Tao Te Ching Part Fifteen

“The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.”

They don’t know everything that they know, because insight and wisdom are not definable and reside in the part of the mind that is open and connected to the infinite, it is profound and able to be responsive by naturally responding and doing the right thing at the right time.

“Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.”

A perfect description of mindfulness. A mind that is aware, focused, sensitive and intense. Having a soft front and strong back, polite, courteous and able to harmonise with whatever or whoever is around them without sacrificing morals. A mind that is open with infinite depth, unreadable by others or even by the thinking mind of the owner.

“Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.”

It’s not what you do that counts but often what you don’t do. To not be forced into unnecessary action by the expectation of others or circumstance means that you can read a situation that will often resolve itself and only take minimum action when necessary. Not imposing yourself on others or situations is to harmonise with nature and the Tao.