道德經第51章
道生之，德畜之，物形之，勢成之。是以萬物莫不尊道而貴德。道之尊，德之貴，夫莫之命常自然。故道生之，德畜之；長之育之；亭之毒之；養之覆之。生而不有，為而不恃，長而不宰，是謂玄德。
My translation of chapter 51 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao gives birth to everything
Morality nurtures everything
Physical form gives expression to everything
Nature brings about changes without human intervention
That's why everything honors Tao and values morality
To honor Tao and to value morality
follow the path of nature
Tao breeds and morality nurtures
are the natural orders of things....
Let things grow or make things happen
Let things stand or poison things with push
Let things be nurtured or topple things with action
Therefore a sage nurtures things without taking credit
perform without being recognized
deliver results without boosting
this is called profound morality of Tao
Paul's comment: The Taoist way of the sage is based on the Taoist understanding of nature.
Showing posts with label Inspired by Tao Te Ching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspired by Tao Te Ching. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 50
道德經第50章
出生入死。生之徒，十有三；死之徒，十有三；人之生，動之死地，十有三。夫何故？以其生，生之厚。蓋聞善攝生者，陸行不遇兕虎，入軍不被甲兵；兕無所投其角，虎無所措其爪，兵無所容其刃。夫何故？以其無死地。
My translation of chapter 50 of Tao Te Ching:
Letting go survives
Holding on dies
A third survives naturally
A third dies naturally
A third chooses to die
Why so?
Those who survive
have strong survival skills
Those who have survival skills
won't meet rhino nor tiger when traveling
won't be stopped by soldiers when crossing battle fields
'cause rhino finds nothing to aim her horn
'cause tiger finds nothing to target his claws
'cause soldiers find no target to aim their weapons
Why so?
Tao holds on nothing
Paul's comment: The bravest man is one who has nothing to lose. The enlightened man has shed his ego. The religious man puts everything to God. And Tao got nothing to hold on.
出生入死。生之徒，十有三；死之徒，十有三；人之生，動之死地，十有三。夫何故？以其生，生之厚。蓋聞善攝生者，陸行不遇兕虎，入軍不被甲兵；兕無所投其角，虎無所措其爪，兵無所容其刃。夫何故？以其無死地。
My translation of chapter 50 of Tao Te Ching:
Letting go survives
Holding on dies
A third survives naturally
A third dies naturally
A third chooses to die
Why so?
Those who survive
have strong survival skills
Those who have survival skills
won't meet rhino nor tiger when traveling
won't be stopped by soldiers when crossing battle fields
'cause rhino finds nothing to aim her horn
'cause tiger finds nothing to target his claws
'cause soldiers find no target to aim their weapons
Why so?
Tao holds on nothing
Paul's comment: The bravest man is one who has nothing to lose. The enlightened man has shed his ego. The religious man puts everything to God. And Tao got nothing to hold on.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 48
道德經48章
為學日益，為道日損。損之又損，以至於無為。無為而無不為。取天下常以無事，及其有事，不足以取天下。
My translation of this famous chapter of Tao Te Ching, chapter 48
To learn we add daily
To practise Tao we abandon daily
Abandon and abandon
Until we have nothing to abandon
With nothing to abandon we are free
(No incident means good governance
Solving problems means bad governance)
Paul's comment: Never misunderstand that the sage had said that we should all forget about everything and seated cross-legged to meditate upon a waterfall all day long. Knowledge has always been organized to help us, or more precisely our rational mind or ego, to solve practical day to day problems. It is always spiritual knowledge that humans are lacking, in all ages and all times. But spiritual knowledge is empirical experience that cannot be learned from college, or master degree in Buddhist Studies, for that matter. Enlightenment comes form shedding knowledge gained from our rational mind. It comes from putting our ego in its rightful place (not a dissolution of which permanently, which means insanity). It means a dissolution of karma. It means Tao.
And in the most practical sense it means using either our rational mind or our compassionate heart at the right time, in the right place.
為學日益，為道日損。損之又損，以至於無為。無為而無不為。取天下常以無事，及其有事，不足以取天下。
My translation of this famous chapter of Tao Te Ching, chapter 48
To learn we add daily
To practise Tao we abandon daily
Abandon and abandon
Until we have nothing to abandon
With nothing to abandon we are free
(No incident means good governance
Solving problems means bad governance)
Paul's comment: Never misunderstand that the sage had said that we should all forget about everything and seated cross-legged to meditate upon a waterfall all day long. Knowledge has always been organized to help us, or more precisely our rational mind or ego, to solve practical day to day problems. It is always spiritual knowledge that humans are lacking, in all ages and all times. But spiritual knowledge is empirical experience that cannot be learned from college, or master degree in Buddhist Studies, for that matter. Enlightenment comes form shedding knowledge gained from our rational mind. It comes from putting our ego in its rightful place (not a dissolution of which permanently, which means insanity). It means a dissolution of karma. It means Tao. And in the most practical sense it means using either our rational mind or our compassionate heart at the right time, in the right place.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 47
道德經第47章
不出戶知天下；不闚牖見天道。其出彌遠，其知彌少。是以聖人不行而知，不見而明，不為而成。
My rendition of Chapter 47 of Tao Te Ching:
Know the world without stepping outside the door,
Understand the wisdom of eternal Tao without looking outside the window.
Those who travel to know more,
turned out to understand less.
Therefore a sage understands without traveling around to study,
Comprehends without learning,
Achieves through non-action.
Paul's comment: Knowledge is different from wisdom. In real life, both are important. When we are led by a strong ego, we explore the world of knowledge, and seek advice from the outside world, both from teachers and from our own experience. We achieved worldly success. Our ego, however, has no limit. Our ego does not understand other egos are seeking the same things that he desires, not to mention other sentient beings and the environment. Sooner or later, in our open society it is often sooner rather than later, our ego will be frustrated by the fact that knowledge has failed him. Wisdom comes from the feminine side of our personality. Wisdom guides us when to move forward, when to be satisfied with what we have, when to respect others or the environment, and above all when to retreat.
With wisdom, ego and knowledge still have their roles to play. Even if we can afford to, most of us would not like to be in an altered state of consciousness all the time, even if that state is happy or even meant bliss. We have our real/physical life to live, our real/physical people whom we interact with. And in order to survive in the real world, we need knowledge to solve day to day practical problems, not the least the need to make a living with a real job.
Wisdom is not everything, but it sets an important balance. As the sage explained, wisdom can only be seek from within. Inner peace has to be found from within.
不出戶知天下；不闚牖見天道。其出彌遠，其知彌少。是以聖人不行而知，不見而明，不為而成。
My rendition of Chapter 47 of Tao Te Ching:
Know the world without stepping outside the door,
Understand the wisdom of eternal Tao without looking outside the window.
Those who travel to know more,
turned out to understand less.
Therefore a sage understands without traveling around to study,
Comprehends without learning,
Achieves through non-action.
Paul's comment: Knowledge is different from wisdom. In real life, both are important. When we are led by a strong ego, we explore the world of knowledge, and seek advice from the outside world, both from teachers and from our own experience. We achieved worldly success. Our ego, however, has no limit. Our ego does not understand other egos are seeking the same things that he desires, not to mention other sentient beings and the environment. Sooner or later, in our open society it is often sooner rather than later, our ego will be frustrated by the fact that knowledge has failed him. Wisdom comes from the feminine side of our personality. Wisdom guides us when to move forward, when to be satisfied with what we have, when to respect others or the environment, and above all when to retreat. With wisdom, ego and knowledge still have their roles to play. Even if we can afford to, most of us would not like to be in an altered state of consciousness all the time, even if that state is happy or even meant bliss. We have our real/physical life to live, our real/physical people whom we interact with. And in order to survive in the real world, we need knowledge to solve day to day practical problems, not the least the need to make a living with a real job.
Wisdom is not everything, but it sets an important balance. As the sage explained, wisdom can only be seek from within. Inner peace has to be found from within.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - Chapter 46
道德經第46章
天下有道，卻走馬以糞。天下無道，戎馬生於郊。禍莫大於不知足；咎莫大於欲得。故知足之足，常足矣。
My translation of Chapter 46 of Tao Te Ching:
If society is run according to Tao,
Horses will have nothing to do but eat and defecate.
If society is not run according to Tao,
Pregnant war horses will have to give birth in the field.
The greatest misfortune is caused by discontent;
The greatest trouble is due to covet.
Therefore be contented with what you have
And you will be contented at all time.
Paul’s comment: The Taoist concept of “be contented with what you have”, and its variant "content and always happy" (知足常樂），has become a core component of traditional Chinese culture.
天下有道，卻走馬以糞。天下無道，戎馬生於郊。禍莫大於不知足；咎莫大於欲得。故知足之足，常足矣。
My translation of Chapter 46 of Tao Te Ching:
If society is run according to Tao,
Horses will have nothing to do but eat and defecate.
If society is not run according to Tao,
Pregnant war horses will have to give birth in the field.
The greatest misfortune is caused by discontent;
The greatest trouble is due to covet.
Therefore be contented with what you have
And you will be contented at all time.
Paul’s comment: The Taoist concept of “be contented with what you have”, and its variant "content and always happy" (知足常樂），has become a core component of traditional Chinese culture.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 45
道德經第45章
大成若缺，其用不弊。大盈若沖，其用不窮。大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辯若訥。躁勝寒靜勝熱。清靜為天下正。
My rendition of chapter 45 of Tao Te Ching:
Those who have great success look inadequate
Therefore they can continue to contribute (without creating jealousy)
Those who are full look empty
Therefore their creativity will never be exhausted.
A righteous man looks submissive,
A sage looks clumsy,
A great debater appears slow in speech.
Being overly excited is better than cold at heart
But silence is far better than being overheated.
A foundation in everyday life as well as society.
Paul’s comment: It is interesting to note that “Being overly excited is better than cold at heart”, in contrary a popular misconception of Tao as being emptiness or silence without compassion. The same can be applied to a correct conception of Taoist meditation - Cold and silent meditation without Chi is not Taoist meditation – nor Zen meditation, for that matter.
Traditional Chinese cultural is all about pragmatism and solving concrete problems rather than contemplative philosophizing. Tao is multiuse, rather than abstruse.
大成若缺，其用不弊。大盈若沖，其用不窮。大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辯若訥。躁勝寒靜勝熱。清靜為天下正。
My rendition of chapter 45 of Tao Te Ching:
Those who have great success look inadequate
Therefore they can continue to contribute (without creating jealousy)
Those who are full look empty
Therefore their creativity will never be exhausted.
A righteous man looks submissive,
A sage looks clumsy,
A great debater appears slow in speech.
Being overly excited is better than cold at heart
But silence is far better than being overheated.
A foundation in everyday life as well as society.
Paul’s comment: It is interesting to note that “Being overly excited is better than cold at heart”, in contrary a popular misconception of Tao as being emptiness or silence without compassion. The same can be applied to a correct conception of Taoist meditation - Cold and silent meditation without Chi is not Taoist meditation – nor Zen meditation, for that matter.
Traditional Chinese cultural is all about pragmatism and solving concrete problems rather than contemplative philosophizing. Tao is multiuse, rather than abstruse.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 44
道德經第44章
名與身孰親？身與貨孰多？得與亡孰病？是故甚愛必大費；多藏必厚亡。知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。
My translation of chapter 44 of Tao Te Ching:
Your fame or your body, which is more important? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
Your body or your possessions, which is more valuable? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
Gaining possession or losing possession, which causes distress? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
That's why
the more we treasure something, the more impending unhappiness we have stored up;
the more we possess, the more sadness will come in time of lost.
Content with the little possession that we have, we harbor no chance to being disgraced,
Knowing when to stop early, we will never find ourselves caught in a dangerous situation,
And we can stay happy forever.
Paul's comment: The essence of this chapter is in the last three lines. The logic lies before these lines. Whether or not one buys Lao Tz's logic is another issue. At the very least, Lao Tz tried to support his contention with arguments rather than as if preaching some "eternal truth" for everybody to follow. He was not a religious guru, he was in kinship with today's free spirited intellect. He was an anarchist more than a liberal. And he certain hated autocracy.
名與身孰親？身與貨孰多？得與亡孰病？是故甚愛必大費；多藏必厚亡。知足不辱，知止不殆，可以長久。
My translation of chapter 44 of Tao Te Ching:
Your fame or your body, which is more important? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
Your body or your possessions, which is more valuable? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
Gaining possession or losing possession, which causes distress? (Paul's comment: the answer is obvious)
That's why
the more we treasure something, the more impending unhappiness we have stored up;
the more we possess, the more sadness will come in time of lost.
Content with the little possession that we have, we harbor no chance to being disgraced,
Knowing when to stop early, we will never find ourselves caught in a dangerous situation,
And we can stay happy forever.
Paul's comment: The essence of this chapter is in the last three lines. The logic lies before these lines. Whether or not one buys Lao Tz's logic is another issue. At the very least, Lao Tz tried to support his contention with arguments rather than as if preaching some "eternal truth" for everybody to follow. He was not a religious guru, he was in kinship with today's free spirited intellect. He was an anarchist more than a liberal. And he certain hated autocracy.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 43
道德經第43章
天下之至柔，馳騁天下之至堅。無有入無間，吾是以知無為之有益。不言之教，無為之益，天下希及之。
My translation of Chapter 43 of Tao Te Ching
The softest of the world
freely move about the hardest of the world.
Void can travels through the seamless,
and so we can appreciate
the benefits of invisible acts.
Teach without lecturing,
a benefit derived from an invisible act,
Superior to any other way!
Paul's comment: Influence but not command. PR rather than selling. Let them (think) they owe the project rather than following orders. Let everybody be free man rather than slave....
天下之至柔，馳騁天下之至堅。無有入無間，吾是以知無為之有益。不言之教，無為之益，天下希及之。
My translation of Chapter 43 of Tao Te Ching
The softest of the world
freely move about the hardest of the world.
Void can travels through the seamless,
and so we can appreciate
the benefits of invisible acts.
Teach without lecturing,
a benefit derived from an invisible act,
Superior to any other way!
Paul's comment: Influence but not command. PR rather than selling. Let them (think) they owe the project rather than following orders. Let everybody be free man rather than slave....
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 42
道德經 42 章
道生一，一生二，二生三，三生萬物。萬物負陰而抱陽，沖氣以為和。
My translation of chapter 42 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao begets One
the beginning of existence
One develops into Two
the birth of opposites
Two unites to become Three
the essence of everything
Everything carries Yin and embraces Yang
With Tao, Yin an Yang are in harmony
Paul's comment: The best way to have an experiential understanding of Tao is through Taoist meditation. Without an experiential understanding, Tao is almost meaningless!
道生一，一生二，二生三，三生萬物。萬物負陰而抱陽，沖氣以為和。
My translation of chapter 42 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao begets One
the beginning of existence
One develops into Two
the birth of opposites
Two unites to become Three
the essence of everything
Everything carries Yin and embraces Yang
With Tao, Yin an Yang are in harmony
Paul's comment: The best way to have an experiential understanding of Tao is through Taoist meditation. Without an experiential understanding, Tao is almost meaningless!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te ching - chapter 41
道德經第41章
上士聞道，勤而行之；中士聞道，若存若亡；下士聞道，大笑之。不笑不足以為道。故建言有之：明道若昧；進道若退；夷道若纇；上德若谷；太白若辱；廣德若不足；建德若偷；質真若渝；大方無隅；大器晚成；大音希聲；大象無形；道隱無名。夫唯道，善貸且成。
My translation of Chapter 41 of Tao Te Ching:
When a wise man is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he practices it diligently;
When a common man is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he practices it occasionally;
When a smart guy is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he laughs and mocks at it.
If he doesn't laughs and mocks at it, he has not yet heard the secret of Tao.
Paul's comment for the first part: Substitute Tao with Taoist meditation. Most are common, many are smart, only a few are wise - from my experience. Meditation is probably the best initial approach to understand the secret of Tao.
Some fruits for thought:
An understanding of Tao looks like no technique;
Any progress in Tao looks like acting less;
Living calmly in Tao appears to be regressive;
The most virtuous looks like an empty valley;
The most unblemished looks like just being humiliated;
Those who have done many virtuous deeds always want to do more;
Those who have done virtuous deeds do them stealthily;
Those who have delivered the best quality still want to improve;
Those who are most generous will not cut corners;
Those who have great potential are late-bloomers,
Those who are powerful speak softly,
The most important sign has no form.
Like Tao which is hidden and bears no name
An aspirant of Tao knows when to move forward and when to back off.
Paul's comment for the second part: fruits for thought in helping a student of Tao to practice Tao outside the limited domain of our mind-body (yet any practice of Tao shall include our mind-body as an essential component). A pre-requisite is an experiential understanding of Tao in our mind-body, without which any discussion of Tao will most likely fall into empty talks. With such experiential understanding, the practice of Tao in our daily life becomes a reality and a real challenge. The fruits are not wise talks to be followed as (Taoist or whatever) commandments. A student practising Tao practises with his mind-body (during meditation and in daily life, the latter situation is far more complex and difficult to apply than the former), instead of talking about it, analyzing it, or writing about it (which is perhaps even worse....:))
上士聞道，勤而行之；中士聞道，若存若亡；下士聞道，大笑之。不笑不足以為道。故建言有之：明道若昧；進道若退；夷道若纇；上德若谷；太白若辱；廣德若不足；建德若偷；質真若渝；大方無隅；大器晚成；大音希聲；大象無形；道隱無名。夫唯道，善貸且成。
My translation of Chapter 41 of Tao Te Ching:
When a wise man is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he practices it diligently;
When a common man is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he practices it occasionally;
When a smart guy is being disclosed the secret of Tao, he laughs and mocks at it.
If he doesn't laughs and mocks at it, he has not yet heard the secret of Tao.
Paul's comment for the first part: Substitute Tao with Taoist meditation. Most are common, many are smart, only a few are wise - from my experience. Meditation is probably the best initial approach to understand the secret of Tao.
Some fruits for thought:
An understanding of Tao looks like no technique;
Any progress in Tao looks like acting less;
Living calmly in Tao appears to be regressive;
The most virtuous looks like an empty valley;
The most unblemished looks like just being humiliated;
Those who have done many virtuous deeds always want to do more;
Those who have done virtuous deeds do them stealthily;
Those who have delivered the best quality still want to improve;
Those who are most generous will not cut corners;
Those who have great potential are late-bloomers,
Those who are powerful speak softly,
The most important sign has no form.
Like Tao which is hidden and bears no name
An aspirant of Tao knows when to move forward and when to back off.
Paul's comment for the second part: fruits for thought in helping a student of Tao to practice Tao outside the limited domain of our mind-body (yet any practice of Tao shall include our mind-body as an essential component). A pre-requisite is an experiential understanding of Tao in our mind-body, without which any discussion of Tao will most likely fall into empty talks. With such experiential understanding, the practice of Tao in our daily life becomes a reality and a real challenge. The fruits are not wise talks to be followed as (Taoist or whatever) commandments. A student practising Tao practises with his mind-body (during meditation and in daily life, the latter situation is far more complex and difficult to apply than the former), instead of talking about it, analyzing it, or writing about it (which is perhaps even worse....:))
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 40
道德經第40章
反者道之動；弱者道之用。天下萬物生於有，有生於無。
My translation of Chapter 40 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao moves towards the opposite direction of the expected
And accomplishes through being weak instead of strong
Everything is evolved from Something
But anything can be created out of Nothing
Paul's comment: Avoid conventional wisdom. Think outside the box. Empty your cup before you fill it in with something new. Etc. We all know these! Really?
反者道之動；弱者道之用。天下萬物生於有，有生於無。
My translation of Chapter 40 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao moves towards the opposite direction of the expected
And accomplishes through being weak instead of strong
Everything is evolved from Something
But anything can be created out of Nothing
Paul's comment: Avoid conventional wisdom. Think outside the box. Empty your cup before you fill it in with something new. Etc. We all know these! Really?
Friday, April 11, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 39
道德經第39章
昔之得一者：天得一以清；地得一以寧；神得一以靈；谷得一以盈；萬物得一以生；侯王得一以為天下貞。其致之，天無以清，將恐裂；地無以寧，將恐發；神無以靈，將恐歇；谷無以盈，將恐竭；萬物無以生，將恐滅；侯王無以貴高,將恐蹶。故貴以賤為本，高以下為基。是以侯王自稱孤、寡、不穀。此非以賤為本耶？非乎？ 故致數譽無譽。不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
My rendition of Chapter 39 of Tao Te Ching:
These are those who keep Tao's singular principle:
The Sky gets Tao and becomes clear,
The Earth gets Tao and becomes peaceful,
The mind gets Tao and becomes wise,
All living things get Tao and can grow,
A ruler gets Tao and his people becomes loyal.
Those who try too hard to overreach,
The sky won't be clear,
an impending breakdown;
The Earth won't be peaceful,
disasters will happen;
The mind will be muddled,
being overburdened;
Grains will be insufficient,
not enough to feed the people;
Living things cannot grow,
an impending death;
Rulers cannot maintain their status,
a coming collapse.
Therefore to keep one's esteem, one must humbly follow the lowliness of Tao's singular principle,
Like towering height must build upon a strong foundation.
Therefore a ruler should humbly call himself
a solitary man, an old bachelor, and an underfed.
Isn't it being humbly following the principle of Tao?
Those who seek fame will get no fame.
Therefore one should not be like a piece of shinning jade
nor like a jade necklace ready to show off.
Paul's comment: Another poetic interpretation of Tao. Tao has many meanings as manifested in different aspects of human life. In meditation, it is the fullness of chi sensation. In spiritual meditation, it is at one with the Divine. In human affairs, it is action without visible actions. In ethics, it is the unanimous philanthropist and helper. In psychology, it is free from the tyrant of our Subconscious. In mind-body exercise, it can mean any or all of the above.
What it is not? It is not "anything goes" (indiscriminate tolerance). It is not "mind my/your own business" (selfishness).
昔之得一者：天得一以清；地得一以寧；神得一以靈；谷得一以盈；萬物得一以生；侯王得一以為天下貞。其致之，天無以清，將恐裂；地無以寧，將恐發；神無以靈，將恐歇；谷無以盈，將恐竭；萬物無以生，將恐滅；侯王無以貴高,將恐蹶。故貴以賤為本，高以下為基。是以侯王自稱孤、寡、不穀。此非以賤為本耶？非乎？ 故致數譽無譽。不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
My rendition of Chapter 39 of Tao Te Ching:
These are those who keep Tao's singular principle:
The Sky gets Tao and becomes clear,
The Earth gets Tao and becomes peaceful,
The mind gets Tao and becomes wise,
All living things get Tao and can grow,
A ruler gets Tao and his people becomes loyal.
Those who try too hard to overreach,
The sky won't be clear,
an impending breakdown;
The Earth won't be peaceful,
disasters will happen;
The mind will be muddled,
being overburdened;
Grains will be insufficient,
not enough to feed the people;
Living things cannot grow,
an impending death;
Rulers cannot maintain their status,
a coming collapse.
Therefore to keep one's esteem, one must humbly follow the lowliness of Tao's singular principle,
Like towering height must build upon a strong foundation.
Therefore a ruler should humbly call himself
a solitary man, an old bachelor, and an underfed.
Isn't it being humbly following the principle of Tao?
Those who seek fame will get no fame.
Therefore one should not be like a piece of shinning jade
nor like a jade necklace ready to show off.
Paul's comment: Another poetic interpretation of Tao. Tao has many meanings as manifested in different aspects of human life. In meditation, it is the fullness of chi sensation. In spiritual meditation, it is at one with the Divine. In human affairs, it is action without visible actions. In ethics, it is the unanimous philanthropist and helper. In psychology, it is free from the tyrant of our Subconscious. In mind-body exercise, it can mean any or all of the above.
What it is not? It is not "anything goes" (indiscriminate tolerance). It is not "mind my/your own business" (selfishness).
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 38
道德經第38章
上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以無德。上德無為而無以為；下德為之而有以為。上仁為之而無以為；上義為之而有以為。上禮為之而莫之應，則攘臂而扔 之。故失道而後德，失德而後仁，失仁而後義，失義而後禮。夫禮者，忠信之薄，而亂之首。前識者，道之華，而愚之始。是以大丈夫處其厚，不居其薄；處其實， 不居其華。故去彼取此。
My translation of chapter 38 of Tao Te Ching:
The most virtuous man are not seen as performing virtuous act
That's why he is most virtuous
A rule-abiding man never strays away noticeable rules
that's why he cannot be called virtuous
The most virtuous man uses no visible action to create change
The rule-abiding man uses noticeable action to create change
The most benevolent man uses no visible action to create change
The most righteous man uses no visible action to create change
When Tao is lost, virtuousness has to be promoted
When virtuousness is lost, benevolence has to be promoted
When benevolence is lost, righteousness has to be promoted
When righteousness is lost, a society has not other option, but to depend on rules
When a society has to depend on rules as the tool for good behaviors
its righteous and benevolent ideals have been lost
The beginning of chaos and unrest
Those who have the vision can differentiate between Tao and chaos
Therefore an honorable man understands
what ideals he should keep
which tendency he should avoid
Paul's comment: This chapter has immense contemporary relevancy.
Nowadays we shouldn't just depend on rules (like the rule of law or the rule of market economy) to solve our society's problems. Future progress depends on people (in particular people in power, including political, economic etc) behaving in the most conscientious way even, or in particular, when nobody is watching, and even, or in particular, when one can get away with one's selfish acts. For organizations, it is an internalized upholding of the ideal of being a socially conscious organization, at all levels of management.
Is our society heading for trouble? Everyone's choice.
上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以無德。上德無為而無以為；下德為之而有以為。上仁為之而無以為；上義為之而有以為。上禮為之而莫之應，則攘臂而扔 之。故失道而後德，失德而後仁，失仁而後義，失義而後禮。夫禮者，忠信之薄，而亂之首。前識者，道之華，而愚之始。是以大丈夫處其厚，不居其薄；處其實， 不居其華。故去彼取此。
My translation of chapter 38 of Tao Te Ching:
The most virtuous man are not seen as performing virtuous act
That's why he is most virtuous
A rule-abiding man never strays away noticeable rules
that's why he cannot be called virtuous
The most virtuous man uses no visible action to create change
The rule-abiding man uses noticeable action to create change
The most benevolent man uses no visible action to create change
The most righteous man uses no visible action to create change
When Tao is lost, virtuousness has to be promoted
When virtuousness is lost, benevolence has to be promoted
When benevolence is lost, righteousness has to be promoted
When righteousness is lost, a society has not other option, but to depend on rules
When a society has to depend on rules as the tool for good behaviors
its righteous and benevolent ideals have been lost
The beginning of chaos and unrest
Those who have the vision can differentiate between Tao and chaos
Therefore an honorable man understands
what ideals he should keep
which tendency he should avoid
Paul's comment: This chapter has immense contemporary relevancy.
Nowadays we shouldn't just depend on rules (like the rule of law or the rule of market economy) to solve our society's problems. Future progress depends on people (in particular people in power, including political, economic etc) behaving in the most conscientious way even, or in particular, when nobody is watching, and even, or in particular, when one can get away with one's selfish acts. For organizations, it is an internalized upholding of the ideal of being a socially conscious organization, at all levels of management.
Is our society heading for trouble? Everyone's choice.
 |
| Chinese calligraphy of Chapter 38 of Tao Te Ching: 翟顺和书法老子＂道德经＂ |
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 37
道德經第37章
道常無為而無不為。侯王若能守之，萬物將自化。化而欲作，吾將鎮之以無名之樸。無名之樸，夫亦將無欲。不欲以靜，天下將自定。
My translation of chapter 37 of Tao Te Ching
Tao can achieve any result
with no visible trace of action.
If lords and emperors can keep to this principle,
Every problem will be solved as if by itself
When aggressiveness tries to bud
I dissolve it with unnamable simplicity.
With unnamable simplicity
There will be no more desire.
With no desire
Quietness ensures.
Everything will prosper without intervention.
Paul's comment: In our modern society in which each individual's (subjective) rights are emphasized and respected, what better way to change the behaviors of our neighbors than Tao's way of not letting them know we are trying (our best!) to change them? A good lesson for parents, employers, politicians, and everybody else.
道常無為而無不為。侯王若能守之，萬物將自化。化而欲作，吾將鎮之以無名之樸。無名之樸，夫亦將無欲。不欲以靜，天下將自定。
My translation of chapter 37 of Tao Te Ching
Tao can achieve any result
with no visible trace of action.
If lords and emperors can keep to this principle,
Every problem will be solved as if by itself
When aggressiveness tries to bud
I dissolve it with unnamable simplicity.
With unnamable simplicity
There will be no more desire.
With no desire
Quietness ensures.
Everything will prosper without intervention.
Paul's comment: In our modern society in which each individual's (subjective) rights are emphasized and respected, what better way to change the behaviors of our neighbors than Tao's way of not letting them know we are trying (our best!) to change them? A good lesson for parents, employers, politicians, and everybody else.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 36
道德經第36章
將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。柔 弱勝剛強。魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。
My rendition of chapter 36 of Tao Te Ching
To close something, it must first be opened
To weaken something, it must first be strengthened
To destroy something, it must first be prospered
To take away something, it must first be given
This is subtle wisdom
of the ultimate truth
Better be weak than strong now!
To survive fish must stay at ocean deep
Like don't show your armor to people.
Paul's comment: Keeping the lowest profile is a Chinese wisdom empirically learned from thousands of years of ruling under authoritarian regimes. But in all histories of China, there were always a small number of people who risked their lives (and lost or half-lost their lives in most cases) to promote a good cause in society. Having said that Lao Zi's wisdom still makes good sense: the first choice should always be promote a good cause and stay unharmed. There are however always second choices for the brave.
將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。柔 弱勝剛強。魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。
My rendition of chapter 36 of Tao Te Ching
To close something, it must first be opened
To weaken something, it must first be strengthened
To destroy something, it must first be prospered
To take away something, it must first be given
This is subtle wisdom
of the ultimate truth
Better be weak than strong now!
To survive fish must stay at ocean deep
Like don't show your armor to people.
Paul's comment: Keeping the lowest profile is a Chinese wisdom empirically learned from thousands of years of ruling under authoritarian regimes. But in all histories of China, there were always a small number of people who risked their lives (and lost or half-lost their lives in most cases) to promote a good cause in society. Having said that Lao Zi's wisdom still makes good sense: the first choice should always be promote a good cause and stay unharmed. There are however always second choices for the brave.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 35
道德經第３５章
執大象，天下往。往而不害，安平大。樂與餌，過客止。道之出口，淡乎其無味，視之不足見，聽之不足聞，用之不足既。
My translation of Chapter 35 of Tao Te Ching:
For the profound teaching of Tao:
Seekers come
they settled down
enjoying lasting peace
free from harm.
Music and food attract transient minds:
Tao is tasteless
formless
with no pleasing sound -
Simply useless!
Paul's comments: The beauty of calmness and simplicity is an acquired taste!
執大象，天下往。往而不害，安平大。樂與餌，過客止。道之出口，淡乎其無味，視之不足見，聽之不足聞，用之不足既。
My translation of Chapter 35 of Tao Te Ching:
For the profound teaching of Tao:
Seekers come
they settled down
enjoying lasting peace
free from harm.
Music and food attract transient minds:
Tao is tasteless
formless
with no pleasing sound -
Simply useless!
Paul's comments: The beauty of calmness and simplicity is an acquired taste!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 34
道德經第34章
大道汎兮，其可左右。萬物恃之而生而不辭，功成不名有。衣養萬物而不為主，常無欲，可名於小；萬物歸焉，而不為主，可名為大。以其終不自為大，故能成其 大。
My translation of Chapter 34 of Tao Te Ching
Tao is everywhere, and everything depends on it.
Because of it, everything prospers without any directive, tasks accomplished without any driving agent, everyone clothed and fed without any master.
It has no desire, so it is called small; yet everything depends on it, so it is called great.
Ultimately it does not desire greatness, therefore it can achieve greatness.
Paul's comment: The Way of growth that satisfies the desire of everything, but the Way depends on the non-desire of everything. Like every wisdom message, a philosophical analysis yields a tautology without any scientific meaning, yet every meaningful act presupposes a one-sided human desire.
大道汎兮，其可左右。萬物恃之而生而不辭，功成不名有。衣養萬物而不為主，常無欲，可名於小；萬物歸焉，而不為主，可名為大。以其終不自為大，故能成其 大。
My translation of Chapter 34 of Tao Te Ching
Tao is everywhere, and everything depends on it.
Because of it, everything prospers without any directive, tasks accomplished without any driving agent, everyone clothed and fed without any master.
It has no desire, so it is called small; yet everything depends on it, so it is called great.
Ultimately it does not desire greatness, therefore it can achieve greatness.
Paul's comment: The Way of growth that satisfies the desire of everything, but the Way depends on the non-desire of everything. Like every wisdom message, a philosophical analysis yields a tautology without any scientific meaning, yet every meaningful act presupposes a one-sided human desire.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 33
道德經 33章
知人者智，自知者明。勝人者有力，自勝者強。知足者富。強行者有志。不失其所者久。死而不亡者壽。
My translation of chapter 33 of Tao Te Ching:
Knowing others is intelligent
Knowing yourself is wise
Controlling others is strong
Controlling yourself is powerful
Contentedness is rich
Perseverance is determination
Integrity lasts long
Spiritual legacy begets immortality
Paul's comment: Improve yourself rather than try to change others. Set good examples rather than use carrot and stick. Accept rather than reject. Respect rather than suppress. Show compassion rather than voice complaint. Cooperate instead of compete. Spiritually rich is better than wealthy.
知人者智，自知者明。勝人者有力，自勝者強。知足者富。強行者有志。不失其所者久。死而不亡者壽。
My translation of chapter 33 of Tao Te Ching:
Knowing others is intelligent
Knowing yourself is wise
Controlling others is strong
Controlling yourself is powerful
Contentedness is rich
Perseverance is determination
Integrity lasts long
Spiritual legacy begets immortality
Paul's comment: Improve yourself rather than try to change others. Set good examples rather than use carrot and stick. Accept rather than reject. Respect rather than suppress. Show compassion rather than voice complaint. Cooperate instead of compete. Spiritually rich is better than wealthy.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 32
道德經第32章
道常無名。天下莫能臣也。侯王若能守之，萬物將自賓。天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦將知止，知止所以不殆。譬道之在天下，猶川谷之於江海。
My translation of chapter 32 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao defines no specific action
Therefore nobody can block its way
When a leader follows the way of Tao
Everything he does will create harmony
Heaven and earth will embrace
Rainfall will nurture the soil
Good fortune will come
People will live harmoniously without any directive
Act according to Tao
No directive is required
No directive need to be made
Everlasting harmony will follow
The way of Tao is as natural as the way of a river
A river will eventually flow to the sea
Without any further action
The same for Tao
Paul's comment: Tao is the invisible hands and more than the invisible hands. The rule of law or whatever is not everything, because it can favor the majority against the minority or the minority against the majority. Benevolent dictatorship, or the dictatorship of whatever class or party, is worse. A high ethical standard and a high culture is required. Disagreements will be avoided or easily resolved only among a people with the highest standard of morality. The Te (morality) of Tao Te Ching lays the foundation for the Tao of Tao Te Ching. A working philosophy rather than a set of rules.
道常無名。天下莫能臣也。侯王若能守之，萬物將自賓。天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦將知止，知止所以不殆。譬道之在天下，猶川谷之於江海。
My translation of chapter 32 of Tao Te Ching:
Tao defines no specific action
Therefore nobody can block its way
When a leader follows the way of Tao
Everything he does will create harmony
Heaven and earth will embrace
Rainfall will nurture the soil
Good fortune will come
People will live harmoniously without any directive
Act according to Tao
No directive is required
No directive need to be made
Everlasting harmony will follow
The way of Tao is as natural as the way of a river
A river will eventually flow to the sea
Without any further action
The same for Tao
Paul's comment: Tao is the invisible hands and more than the invisible hands. The rule of law or whatever is not everything, because it can favor the majority against the minority or the minority against the majority. Benevolent dictatorship, or the dictatorship of whatever class or party, is worse. A high ethical standard and a high culture is required. Disagreements will be avoided or easily resolved only among a people with the highest standard of morality. The Te (morality) of Tao Te Ching lays the foundation for the Tao of Tao Te Ching. A working philosophy rather than a set of rules.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Inspired by Tao Te Ching - chapter 31
道德經第31章
夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或惡之，故有道者不處。君子居則貴左，用兵則貴右。兵者不祥之器，非君 子之器，不得已而用之，恬淡為上。勝而不美，而美之者，是樂 殺人。夫樂殺人者，則不可以得志於天下矣。吉事尚左，凶事尚右。偏將軍居左，上將軍居右，言以喪禮處之。殺人之衆，以哀悲泣之，戰勝以喪禮處之。
My translation of chapter 31 of Tao Te Ching:
Building a strong army is
Bad omen
Beware beware
An enlightened sage will leave the place.
A virtuous man treasures one thing
An army general treasures another
Army is ominous in nature
Foreign to a virtuous man.
When unavoidable
Care to use minimal force
Winning is not beautiful
Those who beautifies winning
Beautifies killing
Those who beautifies killing
Cannot win the heart of his neighbors and people.
Good fortune follows one course of action
Bad luck follows another
A cautious general takes the first course
An aggressive one takes the second
Those who take the second should be buried.
If a general killed many people
We weep with grieve for him
If a general won a war
We welcome him with his funeral procession.
Paul's comment: Many of us are lucky to be living in a place where disagreements are settled by argument, logic and mutual respect. Unfortunately there are still places where people will be jailed for voicing different opinions, being dissidents or minorities in their own country; or being neighbors to regimes that value armed confrontation more than peaceful solution of disagreements. Although we have progressed a lot since the time of Lao Zi, there is still a lot to improve.
夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或惡之，故有道者不處。君子居則貴左，用兵則貴右。兵者不祥之器，非君 子之器，不得已而用之，恬淡為上。勝而不美，而美之者，是樂 殺人。夫樂殺人者，則不可以得志於天下矣。吉事尚左，凶事尚右。偏將軍居左，上將軍居右，言以喪禮處之。殺人之衆，以哀悲泣之，戰勝以喪禮處之。
My translation of chapter 31 of Tao Te Ching:
Building a strong army is
Bad omen
Beware beware
An enlightened sage will leave the place.
A virtuous man treasures one thing
An army general treasures another
Army is ominous in nature
Foreign to a virtuous man.
When unavoidable
Care to use minimal force
Winning is not beautiful
Those who beautifies winning
Beautifies killing
Those who beautifies killing
Cannot win the heart of his neighbors and people.
Good fortune follows one course of action
Bad luck follows another
A cautious general takes the first course
An aggressive one takes the second
Those who take the second should be buried.
If a general killed many people
We weep with grieve for him
If a general won a war
We welcome him with his funeral procession.
Paul's comment: Many of us are lucky to be living in a place where disagreements are settled by argument, logic and mutual respect. Unfortunately there are still places where people will be jailed for voicing different opinions, being dissidents or minorities in their own country; or being neighbors to regimes that value armed confrontation more than peaceful solution of disagreements. Although we have progressed a lot since the time of Lao Zi, there is still a lot to improve.
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