Let Be and Let Alone (4)

1 It had been nineteen years since Yellow Emperor unified the country. In the past years he had confronted many problems of governance, and didn’t know how to solve them.

2 Therefore, when knowing Guang Chengzi, a famous man of wisdom, living in Kongtong Mountain, Yellow Emperor immediately paid a visit and expected to get some advice from him.

3 Having arrived at Guang Chengzi’s house; he came straight to the point after simple greeting and small talk. He asked, “People of the country said that you are a man of perfect practice and has profound aware of the best way of governance. May I consult you about what the essence of Tao is? I wish I could have it and employ it to improve the harvest of crops and people’s living.

4 I will employ it to control the change of Yin and Yang, to make perfect weather and to make everything prosper.”

5 Guang Chengzi was very disappointed at his secular thinking. He replied, “The questions you raise are all in the field of material. What you want to control is the empty shells of all things. For me, they are nothing in nature.

6 I had observed nature for a long time. Since you were in power, it rained before the cloud was gathering thick enough, this resulted in insufficient rainfall. Water therefore wasted since it could not permeate into the soil.

7 Leaves fell before it became yellow, which caused insufficient photosynthesis. Consequently, trees had insufficient nutrition and then the fruits were in bad harvest.

8 Even the sun and the moon look dim and inactive.

9 From various phenomena, you were proved to be a shallow and talkative ordinary man. How could I talk about Tao with you?”

10 Wearing shame on his face, Yellow emperor went back. However, he didn’t give up the determination of seeking Tao. After temporarily consigning the state affairs to other, he found a concealed cabin where the furnishings were simple; the floor was paved straw only. In the cabin he lived a reclusive life for three months. He thought that he had thrown away most of the worldly concepts. He went to Kongtong Mountain again to consult Guang Chengzi about the truth of Tao.

11 When arriving, Yellow Emperor saw Guang Chengzi sitting and facing south. He didn’t stand up to welcome him. Yellow Emperor walked up slowly in great reverence and then kneeled down to move up to the bed where Guang Chengzi sat.

12 Yellow Emperor reverently kowtowed twice and said, “I heard that you are deeply aware of the perfect Tao. Could I consult about how to maintain health to prolong life?”

13 Hearing this question, Chengzi beamed in his eyes. He remarked, “Good question. Come. Let me tell you what the perfect Tao is.

14 The essence of Tao is subtle. What it contains is dim. It is rather difficult to understand it.

15 Close your eyes. Just hear, never react to outward sound. Stay still and think nothing by your consciousness. Do so like a fool, your body can adjust itself to keep healthy.

16 My way of practice is simple, stressing ‘tranquilness’ and ‘clearness’. Listen, don’t fatigue too much. Don’t disturb your mood. Then you can live through a hundred years.

17 The theory is simple too. If you close eyes, plug ears, and cease operation of consciousness, your self-nature, Buddha-nature, vigor, calmness and refinement will activate in your body. If the super wisdom takes care of your body, you will become healthier and keep long life.

18 So, in brief, the eye sees nothing, the ear hears nothing, and the mind thinks nothing, your spirit will stay in your body, and the body will thereby live forever. Namely, you maintain the peace and tranquilness of heart well, and reduce somewhat outward entanglement or even seal off. The littler you know the outward knowledge, the better you are. It is in vain to know more or think more. When you accomplish practice at basic level and your wisdom arises, your practice hit the way.

19 Then I will take you to the Plateau of Utmost Yang which is a place of great light; I will take your to the Plateau of Utmost Yin where you will see the mysterious scenes behind the dim door you’ve never seen before.

20 In general, Heaven and Earth have their separate functions. Yin and Yang have their hidden root respectively. Guard carefully and take care of your body, and the material things will adjust and prosper by themselves without your efforts.

21 Like this I guard my body prudently. I make an effort to live a life of tranquilness, non-action, joy, peace and composure.

22 Requiring less objective conditions and minding my own business only, I strive for harmonious coexistence with the surroundings. I lived through one thousand and two hundred years in this way. Up to now my body still keeps young.”

23 Feeling happy, Yellow Emperor make up his mind to practice it by himself. Kowtowing twice, he whispered with great respect, “You are God in this world. It is my honor to be met and enlightened. I am very grateful. I surely practice it in my place so as to live up to your expectation.”

24 Seeing present emperor’s devotion to Tao in such reverence, Guang Chengzi felt relaxed and relieved. He couldn’t help teaching his all practice way to Yellow Emperor. He said to Yellow Emperor, “Come and sit here. Let’s talk more.” He pointed at his bed edge.

25 “Common people think that the flesh body is mortal; however, as long as it is maintained well in the right way, immortality, I tell you, it is possible.

26 Common people think that everything has its limitation but actually, something is eternally unchangeable. If you practiced well and obtained Tao, you would be the master of life and act as what you want. Everything could be achieved. On the contrary, the man of no practice would cycle in transmigration and suffer endless life, death, aging and illness.

27 All creatures in this world grow from the earth and eventually die in the earth. When you succeed in practice, you can enter the realm of Nirvana where you will shine as the sun as well as the moon, and live in the same age as the universe.

28 The dim is before us and the dark behind. The people of our generation will die out but we still live alone. You have to be ready in your mind for the loneness.”