Taoism and Lao Tzu
The spiritual tradition of the Tao began with the pursuit of truthful, natural, and spiritual wisdom. It brings to mind the shamans of ancient times and those born with a universal spiritual energy, driven by a singular purpose that links them to the stars, to nature, and the unseen. They carry a deep spiritual unity within them, something that pushed them beyond their limits and turns them into more than just humans, seeking only what could bring everything together.
They become known as a shien, a spiritually developed person able to draw power from nature and the stars above. I think the concept of Taoism originated from the idea that we begin with a sense of internal development within each individual. That each person has a spiritual nature. It was into this realm that many feel that the ancestors of Lao Tzu came from.
While he lived in the sixth century BC in the middle of what was known as the Zhou dynasty, many feel his family history can be traced more than five hundred years earlier in what is known as the Shang dynasty. They had always been the revered shaman of many ancient clans.
Lao Tzu would be proven to be great because his memories had been created over centuries of where both failure and success would lead to results that could be foretold and verified.
His advice would often be ignored not because it was the wrong thing to do, but because the recipient refused to take the good advice when it was given. Tradition tells us that it was due to this frustration Lao Tzu left heading west into history leaving us with the Tao Te Ching.
This is important in viewing Chinese history and philosophy as a continuum always finessing the times to redefine itself. There is strength in viewing what was to become Taoism, and how it enmeshed with Buddhism, and the virtue of Confucius over a timespan of more than four thousand years of uninterrupted history. Why myths and legends and the storyteller became essential to telling an eternal story of life, death, and to both the continuation of spirit and the story of Lao Tzu.
Today, he would laugh and say there’s no right or wrong way to create or find the perfect translation of his work, the Tao Te Ching, the Way of Virtue. As long as it’s done with a good heart, the best intentions, and our virtue intact, every version would be correct. What matters is how thoughts and words awaken the reader, and that experience can be different for everyone. And, he would add that he is forever grateful.
We find comfort in the shared knowledge and wisdom that transcend time. Universal truths are meant to be discovered and embraced, as nature intends for all things, including each of us.
Exaggerations tend to settle into what can be seen and proven, while our spirit carries us forward until the beliefs we hold can be confirmed as truth. The teachings of the Tao would always go on to explore the spiritual evolution of people and the times in which they lived.
Lao Tzu seemed to embody a blend of what came before him and what was yet to come in Chinese history, a sage and storyteller drawing from deep within, sharing memories and eternal truths long forgotten by others that we are here to cherish and remember. The Tao Te Ching is meant to express the eternal virtue that can be seen and found in all things under Heaven, within nature and the ten thousand things.
Before we go on with Verse number 48 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 48 – Becoming the Master Weaver
In weaving the fabric of your surroundings together, seek only the Tao without the use of ears or eyes.
It will only be by looking within yourself and following your inner nature that the answer (which incidentally you have always known), comes forth to greet you.
Be guided by the answer given by the sage when he is asked “do you think I learn in order to increase my knowledge”.
The sage simply replies “no, I seek only that which brings everything together”.
As you liken yourself as the master weaver, you find yourself remaining as a clean slate with neither right nor wrong guiding your actions.
As you have become the natural extension of the universe – all things become possible. Opportunities otherwise overlooked or unknown come forth that have been waiting on cue to make their appearance. External knowledge becomes less important as the sage weaves all the pieces presented him into what becomes the natural extension of his own spirit.
Cultivating his body and spirit in the proper way the sage appears to have nothing to do. Having nothing to do leads to nothing not getting done. Having nothing better to do, the world simply finds itself coming along for the ride.
48. 编织大师
为把你的周围环境织成一片，你寻找道的帮助，不用眼睛或耳朵，而用内在的本能寻找（你已知
的）答案。
当有人问圣人，“你认为学习只是为了增长知识吗？”圣人回答说，“不是，我只寻求整合万物的知识。”因为你喜欢做编织大师，所以你一身清白，不用是非作你行为的指导。
当你成为宇宙的自然延续时，你就无所不能。从前忽视了的或未知的机遇纷纷前来等待你的召唤。当圣人把碎片编织成你精神上的自然延续时，外部的知识就没那么重要了。
以适当的途径修身养性，圣人似乎无事可做。但无事可做不是一事无成。再也没有什么重要的事情可做了，世人前来周游一番。
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