Lieh Tzu reflects on our fascination with the hidden sage—the Taoist living in a mountain retreat—suggesting that by leaving behind the remnants of an ordinary life, one may find themselves on the true path. His memories and sense of place in the world shape how he sees himself, reflecting the essence of the cosmos as he comes to define his true path and self.
To what the commentaries of the Book of Lieh depicted here as “My travels of Lieh Tzu” through various stories, that those who want to learn must first start humbly and must progress step by step by patient observation, reflection, and development.
In thinking back to Chapter 5, The Questions of Tang, we see where Lieh Tzu quotes an old poem to illustrate this:
“The son of a good bow maker begins by making baskets. The son of a good blacksmith begins by making tools.”
What Lieh Tzu does is to show what living under the auspices of the Tao through stories and teachings which will help others in seeking of finding the Way of Virtue, of Tao. Not to say what the Tao is, but to indicate the path towards it. 
It shows how we bring the teachings of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching into real life, connecting us through language and meaning, and understanding how to lead or govern.
What made it work was combining the insights and teachings of Chuang Tzu, which shaped the central ideas of Eastern philosophy and Taoism. Over the centuries, people recognized how Indigenous traditions influenced daily life, guided by their memories and how they understood themselves and their place in the natural growth of the environment they inhabited.
Going beyond the shaman’s mystical insights, we turn to the practical use of cause and effect to understand how hidden contradictions influence outcomes and how our actions shape the world. It’s about appreciating the importance of weaving respect for universal truths and the cosmos into everything we do.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Eight – Explaining Conjunctions
142. Living only to remain hidden from view.
Is not the path we travel the same as that of the fish, the duck, the blue jay, and the sun? As we live, can we be sure that we have been here? How can we count on what may or may not occur? Do not each of us remain present only to remain hidden from view?
The sound of the fish splashing momentarily on the water’s surface. Grasping a bug, it finds skimming on top. You cannot see the fish. However, you know it is there because you have heard it jumping on the water’s surface. As it remains hidden from view.
You see the duck dive to the depths of the lake as it forages on the bottom for food. Remaining hidden from view. However, you know it is there because you have seen it diving before. Just as it pops up to the surface once again.
You hear the blue jay singing in the wind. The blue jay hidden by the leaves of the maple tree. However, you know it is there because you can hear it singing into the wind as it stays hidden from view. 
The reflection of the sun on the water as it ripples in the wind. The sun itself hidden behind the maple tree. You cannot see the sun. However, you know it is there because you can see its reflection in the water as the water ripples in the wind.
Is not the path we travel the same as that of the fish, the duck, the blue jay, and the sun?
As we live can we be sure that we have been here? Can we count on what may or may not occur? Do not each of us remain present only to remain hidden from view? 8/17/95
Number one hundred forty-two of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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