Taoism and Lao Tzu
Much of the commentary on Lao Tzu’s chapter thirty-nine feels like an echo of chapter thirty-eight, only much more in-depth. It suggests that the events in our lives often reflect subtle influences we gradually hold onto over time. As we expressed earlier, the direct consequence of our energies is meant to be expressed through mind, body, and spirit as our personality that are meant to lead to inner peace.
Looking to the Tao, we know that the attainment of being a tranquil being is essential to spiritual growth. Also, trying out new words, thoughts, and phrases is a healthy exercise that serves as our teacher.
It takes years of study to grasp even a hint of the true meaning and essence behind the intent and wisdom found in the words of the ancients. Even when some meaning is captured, the language and its nuances can often stand in the way of true understanding.
Worse yet, is when you cannot read the text in its native language and are left to bring sense to someone else’s interpretation. Even writers native to the original text are sometimes at a loss with reading text that may be thousands of years old. I didn’t create my own version of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching until after eight years of study, and this updated commentary comes another twenty years later. The timeless meaning of the words gains depth and wisdom that can only come from living them. Truly as the editor of the old as you create new thought.
Bringing forward the thoughts and wisdom of Lao Tzu who lived in the sixth century BC is a gargantuan task and cannot be done lightly. Even one of the best commentaries I often refer to was by Ho-shang Kung who lived in about 100BC, five hundred years after the death of Lao Tzu. Great writers often strive to emulate and follow in the footsteps of their mentors, those who came before them. Sometimes it feels like there’s a universal oneness flowing through everything we’re meant to witness and express—and we feel it too!
Ho-shang Kung was a Taoist master who lived in a hut beside the Yellow River, his commentary emphasizes Taoist yoga and was reportedly giving advice to Emperor Wen )179-156 BC). One of my own favorites was in reference to Verse 39 below:
“It’s because Heaven becomes one that it graces the sky with constellations and light. It’s because Earth becomes one that it remains still and immovable. It’s because spirits become one that they change shape without becoming visible. It’s because streams become one that they never stop filling up. It’s because kings become one that they pacify the world. But Heaven must move between yin and yang, between night and day. It can’t only be clear and bright.
Earth must include both high and low, hard and soft, the five-fold stages of breath. It can’t only be still. Spirits must have periods of quiescence (inactivity or dormancy). They can’t only be active. Streams must also be empty and dry. They can’t only be full. Kings must humble themselves and never stop seeking worthies to assist them. They can’t only lord it over others. If they do, the fall from power and lose their thrones.”
A commentary is often not just an up dating to the words of the original but only done after the commentator has lived what has been written for himself.
Verse 39 – Moving from finding the way to living in virtue
The sage takes no action, but leaves nothing undone or behind as the Tao remains forever nameless.
Left alone to themselves, the ten thousand things find their own way and become transformed on their own.
Once awakened, the sage moves them with nameless simplicity. Remaining true to themselves they become quiet and tranquil. As if a single oneness, or purpose, has found each one with everything finding its place.
Finding himself alone to his liking, the sage becomes as one with heaven and earth as everyone finds him on the path to virtue.
Knowing he has now found the way, the sage clings only to his virtue ultimately showing the way for everything he has left behind.
第39节 从寻道到与大德生活在一起
圣人无为，但没有未做完之事或留下事情不管，道永远恪守无名。万物自寻己道，自我改变。
一旦醒过来，圣人用无名的简朴携同万物一同前行。万物保持真诚，恪守宁静平和。如同一个个的合一已经找到每一个个体，万物找到自己的所在。
当人们发现圣人正在走向大德的途中，他独自寻找自己喜爱的东西，成为一个与天地共存的人。
圣人知道道已找到，他坚守大德，最终向后来的万物展示道。
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