What is The Nine Observances 九守？

Observing Harmony (Shǒu Hé): It adheres to the concept in Laozi that "The Dao generates the One; the One generates the Two; the Two generates the Three; the Three generates all things." It holds that "All things carry the yin and embrace the yang, and through the blending of qi, they achieve harmony. Hence, the greatest value lies in observing harmony."

Observing the Spirit (Shǒu Shén): It states that humans are born from the transformations of heaven and earth, with their limbs and five internal organs corresponding to the phenomena of heaven and earth. "The way of heaven and earth is extremely vast and great, yet it still moderates its radiant brilliance and cherishes its divine essence. How can human ears and eyes endure constant stimulation without rest? How can the spirit gallop unceasingly without exhaustion? (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)" Therefore, one should "maintain inner vigilance without loss."

Observing Qi (Shǒu Qì): It posits that humans regard "blood and qi" as their essence. "When blood and qi are focused internally and do not leak outward, the chest and abdomen are full, and desires are few (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)." "Desires cause one’s qi to weaken and decline," so one should "settle in one’s position according to the times, rejoice in one’s occupation in the present age," "neither initiate fortune nor precede misfortune," and live out one’s natural lifespan.

Observing Benevolence (Shǒu Rén): It teaches that "Those who uphold righteousness can be urged by benevolence but cannot be coerced by force; they can be corrected by justice but cannot be lured by profit. The noble person dies for righteousness and cannot be retained by wealth and honor (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)." With a spirit unburdened and a mind unconfused, "one cannot be intimidated by death."

Observing Simplicity (Shǒu Jiǎn): Eat to satisfy hunger, clothe to ward off cold and cover the body. Do not esteem power or great profit, nor greedily accumulate more than needed; instead, seek the harmony of nurturing life.

Observing Ease (Shǒu Yì): It states that "Ancient practitioners of the Dao regulated their emotions and nature, refined their mind techniques, nurtured themselves with harmony, maintained balance with moderation, took joy in the Dao and forgot poverty, found peace in virtue and forgot humility (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)" They did not let nobility, baseness, wealth, or poverty harm their life force.

Observing Purity (Shǒu Qīng): It holds that the spirit is the source of knowledge; a pure spirit brings clear understanding. Hence, "People do not mirror themselves in flowing water but in still water, because it is clear and pure (Yúnjí Qīqiān)"; yet the spirit is easy to cloud and hard to purify—just as "If a basin of water is clarified, it can reflect even eyebrows and eyelashes after a day; if muddied, a single stir makes it unable to reflect squares or circles (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)". Thus, "The sage never loses this observance," "nurtures life to stabilize the world, and embraces virtue to live out their years."

Observing Fullness (Shǒu Yíng): It believes that "When things flourish, they decline; when the sun reaches its zenith, it shifts; when the moon is full, it wanes; joy ends in sorrow (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)". Therefore, "The wise and intelligent should observe with humility; the knowledgeable and eloquent with restraint; the brave and resolute with caution; the wealthy and powerful with modesty; those who bestow virtue on the world with humility. These five are how the ancient kings guarded the realm (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)". If, however, "one’s qi is abundant but one’s will is arrogant—great powers attack smaller ones, the weak disdain and oppress those below, and the mind indulges in excess—this is like a violent storm, which cannot last long (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)".

Observing Weakness (Shǒu Ruò): It asserts that "The key to governing the world lies not in others but in oneself, not in external forces but in one’s own person (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)". Thus, one should "have no joy, no anger, no pleasure, no suffering; all things are mystically unified, with neither right nor wrong (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)". "One does not rely on power for dignity, nor on wealth for prosperity, nor on strength for might; one does not covet goods or fame, nor find security in nobility or danger in humility. Body, spirit, qi, and will each dwell in their proper place (Wénzǐ: The Nine Observances)".