Lieh Tzu was an interesting fellow who preferred to stay out of the limelight. He was more than happy to maintain what we might call a reclusive lifestyle. However, he was known far and wide as a purveyor of what might be called heavenly spirit through our simple earthly endeavors. He too was a great storyteller and brought attention to himself through his writing and stories in the times when he lived. Although he preferred a simple life on the farm, working in harmony with nature and finding joy in its daily gifts, his actions would go on to inspire myths, legends, and folklore. He was instrumental in discovering new ideas and inspiring others to marvel at the wonders of the stars and the cosmos. Over time, he became the symbol of what would later be called a dragon, with his legendary cloud-riding adventures becoming tales passed down through generations.
Many have wondered whether Lieh Tzu was a real person or simply a figure used to convey the thoughts and ideas of others—a collection of stories and experiences needing a voice to reflect the times. Personally, I believe he was real. It seems that every generation requires someone to step forward and tell the tales of the “everyday man”, capturing how he perceives himself striving to achieve his greatest ambitions and destiny. To create something meaningful from nothing, especially when it feels like there should be something deeper or meaningful to life. Why it has always been important for the scribe, or storyteller, to add their two cents and the next chapter, or starting point.
In modern times, I find myself drawn to three authors I particularly enjoy: Jack London with his classic The Call of the Wild, John Steinbeck, the author of The Grapes of Wrath, and Joseph Campbell, whose works like The Power of Myth provide a profound look into various cultures. These three books offer a great starting point for anyone seeking to discover their place in history, inspiring us to explore a limitless world that begins within ourselves.
Something that ignites a spiritual energy, requiring no deep philosophical debate or intellectual analysis, rooted not in theoretical understanding but in facts and personal experience. It is what gives us the assurance that our pursuit is not just an abstract concept or a fleeting thought, but a reachable state of mind. It becomes the only tangible reality we can truly express. This idea sparked Lieh Tzu’s curiosity about what the “everyday man” could achieve, following the concept of the “perfected man” promoted by Chuang Tzu and the virtue-centered philosophy of Confucius. Everyone has a role to play, and the space between heaven and earth that we share with nature needs some fine-tuning. No matter how modest it may seem, that we should invest in it.
He often believed that doing nothing, or “doing no harm”, was the best course of action for humanity. As Taoism gradually became a cornerstone of Eastern philosophy, Lieh Tzu’s ideas gained significance. His Book of Lieh Tzu became essential reading for grasping the essence of the I Ching, the Way of Virtue, and Taoism. His writings made Confucius’s teachings accessible and relatable, allowing everyone to appreciate their wisdom.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Four – Confucius
56. Saying nothing, knowing nothing, knowing all
Once on his own with many followers around him, Lieh Tzu had a neighbor with whom he hardly ever spoke. This man, Nan Kuo Tzu, also was a respected Master with his own followers. For twenty years they lived side by side and never spoke and when they chanced to meet their eyes seemed hardly to catch the other’s glance. No one could understand this chasm between them.
When Lieh Tzu was asked if he and Nan Kuo Tzu were enemies, he exclaimed:
“Nan Kuo Tzu’s face is full, but his mind void. His ears hear nothing, his eyes see nothing, his mind knows nothing, his body never alters. What is the point in visiting him? However, since you insist, I may as well take a look at him.”
Once in the home of Nan Kuo Tzu, Lieh Tzu saw that his neighbor appeared as a clay image with no apparent way to make contact. Lieh Tzu soon also took on a faraway look, his spirit having left his body. With no one able to reach him as well. Upon returning to his own house, Lieh Tzu was asked why neither of them spoke, he responded:
That Lieh Tzu continued this on‑going dialog or non-discussion with his neighbor remained a mystery to all except those who truly knew both men. That these two men had been traveling great distances together for many years. Yet had never been formally introduced. Not that it mattered. 3/15/95
Number fifty-six of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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