Can You ...?
| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 載 營 魄 抱 一 | expanding the soul, embrasing the one |
| 能 無 離 乎 | can you, without disengaging (from society)? |
| 專 氣 致 柔 | refine the qi, moving nimbly, |
| 能 嬰 兒 乎 | can you, like a young child? |
| 滌 除 玄 覽 | releasing attachments, seeing the mysteries |
| 能 無 疵 乎 | can you, without exception? |
| 愛 民 治 國 | loving the people, govern the nation |
| 能 無 知 乎 | can you, without prying? |
| 天 門 開 闔 | heavenly doorway opening completely |
| 能 為 雌 乎 | can you be the womb? |
| 明 白 四 達 | seeing clearly all four directions |
| 能 無 知 乎 | can you, without certainty? |
| 生 之 | giving it life |
| 畜 之 | nourishing it |
| 生 而 不 有 | giving life but not claiming |
| 為 而 不 恃 | doing but not expecting |
| 長 而 不 宰 | providing but not controlling |
| 是 謂 玄 德 | these are called mysterious virtues |
My Comments:
This chapter was the one that convinced me that the original author really was talking about meditation in this and other chapters (like ch 6). At first, I was sceptical. But the imagry of moving qi around within the body, and opening the door of heaven and allowing it to fill you. That really is the most likely actual intended meaning.