From Chapter 10: Manifested Original Nature

There is true original nature and there is manifested original nature. True original nature is pre-celestial and clear, pure, round, and bright. Those who are intelligent do not have more of it, and those who are dull-witted do not have less of it. Manifested original nature is post-celestial and is born of vapor. As such, it can be clear or muddy, great or less. This is especially so when the numerics two and five merge to create humans and the ten thousand myriad things. In the process of creation, differences emerge. If all things come from the same source, why do differences exist? This is because as we move away from the primal beginning, desire increasingly takes control of the root of life. Feelings arise when we interact with the world, and, in time, vapor will be contaminated. Consequently, depending on their level of desire, people will exhibit differences in manifested original nature because original nature knows no differences.

In its manifested form, original nature is often used to serve selfish interests. This is not the kind of original nature we should cultivate. Only the spirit of true original nature should be cultivated. If the manifested original nature rules, we will have the situation of the servant controlling the master.

Original nature is like water. When degraded into manifested vital energy, it is analogous to water draining into mud. We cannot turn the muddy puddle into a clear pool overnight. However, in time, mud and water will separate. The mud will sink to the bottom and the clear water stay at the surface. Knowing how to separate the clear from the muddy is the key to the process of reversal and recovering life.