{"product_id":"b0btv98kgv","title":"Daoist Cultivation, Book 8: Dao De Jing by Lao Zi : The Daoist Classic - Tao Te Ching","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe second edition was released on January 10, 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you bought this book before 2025, contact us for a free e-book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're looking for more than just a translation — and want a profound commentary from the perspective of Neidan (Internal Alchemy) — then take a look at Book 15 in this series:  Dao De Jing: The Dao of Inner Alchemy – A Neidan Guide to the Classic of the Way and Virtue:  https:\/\/a.co\/d\/jegC33G\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDao De Jing is the most famous Daoist text, written by Lao Zi 2500-2300 years ago. Many translations exist, so you might wonder: Why do I need another?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI’d like to explain my reason for creating this translation. After sharing a section about breathing techniques from my Book 1 on Facebook, someone commented that Dao De Jing, chapter 55, expressly warns against interfering with the breath. I replied that this was incorrect and that breathing techniques are part of Daoist teachings. The commenter then referenced the Gia-fu Feng translation. Upon checking the translation, I found the line, Controlling the breath causes strain. However, when I looked at the original Dao De Jing, I noticed the word breath wasn’t present; instead, the character Qi (氣) was inaccurately translated as breath. Moreover, this line contradicts the other statements in Chapter 55, which highlight benefits for a person, making the translation misleading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original line 心使氣曰強 means Using the mind-heart to control Qi is strong and powerful. This has a different meaning. Despite over a hundred English translations, many can be misleading. I couldn't check them all, so I decided to translate it myself.\u003cbr\u003e\n_\u003cbr\u003e\nFor those who know Chinese, here is a detailed analysis:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn chapter 55 we have the next 4 lines:\u003cbr\u003e\n知和曰常\u003cbr\u003e\n知常曰明\u003cbr\u003e\n益生曰祥\u003cbr\u003e\n心使氣曰強\u003cbr\u003e\nThese lines follow a structure: if X, then Y. They likely convey a similar meaning, whether positive or negative. Given the preceding sentences in Chapter 55 outlining benefits, their meaning should align.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e知 和 曰 常 - Knowing harmony is called constancy\u003cbr\u003e\n知 常 曰 明 - Knowing constancy is called enlightenment\u003cbr\u003e\nTranslation is clear; no analysis needed. Next two:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e益生日祥\u003cbr\u003e\n益 - benefit; increase; prosperous. It relates to hexagram 42 (increase) with a positive meaning. Also means “gradually.”\u003cbr\u003e\n生 - life. In ancient times, health and longevity methods were called 養生 (yang sheng), meaning nourishing life.” The combination of 生 and 益 (increase, benefit) suggests that this phrase refers to life-nourishing methods, connecting to the next line featuring the character 氣 (Qi - energy)\u003cbr\u003e\n日 - call; name\u003cbr\u003e\n祥 - main meaning: “good luck, happiness.” Rarely, it relates to funerals: 'Xiaoxiang' (小祥) is the first anniversary of a parent's passing, while 'Daxiang' (大祥) is the second. This meaning contrasts with 益, so we focus on its primary meaning: “good luck, happiness.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI want to highlight Chapter 78, which includes the phrase 受國[之]不祥, translating to Whoever takes upon himself the misfortunes of the world. The character 祥 typically has a positive connotation, but with 不 (not), it shifts to misfortunes, emphasizing its primary meaning. This supports my translation of 益生曰祥 - Benefiting life is called luck\/happiness - and its link to the next line 心使氣日強\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e心使氣日強\u003cbr\u003e\n心 - heart-mind\u003cbr\u003e\n使 - to make, to cause, to enable, to use, to employ\u003cbr\u003e\n氣 - Qi. This character reinforces the assumption that the line refers to yang sheng methods, where Qi-energy is actively used\u003cbr\u003e\n日 - call; name\u003cbr\u003e\n強 - strong, powerful, better, vigorous, violent\u003cbr\u003e\n“Using the mind-heart to control Qi is called being strong and powerful.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThus, we have established connection between these two lines and their positive meaning: “Benefiting life is called luck\/happiness. Using the mind-heart to control Qi is called being strong and powerful.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ANT","offers":[{"title":"Ebook","offer_id":67938188230692,"sku":"YSL42592","price":5.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/2614\/7620\/files\/81dT5QpHfiL._SY1500.jpg?v=1793282510","url":"https:\/\/booktavero.com\/products\/b0btv98kgv","provider":"BookTavero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}