Chapter 28

Know the male, hold on to the female. The world will come to you. When you receive the world, your essence will not leave. And when your essence doesn't leave, you'll be like a vigorous child. Know the pure, keep to the soiled. Be the life of the world. When you're the life of the world, your vitality is complete. You'll be like uncarved wood, and return to your prime-0 self. Know the white, keep to the black. Be the mod-0 of the world. Your spirit will not stray. And when your spirit does not stray, there will be nothing for you to do. You will be without limit like the TAO. Essence, Vitality, and Spirit, the three treasures of the TAOist. All things are formed from the void, like carvings from a block of wood. The TAOist knows the sculptures, yet keeps to the block: thus he can produce all things. Keep your mind like the uncarved block of wood: unattached, empty mindfulness.