A THREAD THROUGH THE TEXT
Nurturing life
Softness, breathing, and the image of the newborn invite a different relationship with vitality. Read these as philosophical images, not medical instructions.
Holding to the one
载营魄抱一，能无离乎？专气致柔，能婴儿乎？涤除玄览，能无疵乎？爱国治民，能无知乎？天门开阖，能为雌乎？明白四达，能无为乎？生之，畜之。
When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the…
Read chapterReturning to the root
致虚极，守静笃。
The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. All things alike go through their…
Read chapterLife and death
出生入死。
Men come forth and live; they enter (again) and die. Of every ten three are ministers of life (to themselves); and three are ministers of death. There are…
Read chapterThe newborn child
含德之厚，比于赤子。
He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is like an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him;…
Read chapterLiving things are soft
人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。
Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and…
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