It is ever so that the vital essence of things
is what gives them life.
Below it gives life to the five grains;
above it creates the ranked stars.
When floating between Heaven and Earth,
we call it ghost or spirit.
When stored in the breast,
we call it sageliness. 

Thus, man’s vital force -
How bright! As if mounting the heavens.
How dark! As if entering an abyss.
How vast! As if residing the ocean.
How compact! As if contained within the self.
Thus, this vital force -
Never to be restrained by physical strength,
it may be brought to rest by spiritual Power.
Never to be summoned by one’ s call,
it may be made welcome by one’s power of awareness.
Respectfully preserve it and never lose it,
Such is called perfecting one’s Power.
If the Power is being perfected, wisdom develops,
then all things may be fully comprehended.
 

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