10 – Tao Te Ching

Embracing body and spirit as Oneness,

can they be separated?



Cultivate Qi to make it soft and gentle,



can you be like a new born baby?



The vision would be unhindered after purification,



will it have no flaws?



Love people and govern the country,



can it be non-doing?



Open and close the gate of heaven,



can you be feminine (quiet and gentle)?



Brightened and clear in all directions,



will you understand all things?



Give birth and nurture,



but without possessing;

Accomplishing without taking credit,



Leading without controlling,



This is called supreme virtue.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited by Robert H. Smitheram

Chapter 10 of the Tao Te Ching discusses the importance of maintaining unity between body and spirit, cultivating softness and simplicity, and purifying one’s vision. It emphasizes leading and loving without imposing one’s will, achieving without taking credit, and nurturing without controlling. The chapter highlights the Taoist principles of harmony with the natural order and practicing non-action (wu wei), where actions are in alignment with the natural flow of life, resulting in true virtue and effortless accomplishment.

Qi is the connector between body and spirit. Only when we allow Qi to be as soft and gentle as a baby are we the most connected.