The Tao ...again

The Tao is hidden and has no name; but is the Tao which is skillful at imparting(to all things what they need) and making them complete.
-Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching as transalted by James Legge

Chapter 34

The Great Tao is everywhere: on the right (masculine, powerful side) and on the left ( feminine, gentle side).

All things depend on it and all things obey it.

It does not take credit for all it creates and it creates everything.  It clothes everything (protects it, nurtures it, keeps it warm) but it does not "Lord" over it.  By not naming Itself as the source of everything it remains humble.
All things go back to the source/root and disappear without knowing it was The Tao that prevailed over it all.

The sage can do the same.  By not making himself "Great" he accomplishes great things.

Chapter 35

To him who can represent the Tao, the world will be fixed.  People will flock to him without threat of harm to find safety, peace and rest.  There may be an attraction in the outside world that makes someone stop for a time but its not like finding teh Tao.  And though the Tao spoken, using thoughts and concepts, is seemingly dull, It's use is inexhaustible.

Chapter 36

Before we breathe in, we breathe out; before we can weaken others, we must strengthen them; before we can knock others down, we must pull them up; before we can take from another, we must give.  This is called " Hiding the light of procedure."

A look at opposing sides to strength: The soft overcomes the hard and the weak overcome the strong

Chapter 37

The Tao does nothing but there is nothing it does not do.

If princes and kings could maintain the Tao they could change everything. If the change becomes an object of desire...we must express this desire without naming it.  Simplicity without a name is free of all external world goals.  Without desire or craving all things will turn out right.

Chapter 38

Those who did not seek to possess the attributes(very nature) of the Tao did not seek to show they did and therefore they possessed it in full measure.  Those who possessed the attributes  in a lower degree and attempted to cling to it, did not possess it all. Those who possessed it in a higher degree did nothing purposefully and had no need to do.  Those who possessed the Tao attributes  in a lower degree were always doing and had a never ending need to do.

Those who had the highest degree of benevolence ( doing good) were always seeking to carry it out when they didn't have to.  Those who had the highest degree of righteousness were always seeking to carry it out and they didn't have to.

Those who possessed the propriety: need to follow and adhere to rules and conformity were always seeking to show it and when others did not follow too they would bare arms against them.

So when the Tao (the Great way) was lost that is when its attributes appeared...when its attributes disappeared, benevolence ( need to do good) appeared; when benevolence was lost...righteousness appeared ( a need to be right or do right) and when righteousness disappeared, ...morality, conformity  or propriety appeared .

So now propriety is a very weakened form of faith and it is where disorder begins. Swift apprehension is only a flower of the Tao and is where stupidity begins. A Great Man then will stick to what is solid and reject what is flimsy...will choose the fruit over the flower.


Chapter 39

Old things that got the One Tao include: heaven, earth, Spirit, Valleys, Creatures and princes and Kings.

Purity makes Heaven pure.  Without firmness and surety, earth would bend and break. Spirit without power will fail. Valleys without water will be parched.  Creatures without life will pass away.  Princes and Kings without morality will decay.

That is why dignity finds its roots in humility and  loftiness finds its root in stability. By maintaining humility in how they refer to themselves princes and kings see the roots of their dignity. They chose to appear ordinary rather than special.

Chapter 40

The contrasting forces strengthen each other and are what the Tao proceeds through.  Weakness marks the course of Tao's mighty deeds. All things under heaven sprang from the Tao's existence and Its being named. That existence sprang from It as non existent and nameless ...the non-manifested realm.


Chapter 41

Scholars of high class when they hear about the Tao earnestly carry it into practice.  Scholars of middle class get it then lose it.  Scholars of lowest class laugh at it.  It is important however that they do because if it was not laughed at it would not be fit to be the Tao.

There is so many contrasting ways to see the Tao.  When it is at its brightest it may seem to lack light.  When one seems to be progressing in it, they are seen as going backwards. It's even path may actually appear quite rugged. Its highest peak comes from the lowest valley.  It's greatest beauty may actually offend the eyes. And the person who has most may actually be the one who lost the most. What appears to be firm virtue may be of low morality. What seems to be solid may be very changeable.  Its largest square may have no corners and not appear like a square at all. The fastest vessel may be the slowest made.  The sound maybe loud but it doesn't utter a word.  It may seem like a great image when it is nothing more than a shadow made by shade.

The Tao is hidden, nameless and unseen yet it is the basis for everything.  It gives to all that which  is needed and makes all complete.


Half way through and I need some time to ponder on these chapters. 

All is well.

James Legge ( 1895) Loa Tzu's Tao Te Ching. https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm