It has been proposed that Laotze was a naturalist and and an atheist.  This thread is to discuss occurences of "spirit" in english translations of the DDJ.  Is this a spirit like a ghost?  A disembodied soul?  Is it something else?   At the time of composition of the DDJ, lacking modern scientific knowledge of natural forces governing:   birth, growth, sickness, death, germination, blossoming, producing fruit/seed moving constellations phases of the moon seasons weather etc   Does it make sense for Laotze to completely avoid any "spiritual" beliefs in the manner of a naturalist atheist by today's standards?