A Dialectical Analysis of the Tripartite Qualities of 'Dao' in the Guanzi: Intricacy, Expansion, and Solidity
This paper provides an in-depth interpretation of the opening discourse on 'Dao' in the *Guanzi: Neiye*, analyzing the connotations and dialectical unity of its tripartite qualities: 'intricacy necessitates density, expansion necessitates ease, and solidity necessitates firmness.' It further explores their significance for self-cultivation and mental governance within the context of Pre-Qin and ancient thought.
II. "Xin," "Yi," and "Zhi"
"Xin" (心, mind/heart) is one of the most central concepts in pre-Qin thought. In Neiye:
Xin (心)—The master of the body, the subject of cognition, the core of cultivation. "The mind's position in the body is like the position of a ruler." (Guanzi, Xinshu Shang).
Yi (意)—The direction of the mind, the mind's activity. "Qi and intention are achieved," "mind and intention are settled"—Qi and intention, mind and intention are different levels of things, but they need to achieve unity.
Zhi (志)—The long-term direction of the mind. Guanzi, Neiye, states elsewhere: "Rectify the form and gather virtue, and Heaven is benevolent and Earth is righteous. Then they will come spontaneously and unrestrainedly; the acme of spirit and intelligence will illuminate and know all things." Zhi is the sustained direction; Yi is the current activity. The goal of cultivation is to unify Xin, Yi, and Zhi—"one intention grasping the mind" means the unity of intention and mind; "mind and intention are settled" means mind and intention reach a stable state.
The relationship among the three is: Xin is the subject, Yi is the mind's current activity, and Zhi is the mind's long-term direction. The goal of cultivation is to unify Xin, Yi, and Zhi—"one intention grasping the mind" signifies the unity of intention and mind; "mind and intention are settled" signifies that mind and intention reach a stable state.