One should observe nine norms when studying Dao:
The study and cultivation of Dao does not merely aim at
understanding the general idea of Dao. What is more important is to
practice what Dao advocates. This requires people to observe some
basic norms. The Seven Slips of a Cloudy Satchel puts forward nine
principles that must be observed.
Firstly, keep to harmony: Everything under heaven
connotes Yin and Yang. The vital breaths of Yin and Yang keep
acting upon each other, and thus things keep unifying themselves.
Sages4 follow the laws of Heaven and Earth. They are not confined
to common customs or common people. "It is most important to keep
to harmony".
Secondly, keep to the spirit: This means to guard one's
spirit and prevent it from chasing external things and getting
exhausted.
Thirdly, keep to the Vital Breath: Blood and the
Vital Breath5 are the essence of human beings. Filled with the
Vital Breath, human beings won't be invaded by calamities or
harmful breath. When one is tied down by desires, his spirit will
be exhausted and his inner Vital Breath will consequently be
insufficient. He who cultivates Dao must purify his heart, reduce
his desires and protect and nourish his Original Vital
Breath6.
Fourthly, keep to benevolence: Fearless of the
threat of death, righteous people can be moved by benevolence, but
cannot be compelled by force. Those who cultivate Dao regard the
human world as unimportant, so they are not tied up; regarding all
things as trivial, they will not be perplexed; regarding life and
death equally, they are fearless; indifferent to changes, they are
wise and won't be dazzled. They are more able to keep to
benevolence than common righteous people are.
Fifthly, keep to simplicity: One should get rid of
filth and worries, and understand the way of balance and harmony in
Nourishing one's Life7. As for food, it's sufficient to allay one's
hunger, and as for clothing, it's adequate to cover the body and
keep out the cold. One should never be greedy. Simplicity can
certainly be achieved if one doesn't exercise his wits too
much.
Sixthly, keep to constancy: It is inevitable that
people become powerful, lowly, poor or rich, but those who have
secured Dao will not change their original intention no matter how
their conditions change.
Seventhly, keep to pureness: One should have his
mind as pure as water, and have no greedy or filthy ideas, and
shouldn't indulge in his desires.
Eighthly, keep to fullness: The sun and moon will
begin to wane when they reach the full. One shouldn't attempt to be
perfect, but should never be self-satisfied. He must increase his
virtues every day, and not dare to be violent.
Ninthly, keep to gentleness: Only being gentle can
conform to the way of simplicity. To be specific, one should have
no happiness, anger, joy or bitterness, regard all things as
mysteriously identical, and make no distinction between right and
wrong, harmonize and soften his Vital Breath, and balance his body
so as to drift along with Dao.