The Spirit
of the Valley never dies:
it is called Mysterious-Female.
The gate of the Mysterious-Female
is called root of Heaven
and Earth.
This is the opening
that generates Heaven, Earth,
and humans; this is the hometown of Saints,
Buddhas, and Immortals. You arrange the furnace
and set up the tripod here; you collect the Medicine and
refine it here; you coagulate the Elixir here; and you
deliver it here. Being is here, Non-Being is here.
The beginning and the end of all
operation are here.
This Opening
is the place where the four
elements do not stick: it is in the realm
of Empty Non-Being, “silent and still.” Neither can
you find it by using your intention, nor can you guard it by
not using your mind. If those who cultivate themselves want to
find this One Opening, they must begin by looking for it.
Only when they truly know it and clearly see it, they
can begin to collect the treasure of Heaven.
Those who not know this Opening may
strive in one thousand different ways
and toil in ten thousand different
manners, but they will never
see any progress or
improvement.
How could students
not strive? How could they not
exert their minds to inquire
into the principles?