Taoism and Lao Tzu
The title Staying focused within oneself, is a challenge for many who endeavor to seek their own highest endeavor. It’s learning to look to the ultimate of what I call a dualistic lifestyle where knowing our strengths and weakness well enough that we look to constant improvement. I like to put it that we must know that we are here to become a portal into and of ourselves first. As a teacher in China, I always told my students that before they could teach others—especially since they were learning English to become English teachers themselves—their ultimate goal should be to first master English as a second language.
The parallel speaks to how we perceive the dual role we each play. I like to put it in the context of when I was in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, would be that the ultimate we could hope for would be to live as the ancient saying goes… that we are born with the virtue of the Taoist, to live as a Confucian in our endeavors with others, and we are to die as a Buddhist looking beyond the present to our ultimate destiny. Doing so, we are always looking and moving forward. It is the bodhisattva vow that taking my thoughts, and hopefully actions, that really propel this idea for myself and others.
Our growth and spiritual transformation are a journey. Understanding this ancient teaching helps shape who we are and how we see our roles in life. For me, it began with the I Ching—not just numbers or what was sadly reduced to fortune-telling, but something far deeper. Then came learning to appreciate the wisdom of Lieh, Chuang, and Lao Tzu. Learning that our memories shape who we’ve always been means first understanding how to remember. Each figure plays an important role—Lieh Tzu as the everyday man meeting us where we are, Chuang Tzu as the pivot and perfected man, and finally Lao Tzu with the Tao Te Ching. There are no shortcuts, and the journey is unique for each of us, as we don’t enter the present with the same spiritual goals or memories to build upon.
Grasping the subtleties of how we approach life is essential. Understanding Chuang Tzu’s pivot and its connection to how we navigate the dualism of our world is a big part of that. Once we truly embody this, we can start to fully appreciate the meaning of Buddhism and the commitment of the bodhisattva vow. I’ve visited many mountains in China, both Taoist and Buddhist, and one that stands out is Huasheng Mountain, one of the most famous Taoist peaks. It’s a place where hundreds have retreated to caves over the centuries, choosing a solitary life they believed would best support the spiritual growth they sought to achieve.
There is a natural tendency especially when you have studied over the decades to look to a more reclusive lifestyle when we get older (I’m almost 74) to only pursue those things we deem important. But it’s the dualism of Chuang Tzu’s pivot that reminds us that we are to look to the next step. Why the bodhisattva vow becomes so important to our spiritual enfoldment. You can go your whole life and not get there… yet. You can’t leave the details behind. Why our memories become so important that we unfortunately don’t bother to listen for or to. But it all begins with…
Verse 44 – Staying focused within oneself
By knowing what is vital can one hold onto fame or health? If he has to choose, would it be his health or riches, and in the end would he know which is more harmful, loss or gain.
If something is loved, the more it costs, the bigger the treasure the greater the loss when it is gone.
The sage stays clear of that which lies outside him and focuses on enhancing his inner voice and virtue. Keeping clear of what lies outside his true nature.
Staying in tune with his own natural rhythm. While those who would shame him find nothing to shame. He remains aware of his limits and constantly in tune with the Tao. In keeping in sync with the Tao, all flows through him and finds its proper place.
Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to start. Knowing restraint contentment soon follows. Finding happiness and wealth within himself his spirit soars and cannot be exhausted.
44. 聚精会神
明白什么至关重要，就能够得到荣誉和健康吗? 如果非要二中择一，那么究竟是选择健康抑或是财富
呢？他到头来会知道那一个选择更为有害，是失还是得。如果你喜欢上某一样东西，那东西对你来说就显得更为珍贵。财富越多，当失去时，损失就越大。
圣人熟知他的周围环境，聚精会神于修炼他的心声和大德。圣人对除了他的真性以外的一切也都了如指掌。
圣人与他的自然韵律十分合拍。那些企图羞辱他的人永远不会得逞。他明白自己的局限，始终与道保持一致。为了与道并驾齐驱，他让众人从身上越过，去寻找他们的归宿。
知道何时停止与知道何时开始同等重要。懂得忍耐，成功就会随之而来。从自己的内心寻找幸福和财富，圣人的精神昂扬，用之不竭。
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