zoomin

Rootless_Tree_100Verses#1・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiVerse 1▶Original Text無根樹，花正開，紅塵一去不回來，勸君莫戀花間酒，飲後牽纏萬事哀。　▶Modern TranslationOn a rootless tree a blossom is opening now.Once you leave the dusty world, you will never return.Do not lose your heart to the wine beneath the flowers;When the spell of drink is broken, everything turns to grief.▶Interpretation1.[無根樹，花正開] – A rootless tree symbolizes perfect freedom; its blooming flower shows lively momentum even without earthly roots.2.[紅塵一去不回來] – “Red dust” means the mundane world of desires. Once you depart, the journey is one-way.3.[勸君莫戀花間酒] – A warning: do not fall for the pleasures (wine) that lie beneath the blossoms.4.[飲後牽纏萬事哀] – After intoxication, attachments and regrets remain and all […]

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#h1・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiAppendix I▶Original Text無根樹，花正殊，根在坤維接太虛。三家路，會玄珠，牢把金鎖鎮玄都。吞盡靈砂歸鼎內，神虎驤騰走鬼區。喜踟躕，笑踟躕，行到蓬萊觀碧虛。▶Modern TranslationThe flower of the rootless tree is unlike any other; its root lies in Earth (Kun) and connects with the Infinite Void.The three paths unite in the Pearl of Mystery. Grasp the golden key and stabilize the Sacred Capital.Swallow all spiritual sand and return it to the cauldron. The Divine Tiger leaps through ghostly realms.With joy and hesitation, one finally arrives at Penglai, gazing into the blue sky.▶Interpretation • Symbolizes the unification of the Daoist, Confucian, and Buddhist paths. • The journey ends in spiritual freedom and vision.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiTai Chi, too, integrates

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#h3・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiAppendix III▶Original Text無根樹，花正芳，瑶草琪花異芬芳。圓如月，豔如陽，採向蟾宮蟹兔房。喫了便宜無價寶，服之立見體生光。煉中央，守黃房，內有乾坤透靈光。▶Modern TranslationThe flower of the rootless tree is fragrant. Jade herbs and sacred blossoms release distinct aromas.Its roundness is like the moon, its luster like the sun.Go pluck the crabs and rabbits from the Moon Palace.Eat and you’ll gain a treasure; ingest, and your body shines.Temper the center, guard the Yellow Chamber, and spirit light will flow through Heaven and Earth within.▶Interpretation • Describes internal transformation—spiritual light manifesting in the physical body. • Yellow Chamber refers to the dantian, the energy center.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiThe dantian is the root of Tai Chi power.True internal skill

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#h2・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiAppendix II▶Original Text無根樹，花正芳，早被東君發一陽。抽芽秀，結花房，休把仙苗作等閒。蟾光灑處靈芝長，水浸金蓮玉作房。摘來嚐，味無雙，端的長生不老方。▶Modern TranslationThe rootless flower is fragrant. Already, the Eastern Lord sends the first yang.It buds, blossoms, and forms clusters. The sacred seedling must not be despised.When moonlight pours down, lingzhi mushrooms sprout, and golden lotuses bloom like jade.Pluck and taste—it is unparalleled in flavor, truly an elixir of immortality.▶Interpretation • Emphasizes early cultivation and reverence for spiritual beginnings. • Lingzhi and golden lotus symbolize health, clarity, and long life.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiEarly repetition of forms (like nurturing a seedling) leads to deep transformation.Inner qi circulation, like moonlight nurturing lingzhi, yields vitality and longevity. Copyright ©

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#24・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiChapter 24▶Original Text無根樹，花正無，無影無形難畫圖。無名姓，卻聽呼，擒入中間造化爐。運起周天三昧火，煅煉眞空返太無。謁仙都，受天符，纔是男兒大丈夫。▶Modern TranslationThe flower of the rootless tree is “nothingness” itself—no shadow, no form, unpaintable.Without name or surname, yet it responds when called.Capture it, place it in the alchemical furnace.Ignite the fire of the celestial cycle, refine true emptiness, and return to Grand Nothingness.Join the Immortal Capital and receive Heaven’s seal—this is the path of the true man.▶Interpretation • Describes returning to Wuji—the primordial void. • “Heaven’s seal” symbolizes spiritual completion and cosmic authority.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiTai Chi’s highest realm is return to Wuji—motion arising from stillness, form dissolving into essence.This chapter marks the final transformation:

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#h4・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiAppendix IV▶Original Text無根樹，花正鮮，咬定根苗莫怠懶。勞心力，歷苦煎，七返九還見自然。鳳採丹花啼五色，龍銜寶珠弄九天。煉真仙，跨龍船，笑傲風塵不計年。▶Modern TranslationThe flower blooming on the rootless tree is fresh. Firmly chew root and seedling—do not neglect.Exhaust heart and strength, endure hardship. After seven reversals and nine returns, the Dao’s form appears.The phoenix picks the red cinnabar flower and sings in five colors. The dragon carries the precious pearl and roams the nine heavens.Forge the true immortal. Ride the dragon boat. Laugh at the dusty world, counting not the years.▶Interpretation • “Seven reversals, nine returns” = repeated cycles of refinement. • Phoenix and dragon represent divine forces in harmony.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiThis is the culmination

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#1・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiChapter 1▶Original Text無根樹，花正幽，貪戀紅塵誰肯修？浮生事，苦海舟，蕩去飄來不自由。無邊無岸難泊繫，長在魚龍險處游。肯回首，是岸頭，莫待風波壞了舟。▶Modern TranslationA flower quietly blooms on a rootless tree.In this world filled with desire, who will choose the path of self-cultivation?The course of life resembles a boat adrift on a sea of suffering.Tossed and swept away, never able to go where one wishes.There is no end in sight, no shore, no place to anchor one’s vessel.Always drifting in perilous waters, there is the constant fear of being swallowed by dragons or fish.But—if only you would look back, you would see the shore lies just behind you.Before the waves destroy your boat, please awaken.▶InterpretationThis verse offers a

Rootless_Tree_100Verses#3・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiVerse 3▶Original Text無根樹，花正紅，一顆紅心貫始終。 東方日出西方落， 紅心不改舊初衷。▶Modern TranslationA red flower blossoms on a rootless tree.One crimson heart runs unbroken from beginning to end.Though the sun rises in the east and sets in the west,That red heart never betrays its first intention.▶Interpretation1.[無根樹，花正紅] – The red bloom embodies passion and life-force.2.[一顆紅心貫始終] – A single red heart remains constant through all stages.3.[東方日出西方落] – Nature changes in predictable cycles…4.[紅心不改舊初衷] – …yet the original, innocent heart does not change.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiMaintain the original, formless heart (wu-wei) throughout years of practice; passion that stays true becomes unshakable power. Copyright © MASAKI WAKABAYASHI. All rights

Rootless_Tree_24Chapter#3・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiChapter 3▶Original Text無根樹，花正靑，花酒神仙古到今。煙花寨，酒肉林，不犯葷腥不犯淫。犯淫喪失長生寶，酒肉穿腸道在心。打開門，說與君，無酒無花道不成。▶Modern TranslationNow a green blossom blooms on the rootless tree.Wine and beauty have existed even in the realm of immortals.Brothels and feasts—smoke and wine abound—But so long as one does not drown in indulgence, there is no harm.To be ensnared in lust is to lose the treasures of longevity.Wine and meat pass through the body—If the heart remains upright, there is no issue.Let it be said clearly—Without wine and flowers, the Way cannot be attained.▶InterpretationThis verse teaches the principle of balance, not abstinence. • Even immortals are not alien to pleasure. • Desire is not inherently

Rootless_Tree_100Verses#9・Enlarged image of the painting Enlarged image of the poem below as XieyiVerse 9▶Original Text無根樹，花正幽，月照寒潭，影自流。氣沉如海，心寂如秋，不語不動，道在其中。▶Modern TranslationOn a rootless tree, a quiet flower blooms in silence.The moonlight shines on a cold pond; the reflection drifts of itself.Qi sinks as deep as the sea; the heart is calm as autumn.Without speech or motion, the Way breathes within.▶Interpretation1.[無根樹，花正幽] – Power hides in restraint and subtlety.2.[月照寒潭，影自流] – In effortless accord with nature, the shadow moves of itself.3.[氣沉如海，心寂如秋] – Qi settles below; mind stays clear and cool like autumn.4.[不語不動，道在其中] – Truth resides in silent stillness.▶Interpretation related to Tai ChiCultivating deep sinking qi and quiet mind, one moves in resonance with the world, displaying the highest