Introduction

This verse was challenging. Here are four reasons why. 

1. It uses repetitive analogous metaphors to make its point.
2. There are multiple instances of technical terms related to Daoist spiritual alchemical processes. 
3. Chinese source texts each have these very similar lines in slightly different orders. 
4. It forced me to translate the idea of De (德) directly.

At the very beginning of the project, I expressed De (德) like this: 

“De connects to the actualized characteristics humans express when aligned with Dao. Those virtues include wisdom, courage, loyalty, trustworthiness, benevolence, morality, respect, and non-violence.” 

At the time, I settled on Virtue and the Virtuous Way to capture this idea. First, it was a nod to tradition—De is frequently translated as Virtue. I felt that worked because those words can express “conducting oneself appropriately, with high quality, and success in producing the desired result.” However, Virtue also carries a fixed moralistic component that doesn’t work in the Daoist context. Virtue’s moral implications are true in Chinese thought when Confucian ideals are read into Daoism, and even more misleading from a Christian understanding of Virtue. 

This verse totally called me out on that. I’ve settled, for now, on “integrity.” Integrity refers to a state of being whole or undivided; in this case, it relates to our individuality so that we may merge with and function as a living agent of the Way. 

Translation

Know one’s creativity,
  preserve one’s receptivity,
    become Creation’s channel. 
Serving as Creation’s channel,
  Enduring Integrity is non-separation,
    a return to unity.

Know one’s light,
  preserve one’s darkness,
    become Creation’s example.
Serving as Creation’s example,
  Enduring Integrity is flawless,
    a return to totality.

Know one’s honor,
  preserve one’s shame,
    become Creation’s basin.
Serving as Creation’s basin,
  Enduring Integrity is abundant,
    a return to simplicity.

Simplicity, free and unfettered, is a tool
  Weavers of the Way cultivate this tool,
    in service to Creation.

Isn’t the greatest command,
  harmonious coexistence?

Commentary

This verse emphasizes integrity in three areas to make its point. 

• Creativity & Receptivity
• Light & Dark
• Honor & Shame

Synthesizing the polarities above allows us to become:

• A channel - a unified force flowing through the mountains of life.
• An example - a non-judgmental role model for Weaving the Way.
• A basin - an unbiased recipient of life force and reservoir of the same. 

 These three qualities represent essential characteristics of the Dao.

• Unity
• Totality
• Simplicity 

When present in our internal state, this allows harmonious coexistence to be a natural byproduct of our lives. 

You can stop reading here if you like - chewing on all that will likely be useful. If you’d like to go on, I’ll offer more details from my contemplations.