Mystery MysteryBe without desires to see the original constant
and glimpse the subtle.
Constant hankering
only lets you see outlines.
These two are really the same—
they simply have two names.
Together, we call them profound.
Deeply profound, they are the openings to all mystery.
Daodejing 1
175
All is born, grows, and lives
without being owned.
All thrives without meddling.
All moves without any directors.
That is called Mysterious Virtue.
Daodejing 10
177
Ten years apart with the world in unrest.
We meet again—you've grown into a man.
When we met, I had to ask your family name.
Hearing it, I remembered your youthful self.
This world changes like the vast ocean.
We don't stop talking until the evening bell.
Tomorrow you travel the Baling Road,
the autumns and mountains heavy between us.
“Happily Seeing My Cousin Again Only to Talk of Parting Again,” Li Yi (748?–827?)
178
Light plunging into the earth
is the image of smothered brightness.
A noble one governs the masses
by being indirect yet clear.
Yijing, Image of hexagram 36: Smothered Light
Beyond Taiyi Peak near our heavenly capital,
mountains extend to the edge of the sea.
White clouds converge as I look back:
blue vapor engulfs all in sight.
Cleaving space, the mountains alter all;
cloudy or clear, every valley differs.
Needing shelter, some place to spend the night.
I call to a woodcutter across the water.
“Zhongnan (Taiyi) Mountains,” Wang Wei (699–759)
180
Life and nonbeing,
action and failure,
eternity and disorder—
together they are called
Mysterious Virtue.
Daodejing 51
Who knows of Massed Fragrance Temple,
on a peak countless miles in the clouds
through ancient woods where no one passes,
but where a bell rings deep in the mountains?
Gushing of a spring through steep rock,
pale sun chilling the green pine trees.
Twilight emptiness mirrored on a pool:
deep meditation curbs the poison dragon.
“Crossing to Massed Fragrance Temple,” Wang Wei (699–759)
182
If you constantly know this standard,
then that's called Mysterious Virtue.
It is deep and wide, and helps
all creatures return to their natures
and reach the great accord.
Daodejing 65