Today we kicked off talking about the Tao and its depths and then my buddy Loyce with #58. Daisy joined me followed by Energy Lady with #42 and #10 of which I read both the Stephan Mitchell and Derek Lin versions. Kronos needed a little help understanding something and chose #30 to help him through that. Dr. Rao then joined me to give some direction and finally Julie joined me for #81.
#10
In holding the soul and embracing oneness,
Can one be without straying?
In concentrating the energy and reaching relaxation,
Can one be like an infant?
In cleaning away the worldly view,
Can one be without imperfections?
In loving the people and ruling the nation,
Can one be without manipulation?
In the heavenly gate's opening and closing,
Can one hold to the feminine principle?
In understanding clearly all directions,
Can one be without intellectuality?
Bearing it, rearing it.
Bearing without possession.
Achieving without arrogance.
Raising without domination.
This is called the mystic virtue.
#30
Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn't try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce.
Violence, even well intentioned,
always rebounds upon oneself.
The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn't try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn't need others' approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.
#42
The Tao gives birth to One.
One gives birth to Two.
Two gives birth to Three.
Three gives birth to all things.
All things have their backs to the female
and stand facing the male.
When male and female combine,
all things achieve harmony.
Ordinary men hate solitude.
But the Master makes use of it,
embracing his aloneness, realizing
he is one with the whole universe.
#58
If a country is governed with tolerance,
the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression,
the people are depressed and crafty.
When the will to power is in charge,
the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy,
and you lay the groundwork for misery.
Try to make people moral,
and you lay the groundwork for vice.
Thus the Master is content
to serve as an example
and not to impose her will.
She is pointed, but doesn't pierce.
Straightforward, but supple.
Radiant, but easy on the eyes.
#81
True words aren't eloquent;
eloquent words aren't true.
Wise men don't need to prove their point;
men who need to prove their point aren't wise.
The Master has no possessions.
The more he does for others,
the happier he is.
The more he gives to others,
the wealthier he is.
The Tao nourishes by not forcing.
By not dominating, the Master leads.
Senaste avsnitt
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.