Traditionally, Taoists cultivate a strong sense of self.
2 MIND and BODY: An alternate translation might be:
your life-force energy, your vitality for living, and
your soul
are these worth more to you than earthly
possessions?
3 MIND and BODY: Taoists often speak of "reaping the rewards of investing in loss." Said another way, we are in a constant state of losing and gaining simultaneously. We merely have to get out of the way of the process.
4 HAND: In this case, "refining your nature" refers to the practice of Taoist Alchemic Transformation.
Essentially, the qi of your internal organs is balanced with the qi of your emotions, bringing profound order to your inner world. Thus ordered, the Cultivator has greater access to the Tao Source.
5-6 MIND and BODY: This is a call to emotional self. discipline. It also refers to the physical act of love, as well as our emotional commitment to our loved ones.
7 MIND and HAND: This is the natural order, which leads to genuine contentment.
8 BODY: Treat the world around you and those in it with great respect. These are instructions in the Taoist way of being.
10-11 BODY and MIND: Intuitively and respectfully interacting with those around you is the way to understand limitlessness.
10-11 HEART, BODY, and MIND: These stanzas outline the idea of Taoist social conscience.