性，是眾生生生不息之動力，也是修道之人成仙、了道、成佛、做祖、要命第一大關口，順者凡逆者仙。人自色道中而生，從色道而死，色有動之于天者，有出之于人者，動之于天者，是歷劫根塵，發於不知不覺之中，起於無思無慮之時，有出之於人者，見色而情生，遇境而神馳。而自造諸般因果，修道之人若除盡色根，自然靈苗發生，雖遇美色，亦能當場强制，不動欲念，殊不知我不生欲，卻有生欲者在内。不能除而勉强除，不能去而勉强去，除去之法亦多，功深日久，終有除去之時，若色根拔盡，則色身堅固，法身易修，其餘關口，皆易為，出家在家想成仙佛者當如是，即使在家者，雖續人倫延續後代，若能寡淫欲，則精旺氣足，後天充實，自然祛病延年。須知人情濃厚道情微，道用人情人不知。生生不息謂大道，仙佛種子有来因。
Sexuality is the unceasing impetus of the procreation of life for all beings. It is also the first life-threateningly great barrier for people who cultivate the Dao to become immortals, to fully comprehend the Dao, to become Buddhas, and to serve as ancestors. To follow the flow [of lust] is mundanity, while reversing the flow is immortality. People are born from the Dao of sexual desire, and also die from the Dao of sexual desire. This sexual desire might be stirred by the heavens or might emerge from humans themselves. [In the case of sexual desire] that is stirred by the heavens, [this emerges] from the influence over aeons by sensory objects. It occurs unknowingly and imperceptibly; it arises [spontaneously] at times without [prior] thought or contemplation. [In the case of sexual desire] that emerges from humans themselves, it [arises] upon seeing forms, which [leads to] the arousal of feelings. To encounter such situations [makes] the spirit gallop away, and thus it is from oneself that this cause and effect is created.
If those who cultivate the Dao [are able] completely to rid themselves of the root of sexual desire, the seedling of divinity will naturally appear. Although they may encounter the carnal temptation of physical beauty, they are also able firmly to control [their desire] at this moment, without the stirring of lustful thoughts. However, it is seldom realized that even though I myself might not experience desire, that which gives rise to the desire will [remain] inside of me. For those who are unable to eliminate and expel [the root of desire], yet still force themselves to do so, there are many methods to remove [desires]. Over the course of time, their Gong will deepen and eventually the time will come when desire has been eliminated. If the root of sexual desire has been completely pulled out, then the body of form will be firm and unwavering. The body of the law will be easy to cultivate and the remaining barriers will all be easily overcome.
A renunciant or layperson wishing to become an immortal or a Buddha should act in this way. Even with a layperson who is continuing human relations and procreating the next generation, if they are able to have few sexual desires, their essence will flourish and their Qi will be ample, their post-heaven [constitution] will be rich, full and replenished, and they will naturally eliminate illness and extend their lifespan.
It is important to realize that when human emotions are rich and deep, one’s feeling for the Dao will wane. The Dao makes use of human emotions without humans being aware of it. The unceasing procreation of life is called the great Dao. It is the reason for the arrival of the seed of immortality and Buddhahood.
Excerpt from ‘The 49 Barriers of Cultivating the Dao’. The original text contains extensive commentaries by Xing De (Li Shifu). The commentaries are also deeply knowledgeable in Chinese tradition, bridging Daoism with Buddhism, Confucianism and even Christianity, and possess a rare mystical depth stemming from Xing De’s long-term practice.
