An Analysis of 'Shen' and 'Zhi' in the Core Passage of Guanzi: Neiye, and an Inquiry into Pre-Qin Philosophy of Mind and Human Nature
This article offers a deep reading of the core passage in the Guanzi: Neiye — 'That which can transform a single thing is called shen (spirit); that which can adapt to a single affair is called zhi (wisdom)' — systematically tracing the philosophical categories of shen, zhi, jing, qi, and dao in the pre-Qin era, elucidating their pivotal role in the cultivation of mind and character and in the Way of inner sageliness and outer kingliness, striving to recover the original intent of the ancients.
Chapter Five: "Having Attained the Principle of the One: Governing the Mind Lies in the Center; Governing Speech Issues from the Mouth; Governing Affairs Is Applied to Others -- and All Under Heaven Is Well Governed"
Section 1: Exegesis
This sentence unfolds "holding to the One" into three concrete levels -- governing the mind, governing speech, governing affairs -- arriving at universal peace.
These three levels proceed from within to without:
Inner sageliness (governing the mind -> governing speech) -> Outer kingliness (governing affairs -> all under Heaven well governed)
This logic parallels the Daxue's "Eight Steps" (investigating things -> ... -> bringing peace to the world), the Laozi's progression from "cultivating it in the person" to "cultivating it throughout the world" (Chapter 54), and the Master's theory of "rectifying names" in the Lunyu.
Section 2: Why Must "Governing the Mind" Be "in the Center"$25
Because "the One" resides in "the center." The Neiye says: "The mind conceals within it another mind; within the mind there is yet another mind." This "mind within the mind" is where "the One" resides. "Governing the mind lies in the center" means finding and guarding "the One" in the deepest core of the mind.
Section 3: The Destination -- "All Under Heaven Is Well Governed"
The core premise: the order or disorder of all under Heaven is rooted in the order or disorder of the ruler's inner mind. The Shangshu: Da Yu mo: "The human mind is perilous; the mind of the Dao is subtle. Be discerning, be single-minded; truly hold to the center." Lunyu: Yan Yuan: "Government is rectification. If you lead with rectitude, who will dare not to be rectified$26"