Book 22 Chapter 23

108 Recommended Books That Students Must Read — But Almost No One Does — Designated by Cheonmu Academy

Sixty-four. A Contemplation on the Secret of the Three Powers (三才)

I got it! I finally understood!

I have finally understood the secret of the Three Powers. Even though I understood it in the bath while I was bathing, please don't say it's "invalid" because I wasn't meditating in a temple. When it comes to enlightenment, what does time and place matter? You can realize it while pooping in the outhouse, or while lying on the bed and reading a storybook. I, too, have jumped out of the bath where I was soaking my dead skin and am writing this. Please excuse the drops of water falling from my hair that have spread here and there. It seems I forgot to wash myself. Come to think of it, I'm naked. It feels like I've run quite a distance… Well, let's ignore the trivial things!

More importantly, it's about the Three Powers (三才). The Three Powers of Heaven (天), Earth (地), and Human (人). It's the Three Powers from the Three Powers Sword Technique. The Three Powers of chopping down, slashing across, and stabbing. It's the Three Powers of (·), (ㅡ), and (ㅣ), Heaven, Earth, and Human. Once again, I have understood the secret of the Three Powers. Like the wise man from the distant West cried out, I want to cry out "I found it!" here and now.

I found it! I found it!

The secret of the Three Powers is related to the Grand Circulation (大周天). We must redefine the concepts of the Lesser Circulation (小周天) and the Grand Circulation. We have long forgotten the secret of the true Grand Circulation. The Grand Circulation is not about being able to guide Qi to the Ren and Du meridians or the gates of life and death. No matter how much effort you put in, circulating Qi within the limited space of the human body is merely the Lesser Circulation. The Grand Circulation should not be approached with such a concept. The secret of the Grand Circulation is hidden within the Three Powers. I will now tell you that secret.

The core of the secret of the Three Powers lies precisely in the Human (人). Everything is a problem with humans. Isn't almost all war, famine, and crime the responsibility of humans? Ah, the story has strayed again. Let's get back to the point. So, humans are like 'and'. What is 'and'? It is 'together (與)'. What is between heaven and earth? There is 'and'. Is it a corny joke? Perhaps it was. But I am serious now. Because humans are like this 'and', or 'together (與)'. So…

Thwack!

"Aaargh!"

Thwack, thwack!

"M-my dear…"

Thwack, thwack, thwack!

"Why, why are you doing this? What is wrong with my buttocks? I have an obligation to preach enlightenment right now. Are buttocks really that important in front of truth?"

Thwack, thwack, thwack! Slap! Slap! Slap!

"Ow, ow! O-okay. I'll go change my clothes right away. Of course, I'll dry myself too. I'll apologize to people. So… please stop hitting my buttocks. My buttocks are on fire…"

* This manuscript ends unfinished due to the author's circumstances. The water-stained areas make it uncomfortable to read.

— By Mo Yong-hwi, Sword of Seven Severances (七絶神劍)

I. Secure Your Protective Gear

When cleaning, wear an apron and a headscarf as much as possible. When there is a lot of dust, actively consider wearing a mask. Avoid foolishly getting covered in dust when you dislike it.

II. Work in Sequence

Thoroughly follow the sequence of ventilation → tidying up → separate collection of laundry → dusting → sweeping → mopping → cleaning → organizing tools. Sloppy work leads to regret.

III. Direction is from Top to Bottom, Inside to Outside

Dusting and tidying should always be done from top to bottom, and sweeping and mopping should always be done from inside to outside. This is the same principle as water flowing from top to bottom and new sprouts growing from inside the seed outwards.

IV. Align All Things in Order and Row

Disorderliness of objects signifies disorderliness of mind, so do not forget to meticulously align even the smallest things.

V. Beware of Invisible Dust

Be careful not to miss inconspicuous areas such as the tops of high furniture or under beds. Just as invisible enemies are more dangerous, invisible dust gnaws at your respiratory system.

VI. Use a High-Quality Bristle Broom

Use a broom with soft and durable, high-quality bristles. Cheap millet brooms only stir up dust and are insufficient for removing fine contaminants. If you want to be clean, invest.

VII. Keep Your Mop Always Spotless White

Discard the prejudice that mops can be dull or dirty because they are mops. A mop is a measure of the cleanliness of a room. Wiping with a dirty mop only transfers dirt.

VIII. Keep Resting Mops Fluffy Like Cotton

Mops stored wet are the mothers of bad odors and germs. Mops that are in the air or have finished their work should be kept fluffy through sun exposure.

IX. Finish Promptly

All cleaning tools used that day, including aprons and towels, must be washed and sterilized by the end of the day. Tomorrow awaits tomorrow's cleaning.

X. Be Prepared; Have Spares

Always keep spare cleaning tools for emergencies.

XI. Turn Hard Water into Soft Water

Choosing the right water for washing and cleaning is important. River water or rainwater is best, while hard water like well water only clumps dirt. If hard water is difficult, boil it to turn it into soft water. If that is not feasible, mix some zeolite powder into the water to turn it into soft water.

XII. Learn the Old and Know the New

There is no royal road to cleaning. While diligently sticking to the basics every day, always be open to new things. Newly developed tools and new techniques open up new horizons in the realm of cleanliness.