The Seven Arts of Yin Symbols in the Classic of Guiguzi
Guiguzi is a renowned military strategist and practitioner in history, considered the ancestor of the school of diplomacy known as “Zheng He.” His surname is Wang and his given name is Xu, living during the Spring and Autumn period.
He often ventured into Yunmeng Mountain to gather herbs and cultivate his path. Because he secluded himself in the Ghost Valley by Qingxi, he referred to himself as Master Guigu. He is also known as “Wang Chan Laozu.”
This classic focuses on the way of nurturing the spirit and sharpening one’s abilities. The first three sections of “The Seven Arts of Yin Symbols” explain how to enrich one’s will and cultivate one’s spirit. The last four sections discuss how to apply inner spirit outwardly, using one’s inner mind and spirit to handle external matters.
It serves as a comprehensive guide for effective practice; below are some references for everyone.
“The Seven Arts of Yin Symbols in Guiguzi”
The Method of Nurturing Spirit: The Five Dragons
In nurturing the spirit, there are five energies; the spirit is its master, while the heart is its dwelling place, achieving greatness through them; where one nurtures their spirit returns to the Way. The Way is the beginning of heaven and earth, a unified record. Things are created by nature, born from heaven, encompassing all forms without shape; it transforms energy before heaven and earth were formed—its form unseen, its name unknown—referred to as divine spirits. Therefore, the Way is the source of enlightenment; it embodies transformation. Thus virtue nurtures five energies; when the heart achieves unity, one possesses its techniques. Techniques are those that dwell within heart energy; thus, spirit acts upon them. The nine depths and twelve abodes serve as gateways for energy—the totality governed by heart.
Born from heaven is called a true person; a true person becomes one with heaven. Internal cultivation leads to understanding—this person is called a sage; sages know through similarity. Therefore human beings emerge from material transformation at birth. Knowledge arises from exhaustion; when there are doubts or confusion about heart techniques without mastery over them, there will surely be obstacles in understanding. When understanding occurs, five energies are nurtured with focus on dwelling within one’s spirit—this is called transformation. Transformation involves five energies: willpower (志), thought (思), spirit (神), virtue (德); among these, spirit leads all others. Tranquility fosters energy; when energy achieves harmony among four aspects without decline—these four aspects possess power everywhere—they exist while being set aside—that’s called spiritual transformation. Returning to oneself signifies being a true person—a true person aligns with escaping death while uniting with the Way—holding onto unity while nurturing myriad beings—with a heavenly heart that practices virtue without action yet encompasses intentions and thoughts with power.
The scholar understands this divine vigor so they can nurture their will.
The Method of Nurturing Will: The Spiritual Tortoise
Nurturing will means that thoughts do not reach their destination due to desires present within one’s heart—the will exists but thoughts scatter when desires multiply; scattered hearts lead to weakened wills which cause thoughts not reaching their goals. Thus when heart energy unifies there’s no wandering; if desires do not wander then intentions remain strong—strong intentions lead thoughts towards clarity which brings harmony in communication leading to no chaotic feelings troubling one’s chest.
Hence internally nurture your will while externally understand others’ hearts—nurturing your will leads your heart towards clarity while knowing others enables clear distinctions between individuals’ natures.
When intending to use this on people you must first understand how they nurture their energetic willpower—knowing whether someone’s energy flourishes or declines allows you insight into what they can achieve.
If willpower isn’t nurtured then heart energy remains unstable; if heart energy isn’t stable then contemplation fails to reach clarity leading intentions becoming insubstantial which results in responses lacking strength—if responses lack strength then intention falters leaving one’s heart empty—and losing intention leads to losing one’s spiritual essence! When spiritual essence wanes it becomes vague causing disunity in participation.
The beginning stage for nurturing will lies in self-peacefulness; once self-peaceful then intentions become solidified—solidified intentions lead powers remaining undivided where spiritual clarity remains steadfast enabling division.
The Method of Actualizing Intent: The Soaring Serpent
Actualizing intent refers to considerations regarding energy management—the mind seeks tranquility while considerations aim far-reaching depth; tranquility births strategic insight while deep considerations yield successful plans—the birth of strategic insight ensures that intention remains undisturbed whereas successful plans guarantee accomplishments remain uninterrupted.
When intent stabilizes then hearts find peace allowing actions not go awry leading spirits naturally obtaining clarity upon gaining stability.
Recognizing energies allows deceitful schemes relying upon it or deceptive strategies misleading others’ minds resulting in words lacking authenticity from heartfelt sincerity! Firmly believe in maintaining genuine techniques whilst remaining unchanged awaiting interactions according with people’s inclinations listening attentively during encounters!
In this regard schemes represent pivotal mechanisms determining survival or demise! If considerations fail comprehension listening lacks discernment! If waiting yields nothing schemes become lost resulting intents lacking trust becoming empty devoid substance! Hence consideration surrounding schemes must focus on actualized intent which must originate from genuine techniques!
Pursue tranquility seeking balance among internal organs harmonizing six bowels ensuring mental spirits remain steadfast allowing introspection reflecting sound judgment awaiting divine interaction observing cosmic creation discerning transformations amongst myriad phenomena witnessing beginnings & ends between yin & yang tracing human affairs governing principles without stepping outside doors knowing worldly affairs without peering through windows observing heavenly principles without seeing yet commanding existence arriving effortlessly termed “knowledge through Dao.”
By connecting with divine enlightenment responding spontaneously thereby residing within spiritual realms!
The Method of Dividing Power: Subduing Bears
Dividing power refers primarily toward covering spirits hence tranquilize thoughts firmly establishing resolve returning spirits home results powerful coverage over all aspects! When powerful coverage exists internally firm solidity prevails rendering opponents incapable against it allowing division amongst people’s powers acting according celestial influences utilizing substantial gains against intangible losses akin weighing gold against silver!
Hence actions must follow suit harmoniously responding accordingly observing subtle changes noting transformations visible revealing nothing can intervene! Scrutinize harmonization ensuring visibility amidst transitions revealing clear divisions amongst powers henceforth intending changes requires prior nurturing wills observing intervals discerning stability within oneself allowing self-nurture whilst yielding benefits unto others henceforth preserving knowledge regarding situational awareness!
The Method of Dispersing Influence: Fierce Birds
Dissipating influence represents an aspect driven by spirits whereby utilization necessitates following intervals during movements ensuring internal might remains robust pushing intervals forward thus dispersing influence altogether! Dissipating influence stems from emptiness within hearts overflowing ambitions causing weakening wills leading mental focus dissipating creating excessive variability outside words spoken hence observe intentions establishing measurements thereby deducing matters thoroughly encompassing both circular & angular perspectives aligning disparities effectively ensuring absence yields no dispersion hence awaiting intervals before acting dispersing influence effectively thereafter!
The Method of Transformative Strategy: Ferocious Beasts
Circular transformations represent infinite strategies requiring wise hearts capable navigating unpredictable wisdom employing unforeseen intelligence merging chaotic paths into singularity enabling discussions boundless possibilities concerning strategies differing shapes either circular or square whether dark or light fortunate or unfortunate varying circumstances diverging distinctly therefore wise individuals harbor such insights seeking circular transformations thus pursuing harmony engaging creation initiating actions encompassing divine realms transcending boundaries across heavens & earths realizing endless potentials manifesting respective categories witnessing outcomes discerning success failures concluding each strategy accordingly based upon observations recognizing outcomes deriving wisdom therein!
The Method of Sacrificing Joy: Spiritual Divination
Sacrificing joy denotes critical decision-making amidst precarious situations where occurrences align favorably yet outcomes yield successes or failures necessitating careful observation hence wise individuals adopt non-action awaiting virtuous opportunities articulating discernments aligning appropriately with circumstances joyful insights arise alongside sacrifices made wherein wise individuals refrain utterances failing convey truths thereby maintaining simplicity avoiding distractions ensuring steady resolve preventing chaotic minds diverging intentions leading astray whilst contemplating challenges subsequently devising plans based natural pathways achieving substantial results yielding fruitful endeavors sacrificing joyfully entails decisive moments akin releasing waters cascading down steep cliffs transforming stones rolling down valleys executing such actions necessitates alignment situational awareness cannot be overlooked!