A Critical Analysis of 'Shen' and 'Zhi' in the Core Passages of the Guanzi's 'Nei Ye' and an Inquiry into Pre-Qin Theories of Mind and Nature
This paper offers an in-depth interpretation of the central passage in the *Guanzi*'s 'Nei Ye'—'That which can transform one thing is called *Shen* (Spirit/Divine); that which can change one affair is called *Zhi* (Wisdom)'—systematically reviewing the philosophical concepts of *Shen*, *Zhi*, *Jing* (Essence), *Qi* (Vital Force), and the *Dao* in the Pre-Qin period to elucidate their pivotal role in self-cultivation and the integration of inner sageliness with outer kingship.
Section 2: From the "One" to the "Ten Thousand"—Expansion from Inner to Outer
The "One" is not closed off or isolated. The reason the "One" is the "One" is precisely because it is the common root of all things—it is within all things, and all things are within it.
"Adhering to the One without loss, one can govern all things"—Holding fast to the "One" without letting go allows one to preside over all things. This is not using the "One" to suppress things, but using the "One" to accomplish things. Just as the Sun's "One" light illuminates all things, enabling them to receive their light, the ruler who adheres to the One governs the world, enabling all things to attain their measure.
The process of expansion from the "One" to the "Ten Thousand" is: One → Governing the Mind → Governing Speech → Managing Affairs → World Order → All Things Attain Measure → Dao Fills the World → Coiling and Filling the Nine Provinces.
This is a process of unfolding from the inner core outward, from near to far, from small to large. The starting point is the "One" (the smallest, the most internal), and the endpoint is "Coiling and filling the Nine Provinces" (the largest, the most external). Spreading out from a single point to fill the world—this reveals the greatness of the power of the "One."