Because the purposes of the organization begin to take
precedence over that which it first attempted to keep in order . “Throw away morality and justice,” this verse urges, “and people will do
the right  thing.” Here, in the second of the outward forms, Lao-tzu reveals a
legal system that takes precedence over your natural internal integrity . When you know  that you emer ged from an impecca ble Source of honor and
equality , you don’t have to rely on a system of justice. Lao-tzu reminds you
that it’s very important not to view yourself as relegated to an inferior
position becaus e laws of morality tell you who you “really ” are. See
yourself centered with the perfection of the T ao, which is your nature, rather
than needing to consult a law book, a courtro om, or a judge to determineyour ethical standing. These labyrinthine systems designed to determine all
issues of right and wrong  are evidence of our drift away from the simplicity
of our inborn nature. The last of the outward forms is the whole world of business “Renounce
profit seeking, give up ingenuity , and discard record keeping, and thieves
will disappear altogether ,” could be one interpretation. Lao-tzu advises you
to stay centered within the all-encompa ssing integrity of the Tao and to
release your view of profits and monetary gain as indicators of your level of
success. When you see your life through the perspective of the Tao
teaching, you’ll have no need to hoard large sums of money . Instead, you’ll
discover the pleasure of serving  others in a spirit of endless generosity . Or,
as this translation of the Tao Te Ching puts it, you’ll “cast off selfishness
and temper desire.”
These, then, are the three outwa rd forms: education, justice, and business. You’re being encouraged to update how you see the reasons for, the
methods used by, and the way well-meaning people have taught to value
those arenas of life. When you change how you see them, you’ll note the
simplicity and sacredness of a higher principle, which will enrich those
institutions with the free-flo wing Tao. You’ll realize your own true nature,
cast off selfishness, and temper your desire. Be in the world of education,
justice, and business—but not of it—and you’ll see the inner world where
you’re centered in the T ao. This is what Lao-tzu is saying to you, through me, from his 2,500-year -
old perch: 19th V erse
Observe your r elationship to systems of education, justice, and
business. Notice attempts to compartment alize you: Are you dependent on a system
of reward and punishment for approval? Do the rules and codes of conduct
you follow come from a heart-centered space, or are they designed to create
a label of “specialness”? Don’ t fight these institutional pressures or even the
fact that they exist—simply let go of all attachments to them. You are not
saintly (a good person) because an organization says so, but rather because
you stay connected to the divinity of your origination. You are not
intelligent because of a transcript; you are intelligence itself, which needsno external confirmation. You are not moral because you obey the laws; you
are morality itself because you are the same as what you came from. Choose to see the outward forms as poor substitutions for your true nature
and you’ll begin to live without attachment to those forms. You’ll see your
own inner laws, which never require codifying; you’ll live with freedom
and simplicity . Trust first and foremost in yourself. Live without attachment by being gener ous. Let go of evaluating yourself on the basis of how much you’ve
accumulated and what is in your financial portfolio. Stop putting a dollar
value on all that you have and do. Let go of your need to get a “good deal”
and choose instead to be a being of sharing. You’ll be happily surprised by
how nice it feels to simply change your belief that you’re only successful if
you’re making money . The less you focus on making a profit—instead
shifting your energy to living your purpose in harmony with everyone else
—the more money will flow to you and the more opportunities for
generosity will be available to you. The world of institutional press ures is built on an endless list of human-
made do’s and don’ts. Lao-tzu advocates that you discover your heart’ s true
desire, all the while remembering that no one else can tell you what it is. Do the T ao Now
Post the following affirmation for your constant attention: I am moral,
profitable, and a genius extraor dinair e, regardless of what any institutional
transcript or bank statement says. Repeat this mantra until it becom es your
way of being. You will feel a sense of inner peace as you release the hold
that outer forms have on you. OceanofPDF .comOceanofPDF .com20th Verse
Give up learning and you will be fr ee
from all your car es. What is the differ ence between yes and no? What is the differ ence between good and evil? Must I fear what others fear? Should I fear desolation
when ther e is abundance? Should I fear darkness
when that light is shining everywher e? In spring, some go to the park and climb the terrace,
but I alone am drifting, not knowing wher e I am. Like a newborn babe befor e it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go. Most people have too much;
I alone seem to be missing something. Mine is indeed the mind of an ignoramus
in its unadulterated simplicity . I am but a guest in this world. While others rush about to get things done,
I accept what is offer ed. I alone seem foolish,
earning little, spending less. Other people strive for fame;
I avoid the limelight,
preferring to be left alone. Indeed, I seem like an idiot:
no mind, no worries. I drift like a wave on the ocean. I blow as aimless as the wind. All men settle down in their gr ooves;
I alone am stubborn and r emain outside. But wher ein I am most differ ent fr om others is
in knowing to take sustenance fr om the gr eat Mother! OceanofPDF .comLiving
Without Striving
In this verse of the Tao Te Ching, you’re encouraged to experience your
life free of worldly striving. Lao-tzu advises you to slow down your
incessant demands for more, and to relax your efforts to fill up every
moment in anticipation of being somewhere else. You’re invited to
experience life in a way that can be summarized in the title of Ram Dass’ s
book Be Her e Now . Be here in your mind as well as in your body , in a state of appreciation
and an absence of longing. Let go of wondering about doing the right thing. Release the what-ifs and all of your goals for the future, replacing them
with the power of this instant. Be here, and remember to do it now, for
thinking about being someplace else uses up your precio us present
moments. The enlightened sage makes a practice of immersing himself
completely in the current “nowness” of his life. Being here now is accomplished by adopting an acceptance of life as it is
presented by the great Mother , or the Tao. It’s a surrendering process, if you
will—simply allowing this great all-creating, all-nourishing Source to take
you where it will. You give up the idea of having to get more or to be in
another place in the future, and instead see yourself as whole and complete
just as you are. This surrendering process allows you to bear witness to the
unlimited abundance and eterna l light that is always present. You retrain
yourself to give up your beliefs about lacks and shortages; you instead trust
in the great Source to provid e what you need, as it has always done for all
beings. Lao-tzu emphas izes that this wasn’t a socially accepted standard even
2,500 years ago, as he refers to himself as an outsider who is unlike most
people. Striving  for satisfaction was viewed at that time as a proper role in
life, just as it is today . The narrator of this verse admit s that he is drifting,
not knowing where he is, yet his tone is ironic. It’s as if he’s saying, “No
one really knows where they are in this endless universe with no beginningand no ending, so why not admit it and allow yourself to be moved by the
Tao that brought you here from nowhere?”
You’re being encouraged to simplify your life by not seeking another
thing. Yes, others might judge you as unmotivated and call you an
ignoramus, but your reward will be the strong sense of inner peace that
comes from a direct knowing that you’re here as a guest who’ s always
being provided for. Yes, you may seem to be missing something, but the
something is really only an illusion. You’re no longer living inside of
yourself with a desire to be someone else or to gain something that seems to
be omnipresent in all of those around you—you’ve traded in striving for
arriving. “I accep t what is offered,” says the narrator of this provocative verse in
the Tao Te Ching. He continues to express that this may seem foolish,
perhaps echoing  your thoughts as you contemplate letting go of striving. Lao-tzu is telling you to change how you see what’ s here now in your life,
for then it will become exactly what you need in order to be happy . In other
words, you can change how you look at striving and have contentment
without anxiety and fear . When you live by the tenets explained in this verse, you begin to have a
worry-free exist ence. Imagine that! No concerns or fears—only a sense of
being connected to the Source of all, knowing that all will be handled for
you by the same force that’s always handling everything. Lao-tzu is
teaching you to free your mind from its persistent nagging. The world and
everything in it are already taken care of by the Tao . . . it has always done
so and always will. Your mind continually urges you to strive in spite of the all-providing
perfection of the Tao; it prompts  you to pursue fame, to look for a groove or
purpose. Lao-tzu  encourages you to do precisely the opposite: Stay outside
the rat race and let your mind be in peaceful harmony with the Tao rather
than worrying and fighting. The concluding line of this passage  of the Tao
Te Chin g says it all, instructing you to change how you look at your life by
“knowing to take sustenance from the great Mother!”
The following are suggestions coming from Lao-tzu to you in the 20th
verse of the T ao:Practice letting go of thoughts about what’ s not her e now . Just allow yourself to meld into the perfection of the universe you live in. You don’t need another thing to be happy; it’s all being provided for you
right here, right now. Be in this moment, and free yourself of striving for
something more or someone else. This is a mind exercise that will put you
in touch with the peace of the Tao. Affirm: It is all perfect. God’ s love is
everywher e and forgets no one. I trust in this force to guide me, and I am
not allowing ego to enter now. Notice how free you feel when you relax
into this no-fears, no-worries attitude. Take time to “let go and let God,” every single day . Say the words over and over to yourself until you can actually  tell what
the difference feels like. Lettin g go is a markedly distinct physical and
psychological experience, much different from striving. Let go of your
demands, along with your beliefs that you can’ t be happy because of what is
supposedly missing in your life. Insisting that you need what you don’t
have is insane! The fact that you’re okay without what you think you need
is the change you want to see. Then you can note that you already have
everything you need to be peaceful, happy , and content right here and right
now! Relax into this knowing, and affirm again and again: I am letting go
and letting God. I am a glorious infant nursing at the great all-pr oviding
Mother ’s breast. Do the T ao Now
Begin to notice the situations where you’re not in the moment because
you’re striving to complete or attain something for a future  benefit . You
may not realize how often you endeavor to accomplish all sorts of things
with the idea that once you do, you’ll finally have the time to do what you
really want. This is one of the most pernicious ways that many of us
unconsciously prevent (or perpetually postpone) a life free of striving. It’s a
tough one to become aware of, and may be easiest to see when your free
time becomes hijacked by family members or business emer gencies. Here’ s an example: You’ve put in extra hours at work all week in order to
have a delicious ly imagined free day to [fill in the blank], when you learnthat your spouse  has invited a friend of a friend who’ s never been to this
part of the country before—and whom you’ve never met—to stay at your
home. There are two opportunities to practice living without striving in this
situation. The first, of course, is to catch yourself wrapped up in striving for
future benefit, notice what you’re doing, and focus on the now. The second
comes after the example above, which is a dif ficult but incredibly rewarding
exercise. Do the Tao now by accepting what is offered—that is, know that
this situation, in some way that your striving ego rejects, is actually
sustenance from the Great Mother . OceanofPDF .comOceanofPDF .com21st Verse
The gr eatest virtue is to follow the T ao and the T ao alone. The T ao is elusive and intangible. Although formless and intangible,
it gives rise to form. Although vague and elusive,
it gives rise to shapes. Although dark and obscur e,
it is the spirit, the essence,
the life br eath of all things. Throughout the ages, its name has been pr eserved
in or der to r ecall the beginning of all things. How do I know the ways of all things at the beginning? I look inside myself and see what is within me. OceanofPDF .comLiving the
Elusive Paradox
Here in this 21st verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu takes us back to the
book’ s very first premise: living the mystery . He has returned to the idea’ s
definition and virtue and reaffirmed it with greater clarity and precision. In
this lesson, he not only asks us to become conscious of the elusive nature of
the Tao, a princi ple that simply cannot be pinned down or exper ienced with
the senses, but to also validate this awareness by recognizing ourselves as
examples of this elusive paradox. Reread the conc luding lines of this important verse: “How do I know the
ways of all things at the beginning? I look inside myself and see what is
within me.” Now go all the way back to your own beginning—h ow did you
get here? I don’t mean from a droplet or particle of human protoplasm; go
even before that. Quantum physics teaches that particles emer ge from an
invisible and formless energy field. So all creation, including your own, is a
function of motion: from formless energy to form, from spirit to body , from
the nameless Tao to a named object. The process of creation, along with the
theme of understanding eternal namelessness, runs throughout the Tao Te
Ching. This is the elusive paradox that you’re invited to contemplate, allow ,
and experience. You can know it by examining your own nature and
recognizing that the same principle that creates everything is animating
your every thought and action. Right now make a simple decision to move your index finger . Now
wiggle your toes. Next, lift your arm. Finally , ask yourself, What is it that
allows me to make these movements? In other words, what is it that allows
you to see shapes and colors? What force behind your eyes invisibly signals
you to process the sky as blue or a tree as tall? What is the formless energy
that tweaks a vibration somewhere in your ear to give rise to sound? What it all is, is formless and nameless. Yes, it is vague. Yes, it is obscure. And when you begin to see the world in this manner , you begin knowing
that aspect of yourself. This is what Lao-tzu describes as “the life breath of
all things,” and it needn ’t remain a mystery . You have the same eternal Taoinside of you, and you apply it a million times a day. It is within you . . . it
is you. This far-reaching verse of the Tao Te Ching asks you to let go of seeking
results in money , accomplishme nts, acquisitions, fame, and so on. Instead,
shift your attenti on to the energy in the beginning of all things—the elusive
and intangible Tao. The greatest virtue is to find this nameless, formless
force within yourself. Know it by looking within and seeing it at work in all
of your thoughts and actions. This is what Lao-tzu was conveying to you more than 2,500 years before
your birth:
Have an unquenchable thirst for the intangible and enigmatic for ce
that supports all life. Communicate with the Source regularly: Ask for its guidance, and
meditate on its sacredness. The more you practice benevolent reverence for
the invisible Tao, the more you’ll feel connected to it. The presence of a
known connection with the Tao will release you from  the worry , stress, and
anxiety that are ego’s way of looking at the world. While others  around you
may stay focused on their pursuit of weal th, fame, and power , you’ll notice
it and smile compassionately as you practice being in a state of appreciation
for “the life breath of all things,” including yourself. You’ll feel safe and
secure knowing that you’re in a Divine partnership with the all-knowing,
all-providing T ao. I suggest that you simply take a moment or two several times a day to say
aloud, “Thank You, God, for everything.” Make this your own personal
respectful ritual . In fact, just a moment ago I said 21st Verse these very
words: “Thank You, God, for allowing these words to appear , supposedly
from my pen. I know that the Source of everything, including these words,
is the elusive and intangible T ao.”
Memorize the final two lines of this verse and silently recite them when
needed. Repeat these two sentences: “How do I know the ways of all things at the
beginning? I look inside myself and see what is within me.” Doing so will
remind you that the Tao comes from the truth that’s inside of you at alltimes. Give up trying to persuade anyone else of the correctness of your
vision—when they’re ready , their own teachers will surely appear . Here’ s a conclu ding thought on the elusive nature of the Tao, written by
Hafiz many centuries after the death of Lao-tzu:
If you think that the T ruth can be known
From wor ds,
 
If you think that the Sun and the Ocean
Can pass thr ough that tiny opening called the mouth. O someone should start laughing! Someone should start wildly laughing—
Now! Do the T ao Now
Today , become conscious of the force that allows your every movement. For five minutes in your meditation, stay in “the gap” between your
thoughts and notice the elusive but omnipresent invisible Source  that allows
you to speak, hear, touch, and move. (I’ve created a meditation that can
assist you in this process, and it’ s included in my book Getting in the Gap. ) OceanofPDF .com22nd Verse
The flexible ar e preserved unbr oken. The bent become straight. The empty ar e filled. The exhausted become r enewed. The poor ar e enriched. The rich ar e confounded. Therefore the sage embraces the one. Because he doesn’ t display himself,
people can see his light. Because he has nothing to pr ove,
people can trust his wor ds. Because he doesn’ t know who he is,
people r ecognize themselves in him. Because he has no goal in mind,
everything he does succeeds. The old saying that the flexible ar e preserved unbr oken is sur ely right! If you have truly attained wholeness,
everything will flock to you. OceanofPDF .comLiving with
Flexibility
Having lived by the ocean for many years, I’ve observed the beauty and
majesty of the tall palm trees that grow at the water ’s edge, often measuring
30 or 40 feet in height. These stately giants are able to withstand the
enormous pressure that hurricane-force winds bring as they blow at speeds
up to 200 miles per hour. Thousa nds of other trees in the huge storms’ paths
are uprooted and destroyed, while the stately  palms remain fixed in their
rooted selves, proudly holding sway over their otherwise decimated
domain. So what is the palm trees’ secret to staying in one piece? The
answer is flexibility . They bend almost down to the ground at times, and it’s
that very ability that allows them to remain unbroken. In this 22nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu invites you to embrace a
similar quality of elasticity . Begin to sense the oneness that is the Tao
supplying your resiliency and grounding, helping you withstand  the storms
of your life as pliantly as the supple palm tree. When destructive energy
comes along, allow yourself to resist brokenness by bending. Look for
times you can make the choice to weather a storm by allowing it to blow
through without resistance. By not fighting, but instead relaxing and going
with all that confronts you, you enter “the T ao time.”
This verse implies an added benefit of wholeness, which attracts
everything to you. That is, if you want abundance, knowledge, health, love,
and all the other attributes that personify the Tao, you need to be receptive
to them. Lao-tzu instructs that you must be empty in order to become filled,
for attac hments keep you so restricted that nothing can enter your already-
filled self. Being empty in this sense means not being full of beliefs,
possessions, or ego-driven ideas, but rather remaining open to all
possibilities. This is in keeping with the nameless Tao: It doesn’ t restrict
itself to a particular point of view or a singular way of doing things; it
animates all. Similarly , the flexible person is open to all possibilities—
there’ s nothing for him or her to prove  because the Tao, not ego, is in
charge.Awareness of the Tao nurtures flexibility , and removing your rigidity
creates an atmosphere of trust. When you live from the perspective of being
able to say , “I don’ t know for certain, but I’m willing to listen,” you become
a person  whom others identify with. Why? Because your flexibility lets
them see that their point of view is welcome. By being open to all
possibilities, everyone who encounters you feels their ideas are valuable
and there’ s no need for conflict. As you connect  more and more  to your Tao nature, you begin noticing
that this principle is perpetually present, available in every moment. In
other words, the Tao isn’t trying to get someplace other than where it is. It
has no goals, no desire, no judgments; it flows everywhere because it is the
energy of creation. To be in harmony with the Tao is to be free of goals,
immersed in all that you’re doing without concern about the outcome—just
noticing in each moment and allowing yourself to flow with the creative
Source that’s energizing everyt hing and everyone in the universe. When
you live in this way, failure becomes an impossibility . How can you fail at
being yourself and trusting completely in the wisdom of the Source of
everything? W ith failure removed from your life, you understand what Lao-
tzu means when he says that “everything he does succeeds.”
Following are the messages from  Lao-tzu as he wrote out this 22nd verse
of the T ao Te Ching two-and-a-half millennia ago:
Change the way you see the storms of your life. Work at removing ego as the dominant influence over you. Release the
need for the attention of others and witness how people become drawn to
you naturally . Let go of having to win an argument and being right by
changing the atmosphere with a statement such as “You’re very likely
correct. Thanks for giving me a new 22nd Verse perspective.” This kind of
a procla mation gives everyone permi ssion to relax their rigidity because
you have no need to prove yourself or make others wrong. If you change
the way you think, the life you’r e living will change, so be willing to say, “I
don’t know” or “I’m uncertain as to why I even did what I did.” As Lao-tzu
reminds you, when you suspend your pomposity and rigidity , others
recognize themselves in your flexible nature, and they’ll trust you. Imagine yourself as a tall, stately palm tr ee.Be an organism without goals and objectives—instead, stand strong and
successful, capable of adjusting to the forces of nature. Be willing to adapt
to whatever may come your way by initially allowing yourself to
experience that ener gy, much like the bending tree in hurricane-force winds. When criticism comes, listen. When powerful forces push you in any
direction, bow rather than fight, lean rather than break, and allow yourself
to be free from a rigid set of rules—in so doing, you’ll be preserved and
unbroken. Keep an inner vision of the wind symbolizing difficult situations
as you affirm: I have no rigidity within me. I can bend to any wind and
remain unbroken. I will use the strength of the wind to make me even
stronger and better pr eserved. This simple teaching is so pleasant that you’ll wonder why you didn’ t
realize it before. In the Tao time, acknowledge the “storm” and then allow it
to be felt in your body—obser ve it without judgment, just like the tree
bends in the wind. As rigidity reappears, notic e that as well, allowing the
winds to blow as you exercise the Tao in place of ego! Seek to uncover the
root of your stiffness and achieve greater flexibility in the storms of life. When seen as this kind of opportunity to open to the Tao energy, storminess
can be transformed into exhilara ting events that uncover more of your true
nature of love. Do the T ao Now
Listen to someone express an opinion that’s the opposite of yours today . It
could be on any of a variety of topics, such as politics, the environment,
religion, drugs, war, the death penalty , or what have you. Refuse to impose
your position, and instead remark, “I’ve never considered that point of
view . Thank you for sharing your ideas with me.” By allowing a contrary
position to be heard, you’ll dismiss ego’s attitude and welcome the
flexibility of the T ao. OceanofPDF .com23rd Verse
To talk little is natural:
Fierce winds do not blow all morning;
a downpour of rain does not last the day . Who does this? Heaven and earth. But these ar e exaggerated, for ced effects,
and that is why they cannot be sustained. If heaven and earth cannot sustain a for ced action,
how much less is man able to do? Those who follow the W ay
become one with the W ay. Those who follow goodness
become one with goodness. Those who stray fr om the W ay and goodness
become one with failur e.
 
If you conform to the W ay,
its power flows thr ough you. Your actions become those of natur e,
your ways those of heaven. Open yourself to the T ao
and trust your natural r esponses . . . then everything will fall into place.OceanofPDF .comLiving Naturally
Every thing that composes ultimately decomposes. Notice that I put the
emphasis on the word thing— that’s because all things on Earth are
temporary and in a constant state of change. Since you’re on this planet,
you too are a part of this always-changing and always-decomposing
principle. In this 23rd verse of the Tao Te Ching, you’re asked to observe
the ways of nature and then make the choice to live harmon iously with
them. Nature doesn’ t have to insist, push, or force anything; after all, storms
don’t last forever . Winds blow hard, but then they subside. The Tao creates
from an eternal perspective, but everything is on its return trip home the
moment it comes into being . So Lao-tzu instructs that if you live
harmoniously with this simple principle, you’ll be in tune with nature. Let
go of a desire to force anyone or anything, and choose instead to
consciously be part of the cycli cal pattern of nature. Lao-tzu reminds you
that not even heaven can sustain a forced action. In its inherent beingness,
all action has a temporary existence and returns to a calmer state. In
contemporary language, we’d say that “everything blows over .”
The teachings of this passage invite you to pause in the midst of strife or
tension and remember that serenity and peace are on the way. This verse
emphatically points out that you always have a choice! In every single
situation, you can choose to observe exaggerated and forced energy. It
might be verbally attempting to control a situation or cursing  how life’s
events are unfolding; regardless, these moments can be invitations to open
to the Tao even  while in the midst of chaos and angst. This is how to
“follow the Way”: Remember how nature blows hard and then returns to
calm. Follow the goodness of the Tao and you become goodness. Stray
from goodness and you become one with failure. You are part of the law of form in time and space, comp osing and
decomposing. Everything in nature is returning to its Source . . . . The
question is, do you wish to participate consciously with this natural
goodness, or would you rather spend your moments in anxiety and failure? The Tao response to this crucial question isn’t within your ego, for itstrongly believes in your ability to force things, to make things happen, or
to be the person  in charge. The Tao points out that the Way is responsible
for everything, with a naturalness about it that isn’t forced. It reminds you
that what seems so devastating in the moment is benev olent perfection in
another moment. When you conform to the naturalness of the universe, you
cooperate with this all-creating power that flows  through you. Suspend ego-
driven plans and instead particip ate in the power that created you—allow it
to be the guiding force in your life. Here’ s what Lao-tzu says to you, through me, from his 2,500year -old
perspective in this verse of the T ao Te Ching:
Change your life by actively observing natur e’s way . See how thunderstorms or fierce winds are temporary conditions that
pass, instead of thinking of them as destructive or inconvenient events. When what seems like a forcef ul, uncomfortable situation arises, seek the
natural cycle. Affirm: This is a tempo rary setback. I am going to release
myself from having to be the person in contr ol. Then observe what you’re
feeling, with openness to what is, in this moment. Remember that this is
nature’ s method . Center your mind in a natural way, in perfect rapport with
the patience of the universal T ao. Change your life by trusting your ability to r espond naturally to the
circumstances in your life. At first this may involve observing yourself in a friendly way instead of
responding immediately . When  you feel your inclination to make your
opinion known, let this urge silently tell you what it truly wants. Your body
knows how to be at peace and wait out the storms of life, but you need to
allow it to feel that you’re welcoming its signals. Be still and allow yourself
to be in harmony with the creative T ao, opening yourself to its power . T. S. Eliot evokes the natural cycle in his poem “Ash-W ednesday”:
Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one placeI rejoice that things ar e as they ar e . . . That’ s the idea: Rejoice in the stillness of the T ao. Do the T ao Now
Spend an entire day noticing nature and the countless instances that it
cycles organically . Seek at least three ways that you’d like to be more
natural in your response to life. The cat curling languidly in the sun might
symbolize how you’d like to be. Or perhaps it’s the dawn slowly
illuminating the dark without rushing. Maybe you prefer to focus on the tide
comfortably coming in and out, apparently without judgment. Find your
symbolic images , whatever they may be, and invite their counte rparts in the
Tao to blossom within you. OceanofPDF .com24th Verse
If you stand on tiptoe, you cannot stand firmly . If you take long steps, you cannot walk far . Showing off does not r eveal enlightenment. Boasting will not pr oduce accomplishment. He who is self-righteous is not r espected. He who brags will not endur e.
 
All these ways of acting ar e odious, distasteful. They ar e superfluous excesses. They ar e like a pain in the stomach,
a tumor in the body . When walking the path of the T ao,
this is the very stuff that must be
uprooted, thr own out, and left behind. OceanofPDF .comLiving
Without Excess
In this verse, Lao-tzu advises that the path of the Tao needs to be cleared
of any weeds of excessive perso nal importance. After all, accomplishments
derive from the all-creating Source that Lao-tzu calls “the Tao.” Everything
that you see, touch, or own is a gift from the Tao; thus, it is your duty to
suspend your ego and seek an attitude of gratitude and genero sity for the
Tao’s creativity . In this way, you walk the path of the Tao by becoming like
it is, which is always existing in a state of unlimited giving. It is to this state
that the 24th verse of the T ao Te Ching ur ges you to return. Notice how the natural flow of the Tao operates: It asks nothing of you as
it provides you and everyone else with unlimited supplies of food, air,
water , sunshine,  land, and beaut y. It is always creating for the benefit of all,
and it has no need for prideful boasting or demanding something in return. This poem by Hafiz bears repeating here to illustrate this point:
Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,
 
“You owe
Me.”
Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
Whole
Sky.The sun symbolizes the Tao at work: It offers its warmth, light, and life-
giving energy to all, illuminating the globe without any demand for
recognition. Imagine if the sun needed attention and demanded accolades
for its efforts—it would shine only where it felt most appreciated or when it
received payme nt for that life-giving energy! Soon the world would be
partially shut off from the sun’s magnificence, and ultimately the entire
planet would be covered in darkness as wars erupted over ways of
appeasing the “sun god.” It’s easy to see why Lao-tzu refers to such
inclinations to be boastful and self-righteous as “odious” and akin to “a
tumor in the body .”
Walk the path of the T ao by being a giver rather than a taker , providing for
others and asking nothing in return. Then view your desires to brag and
seek approval as weeds appea ring on your journey . Seeing yourself as
important and special because of your artistic talent, for instanc e, is walking
the path of ego. Walking the path of the Tao means that you express
appreciation for the hands that allow you to create a sculpture. This is how Lao-tzu advises you to walk the path of the Tao, free of your
ego-driven desires to be recognized for all of your efforts and
accomplishments:
Change your life by consciously choosing to be in a state of gratitude. The journey of your life will change when you emphasize gratitude for all
that you are, all that you accomplish, and all that you receive. Practice
silently repeating I thank Y ou throughout your waking hours, and as you fall
asleep and awaken. It really doesn’t matter whether you’re thanking God,
Spirit, Allah, the Tao, Krishna, Buddha, the Source, or self, because all
those names represent the great wisdom traditions. Give thanks for the
sunshine, the rain, and your body , including all of its components. Have a
brain-, heart-, liver, and even a toenail-appreciation day! Your practice of
gratitude helps 24th Verse you focus on the real Source of everything, as
well as notice when you’re letting ego dominate. Make this a silen t daily
practice: Give thanks for the bed, the sheets, the pillows, and the room you
sleep in at night ; and in the morning, say I thank You for what lies ahead. Then begin the beautiful day doing something kind for another human
being someplace on the planet.Change your life by examining your urge to boast and be self-
righteous. When you’re about to brag to others about your credentials or
accomplishments, momentarily sense the urge and recall Lao-tzu’ s advice
that “this is the very stuff that must be uprooted, thrown out, and left
behind.” On the Tao path, inner approval is healthy and pure, while self-
righteous boasting is simply superfluous. When you notice your gloating
habit, you can choose to get back on the Tao path by remembering this 24th
verse of the Tao Te Ching. Pomposity and self-inflating comments can then
be seen as weeds you really have no need for. By returning to radical
humility and seeing the greatness within everyone, you’ve then cleared your
life of excessive self-importance . . . and this is the way of the T ao. Do the T ao Now
Tomorrow morning, do something expressing your kindness to someone
who will be totally surprised by your actions. E-mail someone, expressing
your love and appreciation. Call a grandparent who may be feeling lonely in
an assisted-livin g facility . Send flowers to a loved one who’ s alone, or even
a strang er if necessary . Note how your gratitude for another truly nurtures
your T ao path, not that of your ego. OceanofPDF .com25th Verse
There was something formless and perfect
befor e the universe was born. It is ser ene. Empty . Solitary . Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally pr esent. It is the Mother of the universe. For lack of a better name,
I call it the T ao. I call it gr eat. Great is boundless;
boundless is eternally flowing;
ever flowing, it is constantly r eturning. Therefore, the W ay is gr eat,
heaven is gr eat,
earth is gr eat,
people ar e great. Thus, to know humanity ,
understand earth. To know earth,
understand heaven. To know heaven,
understand the W ay.To know the W ay,
understand the gr eat within yourself. OceanofPDF .comLiving from
Greatness
Many of the scholars who have  written about the Tao Te Ching over the
centuries consider this 25th verse to be one of the most significant lessons
in the entire manuscript. In my research, all the translations of this passage
actually include the word great to describe it. This verse tells the story that even before the beginning there existed
“something form less and perfect.” It goes on to say that this formless
perfection is the “Mother of the universe.” Even though it’s nameless, it’s
called the “Tao,” and it’s synonymous with what is great. That is, there’ s
nothing within the Tao that is the opposite of great—there’ s nothing that’s
puny , insignificant, weak, unimportant, or even average. The story appea rs to want the reader to realize there’ s a pure, timeless
energy that’s within everything on the planet and that remains
uncontaminated by the solid appearance of form. The conclusion is a
directive to the student, who is you, the reader . To know this formless
perfection, you must “understa nd the great within yourself.” You’re the
central character in this wonderful saga! Since you’re animated by the eternal Tao, this tale’s message of greatness
invites you to change the way you live and to see the life you’re living
change. You can begin to do so by examining thoughts and ideas that are
inconsistent with this phenomenal observation made by Lao-tzu, which has
been echoed by others throughout history . In her book The Journey , which
was published in 1954, Lillian Smith describes it like this:
The need that one feels every day of one’s life, even though one
does not acknowledge it. To be related to something bigger than
one’s self, something more alive than one’s self, something older
and something not yet born, that will endure through time. That enduring “something” confirms your greatness, your absolute
connection to the infinite. There’ s a sense of being permanently aligned
with a sort of senior partner that is greatness itself.Lao-tzu advises you to notice the planet, its people, and the heavens and
see greatness. Next, look at yourself and see that you’re a component of
them all. That is, befriend what appears to be the great mystery of creation
by discovering the greatness within you, then bask in the joy of noting the
greatness you share with heaven, Earth, and all of its people. By persistently
hanging on to your own “greatness heritage,” you ensure that the always-
present Tao is consciously available. From a perspective of greatness, only
greatness can emer ge from you; from an inner perspective of inferiority ,
you only attract events that align with those beliefs. Your greatness won’ t be found in a classroom; an apprenticeship; a
teacher; or flattering commen ts from well-meaning family  members,
friends, or lovers. It is within you. It’s crucial for you to become conscious
of the greatness that constantly flows through you—to do so, meet it in
meditative moments of gratitud e, and cease to be influenced by contrary
points of view . In partic ular, watch and listen for the critical comments that originate
from your own inner dialogue. When such thoughts emer ge in your mind,
let them tell you what they want. If you allow those not-so-great notions to
speak, you’ll always discover that what they really want is to feel good. Give them the time they need  to trust that there’ s no payof f for their
existence, and they will happily merge into the greatness within you. Accessing this quality allows you to participate in the greater whole, where
the power of the Tao flows unimpeded by fearful self-judgment. Change the
way you live by tapping into this greatness, and the life you’re living will
literally change. Following are the thoughts that Lao-tzu would have you adopt as he wrote
out this verse of the T ao Te Ching some 25 centuries ago:
Trust in your own gr eatness. You are not this body you occupy , which is temporary and on its way back
to the nowhere from which it came. You are pure greatness . . . precisely the
very same great ness that creates all of life. Keep this thought uppermost in
your mind and you’ll attract to yourself these same powers of creation: The
right people will appear . The exact events that you desire will transpire. The
financing will show up. That’ s because greatness attracts more of its ownself to itself, just as thoughts of inadequacy act upon a belief that ensures
that deficiency will become your reality . Affirm the following to yourself
over and over until it becomes your automatic inner response to the world: I
come fr om gr eatness. I attract gr eatness. I am gr eatness. Look for beliefs that contradict your status as a being of gr eatness. Catch yourself in the midst of any utterance that reflects your belief that
you’re average. Silently speak warmly to that belief and ask it what it
wants. It may think it has to protect you from disappointment or pain, as it
probably did earlier in your existence. But with continued accepting
attention, the feeling will always  eventually admit that it wants to feel great. So let it! You’re good enough to withstand the passing disappoi ntments and
pain that afflict life on this planet—but trying to protect yourself by
believing that you don’ t embody greatness is overkill. Look for these misbeliefs and give them the chance to transform to what
they (and you) really want. Whatever you desire to become or to attract to
yourself, make the internal shift from It probably won’ t happen for me to It
is on its way! Then begin the process of looki ng for even minute evidence
that what you desire is indeed on its way. It’s crucial to keep this ancient
axiom in mind: I get what I think about, whether I want it or not. So think
about how fortu nate you are to have greatness located within yourself. Now
you can live the ultimate paradox: You can be greatnes s and be nobod y,
simultaneously . Do the T ao Now
Copy the following words and apply them to yourself: I came from
greatness. I must be like what I came from. I will never abando n my belief
in my greatness and the greatness of others. Read these words daily ,
perhaps by posting them conspicuously where you can see them . They will
serve to remind  you of the truth of your own greatness. Meditate for ten
minutes today , focusing on your inner greatness. OceanofPDF .comOceanofPDF .com26th Verse
The heavy is the r oot of the light. The still is the master of unr est. Realizing this,
the successful person is
poised and center ed
in the midst of all activities;
although surr ounded by opulence,
he is not swayed. Why should the lor d of the country
flit about like a fool? If you let yourself be blown to and fr o,
you lose touch with your r oot. To be r estless is to lose one’ s self-mastery . OceanofPDF .comLiving Calmly
In this chapter of the Tao Te Ching, you’re being advised to maintain a
sense of serenity regardless of what you may see taking place around you. Moreover , you’re being told that the true master knows that the ability to
stay calm is always located within. From this perspe ctive, there’ s no need to
assign responsibility to others for how you feel. Even though you may live
in a world where blame and faultfinding are endemic, you will own your
feelings and actions. You will know that circumstances don’t determine
your state of mind, for that power rests with you. When you maintain a
peaceful inner posture, even in the midst of chaos, you change your life. The wisdom of this verse of the Tao Te Ching prompts you to know that
you have a choice. Do you want to be in a state of confusion or to have a
tranquil inner landscape? It’s up to you! Armed with this insight, the Tao
master doesn’ t allow an external event to be a disturbance. Lao-tzu tells you
that assigning blame for your lack of calmness will never bring you to the
state of being that you’re striving to attain. Self-mastery only blossoms
when you practice being aware of, and responsible for , what you’re feeling. This particular part of the Tao Te Ching is one that you’ll probably want
to immerse yourself in repeatedly . After all, what could be better than the
freedom of going through life without feeling that people and circumstances
control you without your permission? Are you depressed? Irritated? Frustrated? Exhilarated? Ecstatically in love? Whatever your current state,
if you believe that a changing economic picture or a tapestry of events
taking place around you is responsible—and you then use these external
factors to explain your inner state of mind—you’ve lost touch with your
root. Why? Because you’re allowing yourself to be “blown to and fro” by
the shifting winds of circumstance. The solution for a life of unrest is choosing stillness. The quiet of the Tao
is oblivious to any turmoil in the world of the 10,000 things. Be like the
Tao, advises Lao-tzu: “The still is the master of unrest.” You have a choice
in every moment, so you can decide to be a host to God and carry around
with you the calmness that is the Tao, or you can be a hostage to your ego,which insists that you can’t really help feeling disorderly when you’re in
circumstances that resemble pandemonium. Here’ s what Lao-tzu offers to you in this profoundly simple passage, from
the profoundly simple life he chose 2,500 years before yours:
Vow to seek a calm inner r esponse to the cir cumstances of your life. In the midst of any kind of unrest—be it an argument, a traffic jam, a
monetary crisis, or anything at all—make the immediate decision that you
will find the calm center of yourself. By not thinking of what is taking
place, and instead taking a few deep breaths in which you opt to empty your
mind of judgments, it becomes impossible to mentally “flit about like a
fool.” You have the innate ability to choose calmness in the face of
situations that drive others to madness. Y our willingness to do so, especially
when chaos and anger have been your previous choices, puts you in touch
with “the maste r of unrest.” There was a time when I thought this was
impossible. Now  I know that even in the most troublesome of times, my
reaction is to choose stillness . . . the way of the T ao. Don’t lose touch with your r oot. With a written declaration or picture placed strategically in your home and
workplace, remind yourself that no one can make you 26th Verse lose touch
with your root without your consent. Affirm the following often: I have the
ability to stay poised and center ed, regardless of what goes befor e me. Then
vow to put this new way of being into practice the next time a situation of
unrest crops up. Do the mental work in advance and you’ll achieve the self-
mastery that Lao-tzu refers to in this verse. More significantly , you’ll be in
harmony with the Tao, which is your ultimate calling. Do the T ao Now
Sit in a quiet place and picture the one person with whom you have some
kind of long-sta nding conflict sitting there before you. Now say out loud,
directly to him or her, “I forgive you. I surround you with love and light,
and I do the same for myself.” This will put the message of the 26th verse
of the T ao Te Ching to work for you by bringing about a sense of calm. OceanofPDF .com27th Verse
A knower of the truth
travels without leaving a trace,
speaks without causing harm,
gives without keeping an account. The door he shuts, though having no lock,
cannot be opened. The knot he ties, though using no cor d,
cannot be undone. Be wise and help all beings impartially ,
abandoning none. Waste no opportunities. This is called following the light. What is a good man but a bad man’ s teacher? What is a bad man but a good man’ s job? If the teacher is not r espected
and the student not car ed for ,
confusion will arise, however clever one is. This is the gr eat secr et. OceanofPDF .comLiving by
Your Inner Light
For just a moment, imagine your most valuable possessions, including a
large cache of money , on a table in your bedroom and in full view of
anyone who might come in. Now further imagine that your pile of precious
jewelry , cash, and important documents is completely safe—there’ s no need
for insurance, and no one could ever possibly steal your treasure. Is this
state of complet e trust possible? I think so, especially since it’s encouraged
in this 27th verse of the Tao Te Ching: “The door . . . though  having no
lock, cannot be opened.”
The “knower of the truth” lives by an inner light. This illumination shines
on the fact that stealing isn’t the way of truth, so it’s unnecessary to lock
anything up. Possessions are safe among those who live by an inner light,
which reflects the perfection of the Tao. It’s the Source you’re encouraged
to always carry with you and to consult when you feel the need for
assistance or direction. Lao-tzu advises you to give without keeping an account or expecting
something in return, for this is the nature of the Tao, and you are of the Tao. Giving is synonymous with receiving when you live by this illumination. Trust the inner light to guide you, for it is your heritage. Your origin is more
from the T ao than from parents, culture, or country . It’s also important that you live more spontaneously—you don’t need to
neatly wrap up each detail of your life. Understand this and you can travel
without being attached to a plan that covers every possible scenario. Your
inner light is more trustworthy than any guidebook, and it will point you in
the direction that’s most beneficial to you and everyone you encounter . When you deve lop a trust in the Tao, you’ll change the way you look at life. You’ll marvel at the brilliance and clarity of what you begin to see: Fear,
anxiety , stress, and unrest will simply become facets of yourself  seen in the
glow of the Tao, like candles marking  your way and helping you love
everyone as a piece of yourself.Lao-tzu advises you to “be wise and help all beings impartially ,
abandoning none”—that is, you don’t need anyone else’s rules in order to
reach out to others. Giving of yourself becomes your natural response
because you’re following the inner light of the Tao. You and giving are one;
you and receiving are one. In such an arrangement, there is no one who is
not you. The most reveal ing lines of this verse remind you that a good man is but a
bad man’s teacher , and a bad man is but a good man’ s job. This is an
extremely empowering way to see life and eliminate stress and anger: If
you perceive yourself to be a “good” person, then those whom you call
“bad”—including convicted felons or enemies on the other side of the
world—are your job! Try on the view that you’re here to teach yourself and
others in some way, and that the work is to raise the collective energy of our
entire universe. Cultivate your awareness of the inner light that’s within all. Be the T ao! Virtually every translation of the Tao Te Ching I’ve examined refers to all
of us being one, and all of us needing to be there for each other . The great
secret is this: Waste no opportunity , abandon no one, respect the teachers,
and care for the student. Twenty-five hundred years later, the Tao remains
elusive to most of us because it’s so infrequently practiced. Nevertheless, it
must be instilled  within us if we’re to ever truly walk in the luminosity of
the Great W ay. Become “a knower of the truth ,” as Lao-tzu advises, by forgetting the
locks, chains, maps, and plans. Travel without leaving a trace, trust in the
goodness that is the root of all, and rather than curse the darkness that
seems so rampant, reach out with that inner light and let it shine on those
who aren’ t seeing their own legacy in the T ao. From his ancient spiritual throne, Lao-tzu is telling you to practice in
these new ways:
Trust in yourself. Develop an inner code of conduct that’s based exclusively  on your
irreversible conn ection to the Tao. When you trust this wisdom that created
you, you’re trusting yourself. Know that nothing could ever dissuade you
from your internal code of honesty , and live by this standard. If youencounter an easy opportunity to cheat, perhaps because you’ve been
handed too much change by a hurried cashier , make the decision to be
down-to-the-penny honest. Furthermore, have faith in yourself to go on a
trip with a minimal amount of planning. Allow yourself to trust in the
energy of the Tao to guide you, rather than relying upon fixed plans
arranged by someone else. Don’t judge yourself or others. Don’ t criticize the behavior or appearance of those you’ve assessed to be
“bad people.” Instead, switch your thoughts to something along these lines:
I am my own student and have this opportunity to learn that I’m instructing
rather than judging. I will now cease critiquing myself or any other , and
teach by being the Tao. If the entire world of the 10,00 0 things knew the
simple truth that we are all one, then in my opinion war, hostilities,
confusion, and even illness would cease to exist. Why not be one individual who chooses to respect yourself and all others
as teachers and as students? When you see the world as full of opportunities
to help, one thought and one action at a time, you’ll be living by your inner
light. The great Sufi poet Hafiz speaks of this in his poem “No More Leaving”:
At
Some point
Your r elationship
With God
Will
Become like this:
Next time you meet Him in the for est
Or on a cr owded city str eet
 
There won’ t be anymor e
 “Leaving.”
 
That is,
 
God will climb into
Your pocket. You will simply just take
 
Yourself
 
Along! Do the T ao Now
Find one person  labeled “bad,” and use that opportunity to do your job. Be a teacher by reaching out and sending a loving message to him or her—
perhaps you could pass along a book, write an e-mail or letter , or make a
phone call. Just do one thing as a “good” person today , even if it’s for a
stranger living in a prison cell. He or she is your assignment right now . OceanofPDF .comOceanofPDF .com28th Verse
Know the str ength of man,
but keep a woman’ s car e! Be a valley under heaven;
if you do, the constant virtue
will not fade away . One will become like a child again. Know the white,
keep to the black,
and be the pattern of the world. To be the pattern of the world is
to move constantly in the path of virtue
without erring a single step,
and to r eturn again to the infinite. One who understands splendor
while holding to humility
acts in accor d with eternal power . To be the fountain of the world is
to live the abundant life of virtue. When the unformed is formed into objects,
its original qualities ar e lost. If you pr eserve your original qualities,
you can govern anything.Truly, the best governor governs least. OceanofPDF .comLiving Virtuously
In this verse, the word virtue is synonymous with “nature” or “the Tao.”
By being one with nature, the sage is in concert with the Tao and is a
virtuous person in daily life. Here, Lao-tzu speaks about your personal path,
and also a Tao-oriented way of governing others. These others could be
your family members, fellow employees, business associates, friends, and
even the entire process of government if you’re in a political position. In
fact, much of the Tao Te Ching is focused on teaching all of us how to
create an administration that is in accord with these highest principles of the
Tao. It is my most fervent intention to spread these teachings throughout the
world in such a way as to facilitate a transformation of all those who call
themselves “leaders” and are destined for, or presently in, positions of
power . Every person has the inherent capacity to spark massive changes that can
lead to the tranquility , harmony , and peace that are our heritage. Lao-tzu
calls this preserving our “original qualities.” Such qualities require the least
amount of government, so it seems natural to see that we rule best by
allowing our T ao nature, which rules the least, to flourish! Living virtuously is what you do when you’re permitting the Tao to guide
you. The advice Lao-tzu gives for doing this is contained in four distinct
images in this verse:
1. “Be a valley under heaven” is number one. Let the river of life flow
through you. As a valley bene ath heaven, you’re a fertile place of grace
where everything is received and allowed. You might see it as the lowest
area in the spectrum of the 10,000 things, or as the point where you can see
all thing s flowing above you. In this place of humility , the constant virtue of
the Tao will never fade away . For me, this means living from radical
humility . So get down (if you can) to the eye level of a small child. Looking
up, see if “original qualities” are more visible. Be like the valley under
heaven, ready to embrace and tend the seeds that blow your way . 2. “Be the pattern of the world ” is the second image that invites you to
live virtuously . See nature unspoiled by culture, as in the perfect ion of the
uncarved block of wood. The pattern of the world, untouched by humans, isa design  of the Tao. So rather than insisting on changing or resisting, you’re
encouraged to row your boat, and your life, gently down the stream. Trust
the perfection of the Tao to take you merrily back to your perfect place of
origination. Lao-tzu is basically saying to let go and let the Tao. Dismiss
ego, which you’ve created, and allow yourself to be in the world by
changing how you look at the world. 3. “[Act] in accord with eternal power” is the third image for living
virtuously . Just contemplate for a moment the idea of a fountain of the
world, which never fades, never ends, and is there beyond the comings and
goings of the 10,000 things. This kind of power is the one to create and then
retreat, to form and then to render formless. It is always there, an endless
geyser gushing forth the abundant life of virtue. You are in accord with eternal power when you suspend your ego and
become conscio us of the Tao flowing in this fountain of you. Picture
yourself pouring  forth, not from your ideas of self-importance and your
need for externa l power over others, but from  a ceaseless Source of good
and virtue that’s in harmony with your infinite nature. Change the image of
yourself to a being who’ s in accord with eternal power , and the virtuous life
you want to see will be visible. 4. “Preserve your original qualities” is the fourth image of living
virtuously , and one that I happe n to love. Your original qualities are those
that were you before there was a you! This is what Jesus meant by “And
now, Father , glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you
before the world began” (John 17:5). Imagine if you can what is meant by
“before the world began.” The original qualities Lao-tzu speaks of are the
love, kindness, and beauty that defined your essence before you were
formed into a particle and then a human being. In other words, living
virtuously has nothing to do with obeying laws, being a good citizen, or
fulfilling some externally inspired idea of who you’re meant to become. This insightful verse of the Tao Te Ching tells you how to live virtuously . Be a valley unde r heaven by being humble and allowing seeming opposites
to flow through  you. Be the pattern of the world by seeing the pattern of
your world and living in harmony without imposing ego on others. In
accord with eternal power , be a fountain of the planet by consciouslypouring forth from the endless ocean of goodness and virtue  that’s your
birthright. Preserve your original qualities by reclaiming and reacquainting
yourself with the Tao’s essence,  which preceded your birth into form and is
your original quality . Here’ s what Lao-tzu offers you from his 2,500-year -old perspect ive in this
28th verse of the T ao Te Ching:
Entertain the exact opposite of what you’ve been conditioned to believe. Instead of striving to see yourself as superior to others, perhaps choose the
self-image of a valley . From this grounded, fertile, and receptive position,
be willing to hear and receive. Listen intently when you’re inclined to offer
advice. Be a humble earth source rather than a lofty ego-inspired person. In
the last line of the 28th verse, Lao-tzu is clear on this: “Truly, the best
governor governs least.” This isn’ t advice to lower your opinion of yourself,
but rathe r to see yourself as so strongly connected to your Source of being
that you know and trust that you’re a piece of it. Replace all negativity with love. Kahlil Gibran, the spiritual Lebanese poet, once advised that “if you
cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should
leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who
work with joy.” Actively begin the process of preservin g your original
qualities by being an instrument of Spirit, particularly in places  where you
find it easy to for get your own true virtuous self. Do the T ao Now
Be child like at least once a day. Deliberately select a typicall y stressful
situation and become a valley of heaven. Play rather than work, even while
you’re at your job! Giggle rathe r than maintaining a solemn air. Be in awe
for a moment or two. For example, find a spider -web and just gaze at the
miracle before you: a tiny little creature spinning a perfect net bigger than it
is in order to catch airborne bugs for dinner . . . wow! OceanofPDF .comOceanofPDF .com29th Verse
Do you think you can take over the universe and impr ove it? I do not believe it can be done. Everything under heaven is a sacr ed vessel and cannot be contr olled. Trying to contr ol leads to ruin. Trying to grasp, we lose. Allow your life to unfold naturally . Know that it too is a vessel of perfection. Just as you br eathe in and br eathe out,
there is a time for being ahead
and a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion
and a time for being at r est;
a time for being vigor ous
and a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe
and a time for being in danger . To the sage
all of life is a movement towar d perfection,
so what need has he
for the excessive, the extravagant, or the extr eme? OceanofPDF .comLiving by
Natural Law
This verse speaks of a natural law that’s unaffected by ego. The message? You’re not in charge—you never have been, and you never will be. So
you’re advised to let go of any ideas you have about controlling anything or
anyone, includin g yourself. It’s a difficult lesson for most of us to learn. As
Lao-tzu puts it in the beginning  of this verse, “I do not believ e it can be
done.”
Nevertheless, here’ s one of the world’ s most famous scientific minds,
Albert Einstein, commenting on this law:
[The scientist’ s] religious feeling takes the form of a rapturous
amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an
intelligence of such superiority  that, compared with it, all the
systematic think ing and acting of human beings is an utterly
insignificant reflection. This feeling is the guiding principle of his
life and work . . . It is to this feeling that I urge you to turn as you put into practice the
wisdom of the 29th verse of the Tao Te Ching. Tuning in to this rapturo us
feeling of amazement at the sacred perfection of the world helps you release
your desire to control anything or anyone. Doing so will allow you to live in
the “harmony of natural law ,” as Einstein describes it. Lao-tzu reminds you that “everything under heaven is a sacred vessel,”
needing no input from you. Since you’re also a part of everything, you may
need to change the way you look at your life and all that has transpired in it,
as well as your vision of the future. Whether you agree or disagree, whether
you like it or not, all of it is outside of your ego’s domain. It’s all unfolding
according to the same natural law that causes the seasons to follow one
another , the moon to look as if it rises and falls, the whales to traverse
oceans, and the birds to migrate and return without benefit of a map or
human-made guidance system. When you look at your life in this way,
you’ll begin to see it unfolding or ganically .The Tao is a natural law, not some controlling force that’s manipulating
you. In The Tao of Philosophy , Alan Watts reminds us that Lao-tzu once
said, “The Great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.
_OceanofPDF.com_Change_Your_Thoughts_-_Change_Your_Life_-_Wayne_W_Dyer.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Because the purposes of the organization begin to take
precedence over that which it first attempted to keep in order. “Throw away morality and justice,” this verse urges, “and people will do
the right  thing. ” Here, in the second of the outward forms, Lao-tzu reveals a
legal system that takes precedence over your natural internal integrity. When you know  that you emer ged from an impecca ble Source of honor and
equality, you don’t have to rely on a system of justice. Lao-tzu reminds you
that it’s very important not to view yourself as relegated to an inferior
position becaus e laws of morality tell you who you “really ” are. See
yourself centered with the perfection of the T ao, which is your nature, rather
than needing to consult a law book, a courtro om, or a judge to determineyour ethical standing. These labyrinthine systems designed to determine all
issues of right and wrong  are evidence of our drift away from the simplicity
of our inborn nature. The last of the outward forms is the whole world of business “Renounce
profit seeking, give up ingenuity, and discard record keeping, and thieves
will disappear altogether,” could be one interpretation. Lao-tzu advises you
to stay centered within the all-encompa ssing integrity of the Tao and to
release your view of profits and monetary gain as indicators of your level of
success. When you see your life through the perspective of the Tao
teaching, you’ll have no need to hoard large sums of money. Instead, you’ll
discover the pleasure of serving  others in a spirit of endless generosity. Or,
as this translation of the Tao Te Ching puts it, you’ll “cast off selfishness
and temper desire. ”
These, then, are the three outwa rd forms: education, justice, and business. You’re being encouraged to update how you see the reasons for, the
methods used by, and the way well-meaning people have taught to value
those arenas of life. When you change how you see them, you’ll note the
simplicity and sacredness of a higher principle, which will enrich those
institutions with the free-flo wing Tao. You’ll realize your own true nature,
cast off selfishness, and temper your desire. Be in the world of education,
justice, and business—but not of it—and you’ll see the inner world where
you’re centered in the T ao. This is what Lao-tzu is saying to you, through me, from his 2,500-year -
old perch: 19th V erse
Observe your r elationship to systems of education, justice, and
business. Notice attempts to compartment alize you: Are you dependent on a system
of reward and punishment for approval. Do the rules and codes of conduct
you follow come from a heart-centered space, or are they designed to create
a label of “specialness”. Don’ t fight these institutional pressures or even the
fact that they exist—simply let go of all attachments to them. You are not
saintly (a good person) because an organization says so, but rather because
you stay connected to the divinity of your origination. You are not
intelligent because of a transcript; you are intelligence itself, which needsno external confirmation. You are not moral because you obey the laws; you
are morality itself because you are the same as what you came from. Choose to see the outward forms as poor substitutions for your true nature
and you’ll begin to live without attachment to those forms. You’ll see your
own inner laws, which never require codifying; you’ll live with freedom
and simplicity. Trust first and foremost in yourself. Live without attachment by being gener ous. Let go of evaluating yourself on the basis of how much you’ve
accumulated and what is in your financial portfolio. Stop putting a dollar
value on all that you have and do. Let go of your need to get a “good deal”
and choose instead to be a being of sharing. You’ll be happily surprised by
how nice it feels to simply change your belief that you’re only successful if
you’re making money. The less you focus on making a profit—instead
shifting your energy to living your purpose in harmony with everyone else
—the more money will flow to you and the more opportunities for
generosity will be available to you. The world of institutional press ures is built on an endless list of human-
made do’s and don’ts. Lao-tzu advocates that you discover your heart’ s true
desire, all the while remembering that no one else can tell you what it is. Do the T ao Now
Post the following affirmation for your constant attention: I am moral,
profitable, and a genius extraor dinair e, regardless of what any institutional
transcript or bank statement says. Repeat this mantra until it becom es your
way of being. You will feel a sense of inner peace as you release the hold
that outer forms have on you. OceanofPDF. comOceanofPDF. com20th Verse
Give up learning and you will be fr ee
from all your car es. What is the differ ence between yes and no. What is the differ ence between good and evil. Must I fear what others fear. Should I fear desolation
when ther e is abundance. Should I fear darkness
when that light is shining everywher e. In spring, some go to the park and climb the terrace,
but I alone am drifting, not knowing wher e I am. Like a newborn babe befor e it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go. Most people have too much;
I alone seem to be missing something. Mine is indeed the mind of an ignoramus
in its unadulterated simplicity. I am but a guest in this world. While others rush about to get things done,
I accept what is offer ed. I alone seem foolish,
earning little, spending less. Other people strive for fame;
I avoid the limelight,
preferring to be left alone. Indeed, I seem like an idiot:
no mind, no worries. I drift like a wave on the ocean. I blow as aimless as the wind. All men settle down in their gr ooves;
I alone am stubborn and r emain outside. But wher ein I am most differ ent fr om others is
in knowing to take sustenance fr om the gr eat Mother.
Lao-tzu advises to walk the path of the Tao, which means to release your ego and trust in the universe to provide for you.
What is the main idea of the 21st verse of the Tao Te Ching?
The key is to recognize that the true source of your power is within yourself, and to trust in the Tao's guidance.
According to the 23rd verse, what is the key to maintaining a peaceful inner state?
Lao-tzu is encouraging the reader to trust in their own inner light and to let go of their ego, as well as their need to prove themselves to others.
What is the author Lao-tzu encouraging in the 24th verse?
The main message is that you are not in control of the universe, and that everything is unfolding according to natural law. You are encouraged to let go of your ego and trust in the harmony of natural law.
What is the main message of the 29th verse of the Tao Te Ching?
Lao-tzu is suggesting that one should not try to control or change the world, but rather align with the Tao and trust in its guidance.
What is the author suggesting in the 27th verse?