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.
I. What Does "Grasping Qi" (抟氣) Mean$46
The character "Tuan" (抟) has two main meanings in pre-Qin classics:
First, "to gather, to condense." The Shuowen Jiezi states: "Tuan, round." It means to knead into a round shape, extending to mean gathering or condensing. "Grasping Qi" means to gather and condense Qi, preventing it from scattering.
Second, "to focus, to concentrate." It is a homophone for "Zhuan" (專). Laozi, Chapter Ten, states: "Concentrating Qi to achieve softness" (專氣致柔). The silk manuscript version reads "Grasping Qi to achieve softness" (抟氣致柔). "Grasping Qi" means to focus Qi, preventing it from scattering.
The two meanings are interconnected: gathering and condensing implies focus and non-scattering; focus and non-scattering implies gathering and condensing. "Grasping Qi" means to gather the entire body's Qi into one, focusing it without scattering, reaching an extremely subtle and refined state.