Along the Way

     When living in the relative realm, one may practice good deeds in order to further one’s development toward natural benevolence. There are two kinds of good deeds. One is referred to as yang or apparent good deeds, in which everybody is aware of the fact that one has done something good: the other is yin or hidden good deeds, in which no one knows that one has done something good. With yang good deeds, the person himself benefits as a result of his good deeds in that he receives recognition and social prestige. However, this kind of activity is valuable only in the relative realm and can also hinder one’s spiritual development. Yin good deeds do not seek a reward or recognition from anyone. The practice of yin good deeds deeply enhances one’s spirit and is absolute behavior. There are ten rules to enhance the Spirit of Life:

1. Sincerely follow Tao, the path to eternal life. To turn one’s back to the Subtle Origin is to face darkness and degeneration of the soul.

2. Experience and cherish the pure happiness within your own soul. It is eternal and constant. The treasures of the world are deceptive and fleeting, causing the progressive erosion of one’s subtle, spiritual essence.

3. Be plain, simple, honest and practical when dealing with the world. It is better to be naïve than cunning. Better to be fooled than suspicious.

4. Consider righteousness before profit. To gain and lose virtue is no bargain.

5. Pay attention to the laws of the world. Behave with conscience and maintain dignity. In this way you protect the freedom for self-cultivation.

6. Plant yourself firmly in Tao. As the tide ebbs and flows, so does the great transformation of the ten thousand things sweep away all but the firmly rooted.

7. Become familiar with the law of cause and effect, and deeply penetrate the truth of the universal law of subtle energy response. To sow is to reap. Energies of the same frequency attract each other. Therefore, blind desires lead to blind alleys and righteousness leads to eternality.

8. Share happiness with others. By extending ourselves to others we enlarge our being. Selfless service is our sacred vow. Receiving by giving is the universal law of supply.

9. Unite yourself with Heaven and Earth. Be unconcerned with life and death. With clarity and self-awareness developed through self-cultivation transform your being, and thus end your bondage to the law of the great transformation.

10. Clearly and completely discern the heart of the unadorned teachings. Passed down through generations. They have come from our ancient Masters. Our Way is the gathering of the greatest simple truths. The wellspring of eternal life is the simplicity of Tao.

— Hua-Ching Ni, Tao: The Subtle Universal Law and the Integral Way of Life, “Spiritual Arts,” pp. 131-133.