Challenge Day #27
Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is one of the most written about and
translated books in the world. I think
of it as the book of mystery for within its 81 verses/chapters you will begin
to be surrounded by the unfolding of the universe. The beauty of the Tao is in
the simple complexity of each verse.
No two translations are the same and no two people that read
any translation will walk away with the same message. In fact if you read it today and then come
back another day the same message will take on new meaning. Having read several translations I find it
most helpful to read at least two or three varied translations before I begin
to grasp the implications for my life.
Several themes flow throughout the book which resonate with
me. I'd like to share three with you. Take moment to read these two different translations
of a portion of verse two.
Translation
1
When people see some things as beautiful
Other things
become ugly.
When people
see some things as good,
Other things
become bad.
Being and
non-being create each other.
Difficult
and easy support each other.
Long and
short define each other.
High and low
depend on each other.
Before and
after follow each other.
Therefore
the Master
Acts without
doing anything
And teaches
without saying anything…
Translation
2
When the world knows beauty as beauty,
ugliness arises
When it
knows good as good, evil arises
Thus being
and non-being produce each other
Difficult
and easy bring about each other
Long and
short reveal each other
High and low
support each other
Music and
voice harmonize each other
Front and
back follow each other
Therefore
the sages:
Manage the
work of detached actions
Conduct the
teaching of no words…
This theme of the trap of dualistic thinking flows
throughout the verses. The idea that when our thoughts create one thing we
create its opposite is a life lesson easily forgotten in times of stress. As I
read this verse I’m struck that when I think this way I am sitting in judgement–
is this person good or bad, right or wrong - thinking that leads to separating
myself from others and falling into my ego. I’m also reminded that most things
in life are neither and both. Little in
the world is all good or all bad and instead of seeking solutions that are
either-or, trying to find a solution that is and & both is more beneficial.
Reading this verse as an educator I see the power in modeling as form of
teaching. I always try to remember I teach with no words. Just these few lines
illustrate what I meant by the simple becoming complex.
The second theme that captures my thinking is the idea that
to understand our nature we need to understand nature itself. Many of you are aware of my love for nature
and in particular water. There are several reference to water in the Tao – here
are three of my favorites from three different translations all of which provide
different life lessons.
From Verse 78
Nothing in
the world
Is as soft
and yielding as water.
Yet for
dissolving the hard and rigid,
Nothing can
surpass it.
Everyone
knows that the soft and yielding
Overcomes
the rigid and hard
Yet few can
put this knowledge into practice.
From Verse 8
The highest
virtue is like water.
Since water
helps the myriad creatures,
And settles,
without contention,
Where no one
wishes to live,
It is near
to the way.
Finally from Verse 15
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?
This idea of being still and taking action by not acting is repeated
several times through the Tao. I believe
this idea comes from realizing that in nature everything takes care of itself -if
we do not interfere. When I have found myself facing a stressful situation I will often pour myself of water and set it next to me to remember to flow like the water and to gently erode the hard.
I’d be remise not to mention all the wisdom Lao Tzu shares about
leadership, by living a life based on the Tao.
He mentions the sage/master in nearly every verse. As a woman I especially appreciate that in the
original Chinese there is no gender preference given to the term sage/master. I’ve
chosen to share Verse 49 with you as a challenge for you in living the Tao.
The Master has no fixed mind;
She understand the mind of the people.
She treats those who are good with goodness.
She also treats those who are bad with goodness
Because goodness is the nature of her being.
She is kind to the kind.
She is also kind to the unkind
Because kindness is the nature of her being.
She trusts people who are trustworthy.
She also trust people who are not trustworthy.
This is how she gains true trust.
The Master lives in harmony with all below heaven.
Her mind is like space.
People don’t understand her.
They look to her and wait.
She sees everything as her own self;
She loves everyone as her own child.
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