Taoism and Lao Tzu
How is it we can find shades of living in comfort when how we choose to live runs counter to what we know as virtue. Life’s greatest paradox for the sage is when we look to our original nature and accept things the way they are. That in following the Way we are to leave no tracks.
At the heart of the Tao Te Ching as Lao Tzu saw it, would be like references to phases of the moon. The image here represents the conjoined phases of the moon and connection between its cycles of change. Every month the moon shows us that something comes from nothing. While the new moon gives us the promise of rebirth.
That the Tao is to be seen as though between Heaven and Earth as Heaven’s Gate both empty and inexhaustible. It does not die as it waxes and wanes, does not try to be full and its light does not blind. Follows in the way of spirit as it pulls the tides within us all.
It’s easy to think when the great sages lived that they were products of much simpler times. How is it we are to define and live as our nature intends when Lao Taz says, “Good walking leaves no tracks and good talking reveals no flaws?”
Verse twenty-seven below is one of my longest entries that I wrote twenty-five years ago. Since then, I have lived example after example of this truism as if I just wasn’t listening to what the words were telling or saying. From the time I was sixteen until I was thirty, I had this passion for politics amid thoughts of change as I was here to be a voice for good.
There are five historical mountains in Chinese Taoist history and five in Buddhism. I’ve been to most all of them. Several have a location depicted as “Heaven’s Gate”. This picture is of me in front of the Heaven’s Gate on HuaShan Mountain. The idea is that we walk through the gate many times and return renewed.
When I was running for state representative here in Springfield my campaign slogan on yard signs littering the neighborhoods read “He cares”. Yes, I was naive in my late twenties. After serving one term when I lost, I learned that my opponent cared as well… only about other things.
My losing was the best thing that could have happened although at the time I didn’t think so. I was living in the ultimate paradox that had to run its course as the universe had much bigger things in store.
How is it we are to define and live as our nature intends as though all things lead to our good. Even when we aren’t looking for it. As a state rep I got involved in the westside of Springfield. After the election I helped to do a neighborhood plan for the city, I later took a copy to the interview for a city planner in Massachusetts where I was later to become the City Planner. My experience there took me to Florida where I became a Neighborhood Specialist. From there I went to China and became a teacher at the school founded by the descendants of Confucius.
There are times when our lives mirror a mirage, or illusion of who we think we are that is simply carrying us until we find and live in the flow of who we really are that encourages and enables us to find who we are yet to become.
It feels like the universe has a plan for each of us, guiding us to where we’re meant to be. Sometimes all we need to do is pause, be still, and listen to that inner voice urging us to follow the path toward our greatest endeavors and destiny.
I didn’t know I was meant to become a storyteller, writer and historian of this ancient Chinese thought and follow the way of dragons until I was almost forty when ego and some sense of self could be cast aside. The universe was always trying to get my attention, but my ego expressing who I thought I was kept getting in the way. It had far bigger plans for me than serving as state representative in Springfield, Missouri. Recalling that there’s something to be said for staying shapeless and open to change when the universe comes calling… and for me that meant gardens to be planted, stories needing to be retold and updated, and most importantly remembering who I am and will be in the future.
Before we go on with Verse number 27 of 81, it’s worth noting that the title of the book we’re adding commentary to—Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching—is my own version, titled “Thoughts on Becoming a Sage: The Guidebook to Leading a Virtuous Life.” It’s important to note that Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching in the sixth century BC, while I wrote mine in May and June of 2000 and published it in China in 2006.
Verse 27 – Paradox revealed
As things take shape, you seemingly remain shapeless. Out of the way, in a corner out of view. This appears to be the greatest paradox living comes forth to greet me each day.
For in emulating the life of the true sage, good appears to flow directly from my every movement. The more I try to push it away, the easier it is to find me. When I promote my vision, or image, of how things should unfold I become further enmeshed in life’s action.
Is this perhaps the underlying reason for your presence here at this moment in time? To come out of the well-worn shell you have insulated yourself into to become the image, or mirror to be held up for all to follow.
Becoming a sage precludes the fact that few can follow in the same footsteps. That once you have acceded to the obvious you can truly lead the way. And is that not why you are here?
As you have seen and done it all before, can it matter if attention and attributes you bring forward bring accolades from those around you? Is not the attention you have garnered a prod to assist you to re-define your purpose to insure it is the Tao leading the way?
With you simply putting the pieces into place. If good walking leaves no tracks, then perhaps the way should be shown that lessens ego and individual and strengthens community.
If good talking reveals no flaws, then perhaps you should let only positive re-enforcement guide your way. If good counting counts no beads, then show how material advantage does not portend the future.
If you have closed the door properly behind you it cannot be re-opened as if there were no need for locks and if what has been put in place is secured by your light then there can be no knots to be undone and everything finds its rightful end by relying on their nature not their form.
In staying focused the true path of the sage becomes revealed and his motives defined. He becomes good at saving the day while leaving no one behind. By showing no favorites everyone is allowed to find their natural place.
By remaining in the background as others come forth to claim their good they ultimately become as a cloak or outer garment to cover an inner garment thus you continue to remain unseen. As the path becomes clear, the way remains hidden. Your light remains shining, but stays as if above the clouds.
It is in this way you are comfortable in knowing that you are as stated before like water, that you can come forth free from impurity and seemingly without effort. By showing your true likeness, or virtue, others become ready to find their own.
Blinded by the light of your reflection in others, you are prepared to gaze off into the distance to places seldom seen or traveled. Forgetting the world, your success only determined if those who have met you have forgotten your name.
27. 悖论的揭示
万物皆有形，你却无形，不在道中，而在一个隐蔽的角落里。这似乎是我每天过着的悖缪生活。在仿效圣人的道路上，我每走一步都带来福利，我越回避，它来的越多。当我向世人表达我对万物的认识时，我更加深深地卷入生活的漩涡之中。
这也许此时此刻你在这里出现的真正原因吧？你走出赖以藏身的旧壳，成为众人追随的偶像。但是，成为圣人的人寥廖无几。你一旦承认这个显而易见的事实，你就可以真正地带领众人。这不正是你在这里的缘故吗？
正如你以前所见所做的那样，你在乎你的品格得到众人的赞赏吗？不正是众人的关心和帮助，你得以重新制定目标，确保道的指引吗？有了你，世间万物显得整整有条。如果懂得走路就可以不留痕迹，那么应该教导众人，少点自我，多些关心社会。
如果周密的演说可以不留破绽，你应该严格循道而行。如果你善于算于不算之中，那你应该向众人言明，物质的优越并不预示未来。如果你把门关牢，那就没有上锁的必要。如果你是光辉，能够给财物带来安全，那就没有必要解开扣子。万物各适其所，是因为它们的自然属性，不是它们的形状。
如果做到全神贯注，圣人的真道就展示眼前，他的动机就明朗。他变得善于助人，不遗弃任何人。他一视同仁，每个人的聪明才智都可以得到充分发挥。当众人前来领奖时，你静静地坐在后面。众人最终成为你的遮掩物，你的内外衣，使你不会暴露于大庭广众之下。路已明，道隐去，你的光辉继续照耀在云层之上。
你自由轻松地前来，就象一泓清水，晶莹纯洁。展示你的真爱或大德，别人就能够找到自己的爱和德。众人的光辉反射在你的身上，令你头晕眼花。你遥望那鲜为人知的远方，忘却这个世界，当与你相识的人忘记你的名字时，那就是你成功的时候。
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