太

上
老
君
內
觀
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng

Classic of Inner Contemplation 經

 Dedication
This translation is dedicated to
Maria Ikivesi. Lǚ Bǎochūn (呂 寶 春 ) and Gandul Saris­Sauri

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 太上老 君內 觀經
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng

Tàishàng Lǎojūn: Classic of Internal Contemplation

Nèiguānjīng (DZ 641) was probably written during early Táng­dynasty and has been very influential among
Shàngqīng (上清 ) tradition. The author of this work remains unknown. The fact that the text uses older organ­spirit
correspondences (where for example Jīng instead of Zhī is the spirit connected to the kidneys) might indicate
even earlier origin. Fragments of these old associations can be found for example in Huángdì (bāshíyī) Nánjīng
which mentions seven shéns and Jīng in the kidneys. In most medical books of the age already listed the five
shén under their current places. However some other Shàngqīng texts of the era used these older associations
too.

The text itself shares many similarities with Indian Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta and might been born from Buddhist
influences that streamed to China during Táng­dynasty.

Just like many other Shàngqīng texts the Nèiguānjīng concentrates on inner principles/divinities within ones own
being and utilizes contemplation and meditation for enlightenment. Compared to many other texts of inner
alchemy Nèiguānjīng is exceptionally systematic and easy to understand.

Current translation tries to honor the Chinese expressions which can be bit hard to read sometimes. Some of the
terms like Shén, Líng, Hún and Pò are left untranslated. There are no proper terms in English language and the
terms are more or less explained in course of the text. Some terms has been translated literally even when the
literal translation might not be the best. Xīn (word for heart in Chinese) is a good example. In Chinese the heart
has also meaning mind. In English the heart is used sometimes in similar way (ie. "what's on your heart?"). For
sake of consistency the heart is translated in same way during the translation even at the places where word
mind would have been more accurate and more readable. Many ambiguous terms have gone through translation
to ease the reading even when losing much of the descriptive value of the original term. In these cases the pinyin
transliteration is also given to ease comparing the translation to other texts.
According the legends the origin of Nèiguānjīng lies with Tàishàng Lǎojūn
(太上老君 ). Tàishàng Lǎojūn is one of the deities called Sānqīng (三清 ) or
Mikael Ikivesi Three Pure Ones. World knows his human form as Lǎozǐ (老子 ) or Lao Tze.
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

象八 藏 陽 和 老
成 月八 以 神 合 君
也景安為 人曰
Lǎojūn said:
元神神三受天
In intercourse Heaven and Earth mix [their] essences1 和 具也魂其地
Yīn and Yáng mingle and change
哺降六動生媾
10 000 beings have their birth
And inherit their positions
食 真 月 而 始一 精
As part of unity of Líng2 and Dao
時靈六生 陰
不也律也月 陽
When father and mother have intercourse the human being has its beginning
停九定四 為 布
During the first month in womb the essences and blood concentrate 也月 腑月 胞化
During the second month fetus­form will develop from the embryo
During the third month the Yángshén forms three Húns
And begins to move and live
用 陰
宮滋 靈血物精 萬
During the fourth month Yīnlíng forms seven Pòs to slow and cool the form3
室靈 為 凝以
During the fifth month five phases divide to Zàngs and pacify [their] Shéns
During the sixth month six laws fix Fǔ­organs to nourish the Líng
羅也七也生
During the seventh month seven essences open [their] orifices to Bright light4
During the eighth month the eight luminous Shén5 can descend true Líng 布 七 魄二承
During the ninth month from the Palace room6 the threads extend to manage
以月 靜月 其
the essence
During the tenth month Qì is sufficient and 10 000 forms7 are ready 定七鎮成宿
Original harmony nourishes without interruption
精精形 胎業
也開也形 分
十竅五兆靈
1. Jīng
2. Líng could be translated as The Great Spirit or Divine 月 通月 胚道
3. Xíng
炁光五也一
足明 行三父
4. Guāngmíng
5. Bājǐngshén. Description of these months has been copied to many later texts

萬 也分月 母
but this Bājǐngshén has been replaced with Yuánshén (元神 ).
6. Gōngshì
7. Xiàng
 然 泥丸 保 心納 太
也 精生一
予也根元帝
內 所也也君
Highest divinity in the head is called Níwánjūn1
It gathers all the Shēns 觀 以神 照 無 在
Studying life one understands Shén
之 諸英頭
In human it is Hún
Fate2 resides in the Heart
歷明 百居曰
[As it] receives origin of life
Flowerless3 resides at the left 歷形 節 左泥
It regulates three Hún
分固 生制 丸
White origin4 resides at the right
It restrains seven Pò 也安百三君
Peachchild5 resides at the navel
也神魂總
It protects the root of essence
Like the whole is composed of hundreds parts
運也也眾
Life is [sum of] hundreds Shéns
In same way the whole embodiment6 is full of Shéns without an empty spot 動所白神
Original qì7 enters the nose flowing to Níwán8
住以元也
As result there is Spiritual Brightness9
And form is strong and peaceful
止周 居照
Movement and stillness depend on Heart
Therefore it is said life has its cause in burning [of Heart] 關身右生
I [used] inner contemplation [on] its parts10
其神拘識
心不七神
也空 魄人
1. Mudpill ruler 所也也之
2. Sīmìng
3. Wúyīng ­ Also translated as Barren one, Petalless or Leafless. 以 元桃魂
4. Báiyuán
謂炁孩也
生入住司
5. Táohái
6. Shēn means embodiment or being. Term is usually translated simply as body.

有鼻臍命
7. Yuánqì
8. Níwán
9. Shénmíng. Result of Yuánqì flowing to Níwán is Spiritual Brightness or clear conscioussness.
10. This sentence can be seen also mean that this: "gives the inner contemplation its meaning and role".
由灌 處
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

清 方變 非 惑 在 測故 心者
淨化黃下心無禁
The Heart is the royal residence and master of whole embodiment
The Heart can imprison or [when] regulated keep form and spirit free depravity 則莫非應所定也
From the Heart follows Shén that transforms and changes without measures
生 測 大非 心也 以字 形 一
Therefore it is without fixed shape
濁 混小色殊所身
Thus five Zàng hide five Shén
[Three] Hún in Liver 躁合非赤隨以 之
[Seven] Pò in Lungs
則陰 主
Jīng in Kidnyes
亡陽短三處五
葉 名 藏藏 心能
Zhì in Spleen
And Shén in Heart
Each having its own name according their dwellings 非
大長如也 禁
The Heart [belongs to] Fire and South direction
[It is] Essence of Sun1 包非蓮心五制
Ruler of Fire
天曲花者神使
Above it is Mars2
Below it corresponds to Heart 地非 神火魂形
Color is red
細直明 也在神
入非依南 肝不
It has threefold petals like lotus flower
Spiritual Brightness depends on tranquility and calmness [of mind]
[Spiritual Brightness] is honorary title [of the Heart­Shén]
This Shén is not blue­green nor yellow, not big nor small 毫 柔 泊 方魄邪
Not short nor long, not curved nor straight
芒非從太在也
Not soft nor hard, not thick nor slim, not round nor square
It transforms and changes without limits
制剛所陽肺心
Blending Yīn and Yáng
[In its] huge embrace are the Heaven and Earth3 之非名 之精則
Delicately gathering [all] hair­like rays
則 厚也精在神
When it is regulate then it is upright
When let loose it is mad
正非其主腎也
[While it is] pure and clean then there is life
[While it is] dirty and impatient then there is death 放薄神火志變
之非也上在化
1. Tàiyáng 則 圓 非為脾不
2. Yínghòu
3. Heaven and Earth means cosmos or whole world. 狂非青熒神
 設 味 清 重 染 禍 罰 以其 明
Enlightement illuminates eight directions1 darkness deceits into one direction
If one can be empty and quiet the life and Dao are naturally eternal 法鼻靜趨著不置無照
Forever protect Non­action2 and the embodiment3 flourishes
教則 湛泥聚生官 形 八
Because [Dao] has no shape it cannot be named
化受然轉結所僚莫表
Suffering and blessing, success and failure are all from it!
Therefore [in the past] the saints set rulers and statesman having 使馨無增漸以 制 之暗
Understanding of rewards and punishments
內 意雜陷自 流法能迷
Placed officials and bureaucrats to establish laws and measures for
Righteousness in order to teach people
觀隨既沒纏浪度名 一
Because the human disasters are hidden only in their own Hearts
If Hearts are clean and empty 10 000 sufferings are not born 己健受不繞生正禍方
When [Heart] is unsettled and unrestrained life dies
身 羡 納能轉死以 福但
And sinks to hating Dao
All this is because of the Heart 澄身 有自 轉沈教吉 能
It is deceptive to miss, hate or love4, receive or let go, avoid or to be attracted 其欲形 出 繫淪人凶虛
[By them one] get caught and bind slowly, coiling and wrapping itself
心肥染遂縛惡人悉寂
Turning and sifting in bondage without being able to release and escape
Thus arriving to ones death just like an ox or horse when caught in soft mud 也輕六至不 道以 由 生
Move and get more tangled without being able to release by themself and die
從情於能皆難之道
此眼死解由 伏矣自
Human is just the same:
When born the Shén is originally pure, calm, clear and natural without medley
Later receiving [things] the form get polluted from six emotions
Eyes greedy for colors, ears fatigued from sounds, mouth indulged from taste 流則 人脫心唯所常
Nose receiving fragrances, Yì5 following health and praises
浪貪亦 便也在 以 永
And body desiring fatness and easiness
From this comes the unsettled and unrestrained [Heart] that cannot itself wake6
莫 色 如 至 妄想 於 聖 保
The saint with compassionate teachings gave instructions to change this by 能 耳 是 滅 憎 心 人 無為
Internally contemplating ones own being [and thus] purifying ones Heart
自 則 始亡愛心立其
悟殢生由 若君
1. Eight directions mean entire universe, all dimensions and times.
2. Wúwéi
聖聲之如取 清臣身
3. Shēn
4. Ài means to love, to like and an affection. In the text term is used to express sentimental liking, loving
人口 時牛捨淨明 則
and clinging instead of real love and compassion. These kind of emotions are seen as forms of attachment.
5. Wake in a spiritual sense. In Japanise this is called Satori. Satori means sudden enlightenment or awakening
慈則神馬去則賞昌
when one sees things as they are.
6. Here Yì could be translated to mind as used in common language (ie. thoughts, affections and hopes). 念耽元引 來萬 也
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

靈 星辰 合 老
性 受君
命眉 生曰
合為 法諦
道 華蓋 天 觀
人 像此
Lǎojūn said:
當 頭為 地 身
Examine and contemplate your embodiment1
From emptiness without center comes causes and reasons 愛 含從
Steering and gathering essence and concentrating Qì
之崑陰虛
Riding with lotus the Shén descends2
Mixing and combining to receive life 崙吐無
Laws of Heaven reflect on Earth 布陽中
Inhale Yīn ­ exhale Yáng
列 分來
Sort out confusion in five phases
To resonate four seasons 宮錯因
Eyes are Sun and Moon
闕 五緣
Hair like constellations and planets
Eyebrows are like magnificent canopy
安行運
Head is like mount Kūnlún
Lined around are imperial watchtowers 置以會
Resting place of Essence­spirit3 is in the center of 10 000 things
精應積
Highest in human is the Líng
[When] nature and fate join in Dao
神四精
Man is like fallen in love with it
萬時聚
物眼炁
之為乘
中日 華
人月 降
1. Shēn
2. Some versions have 乘業 降神 translating as: "Riding with karma the Shén descends".
最髮 神
3. Jīngshén
為為和
 觀 內觀
物其
我
何身
疏 惟人
何
親 尊焉
Internally contemplate this embodiment
Meditate human being as just offering of wine 守
And be free of self glorification
道 而不
[As it only] deceives and pollutes everything
[If] earth is not clean it stinks
長自
Filth and impurity confuses form and Shén
生貴
為妄
Carefully contemplate things and ego1
What is distant2 善
What is close3
保染
真諸
Protect Dao [to obtain] eternal life
Be virtuous and preserve genuine
World is just stupid tasks and errands
[People just] follow it to bitterness and exhaustion 世塵
愚不
役淨
役臭
徒穢
自 濁亂
苦形
辛神
1. Wǒ ( 我 ) term is rarely used in the classics. It is used to mean ego as an entity that arises and controls the body.
2. Shū also means unknown, hard to grasp and thin.
也
3. Qīn also means important, heavy and familiar.
熟
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

神 分 身 養 之慧 有 老
Lǎojūn said: 去謂萬炁動所君
於之象謂而 憶曰
Dao provides our role and it is known as fate1
[From this] naturally [follows] our qualities and form
身 軀備之營謂從
[And that] we call Nature2
This [Nature] assigns beings [their proper places] 謂眾 見精身 之道
We call this Heart
之思謂炁謂意受
In Heart resides the memory3
We call it intention4
死不之清之意分
When intention manifests we call it will5
Will used without ignorance is called wisdom6 所測 形 而 魂之謂
Wisdom about 10 000 beings is called intelligence7
以 謂塊駛靜所之
[The spirits/influences that] move and direct are called [three] Hún
[The spirits/influences that] still and cool are called [seven] Pò
通之然謂而出 命
[That which] flows and moves in bones and flesh we call blood
[That which] protects Shén and nourish Qì is called essence 生神有之鎮謂自
Qì [that is] fast and quick, is known as [nourishing] róngqì
謂邈閡 榮形 之一
Qì [that is] turbid and slow is known as [defensive] wèi[qì]
[That which] collects and binds together 100 shéns is known as embodiment 之然謂炁謂志稟
10 000 images becoming whole visible [body] known as form
Mass that itself blocks [everything] is called matter8 道應之濁 之事形
Look and manners that can be imitated is substance/style9
化質而 無謂
[The whole composed of] big and small parts is called body10
The whole that can be thought but not measured is called Shén 謂狀遲魄 不 之
The distant that is echoed through these transformations is called Líng
之貌謂流知性
Qì coming and entering the embodiment is called life
Shén leaving from embodiment is called death
靈 可 之 行骨 謂 所
Therefore opening to life is called to Dao
炁則 衛肉 之以
來謂總 智任
1. Mìng is usually translated as life, fate or destiny.
2. Xìng
入之括謂智物
3. Yì (憶 )
4. Yì (意 ) 身 體 百 之血 周 謂
5. Zhì (志 )
6. Zhì (智 ) 謂大神保萬 之
7. Huì (慧 ) means literally intelligence, but might be better translated here as true wisdom.
之小謂 物心
生有之神謂心
8. Zhí (質 )
9. Tǐ (體 )
10. Qū (軀 )
 內 生 可見 明 道
觀 亡 因 所謂 者
於生生 有
心道而心而
What is Dao?
[It] exists, [but has ] no form 故合明 也無
[It] does not exists, [but] can be sensed1
也一之所形
[It] transforms and changes without limits
[As] universal spirit and diversity of life2
內 則生以無
In human embodiment it results as Spiritual Brightness3
We call this Heart 觀長不 教 而
Therefore teaching man to cultivate Dao is also to cultivate Heart
不 生可人有
Teaching man to cultivate Heart is also to cultivate Dao
遺不常修 情
生死用 道 變
道 羽 道 則修 化
Dao cannot be seen but life [itself] enlightens it
Life is not eternal so use Dao to maintain it 長化以心不
Like life and death follows from following Dao and loosing Dao
存神守 測
仙之也通
Loose Dao and life dies
[When] life and Dao are united follows eternal life without death

人若教神
Wings transforms [one] to Spirit­immortal4
不 生人群
Man cannot eternally preserve [Dao]
Because he cannot use inner contemplation on his Heart
能亡修 生
Inner contemplation cannot be forgotten
[If ones] life and Dao [are wanted to be] eternally preserved 長 則 心則 在
保道 人
者廢修 之
以 道道身
其廢也則
1. Qíng mean also love, emotion, desire, feeling and nature.
2. Line could also be translated as: "Connecting spirits of lifeforms".
不 則 道為
3. Shénmíng
4. Shénxiān 能 不神
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

見有起分老
邪識六別 君
Lǎojūn said:
見亦欲繫曰
People therefe, lost and unrestrained, hate Dao
既曰 慾縛人
[They] sink and become lost into dregs and filth
Along with six emotions rises deceits 興自 從憎所
[This] gives birth to six conditioned consciousness1
盡然何愛以
Six conditioned consciousness [brings] difference and distinction
Attachment and binding, hate and love
是又起去流
Going and coming, receiving and letting go
Lusts, bonds, pains and worries 煩名 慾來浪
And thus Dao is forever lost
惱 無自 取惡
So contemplate six conditioned consciousness that create six desires
展為 識捨道
From where do the desires arise?
The desires rise from conditioned consciousness 轉本起染沈
From where the conditioned consciousness rises?
繫來識著淪
The conditioned consciousness naturally rises from desires
縛虛從煩滓
Distorted thoughts turn everything around
流靜何惱 穢
浪元起與緣
And life [becomes under] conditioned consciousness

It is said of natural2 and non­action3 that [one must] first be empty and tranquil
Original4 is free from conditioned consciousness 生無識道六
Having conditioned consciousness [means] separating and differentiating
死有自 長情
It gives rise to all abnormal states of consiouness5
Abnormal consciousness only multiply until there are troubles and madness
永識慾隔起
Expanding and spreading they tie and bind
Unsettled and unrestrained [they] give birth to death 失有起所妄
And Dao is lost forever
於識妄以 而
道分想內 生
1. Word is sometimes translated as consciousness. The character 識 means perception, knowledge,
矣別 顛觀六
understanding, opinion and view. Six conditioned consciousness or modes of perception are
colored ways of seeing and understanding the world and understand it through ones opinions.
起 倒而 六識 識
2. Zìrán
3. Wúwéi 諸生因 六
4. Yuán
5. Xiéjiàn. 邪 識
 行 死而 神 則 所 老
欲不明 長以君
肥能存存生曰
而保身 不 者道
食神神亡由 無
不亦明 也得生
飽猶存 又其死
Lǎojūn said:
也欲身 曰 道而
Dao has no birth or death but forms have birth and death
Therefore it is said: Life and death belongs to form and not to the Dao
Form has life because of Dao
則 人
貴生能形 有也 形
Form has death because of loosing its Dao
Human can maintain life by maintaining Dao 而不常所生
So constant maintaining [of Dao] results in freedom from death
不亡清以死
So it is said if one can always be clear and tranquil in his Heart
Dao naturally arrives to its residence 用 也靜死所
When Dao naturally arrives to its residence
道人其者以
The Spiritual Brightness1 stores within embodiment
When Spiritual brightness stores within embodiment life does not die
欲常心由 言
富欲則 失生
Man always wishes for life but cannot be empty in Heart
而生道其死
Man always hates death but cannot maintain his Shén
It is like wishing nobility without relying on Dao
不 而自 道者
Or wishing for riches but not obtaining precious things
Wishing to be fast without moving legs 求不 來也屬
Or wishing to become fat without eating properly
寶 能居人形
欲虛 道能不
速心自 存屬
而人來生道
足常居守也
1. Shénmíng.
不 惡則 道形
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

理物若身老
細不 廢猶君
微足明 火曰
Lǎojūn said:
悉明 何之道
Dao is obtained by Heart
The Heart is enlightened by Dao 知何生因 以
From the enlightening of Heart follows the descending of Dao
由 依焉 卮 心
From the descending of Dao follows the opening of the Heart
神焉 亦也得
Spiritual Brightness within embodiment can be compared to fire of a oil lamp
Brightness follow from fire 以所如明心
Fire from burning
明 以明 從以
Burning from oil
And oil needs a bowl 故謂緣火道
[When these] four are used up how could the light come?
曰 之神起明
In same way light comes from shining of Shén entrusted in the Heart
Water is because of form
神神照火心
And form is because of Dao
None of these enough alone 明明神自 明
[Upon which] could light depend on?
也者託炷 則
Therefore it is said of Spiritual Brightness
眼心發道
[That by it] the eyes see
Ears hear 見存炷降
Intention knows
耳水因 道
And Heart understands1
聞由油降
[It is the facility] to differentiate things and laws
To understand whole composed of finest details 意形潤則
[All this is] because of the Shén and its brightness
知有油心
Therefore we speak of Spiritual Brightness2
心形藉通
覺以卮神
分道停明
1. 覺 júe is composed of studying and seeing or understanding. It means understanding, awarness, knowledge.
The character is translated in Buddhist context as enlightenment, awakening and understanding. 別 全四之
2. Shénmíng
物一者在
 也者者動老
此不 使也君
皆反不安曰
本覆濁 心所
自 也也者以
照心淨使言
Lǎojūn said:
者平心不虛
It is said that the Empty Heart1 means letting go of the fullness
No­Heart2 means removing its contents 也者者危心
Settled Heart means making it non­moving
粗無使也者
Peaceful Heart means action without fear
Tranquil Heart means making it non­confused
言高 不靜遣
True Heart means action without evil
Pure Heart means action without impurity 數低穢心其
Clear Heart means action without filth
語也也者實
All contents must be wiped out
餘心此令也
[Thus one obtains] four [qualities of] consciousness:
[1] Heart has direction meaning freedom from returning and repetition 可明皆不無
[2] Heart has peace meaning freedom from high and low
思者以亂心
[3] Heart has brightness meaning freedom from darkness and concealed
[4] Heart is open meaning freedom from obstructions and hindrances 也無有也者
[Then] all starts shine naturally
暗令正除
[There are just] rought words to describe it with language
昧使心其
Rest needs to be imagined
也除者有
心也使也
通 四 不邪 定
者見也心
無者清者
1. In following sentences the Heart must be remembered to mean mind also.
The word Heart is kept for sake of consistency.
窒心心令
2. No­heart/mind is usually translated as no­thought or free of thoughts.
礙直 不
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

道老
難君
守曰
而知
不道
失易
乃信
常道
存難
Lǎojūn said:
也信
To know Dao is easy
To prove Dao is difficult 道
To prove Dao is easy
易
To walk Dao is difficult
To walk Dao is easy 行
To obtain Dao is difficult
To obtain Dao is easy 道
To maintain Dao is difficult
難
To maintain and not to lose is the only eternal existence
行
道
易
得
道
難
得
道
易
守
 求者老
道不 君
當知曰
慎勞道
擇其也
焉形者
苦不
其可
心言
Lǎojūn said:
役傳
Dao cannot expressed by words, teached by words or obtained [verbally] 其口
With always empty Heart and tranquil Shén
志授
The Dao naturally arrives to its residence
Stupid who does not know this strains his form 躁而
Agonizes his Heart
Guards his will 其得
Tempers his Shén
神之
Thus the Dao is [driven] even further away
And Shén [becomes] even more sad 而常
One turns his back to Dao by searching for Dao
Be careful with this! 道虛
愈心
遠靜
而神
神道
愈自
悲來
背居
道愚
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

魂崑 老
億崙君
歲先曰
眷天道
屬以貴
Lǎojūn said:
千生長
Nobility of Dao always maintained
載後存
Protecting the Shén
Firming the root 子天保
Essence and Qì not scattered
孫以神
Pure and clear do not separated
Form and Shén united in Dao
黃存固
Flying high to mount Kūnlún
Born in earlier Heaven 塵出根
Maintained in later Heaven
四入精
Exiting and entering without division
Free from cause1 and their doors2 起無炁
騎間 不
Blowing Yīn
Warming Yáng
羊不散
Regulate [seven] Pó
Capture [three] Hún 真由純
Millions harvests with family
人其白
Tens of thousands years with offprings
Are just yellow dust [of Earth]
金門 不
[After] four [qualities of consciousness] have risen 堂吹分
[You'll] ride with sheep as true person3
玉陰形
To golden palace and jade chamber
Giving up the old and welcoming the new
室煦神
送陽合
故制 道
1. Yóu means cause. This refers to karma. 迎魄飛
新拘昇
由
2. Doors refers to "dividing passage" through which one comes and goes away.
Freedom from doors means freedom from birth and death.
 然 泥丸 保 心納 太
也 精生一
予也根元帝
內 所也也君
觀 以神 照 無 在
之 諸英頭
歷明 百居曰
Lǎojūn said: 歷形 節 左泥
分固 生制 丸
Dao of Inner contemplation is tranquil Shén and settled Heart
Confused thoughts may not arise 也安百三君
Evil and deceitful may not invade
也神魂總
Secure embodiment from surrounding things
Close eyes and thoughts from searching outside [world]
運也也眾
Inwardly empty and serene
Shén and Dao are subtle and profound 動所白神
External [world] hides 10 000 conditions
住以元也
Internally observe unified Heart
Once truly shining and tranquil
止周 居照
All confusion will cease
[Even passing flow of] reflections and memories tied [together] 關身右生
The deep root [remains] peaceful
其神拘識
Dwelling constantly in utmost clearness and certainty
Obscurities, hardness, mournings and worries forever gone
心不七神
[One is] without knowing right or wrong
也空 魄人
所也也之
以 元桃魂
謂炁孩也
生入住司
有鼻臍命
由灌 處
Tàishàng Lǎojūn Nèiguānjīng translation © Mikael Ikivesi 2011

心老
也君
曰
吾
非
聖
人
學
而
得
之
故
Lǎojūn said:
我
I was not [always] saint
But studied and obtained it 求
I1 searched Dao but could not catch it
道
Thousands of classics and tens of thousands of methods
In the end it was all about Heart 無
不
受
持
千
經
萬
術
惟
1. 我 Wǒ is ego­centered­I and wú (吾 ) in the beginning refers more to "real I".
在