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: The Deeper Meaning of "Heaven is Benevolent, Earth is Righteous"
The four characters "Heaven is Benevolent, Earth is Righteous" (Tiān Rén Dì Yì) need to be understood within the context of Pre-Qin cosmology.
(1) Heaven's Benevolence (Tiān Rén)
In Pre-Qin thought, one of the core attributes of Heaven is "Benevolence" (Rén)—nurturing all things, giving life to all things without distinguishing between noble and lowly.
The Yijing, Xici Xia states: "The Great Virtue of Heaven and Earth is to give life." The greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth is life—nurturing all things. The essence of "giving life" is Rén—not bearing to see things fail to live, thus giving them life.
The Laozi, Chapter 5, states: "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat the myriad things as straw dogs." Here, "not benevolent" (bù rén) does not mean unkind, but impartial—Heaven and Earth treat all things equally, neither loving nor hating any particular thing. This impartiality (bù rén) is precisely the greatest Rén—because it does not harm other things by favoring one.
The Guanzi, Xinshu Shang states: "The Dao of Heaven is emptiness without form. When empty, it is unyielding; without form, there is no place it cannot reach. Since it cannot be obstructed, it flows universally among the myriad things without change." The Dao of Heaven is empty and formless. Precisely because it is empty and formless, it can permeate all things impartially. This is "Heaven's Benevolence"—Heaven equally nurtures all things through its empty and formless Dao.
(2) Earth's Righteousness (Dì Yì)
In Pre-Qin thought, one of the core attributes of Earth is "Righteousness" (Yì)—thickly bearing all things, ensuring each finds its place in an orderly fashion.
The Yijing, Kun Hexagram, Tuan Zhuan states: "How great is the primordial potential of Kun (Earth)! It gives birth to the myriad things, and accommodates Heaven. Thickly bearing things, its virtue matches boundlessness. Embracing and expanding brightly, all creatures flourish." The Virtue of Kun (Earth) lies in "thickly bearing things" (hòu zài wù)—carrying all things, allowing them all to live according to their nature.
The character Yì (Righteousness) in Pre-Qin literature primarily means "appropriateness" (yí). Earth’s Yì lies in ensuring that all things are appropriate—mountains and rivers have their places, plants and trees have their seasons, birds and beasts have their domains; each stays in its lot and receives its due.
The Guanzi, Mumin states: "Earth is the root of governance." The Yì (order, division of labor, everyone in their place) of politics is modeled on the Yì of the Earth.
(3) The Meaning of "Heaven's Benevolence, Earth's Righteousness" in Cultivation
"Rectify the Form and Gather Virtue; Heaven is benevolent, Earth is righteous" (Zhèng xíng shè dé, tiān rén dì yì)—In the cultivation of rectifying form and gathering virtue, one must take Heaven's Rén and Earth's Yì as the standard.
To emulate Heaven's Rén—to make one's spirit cover and nurture all things like Heaven, without partiality. In terms of cultivation, this means one's heart/mind must be broad and unattached to any single thing or affair, treating all things impartially.
To emulate Earth's Yì—to make one's actions load all things thickly like the Earth, ensuring each stays in its place. In terms of cultivation, this means actions must have order and not be chaotic, and the sensory faculties, emotions, and will must each return to their proper place.
Taken together, "Heaven is benevolent, Earth is righteous" is the standard for cultivation—taking Heaven and Earth as the model, to achieve a state where one's spirit and actions reach the level of Heaven and Earth.