Taoism and Lao Tzu
To begin to appreciate Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, you begin by acknowledging that the Tao takes no action, and yet there is nothing left undone. I think this was the genesis of the concept of what would later be referred to as wu wei and ideas of “effortless action”. Making something from where nothing presently exists.
It also infers actions taken by the sage, saying “If the sage can bring it about that those without knowledge simply do not dare to act. Then there is nothing that will not be in order“.
The idea that effortless action reflects our inner simplicity is based on the belief that, once embraced, the ten thousand things naturally transform on their own. As we ourselves change, our desires begin to awaken. Reminded of our origins and that what lies inside us must mirror what we choose to follow we move with “nameless simplicity”.
Living by the Tao sets the example for others. Finding for themselves there is no reason for them to be disgraced. By not being disgraced they become at ease and tranquil.
One of Lao Tzu’s most famous quotes is “I do nothing and the people transform themselves”.
Several excellent commentaries over the centuries have promoted this idea. Foremost was Chuang Tzu saying, “The ancients ruled the world by doing nothing. This is the Virtue of Heaven. Heaven moves without moving.”
Someone who conveys this idea very well is Wu Ch’eng, who was a great prose writer in the Yuan dynasty, who says,
“The Tao’s lack of effort is ancient and eternal and not simply temporary. Although it doesn’t do a thing, it does everything it should do. If rulers could uphold this Tao of effortlessness, without consciously thinking about changing others, others would change by themselves.”
I see it as the events of daily life carrying subtle influences that reflect our own energy. It’s like our destiny isn’t set by some external divine force but shaped directly by the energies we hold in our body, mind, and spirit, which become key parts of our evolving personality and longevity.
The energy frequencies radiating from our mind and spirit draw in universal energies of matching frequencies, which respond and reflect back to us. They can even appear as people or spirits from our past, a principle often seen as the foundation of all spiritual practices.
To me, it feels more like listening and serving as an editor, tying up loose ends to bring clarity to universal thought, adding wisdom to what we call universal consciousness, where we all exist as one in both nature and as the best in each other.
Before we go on with Verse number 37 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 37 – Upholding the Tao
Practicing the art of nameless simplicity, I go forth with no desires and nothing on my agenda.
With the Tao as my anchor, I am guided by the virtue of Heaven.
The Tao itself doing nothing yet finding that there is nothing it does not do. Yet while following the Tao, I do everything that I should do. Through effortlessness and following the natural course of events, change begins to occur.
By upholding the Tao, others begin to emulate your actions and begin to see through their own desire and they too can begin to become still. In stillness, simplicity becomes nameless and tranquil so that seeing beyond oneself becomes easy and self-apparent.
Stilled by nameless simplicity their desires become non-existent. Once gone the world begins to fix itself.
37. 支持道
修炼那无名的朴实，我没有欲求，没有日程。
以道为锚，以天德引路。
道无为，但无所不为。然而，作为道的从者，我做我应该做的所有事情。不用花费气力，跟随事物的自然发展，变化就随之而来。大家都支持道，他人自然就要仿效你，开始淡泊名利，与你一样，也变得宁静。宁静中，简朴变得无名，超越自己就显而易见了。
充满了无名朴实的宁静，他们的欲求随之荡然无存。一旦欲求消失，世界就开始自我修复。
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