What is the meaning of The Mean in Taoism? 什么是中

What is the meaning of The Mean in Taoism?

Confucianism holds that "Zhong" (中, the Mean) or "Zhongdao" (中道, the Middle Way) has both a practical and a historical basis—it is a traditional principle that Confucians have consistently upheld. As recorded in the Analects (Lunyu, 论语·尧曰): "Yao said: 'Indeed, O Shun! The heavenly succession rests in your person. Hold faithfully to the Mean.'" Confucius viewed the Doctrine of the Mean as the highest moral standard: "The virtue of the Doctrine of the Mean—is it not supreme? Yet it has long been rare among the people." (Analects·Yongye). Mencius fully affirmed Confucius's Middle Way, proposing: "Standing in the Middle Way, those capable follow." (Mencius·Jinxin shang). This view of "standing in the Middle Way" also pervades the Yi Zhuan (易传, Commentary on the Book of Changes). The important Confucian classic Zhongyong (中庸) takes "Zhong" as the root of all things: "The Mean—it is the great root of all under heaven." This view was further developed by Song Dynasty and Ming Neo-Confucian thought. The Qing dynasty Neo-Confucian Qian Yi (钱仪) elevated "Zhong" to the highest metaphysical category: "All things have a Supreme Ultimate—it is simply the Mean."

What is the meaning of The Mean in Taoism?

Some Confucian scholars advocated attaining the realm of "Zhong" through perfect stillness, converging with Taoist thought. Zhu Xi (朱熹) stated: "From vigilance and restraint, reaching perfect stillness within—one reaches the utmost of the Mean, whereby heaven and earth are properly positioned." In fact, the view of seeking the Mean through perfect stillness was articulated by Laozi: "The more words spoken, the sooner they are exhausted—better to hold to the Mean." (Laozi, Chapter Five). Laozi's advocated concept of "knowing when to stop" (zhi zhi, 知止) also contains the meaning of "no excess": "Those who hold to this Way do not desire fullness." (Laozi, Chapter Fifteen).

"Zhong" or "Zhonghe" (中和, the Mean and Harmony) is also an important dimension of Taoist philosophy. The Heshang Gong Commentary on the Laozi states: "Eliminate emotion and relinquish desire; hold to the Mean and Harmony—this is called knowing the gateway to the essentials of the Dao." The Taiping Jingchao holds that virtue and the Mean or Harmony are integral to each other.

In Taoist philosophy "Zhong" or "Zhonghe" carries multiple meanings:

1. It refers to qi (vital breath/energy): the Taiping Jingchao states: "Primordial qi has three names: Supreme Yang (太阳), Supreme Yin (太阴), and the Mean and Harmony (中和)."

2. As a term in Internal Alchemy (内丹, neidan), it refers to the "Mysterious Pass" (xuanguan yi qiao, 玄关一窍). The Zhonghe Ji·Zhao Ding'an Wenda states: "This character 'Zhong' is the name of the gate of the Pass. The Taoist says: 'Where not a single thought arises—this is called Zhong.'" "Zhong" also refers to the cinnabar field (dan tian, 丹田). The Xingming Guizhi cites the Xuanxuan Ge attributed to Immortal Ge Xian: "Where Qian and Kun converge is the true Zhong; the Zhong abides in the emptiness of void—vast and boundless."