Waking Up in a Busy World: Great Rivers and Seas

The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys
-Lao Tzu

So we will go through the next eight lessons of the Tao. I had a hard time with some of these because of the military reference. I also don't particularly care when Legge tried to get his translation into some form of poetic verse he created, only because I fear some of the translation gets lost in his need to create a rhyme scheme. Anyway, bear with me

Chapter/Verse 25

There was something formless, changeless, timeless and nameless before Heaven and Earth was devised. (Not sure if he means man's concept of Heaven and Earth or actual Heaven Earth). This something is Great; the Creator of all things (the Mother). The Greatness of this thing flows through the Tao, then Heaven, then Earth, then Kings/Sages, passing on its greatness. Man follows the laws of Earth; Earth follows the laws of Heaven; Heaven follows the laws of the Tao; and the Tao is simply the way it is.

Chapter 26

Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness the ruler of movement.

Need a balance between gravity (heaviness) and lightness; between stillness and movement (action).

Contrast, which is the opposite ends of the same poles determine and make each other. Regardless of how much he marches all day, a 'wise prince' will stay close to what he already has (baggage wagons) in stead of venturing out and away to seek more no matter how distracting and inviting those things might be. A question arises: How should a Lord who has much carry himself lightly before his kingdom? If he does act lightly ( too carefree with little action) he might lose his root or hold on the kingdom. If he acts too much and does too much to assert his rule, he could lose his throne.

Chapter 27

This verse speaks to the need to leave no traces of one's skill or expertise behind...to leave it a mystery.

A skillful traveller leaves no tracks behind; a skillful speaks leaves no offensive words behind; a skillful leaves no bolts or bars behind; a skillful binder leaves no strings or knots. even though what they are able to accomplish is skillful and effective...they leave no signs of what they do behind.

A wise sage also leaves no man unsaved. This is called "hiding the light of his procedure."

The man of skill is a master to be honored and revered by those who do not have the skill and those who do not possess the skill are helpers to those who do. It is a must for the servant to honor his master and for the master to rejoice in his servant. The skilled man performs his skill and the servant does not know how but observes in reverence and amazement. This is called the 'The utmost degree of mystery."

Chapter 28

Speaks a little to yin and yang ; maturity and youth; recognition and obscurity; knowledge and innocence etc

A wise man seeks humility, innocence, and obscurity over praise, recognition and vanity. A strong man who recognizes his strength also maintains his feminine gentleness knowing that all drains flow to one channel in the end ( the Tao?) . A wise man who follows the Tao will maintain both his excellence and his child like innocence.

Seeking humility and obscurity rather than being the center of attention ( seeking to wear black instead of attractive white); he who though he knows the light of glory will prefer disgrace because of its obscurity will maintain an innocence that will lead men to him. He will then lead even the greatest military leaders in a peaceful non violent way.

Chapter 29

Doing and grasping will not get one the 'Kingdom' for himself. This 'Kingdom' sought is spiritual and cannot be got by active doing. He who tries to win it will destroy it and he who tries to grasp it will lose it.

The course and nature of things is cyclical. What was once in front will be behind, what once warmed will freeze, what once was strength comes from weakness and this is seen when what we gain spoils as it will.

That is why the wise puts away excessive effort, extravagance and indulgence.

Chapter 30

One with the Tao will not use violence and force to assert his mastery. If he does he will suffer from the karmic effects of doing so. There will always be obstacles, barriers and bad years for great armies.

A skillful commander will only attack out of necessity and never to assert ego's mastery. He will strike one blow and then stop. He will be on guard against arrogance and vanity once he does. He will not be boastful of his attacks.

When things mature they become old and not being of the way of Tao they will eventually die.

Chapter 31

Arms (weapons and instruments of destruction) though appearing beautiful to sum are evil and potentially hurtful to all creatures.

A superior man considers his left side the most honorable place for an inferior to stand. But in times of war it will be the right. The left side is the feminine , gentle and peaceful side honored in celebrations. The right side is the side that is strong and will attack when need arises. It is also the side that mourns the loss of life taken by it. It is calm and peace that the wise man honors and victory by force what he detests ( he does not delight in the slaughter of men). Commanders, who have killed many, will be reserved the right side to stand next to their wise king so they can rightfully grieve the lives they took. They should not celebrate those wins.

Chapter 32

The changeless Tao has no name. It is small and primordial because it is simple yet it is powerful. If a leader would hold it, all would follow him.

The Tao unites Heaven and Earth and this sends down the 'sweet dew' which falls on all men equally.

As son as it proceeds to action It has a name and men can then rest in it to be free from all risk of failure and error. They will find Truth.

The relation of the Tao to all the world is likened to how all the great rivers and seas flow into the tiny valley streams. Man, I believe, are the tiny streams that get fed by the great waters of the Tao.

Key things learned form these eight Tao Verses/Chapters:

The Tao is changeless, formless, timeless, and nameless and came before Heaven and Earth.
It is that spaciousness, that emptiness, that Absolute Beingness, the "I am" ness other scriptures talk about
It is the Creator of all things
It is Great
It flows through all things...through Heaven, then Earth, then Kings and then men
Man needs a balance between gravity and lightness and between stillness and action
A wise man does not give away the mystery of what makes him skilled behind...he leaves no traces, he hides the light of his procedure
A servant honors his master and his master rejoices in his servant
A wise man who follows the Tao with a sincere desire for humility will maintain both his excellence and his innocence
His humility and his child like innocence will lead others to follow him
He can lead even the greatest armies in a peaceful way
One can not attain the spiritual "Kingdom" through doing and grasping
Violence is to be avoided as much as possible and only used when absolutely necessary
Arms are evil and potentially damaging to all creatures
If a man must kill in battle he must mourn and grieve over the lives he took...he should not celebrate his victory
A leader who follows the way will have followers
The Tao is simple but powerful
It unites Heaven and Earth and by so doing nourishes all men equally
We can rest in Its Truth once we give it a name so we can use it.
The Tao can flow through us like the great waters of the large rivers and sea flow through the tiniest of streams.