Taoism and Lao Tzu
I like Chuang Tzu and his refrain that the Tao has no borders. I like to think of our thoughts this way as though we are free. In almost twenty years of traveling throughout China where I couldn’t speak the language I almost always traveled alone. To save money I often stayed at youth hostels since they were pretty inexpensive.
I’d travel by train, plane, bus, or taxi and would often just spend days walking the city streets, finding points of historical interest and taking lots of pictures.
I especially liked climbing famous mountains, visiting national museums (I’ve been to all five National Museums in China), Buddhist and Taoist Temples, and many other places of interest. If you are retired, you can get into almost anywhere for free.
Not speaking Chinese could be challenging at times, but I would always carry a card with my destination, and the driver would take me there. Doing great things without appearing great is a valuable lesson.
Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu both teach that the Tao floats and drifts, guiding us left and right as we journey into the unknown. The Tao works through us quietly, without fanfare, as we tackle whatever task lies before us with calm and ease.
To be spontaneous and free, always ready to take the next step without fear of where it may lead, is to be in tune and present with the Tao. It wraps around you like a blanket of timeless knowledge and wisdom, with no desires of its own. Before long, you realize that everywhere you go feels like home. You don’t have to travel to China to feel this way; you can be at one with any place you find yourself.
The ten thousand things entrust the Tao with eternal grace knowing it in itself has no name, as it takes on the names of all things under Heaven. Nature entrusts its future to the Tao as it does not act as its master as such it can be seen as great.
When the sage can embody this ability, he or she can accomplish great things as well. While the sage cannot be seen as playing the role of being great, he is able to accomplish the great.
As Wang Pi reminds us of what he learned from Lao and Chuang Tzu, “The Tao drifts everywhere. It can go left or right… Whenever we turn to use it, it is there”.
Verse 34 – Knowing no borders you learn to lead the Way
Living each moment in virtue through grace, while remaining unrestrained in every thought, action and deed.
Coming across to others as neither weak nor strong or right or wrong, so that you may respond to all things and move them in any direction.
Knowing no borders and remaining neutral. In control but letting everything find its own course just the same. Simply doing what you do best as if you are drifting through time.
With no predetermined destination you go everywhere, see everything using the Tao as your compass and oar. Continuing by grace so that you go without bringing attention to yourself, never speaking of your power or mentioning your achievements as you endeavor to remain small.
Never acting great but doing great things. Everything eventually coming before you as you let each go by seemingly out of your control. Recalling Chuang Tzu and his refrain that the Tao has no borders. As you sit back watching as the world comes to your doorstep.
34. 大道无边
蒙道之恩典，得以时时刻刻与大德相随。但我每个思维和行动都不受任何约束。如果做到不把人
按强弱是非来区分，你就能够回应万物，驾驭万物。
明白宇宙的无边无际，要谨守中立。把握全局，但同时让事物自寻出路。仿佛随时间而漂荡，只做你善做之事。因为你行踪飘忽，所以用道作为你的指南针和桨，游八方，观万物。你以道的名义，继续漫游，这样不会引人注目。你才略有成就，切忌自吹自擂。
永不充大头，但要做大事。给万物以来去的自由，这样做看起来容易失去控制，其实最终万物都回到你的面前。记得庄子曾经说过，大道无边。当你坐下时，就看见世人向你走过来。
Leave a Reply