Taoism and Lao Tzu
When we can see change as though it is a spiritual practice within us as a quality of mind, as a quality of our being, and as a divine technique of self-awareness we can begin to see how things exist and how we can fulfill our ultimate desire.
We begin by looking to another word we use infrequently called “becoming a discerning person“. How does this word discerning reflect both our inward thinking and outward appearance? We often try to emulate traits of our showing good or outstanding judgment and understanding that can foretell our future. It’s like knowing the Tao can lead to a lifetime of learning our true purpose.
When we think of the earliest sage that may have influenced Lao Tzu, we first look to how they used change to see how and why things happen. They used it to penetrate all possible purposes and courses of action and to settle all doubts that lead to argument and conflict.
They turned to the teachings of the I Ching and how underlying contradictions would lead to finding the proper conclusions to any action.
That it is the power and virtue of change that invites both spirit and wisdom, which grounds knowledge that gives us insight into how all things transform to what it is that makes life transcendental. For us it begins with our thoughts in mind and appears as our actions that enables and inspires unity to appear.
Following spirit and our memories give us the ability to act as though we can see where our actions begin that can define our true purpose. Importantly telling us when the way forward is open and when it is closed that can lead us and others to a better way of life. It has always been that when this sage-mind and change are one that the workings of the Tao, or Heaven, are revealed.
Two ancient sages convey this thought the best:
First, Li Hsi-chai tells us “What others love, the sage also loves. What others fear, the sage fears. But where the sage differs is where others don’t see anything outside their own minds. The mind of the sage, meanwhile, wanders in the Tao.”
Second would be Ts’ao Tao-ch’ung who says “People all seek external things, while the sage alone nourishes himself on internal breath. Breath is the mother and spirt is the child. The harmony of mother and child is the key to nourishing life.”
Before we go on with Verse number 20 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 20 – On Becoming a Sage
When yes and no becomes the same answer, perhaps you are ready to discontinue this seemingly natural inclination to retreat into a shell like a turtle…
With virtue intact and destiny assured / Chengdu Wuhan Temple
With virtue intact and your destiny assured perhaps it’s time to live out your true destiny as the sage you have become. Living up to the virtue you know.
If inequities are but reflections of your desires – cleanse away those things no longer relevant and spring forth with dynamic hope and optimism.
Assured that your next step is pre-ordained by dragons who have been waiting patiently for you to join them.
Fulfill your destiny and live the life of virtue that is so obvious to all you encounter. What others love the sage loves, what others fear the sage fears, but while others may not see anything beyond or outside their own minds – the mind of the sage wanders the Tao.
If you want to inspire others, you must remain above what living brings each day. While they choose things, you alone must remain unmoved.
Acknowledging all as the same, that there is nothing to be lost or gained. Coming forth you simply live within the Tao and accept becoming the sage.
第20节 关于成为圣人
当是和否成为同一回答时，你也许应该抛弃这个表面上的天性。实际上，这是一种与海龟把脑袋缩进龟壳以躲避敌人那样的愚蠢做法。
大德依旧，命运已定，已经成为圣人的你，也许到了寻找你真正归宿，实行你熟知的大德的时候了。如果不平等不是你的观点－清除不再相关的东西，满怀信心地前行。下一步是由神龙所决定的，他们盼望你的加入已经很久很久。
实现你的使命，以大德为生活准则－这对你来说是显而易见的。圣人爱众人之所爱，惧众人之所惧，但众人想不到的是圣人对道的看法。
如果你想激发他人，你必须高于生活。不为他人的选择所动，承认一切相同，就不会患得患失。活在道里，成为圣人。
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