Translation by Sifu John A. Fey
1 sit quietly
2 focus and forget
3 rest within the great achievement
4 the ancient child asks what is the great achievement
5 it is beyond description in any language it can only be felt intuitively it can only be expressed intuitively engage a loose, alert, and aware body, mind, and sound then look into the formless and perceive no thing
6 see yourself as a sphere small at first growing to encompass the vastness of infinite space
7 sit quietly
focus and forget then in a state of ease and rest secure the truth of the great achievement
8 employing the truth will not exhaust its power when it seems exhausted it is really abundant and while human art will die at the hands of utility the great achievement is beyond being useful
9 great straightness is curved and crooked great intelligence is raw and silly great words are simple and naturally awkward
10 engaged movement drives out the frozen cold mindful stillness subdues the frenzied heart
11 sit quietly
focusing
forgetting
summon order from the void
that guides the ordering of the universe
1-3 HAND: These are meditation instructions. The Great Achievement, or da cheng, is a specific level of accomplishment in Taoist cultivation.
4-7 HAND: Specifically, the Great Achievement begins as a free and unrestricted flow of gi energy throughout the bodymind. As this free and unrestricted flow of life-force energy increases, the bodymind is elevated to deeper levels of perception and awareness. Blocked qi results from employing too much mental or physical strength. When the qi is blocked or congested, it suppresses intention.
Suppressed intention disrupts and disturbs the spirit, which, in turn, leads to physical and mental disease [sic]. The meditation and Qigong activities presented in this chapter remedy this situation.
8 MIND: This refers to the truth of cultivating the Great Achievement.
9 HEART: These are fundamental Taoist concepts.
10-11 HAND: Once the Cultivator succeeds in manifesting the Great Achievement, his spiritual state must be tested and refined through a series of specific physical movements. During these movements, the Cultivator maintains a perfect state of quiescence. As a result of exploring the outer environment with these movements, the Cultivator plunges deeper into his own interior environment. Soon, it feels as if the movements take on a life of their own directed by the Tao Source.