water

I.

Water does not strive, even when inhibited. 

When rocks dam the river, water does not plan a counter-attack. 

It does not break through by force. 

Rather, it gathers its own force until it is uncontainable. 

By gathering, the point of weakness is revealed but not sought out,

And the Way is accomplished. 

Finding no enemy, it is victorious. 

Influencing without dominating. 

Finding without seeking. 

Gathering without holding.

Flowing without striving. 

Overpowering without exerting. 

This is the Way of water. 

II.

Like water, Qi cannot be grasped or held on to. 

Yet it can be gathered,

And therefore nourishes all things. 

When stagnated, it gathers illness. 

When directed, it cleanses. 

It cannot be crushed, only diverted. 

It cannot be destroyed, only transformed. 

Pushed on, it encompasses. 

Stored, it gathers. 

Emptied, it is replenished. 

Going, it always returns. 

Yielding, it demonstrates greater power. 

Absorbed by earth. 

Contained by metal. 

Utilized by wood. 

Alchemized by fire.