Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Seventy Two  “When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.  Do not intrude in their homes. Do not harass them at work. If you do not interfere, they will not weary of you.  Therefore the sage knows himself but makes no show, Has self-respect but is not arrogant. He lets go of that and chooses this.” A sense of awe is our most natural sense regarding nature. When in the forests or mountains it can be an overwhelming. When still and quiet, we find that same feeling inside ourselves. That naturalness can then spread … Continue reading The Sage Knows Himself

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Seventy-one “Knowing ignorance is strength. Ignoring knowledge is sickness.  If one is sick of sickness, then one is not sick. The sage is not sick because he is sick of sickness. Therefore he is not sick.” Thinking you’re not ignorant is the classic sign of ignorance. Being able to recognise it is a strength. The play on words here can be confusing and is obviously humour, but when we see so much ignorance making society sick, we may seem to be out of step with others but that does not make us wrong. Continue reading Knowing Ignorance Is Strength

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Seventy  “My words are easy to understand and easy to perform, Yet no man under heaven knows them or practices them.  My words have ancient beginnings. My actions are disciplined. Because men do not understand, they have no knowledge of me.  Those that know me are few; Those that abuse me are honored. Therefore the sage wears rough clothing and holds the jewel in his heart.” The way of nature is simple and that is why everyone misses and are unable to harmonise with it. Our thinking mind is a gift and a curse, it seeks complexity and … Continue reading Those That Know Me Are Few

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