Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Nine “There is a saying among soldiers:I dare not make the first move but would rather play the guest;I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot. This is called marching without appearing to move,Rolling up your sleeves without showing your arm,Capturing the enemy without attacking,Being armed without weapons. There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy.By underestimating the enemy, I almost lose what I value. Therefore when the battle is joined,The underdog will win.” This is like ‘karate ni sentenashi’ (there is no first attack in karate) … Continue reading Being Armed Without Weapons

Explanation of the Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Eight  “A good soldier is not violent. A good fighter is not angry. A good winner is not vengeful A good employer is humble. This is known as the Virtue of not striving. This is known as ability to deal with people. This since ancient times has been known as the ultimate unity with heaven.” Violence, anger and vengeance are uneducated and unalchemised energies. Law enforcement officers and martial artists as well as civilians work better as peacemakers. Dealing with people and employing them should be done with help, support and a light touch. This should be common … Continue reading A Good Soldier Is Not Violent

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Seven  “Everyone under heaven says that my Tao is great and beyond compare. Because it is great, it seems different. If it were not different, it would have vanished long ago.” Here I think he’s talking about depth. every time I read the Tao Te Ching the insights from my meditation, training and everyday life allow me to view it at a different level. If I haven’t been gaining these continuous insights and wisdom I would have been lost. “I have three treasures which I hold and keep. The first is mercy; the second is … Continue reading My Tao Is Great

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Six  “Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? Because it lies below them. Therefore it is the king of a hundred streams.  If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility. If he would lead them, he must follow behind. In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed; When he stands before them, they will not be harmed. The whole world will support him and will not tire of him.  Because he does not compete, He does not meet competition.” This part brings us back to governing with humility. … Continue reading If You Don’t Compete

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Five “In the beginning those who knew the Tao did not try to enlighten others, But kept it hidden. Why is it so hard to rule? Because people are so clever. Rulers who try to use cleverness Cheat the country. Those who rule without cleverness Are a blessing to the land. These are the two alternatives. Understanding these is Primal Virtue. Primal Virtue is deep and far. It leads all things back Toward the great oneness.” This is so relevant today. We desperately need politicians with patience, kindness and compassion, with a global view of both people and the environment. We are plagued with … Continue reading Clever People Cheat The Country

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Four “Peace is easily maintained;Trouble is easily overcome before it starts.The brittle is easily shattered;The small is easily scattered. Deal with it before it happens.Set things in order before there is confusion. A tree as great as a man’s embrace springs from a small shoot;A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth;A journey of a thousand miles starts under one’s feet. He who acts defeats his own purpose;He who grasps loses. The sage does not act, and so is not defeated.He does not grasp and therefore does not lose. People … Continue reading Peace Is Easily Maintained

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Three “Practice non-action. Work without doing. Taste the tasteless. Magnify the small, increase the few. Reward bitterness with care.  See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things.  In the universe the difficult things are done as if they are easy. In the universe great acts are made up of small deeds. The sage does not attempt anything very big, And thus achieved greatness.  Easy promises make for little trust. Taking things lightly results in great difficulty. Because the sage always confronts difficulties, He never experiences them.” This part explains the merit and method of mindfulness and paying attention. Be still, let … Continue reading Practice Non Action

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Two “Tao is the source of the ten thousand things.It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.Sweet words can buy honor;Good deeds can gain respect.If a man is bad, do not abandon him.Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,Or the three officers of state installed,Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,But remain still and offer the Tao.Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?Isn’t it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?Therefore … Continue reading Sweet Words Can Buy Honour

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty One  “A great country is like low land. It is the meeting ground of the universe, The mother of the universe.  The female overcomes the male with stillness, Lying low in stillness.  Therefore if a great country gives way to a smaller country, It will conquer the smaller country. And if a small country submits to a great country, It can conquer the great country. Therefore those who would conquer must yield, And those who conquer do so because they yield.  A great nation needs more people; A small country needs to serve. Each gets what it wants. It is fitting for a … Continue reading The Mother Of The Universe

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty  “Ruling the country is like cooking a small fish. Approach the universe with Tao, And evil is not powerful, But its power will not be used to harm others. Not only will it do no harm to others, But the sage himself will also be protected. They do not hurt each other, And the Virtue in each one refreshes both.” Ruling the country is like cooking a small fish, if we poke it too much we’ll ruin it. If we approach it from nature, it negates the power of evil. Acting naturally and ruling with a light hand … Continue reading They Do Not Hurt Each another