Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Forty Five  “Great accomplishment seems imperfect,Yet it does not outlive its usefulness.Great fullness seems empty,Yet cannot be exhausted.  Great straightness seems twisted.Great intelligence seems stupid.Great eloquence seems awkward.  Movement overcomes cold.Stillness overcomes heat.Stillness and tranquillity set things in order in the universe.” A great description of how living with Tao can seem opposite to what everyone else sees as the way to live in society. Real accomplishment in the way is deep and profound, what to others seems humble and empty is in fact nourishing. Natures way may seem complex but is in … Continue reading Great Fullness Seems Empty

Explanation OF The Tao Te Ching Part Forty Four “Fame or self: Which matters more?Self or wealth: Which is more precious?Gain or loss: Which is more painful?  He who is attached to things will suffer much.He who saves will suffer heavy loss.A contented man is never disappointed.He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.He will stay forever safe.” This part is asking us what’s important in life. Is it fame and wealth? It’s pointing out the futility of accruing either. To desire wealth and fame is suffering – and the fear of losing it also causes … Continue reading Which Matters More?

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Forty Three  “The softest thing in the universeOvercomes the hardest thing in the universe.That without substance can enter where there is no room.Hence I know the value of non-action.  Teaching without words and work without doingAre understood by very few.” This is deep and profound. The hardest, loudest and most active things and people won’t even see or hear the still, soft and quiet, who are able to work under the radar. Not doing something is also doing something and the results often make people think that they did it by themselves, when … Continue reading The Softest Thing In The Universe

Explanation Of Tao Te Ching Part Forty One  “The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.  Hence it is said:The bright path seems dim;Going forward seems like retreat;The easy way seems hard;The highest Virtue seems empty;Great purity seems sullied;A wealth of Virtue seems inadequate;The strength of Virtue seems frail;Real Virtue seems unreal;The perfect square has no corners;Great talents ripen late;The highest notes are … Continue reading When A Student Hears The Tao

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Eight “A truly good man is not aware of his goodness,And is therefore good.A foolish man tries to be good,And is therefore not good.  A truly good man does nothing,Yet leaves nothing undone.A foolish man is always doing,Yet much remains to be done.  When a truly kind man does something, he leaves nothing undone.When a just man does something, he leaves a great deal to be done.When a disciplinarian does something and no one responds,He rolls up his sleeves in an attempt to enforce order.  Therefore when Tao is lost, there is … Continue reading A Good Man Doesn’t Know He’s Good

Explanation Of Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Seven  “Tao abides in non-action,Yet nothing is left undone.If kings and lords observed this,The ten thousand things would develop naturally.If they still desired to act,They would return to the simplicity of formless substance.Without form there is no desire.Without desire there is tranquility.And in this way all things would be at peace.” The idea that if we understand the way of nature we can develop the idea of not contradicting it. If our leaders understood this and governed in a way that harmonised with the ‘way’ and allowed everything to ‘unfold’ with the lightest … Continue reading Tao Abides In Non Action