道家为什么强调修性，强调气功修炼？道理就在这里。修性，是吧基础立正，一切功法源于大道，服务予大道。心不正，性不纯的人不得入其门。这最低的要求是不得杀生，不以功法谋私利，做坏事。而内功的修炼可以引出千百种功法来，这些功法都是一个个阶梯，由此 到最高境界去。停留在一种功法上， 也是一种执著，那是不悟大道。
Why do Daoists emphasize cultivation of essence and development of inner power? Cultivation of essence is setting up the basis correctly; then all exercises and methods are rooted in the Great Way and work for the Great Way. People whose minds are not straight and whose essence is impure cannot enter the gate. The minimum requirements are not taking life and not using Daoist methods for personal gain or for doing bad things. The cultivation of inner power can bring forth countless methods of practice; these methods are stepladders by which to climb to the highest states. To stick with just one method is a kind of attachment, a failure to understand the Great Way.
(from Opening the Dragon Gate,
Thomas Cleary’s translation of
Da Dao Xing 大道行
by Chen Kaiguo and
Zheng Shunchao, chapter 15)
The Fat Monk 