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 4: The Correspondence between "If the Form is not upright, Virtue will not arrive" and "If the Center is not still, the Mind cannot be governed"
Let us analyze the correspondence between these two statements:
| First Sentence | Second Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Condition | Form is not upright (Xíng bù zhèng) | Center is not still (Zhōng bù jìng) |
| Result | Virtue does not arrive (Dé bù lái) | Mind cannot be governed (Xīn bù zhì) |
| Level | External (Body → Virtue) | Internal (Center → Mind) |
| Direction | From Outer to Inner | From Inner to Outer |
The first line, "If the Form is not upright, Virtue will not arrive," moves from the external "Form" to the internal "Virtue," pointing from outside to inside. The second line, "If the Center is not still, the Mind cannot be governed," moves from the inner core "Center" to the outer layer "Mind," pointing from inside to outside.
Taken together, the two lines reveal a complete structure of mutual interaction: the external "Form" influences the internal "Virtue," and the internal "Center" influences the outer "Mind." They interact and mutually promote each other, forming a dynamic process of cultivation.
This view of cultivating both inner and outer aspects is a major feature of Pre-Qin thought. The Confucian concept of "balancing substance and refinement" (Wén Zhì Bīn Bīn) ( Analects, Yong Ye: "If substance prevails over refinement, one becomes crude; if refinement prevails over substance, one becomes affected. When substance and refinement are balanced, one is a Gentleman.") and the Daoist concept of "embracing simplicity and guarding genuineness" (Bào Pǔ Shǒu Sù) both embody this spirit of internal and external cultivation.