Study of Inner Cultivation
Public-domain ebook
Study of Inner Cultivation
by Anonymous
Language: en1,001 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Philosophy & Ethics·Religion/Spirituality
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #38585.
About this book
This work is an anonymous early Chinese treatise on inner cultivation, composed sometime between 350 and 300 BC and preserved in the third‑century collection known as the Guanzi. It is a concise text, about one‑fifth the length of the Dao De Jing, written in short, often rhymed verses that explore how to gather and store spiritual forces such as Qi, “essence,” and the Dao within the heart/mind. The opening passages introduce the concept of “always” as the source of life, describing how Qi moves through heaven and earth, how it can be calmed by virtue (De), and how a properly aligned heart/mind can retain these forces. The author offers no social or political commentary, focusing instead on the personal practice of aligning mind, heart, and breath to receive Dao and De.
The translation aims for literal fidelity, preserving each Chinese symbol and its repeated usage, which gives the English a measured, almost formulaic rhythm that mirrors the original’s meditative cadence. The style reflects a scholarly reconstruction from multiple early manuscripts, with occasional bracketed clarifications that reveal the translator’s interpretive choices. Readers who enjoy close readings of early Taoist thought, comparative philosophy, or the foundations of Chinese meditation will find this text rewarding. It especially appeals to those interested in the technical language of Qi, Dao, and De, and to scholars who appreciate a translation that prioritizes lexical consistency over smoothness.
Opening lines
Background ---------- The "Nei Ye" or "Nei Yeh", variously translated as "Inner Enterprise", "Inner Training", "Inner Cultivation", or "Inner Development" (and "Inward" may be substituted for "Inner" in any of the previous), is generally considered to have been written around 350-300 BC (after Confucius, but before the Dao De Jing). Its influence can be seen in many aspects of Daoism (including the Dao De Jing itself) and in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a brief work (only 1/5 as long as the Dao De Jing), written in short, often rhymed, verses. It has been preserved in the "Guanzi", a collection of diverse writings that was compiled during the third century BC. There is no name given for the author. …
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