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BeinginBalanceEverydayWisdom

EverydayWisdomforSuccessGettingintheGap(book-with-CD)IncredibleYou!(children’sbookwith

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It’sNotWhatYou’veGot(children’sbookwithKristinaTracy)ManifestYourDestinyAMorningandAfternoonofYourLifeNoMoreHolidayBlues

ThePowerofIntentionAPromiseIsaPromisePullingYourOwnStrings

RealMagicTheSky’stheLimitStayingonthePath

10SecretsforSuccessandInnerPeaceThere’saSpiritualSolutiontoEveryProblemUnstoppableMe!(children’sbookwithKristinaTracy)WhatDoYou

ReallyWantforYourChildren?WisdomoftheAges

You’llSeeItWhenYouBelieveItYourErroneousZonesYourSacredSelf

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Applyingthe10SecretsforSuccessandInnerPeaceChangeYourThoughts—

ChangeYourLife(unabridged8-CDset)ChangeYourThoughtsMeditationEverydayWisdom(audiobook)

FreedomThroughHigherAwarenessHowtoBeaNo-LimitPersonHowtoGetWhatYouReally,Really,Really,ReallyWantIfYouChangetheWayYouLive,theLifeYouAreLivingWill

Change(abridged4-CDset)

Inspiration(abridged4-CDset)InspirationalThoughtsTheKeystoHigherAwareness

MakingYourThoughtsWorkforYou(withByronKatie)MeditationsforManifestingAMorningandAfternoonofYourLife(abridged4-CDset)101WaystoTransformYourLife(audiobook)ThePowerofIntention(abridged4-CDset)APromiseIsaPromise(audiobook)TheSecretsofthePowerof

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Copyright©2007byWayneW.Dyer

PublishedanddistributedintheUnitedStatesby:HayHouse,Inc.:www.hayhouse.com•Publishedanddistributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au • Published anddistributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk • Published anddistributed in the Republic of South Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: orders@psdprom.co.za •DistributedinCanadaby:Raincoast:www.raincoast.com•PublishedinIndiaby:HayHousePublishersIndia:www.hayhouse.co.in

WayneDyer’seditor:JoannaPyleEditorialsupervision:JillKramer•Design:AmyRoseGrigoriou

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, orelectronicprocess,orintheformofaphonographicrecording;normayitbestoredinaretrievalsystem,transmitted,orotherwisebecopiedforpublicorprivateuse—otherthanfor“fairuse”asbriefquotationsembodiedinarticlesandreviews—withoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Theauthorofthisbookdoesnotdispensemedicaladviceorprescribetheuseofanytechniqueasaform

oftreatmentforphysical,emotional,ormedicalproblemswithouttheadviceofaphysician,eitherdirectlyorindirectly.Theintentof theauthorisonlytooffer informationofageneralnaturetohelpyouinyourquestforemotionalandspiritualwell-being.In theeventyouuseanyof the informationin thisbookforyourself,whichisyourconstitutionalright,theauthorandthepublisherassumenoresponsibilityforyouractions.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Dyer,WayneW.Changeyourthoughts,changeyourlife:livingthewisdomoftheTao/WayneW.Dyer.--1sted.,.p.cm.

ISBN978-1-4019-1184-3(hardcover)--ISBN978-1-4019-1750-0(pbk.)1.Laozi.Daodejing.I.Title.

BL1900.L35D942007

299.5’1482--dc22

2007000532

ISBN:978-1-4019-1184-3

100908074321

1stedition,August2007

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

ContentsPreface.VerseNumber:1LivingtheMystery2LivingtheParadoxicalUnity3LivingContentment4LivingInfinitely5LivingImpartially6LivingCreatively7LivingBeyondEgo8LivingintheFlow9LivingHumility10LivingOneness11LivingfromtheVoid12LivingwithInnerConviction13LivingwithanIndependentMind14LivingBeyondForm15LivinganUnhurriedLife16LivingwithConstancy17LivingasanEnlightenedLeader18LivingWithoutRules19LivingWithoutAttachment20LivingWithoutStriving21LivingtheElusiveParadox22LivingwithFlexibility23LivingNaturally24LivingWithoutExcess25LivingfromGreatness26LivingCalmly

27LivingbyYourInnerLight28LivingVirtuously29LivingbyNaturalLaw30LivingWithoutForce31LivingWithoutWeapons32LivingthePerfectGoodnessoftheTao33LivingSelf-Mastery34LivingtheGreatWay35LivingBeyondWorldlyPleasures36LivinginObscurity37LivinginSimplicity38LivingWithinYourOwnNature39LivingWholeness40LivingbyReturningandYielding41LivingBeyondAppearances42LivingbyMeltingintoHarmony43LivingSoftly44LivingbyKnowingWhentoStop45LivingBeyondSuperficialities46LivingPeacefully47LivingbyBeing48LivingbyDecreasing49LivingBeyondJudgment50LivingasanImmortal51LivingbyHiddenVirtue52LivingbyReturningtotheMother53LivingHonorably54LivingasIfYourLifeMakesaDifference

55LivingbyLettingGo56LivingbySilentKnowing57LivingWithoutAuthoritarianism58LivingUntroubledbyGoodorBadFortune59LivingbyThriftandModeration60LivingwithImmunitytoEvil61LivingbyRemainingLow62LivingintheTreasure-houseoftheTao63LivingWithoutDifficulties64LivingbyBeingHereNow65LivingbyStayingSimple-hearted66LivingbyEmulatingtheSea67LivingbytheThreeTreasures68LivingbyCooperating69LivingWithoutEnemies70LivingaGod-RealizedLife71LivingWithoutSickness72LivingwithAweandAcceptance73LivinginHeaven’sNet74LivingwithNoFearofDeath75LivingbyDemandingLittle76LivingbyBending77LivingbyOfferingtheSurplus78LivinglikeWater79LivingWithoutResentments80LivingYourOwnUtopia81LivingWithoutAccumulatingEpilogue

AcknowledgmentsAbouttheAuthor

PrefaceProgressisimpossiblewithoutchange,andthosewhocannotchangetheir

mindscannotchangeanything.—GeorgeBernardShaw

ChangeYourThoughts—ChangeYourLifeistheendproductofmyyearlongjourneyofresearch,contemplation,andapplicationoftheTaoTeChing,abookofwisdom that’sbeen translatedmore thananyvolume in theworld,with theexceptionoftheBible.ManyscholarsconsiderthisChineseclassictheultimatediscourseonthenatureofexistence;anditcontinuestobeavaluableresourceforachievingawayof life thatguarantees integrity, joy,peace,andbalance. Irecentlyreadaboutsomeonewhoovercamelife-threateningaddictivebehaviorsby reading and rereading the 81 verses of this ancient text. Just imagine! Infewer than 100 short passages, it describes a way of living that’s balanced,moral,andspiritual;andthatworksforallfacetsoflifeonEarth.LegendtellsusthattheTaoTeChingwasauthoredbyLao-tzu,aprophetwho

wasalso thekeeperof the imperialarchives in theancientcapitalofLuoyang.Seeingthecontinualdecayduringaperiodofwarringstates,Lao-tzudecidedtoridewestwardintothedesert.AttheHankuPass,agatekeepernamedYinHsi,knowing of Lao-tzu’s reputation for being a man of wisdom, begged him torecordtheessenceofhisteaching.Thus,theTaoTeChingwasbornoutof5,000Chinesecharacters.InallmyreadingontheoriginsoftheTaoTeChing,Ineverfoundadefinitive

historicalrecordofitswriting...yettodayitsurvivesinthousandsofversionsinvirtually every language. In fact, after reading this classic textonemorningand then taking in a different interpretation that afternoon, I was hooked. Iorderedmoretranslations,fiveofwhichwerequiteoldandfiveofwhichweremore modern (you’ll find their titles in the Acknowledgments). Since neitherLao-tzunortheoriginsofhisversesarehistoricallycertain,Iwasfascinatedbythe different ways the 5,000 characters were interpreted by scholars in theeditions I studied—especially when you consider that many of these ancientChinese symbols are no longer in use and invite differing translationsthemselves.Ithenfeltcalledupontowriteanessayforeachversethatshoweditsvaluable

wisdomappliedtothe21stcentury.FromthosetentranslationsI’dgoneover,I

pieced together the81passages inChangeYourThoughts—ChangeYourLife,basedonhowtheyresonatedwithme.ThisbookismypersonalinterpretationoftheTaoTeChing,eachverseofwhichgavemeaninsightintolifeandnature.As you read on, know that these pages were pasted together from what IpersonallyfeltwerethemostusefulaspectsofthosetendifferenttranslationsIstudied,andIapologizeforanyexclusions(oriftheinclusionsdon’tseemtobeaperfectfit).One of the many gifts of the Tao Te Ching is its mind-stretching quality,

especiallyinthewaythatLao-tzuusesironyandparadoxtogetyoutolookatlife. Ifyou think thatbeing forceful is theappropriate response,Lao-tzuurgesyoutoseethevalueinbeinghumble.Ifactionseemscalledfor,heasksyoutoconsidernonaction.Ifyoufeelthatgraspingwillhelpyouacquirewhatyouneedorwant,hecounselsyoutoletgoandbepatient.Andjustwhatisthisthingcalled“theTao”?Aswe’retoldinthe1stverse,to

nameitistoloseit,sohere’sthebestthatIcancomeupwith:TheTaoisthesupremereality,anall-pervasiveSourceofeverything.TheTaoneverbeginsorends, does nothing, and yet animates everything in the world of form andboundaries,whichiscalled“theworldofthe10,000things.”CommentariesontheTaoTeChinggenerallyinterpretTaoas“theWay,”Te

as“theshapeandpower”(thatis,howtheTaomanifests),andChingas“book.”EverytranslationIreadreferredtotheTaoastheWaywithacapitalW,andTeasaddinglightorcolortotheWay.Well,asIlookatthenameI’vecarriedwithme for over 65 years,Wayne Dyer, I realize what may have attracted me tostudyingandwriting theseessays!Asyoucansee, thefirst three lettersofmynamemakeupthewordWay,whileadyerisonewhoaddslightorcolor.It’snowonderwhyI’vebeensototallyinvolvedinreading,writing,interpreting,and,mostsignificantly,puttingintopracticethese81verses.InTheWisdomofChinaandIndia,Dr.LinYutangstates,“Ifthereisonebook

inthewholeofOrientalliteraturewhichshouldbereadaboveallothers,itis,inmyopinion[Lao-tzu’s]BookofTao. . . .It isoneoftheprofoundestbooksintheworld’sphilosophy...”AsyoureadChangeYourThoughts—ChangeYourLife, you’re going to find your way through Lao-tzu’s mystical and practicalphilosophy, along with the joy of applying it to your life in today’s modernworld.Writingthisbookwasacompletesurrendertoideasthatdidn’talwaysseemto

fitalinearrationalapproach,andithaschangedmeinawaythat’sliketheTaoitself:unexplainableandunnameable.OnceIknewthatI’dbespendingayearon this project, its creation came about in the following way, which I havejournaledforyou:

Iawakebefore4a.m.,meditate,consumejuicesandsupplements,andenter my sacred writing space. On a table, I have some frameddrawingsofLao-tzu:Inonehe’scladinsimplerobes,inanotherhe’sstandingwithastaff,andinathirdhe’sastrideanox.Ieaseintomywork and read one verse of theTaoTeChing, letting thewords staywithmeand inviting the forcesofboth theouterand the inner life toinformme.Some of the passages contain ideas that seem to be directed to

politicalleaders—yetinallcasesIkeeptheaveragereaderinmind.Inother words, I seek the wisdom for everyone, not just for those inpositionsofgovernmentorbusiness.Ijotdownafewnotes,andforthenextthreedaysIthinkaboutwhat

Lao-tzuisoffering.IinvitetheTaotobewithmethroughoutthedayinallmyactivitiesasabackgroundtothetitleofthisbook.“Changeyourthoughts,Wayne,” I tellmyself, “andwatch how your life changes.”Andmythoughtsdochange.I feel the Tao with me, always there, always doing nothing, and

always leaving absolutely nothing undone. As I’m now Seeingwith acapital S, the landscape looks different. The people I See are godlycreationswhoareignoringtheirownnature,orevenmorepoignantly,needilyinterferingintheaffairsofothers.Ihaveadifferentperspectivenow: I feel more peaceful and patient. I keep being reminded of thecyclical nature of the world of the 10,000 things and have powerfulinsightsthatchangewhatIsee.Iknowthatwehumansareliketherestofthenaturalworldandthatsadness,fear,frustration,oranytroublingfeeling cannot last. Nature doesn’t create a storm that never ends.Withinmisfortune,goodfortunehides.Following my days of thinking and then applying the wisdom of a

particular verse, I look into the eyes ofLao-tzu’s picture in the earlymorning,andIwonder,Whatdidyoumean?Howdoesthisapplyhere,today, to anyone whomight want to live according to thesemajestic

teachings?Whathappensnextismind-blowinginthatitsimplycomes.Through

theages,throughtheatmosphere,throughmypurplepenandontothepage,flowswhatIcanonlycallautomaticwriting.IknowIdon’townit.IknowIcan’ttouchit,feelit,seeit,orevennameit,butthewordsarrive in the world of the 10,000 things. I am grateful, bewildered,astonished, and overjoyed. The next day I begin another four-dayadventure with this wisdom a Chinese master recorded 2,500 yearsago, feeling so blessed, honored, and completely awestruck by theprofoundimpactthesewordshaveonme.

It’smyvision that in this21stcentury,ourworldmust recruit future leaderswhoaresteepedintheimportanceofLao-tzu’swords.Oursurvivalmaydependon understanding that the concepts of “enemy” and “war” can cease to existthrough living Tao-centered lives. Government will need to retreat fromregulating our personal lives, overly taxing our income, and invading ourprivacy.Yet the lessons and truths of the Tao must be discovered and applied by

individuals.Inthisway, itcanbringyoutotheenormouswonderofyourownbeing—yes,youare theTaoatwork.YourPrefacebeingcamefrom,andwillreturnto,nonbeing.Soformaximumenjoymentandbenefit,makereadingthisbookapersonal journey.Firstperuseoneof thepassagesof theTaoTeChingand theessay that follows it.Next, spend some timeapplying it, changing thewayyou’vebeenconditionedtothinkandlettingyourselfopenuptoanewwayof conceptualizing these ideas. Finally, individualize the verse by writing,recording, drawing, or expressing yourself in whatever way you’re called to.Andmoveontothenextversewitharhythmthatsuitsyournature.Thefollowingisfrom365Tao:DailyMeditationsbyDengMingDao,whichI

lovetoturntoeachday.ReadthisexcerptandseetheTaocomingaliveinyou:Ifyouspenda longperiodof timeinstudyandself-cultivation,you

will enter Tao. By doing so, you also enter a world of extraordinaryperceptions.Youexperienceunimaginablethings,receivethoughtsandlearningasiffromnowhere,perceivethingsthatcouldbeclassifiedasprescient.Yetifyoutrytocommunicatewhatyouexperience,thereisnoonetounderstandyou,noonewhowillbelieveyou.Themoreyouwalk this road, the fartheryouare from theordinarywaysof society.

Youmayseethetruth,butyouwillfindthatpeoplewouldratherlistentopoliticians,performers,andcharlatans.IfyouareknownasafollowerofTao,peoplemayseekyouout,but

they are seldom the ones who will truly understand Tao. They arepeople who would exploit Tao as a crutch. To speak to them of thewonders you have seen is often to engage in a futile bout ofmiscommunication.That iswhyit issaid that thosewhoknowdonotspeak.Whynot simplystayquiet?EnjoyTaoasyouwill.Letothers think

you are dumb. Inside yourself, you will know the joy of Tao’smysteries.Ifyoumeetsomeonewhocanprofitbyyourexperience,youshouldshare.Butifyouaremerelyawandererinacrowdofstrangers,itiswisdomtobesilent.

Perhaps the overriding message of the Tao Te Ching is to learn how toluxuriate in the simplicity of what you’re being told throughout this ancientsacredtext.Asyouputitsideasintopractice,you’lldiscoverhowprofounditallis—but thenyou’ll findyourself startledby its simplicityandnaturalness.Theadvice of this ancient master is so easy to apply that you mustn’t try tocomplicateit.Simplyallowyourselftostayinharmonywithyournature,whichcanbetrustedifyoujustlistenandactaccordingly.Ihopethatyou’llfeeljoyouslyinlovewithLao-tzuandhiswondrousTaoTe

Ching,andthatyou’lladdyourlightandcolortotheGreatWay.Iofferyoumylove, along with my commitment to a Tao-centered world. I can think of nogreatervisionforyou,forourplanet,orforouruniverse.

—WayneW.DyerMaui,Hawaii

(Editor’snote:Lao-tzu’snamehasbeenspelledmanydifferentwaysovertheyears,soinordertoavoidconfusioninthisbook,we’llbeusingthespellingpreferredbyMerriam-Webster’sCollegiateDictionary,11thEdition.)

OfbirdsIknowthatthey

havewingstoflywith,offishthattheyhavefinstoswimwith,ofwildbeaststhattheyhavefeettorunwith.Forfeettherearetraps,forfinsnets,forwings

arrows.Butwhoknowshowdragonssurmountwindandcloud

intoheaven?ThisdayIhaveseen[Lao-tzu]andheisadragon.

—fromTheWayofLifeAccordingtoLaoTzu,translatedbyWitterBynner(This quote is attributed to Confucius, after he visited the elder Lao-tzu to seek advice on points ofceremonialetiquette.)

1stVerseTheTaothatcanbetoldisnottheeternalTao.

Thenamethatcanbenamedisnottheeternalname.

TheTaoisbothnamedandnameless.Asnamelessitistheoriginofallthings;asnameditistheMotherof10,000

things.

Everdesireless,onecanseethemystery;everdesiring,oneseesonlythemanifestations.

Andthemysteryitselfisthedoorwaytoallunderstanding.

LivingtheMysteryInthisopeningverseoftheTaoTeChing,Lao-tzutellsusthatthe“Taoisboth

namedandnameless.”ThissoundsparadoxicaltoourWesternintellect—anditis!ParadoxicalthinkingisembeddedinEasternconceptssuchasyinandyangorthefeminineandthemasculine,andwherethingsarecomfortablydescribedas both this and that.We in theWest, by contrast, tend to view opposites asincompatibleconceptsthatcontradicteachother.Yetthisbookisaskingthatwechangeouringrainedwaysofthinkingandseehowourliveschangeasaresult.TheTaoisanunknowable,unseeablerealmwhereeverythingoriginates;while

atthesametime,theTaoisinvisiblywithineverything.Whenwedesiretoseethisinvisibleness(mystery),weattempttodefineit intermsoftheouterworldofform—whatLao-tzucalls“the10,000things.”Hecounselsusthatlettinggooftryingtoseethemysterywillactuallyallowustoseeit.Or,asIliketothinkof it, “let go and let God.” But how can we do that? One way is to permitourselves to practice more paradoxical thinking by recognizing that desiring(wanting)anddesireless(allowing)aredifferentandthesame...ratherlikethemysteriousendsofacontinuum.Desiring is thephysicalexpressionofcreatingconditions thatallowus tobe

receptive;thatis,it’sin-the-worldpreparationforreceiving.AccordingtoLao-tzu,wantingtoknoworseethemysteryoftheTaowillrevealevidenceofitinavarietyofmanifestations, butnot themystery itself.But this isn’t adeadend!Fromthisgroundofdesiring,thefloweringofthemysteriousTaogrows.It’sasif wanting transforms into effortless allowing. Desiring, one sees themanifestations;desireless,onecanseethemysteryitself.WhenwetuneintowhatLao-tzuistellingus,itbecomesreadilyapparentthat

our world produces abundant examples of this paradoxical process. Think ofgardeninganddesiringthoseluscioushomegrowntomatoesorspringdaffodils:Allowing themtogrowisultimatelywhathappens.Nowthinkof the things inlife that involvewantingandhow theydiffer fromallowing:Wanting togo tosleep, for instance, rather than going to sleep. Wanting to diet, rather thandieting. Wanting to love, rather than loving. In this reference to the Tao,desirelessmeanstrusting,permitting,andallowing.Desireisboththebeginningand the ground of desirelessness, yet wanting is also the beginning and thegroundofallowing.Theyarethesame,andtheyaredifferent.

Payattention to timeswhenyoucan feel inyourbodywhereyouareon thecontinuumbetweendesiringandallowing(ortryinganddoing).Trying toplaythepiano,drive thecar,or ride thebicycle is the sameas, anddifferent from,actually playing the piano, driving the car, and riding the bicycle.Once thoseouter-world activities are desired and learned, there’s a timewhen allowing iswhatyoudo.Thepointhereistorecognizethedifferenceinyourbodybetweentryingandallowing,andtothenbecomeawareoftheeffortlesssensationofthelatter.Thispracticewillalsoleadtoagreaterawarenessoftheinvisiblemysteryandthe10,000things,whicharethevisiblephenomenaofourworld.The10,000 things thatLao-tzu refers to represent thecategorized, classified,

and scientifically named objects of the earth,which help us communicate andidentify what we’re talking and thinking about. Yet for all our technologicalexpertiseandscientificcategorization,wecannevertrulycreateahumaneyeorliver,orevenagrainofwheatforthatmatter.Eachofthesethings—alongwiththe remainder that comprise the known or named world—emerge from themystery, the eternal Tao. Just as the world is not its named parts, we’re notexclusively the skin, bone, and rivers of fluids thatwe’re physicallymade of.We, too, are theeternalTao, invisiblyanimatingour tongues to speak, ears tohear,andeyestoseeandexperiencethemanifestandthemystery.ConsciouslyallowingthisnamelessmysteryisultimatelythewaytopracticetheTao.Doesthatmeanputtingyourselfinharm’sway?Ofcoursenot.Doesthatmean

trusting the mystery at the moment you’re being mugged or mistreated?Probably not. Does it mean never trying to change things? No. It doesmeancultivatingapracticeofbeinginthemysteryandallowingittoflowthroughyouunimpeded.Itmeanspermitting theparadoxofbeing informat thesametimethatyouallowthemysterytounfold.DotheTao;findyourpersonalwaysoflivinginthemystery.AsLao-tzusays

inthis1stverse,“Andthemysteryitselfisthedoorwaytoallunderstanding.”Here’smy advice for translating this passage into daily practice in this 21st

century:Firstandforemost,enjoythemystery!

Let the world unfold without always attempting to figure it all out. Letrelationships just be, for example, since everything is going to stretch out inDivineorder.Don’ttrysohardtomakesomethingwork—simplyallow.Don’talwaystoilattryingtounderstandyourmate,yourchildren,yourparents,your

boss,oranyoneelse,becausetheTaoisworkingatalltimes.Whenexpectationsareshattered,practiceallowingthattobethewayitis.Relax,letgo,allow,andrecognizethatsomeofyourdesiresareabouthowyouthinkyourworldshouldbe, rather thanhowit is in thatmoment.Becomeanastuteobserver . . . judgelessandlistenmore.Taketimetoopenyourmindtothefascinatingmysteryanduncertaintythatweallexperience.

Practicelettinggoofalwaysnamingandlabeling.Thelabelingprocessiswhatmostofusweretaughtinschool.Westudiedhard

tobeabletodefinethingscorrectlyinordertogetwhatwecalled“highgrades.”Mosteducationalinstitutionsinsistedonidentifyingeverything,leadingtoatagthatdistinguishedusasgraduateswithknowledgeofspecificcategories.Yetweknow,withoutanyonetellingus,thatthereisnotitle,degree,ordistinguishinglabel that trulydefinesus. In thesamewaythatwater isnot thewordwater—anymorethanitisagua,Wasser,orH2O—nothinginthisuniverseiswhatit’snamed.Inspiteofourendlesscategorizations,eachanimal,flower,mineral,andhumancannevertrulybedescribed.Inthesameway,theTaotellsusthat“thename that can be named is not the eternal name.” We must bask in themagnificence of what is seen and sensed, instead of always memorizing andcategorizing.

DotheTaoNowAt some point today, notice an instance of annoyance or irritation you have

withanotherpersonorsituation.DecidetodotheTao(orpracticetheWay)inthat moment by turning inward with curiosity about where you are on thecontinuum between desire and allowing. Permit the paradox of wanting theirritant to vanish and allowing it to be what it is. Look inward for it in yourthoughts and allow yourself to feel itwherever it is and however itmoves inyourbody.Turnallofyourattentiontobecomingopen-minded,allowingpermissiveness

tobefriendthemysterywithinyourself.Noticehowthefeelingmanifestsitself:perhaps doing “loop-de-loops” in your stomach, giving a rigidness to yourskeleton, making your heart pound, or tightening your throat.Wherever it is,allow it as an enigmatic messenger within you, and give it nonjudgmentalattention. Notice the desire for the feeling to disappear, and allow it to be

monitored compassionately by you. Accept whatever comes. Encounter themystery within without labeling, explaining, or defending. It’s a subtledistinctionat first,whichyoumust takepersonal responsibility for identifying.Youalonecanpreparethegroundofyourbeingfortheexperienceoflivingthemystery.

2ndVerseUnderheavenallcanseebeautyasbeauty,onlybecausethereisugliness.

Allcanknowgoodasgoodonlybecausethereisevil.

Beingandnonbeingproduceeachother.Thedifficultisbornintheeasy.

Longisdefinedbyshort,thehighbythelow.Beforeandaftergoalongwitheachother.

Sothesagelivesopenlywithapparentdualityandparadoxicalunity.Thesagecanactwithouteffortandteachwithoutwords.

Nurturingthingswithoutpossessingthem,heworks,butnotforrewards;hecompetes,butnotforresults.

Whentheworkisdone,itisforgotten.Thatiswhyitlastsforever.

LivingtheParadoxicalUnity

Theconceptofsomethingorsomeonebeingbeautiful isgroundedinabeliefsystem that promotes duality and judgment. Thisway of thinking is prevalentandcommonplaceforjustabouteverybodyinourculture,perhapsevenhavingsome value in society. I encourage you to explore the concept of paradoxicalunityinthis2ndverseoftheTaoTeChing.Bychangingyourthoughts,youcanchangeyourlifeandtrulylivetheblissofoneness.Hasiteveroccurredtoyouthatbeautydependsonsomethingbeingidentified

as ugly?Therefore, the idea of beauty produces the idea of ugliness, andviceversa.Justthinkofhowmanyconceptsinthis“dualitybeliefsystem”dependonopposites:Aperson isn’t tallunless there’sabeliefsystemthat includesshort.Ourideaoflifecouldn’texistwithoutthatofdeath.Dayistheoppositeofnight.Maleistheantithesisoffemale.Whatifyouinsteadperceivedallasapiece(oraglimpse)oftheperfectionof

oneness? I think this iswhatLao-tzu is suggestingwith his description of thesagewho “lives openlywith apparent duality and paradoxical unity.” Imaginethe perfect oneness coexisting in the apparent duality, where opposites aresimplyjudgmentsmadebyhumanmindsintheworldof10,000things.Surelythe daffodil doesn’t think that the daisy is prettier or uglier than it is, and theeagleandthemousehavenosenseoftheoppositeswecalllifeanddeath.Thetrees,flowers,andanimalsknownotofuglinessorbeauty;theysimplyare...inharmonywiththeeternalTao,devoidofjudgment.Asthesagelivesopenlywithapparentduality,hesynthesizestheoriginwith

themanifestationwithoutforminganopinionaboutit.LivingwithoutjudgmentandinperfectonenessiswhatLao-tzuinviteshisreaderstodo.Heinvitesourwisdomtocombineperceivedoppositesandliveaunifiedlife.TheperfectionoftheTao isallowingapparentdualitywhile seeing theunity that is reality.Lifeanddeathare identical.Virtueandsinare judgments,needingboth to identifyeither.Thesearetheparadoxesofaunifiedlife;thisislivingwithintheeternalTao.Oncethedichotomiesorpairsofoppositesaretranscended,oratleastseenforwhattheyare,theyflowinandoutoflifelikethetides.Practicebeingaliving,breathingparadoxeverymomentofyourlife.Thebody

hasphysicalboundaries—itbeginsandendsandhasmaterialsubstance.Yet italsocontainssomethingthatdefiesboundaries,hasnosubstance,andisinfiniteand formless.Youareboth theTaoand the10,000 things simultaneously.Letthe contrasting and opposite ideas be within you at the same time. Allowyourselftoholdthoseoppositethoughtswithoutthemcancelingeachotherout.Believestronglyinyourfreewillandabilitytoinfluenceyoursurroundings,andsimultaneouslysurrendertotheenergywithinyou.Knowthatgoodandevilaretwoaspectsofaunion.Inotherwords,acceptthedualityofthematerialworldwhilestillremaininginconstantcontactwiththeonenessoftheeternalTao.Thedebilitatingnecessitytoberightandmakeotherswrongwilldiminish.I believe that Lao-tzu would apply the Tao Te Ching to today’s world by

suggestingthefollowing:

Liveaunifiedlife.

Enter the world of oneness with an awareness of the propensity tocompartmentalizeeverythingasgoodorbad, rightorwrong.Beautifuloruglyare standards of the physicalworld, not theTao.Contemplate the insight thatdualityisamindgame.Inotherwords,peoplelookthewaytheylook,period—criticismisnotalwaysnecessaryorhelpful.SeetheunfoldingoftheTaoinsideeveryone,includingyourself,andbeatpeacewithwhatyouobserve.Beagoodanimalandmovefreely,unencumberedwiththoughtsaboutwhere

youshouldbeandhowyoushouldbeacting.Forinstance,imagineyourselfasanotterjustlivingyour“otterness.”You’renotgoodorbad,beautifulorugly,ahardworkeroraslacker...you’resimplyanotter,movingthroughthewateroronthelandfreely,peacefully,playfully,andwithoutjudgments.Whenit’stimeto leave your body, you do so, reclaiming your place in the pure mystery ofoneness.ThisiswhatLao-tzumeanswhenhesays,“Whentheworkisdone,itisforgotten.Thatiswhyitlastsforever.”Inotherwords,youdon’thaveto leaveyourbodytoexperienceforever; it’s

possibletoknowyoureternalselfevenintheembodiedcondition.Whendualityandjudgmentcropup,allowthemtobeapartoftheperfectunity.Whenotherpeoplecreatedichotomies,youcanalwaysknowonenessbypracticingtheTao.

Accomplishmuchbytryingless.

Effort is one piece of the whole; another piece is non-effort. Fuse thesedichotomies, and the result is effortless actionwithout attachment to outcome.Thisispreciselyhowyoudancewithsomeone:Youmakeanattempt,assumeaposition,listentothemusic,andletgoallatthesametime,allowingyourselftoeasilymovewithyourpartner.Combinetheso-calledoppositesintotheonenessofbeingwithout judgmentor fear.Labelingactionas“a fineeffort” impliesabelief that trying hard is better than not trying. But trying itself only existsbecause of beliefs about not trying. Attempting to pick up a piece of trash isreallyjustnotpickingupthetrash.Onceyou’vepickeditup,thentryingandnottryingareirrelevant.Understand that you can actwithout the implied judgment ofwords such as

effort and trying. You can compete without being focused on outcome.Eliminating opposites paradoxically unifies them so that it is unnecessary toidentifywith one position. I imagine that in today’s language, Lao-tzuwouldsumupthis2ndverseoftheTaoTeChinginthesetwosimplewords:Justbe.

DotheTaoNowDotheTaotodaybynoticinganopportunitytodefendorexplainyourselfand

choosingnotto.Instead,turnwithinandsensethetextureofmisunderstanding,feelingitallthewaythroughyourphysicalsystem.Justbewithwhatis,insteadof opting to ease it by traversing the outer-world path of explaining anddefending.Don’tgetcaughtupintheapparentdualityofbeingrightorwrong.Congratulateyourselfformakingachoicetobeinparadoxicalunity,aonenesswhere all of the spectrum simply is. Silently appreciate the opportunity, alongwithyourwillingnesstopracticeyoursageness!

3rdVersePuttingavalueonstatuswillcreatecontentiousness.

Ifyouovervaluepossessions,peoplebegintosteal.Bynotdisplayingwhatisdesirable,youwillcausethepeople’sheartstoremain

undisturbed.

Thesagegovernsbyemptyingmindsandhearts,byweakeningambitionsandstrengtheningbones.

Practicenotdoing....Whenactionispureandselfless,everythingsettlesintoitsownperfectplace.

LivingContentmentThis 3rd verse of the Tao Te Ching advises rearranging priorities to ensure

contentment.Focusingonobtainingmoreobjectsofdesireencouragesexternalfactorstohavecontroloverus.Pursuitofstatus,beitmonetaryorapositionofpower,blindsustoourrelationshiptotheeternalTao,alongwiththecontentedlifethatisavailable.Overvaluingpossessionsandaccomplishmentsstemsfromour ego’s fixation on gettingmore—wealth, belongings, status, power, or thelike.TheTaorecommendsrefrainingfromthiskindofdiscontentedwayoflife,which leads to thievery, contentiousness, and confusion. Rather than seekingmore, theTao practice of gratitude iswhat leads us to the contented life.WemustreplacepersonaldesireswiththeTao-centeredquestion:HowmayIserve?Bysimplychangingthesekindsofthoughts,wewillbegintoseemajorchangestakingplaceinourlives.Theadvicetopractice“notdoing”andtrustingthatallwillsettleintoaperfect

placemaysoundlikeaprescriptionforlazinessandafailedsociety,yetIdon’tthink that’s what Lao-tzu is offering here. He isn’t saying to be slothful orinactive;rather,he’ssuggestingthattrustingintheTaoisthewaytobedirectedbytheSourceofyourcreationandtobeguidedbyahigherprinciplethanyourego-drivendesires.Ego-fixatedwantscangetinthewayofDivineessence,sopracticegettingego

outofthewayandbeguidedbytheTaoinallthatyoudo.Inastateoffrenzy?TrustintheTao.Listenforwhaturgesyouonward,freefromegodomination,and you’ll paradoxically be more productive. Allow what’s within to comeforwardbysuspendingworldlydetermination.In thisway, itwillnolongerbejustyouwhoisconductingthisorchestrationthatyoucallyourlife.Muchof this3rdversecontainsadviceonhow togovern. Iview thisnot as

politicaloradministrativeadvice,butasitpertainstoourownpersonallivesandthosewe’re entrusted to guide—that is, our immediate family, and in a largersense,thehumanfamilythatcomprisesallofthosewithwhomwe’reincontactonadailybasis.Encourage your relatives to empty their minds of thoughts about status and

acquisitions,andthinkinsteadaboutservingothersandcontributingtothehealthandstrengthofall.Modeltheharmonyofthisattitude;afterall,everyonehasacalling to be inspired. The Source of creation is not interested in material

possessionsorstatus.Itwillprovidewhatisneeded—itwillguide,motivate,andinfluence you and everyone else. Ego (and its incessant inventory of desires)probably needs to be weakened so that the beauty of the Tao can be sensed.Demonstrate this to others by being a leader who removes the egocentrictemptationsthatfosterenvy,anger,andcompetition.IfLao-tzuwereabletoviewourcontemporaryworldfromhis2,500-year-old

perspective, I believe that he’doffer the following advicebasedupon this 3rdverseoftheTaoTeChing:Remindyourselfdailythatthereisnowaytohappiness;rather,happiness

istheway.You may have a long list of goals that you believe will provide you with

contentmentwhenthey’reachieved,yetifyouexamineyourstateofhappinessin this moment, you’ll notice that the fulfillment of some previous ambitionsdidn’tcreateanenduringsenseofjoy.Desirescanproduceanxiety,stress,andcompetitiveness, and you need to recognize those that do. Bring happiness toeveryencounterinlife,insteadofexpectingexternaleventstoproducejoy.Bystaying inharmonyon thepathof theTao,all thecontentmentyoucouldeverdreamofwillbegintoflowintoyourlife—therightpeople,themeanstofinancewhere you’re headed, and the necessary factors will come together. “Stoppushingyourself,”Lao-tzuwouldsay,“andfeelgratitudeandaweforwhat is.Your life is controlled by something far bigger andmore significant than thepettydetailsofyourloftyaspirations.”TrusttheperfectionoftheeternalTao,foritistheultimateSourceofthe

10,000things.TheTao isworking forandwithyou, soyouneedn’t remind it ofwhatyou

craveorwhatyouthinkithasforgottenonyourbehalf.TrusttheharmonyoftheTao.Ittookcareofeverythingthatyouneededinyourcreationaswellasyourfirst nine months of life without any assistance from you, and totallyindependentofanydesiresyoumayhavehad.TheTaowillcontinuetodosoifyoujusttrustitandpracticenotdoing.Inventoryyourdesiresand then turn themover to theunnameable.Yes, turn

them over and do nothing but trust. At the same time, listen and watch forguidance,andthenconnectyourselftotheperfectenergythatsendswhateverisnecessary into your life. You (meaning your ego) don’t need to do anything.Instead, allow the eternal perfection of the Tao to work through you. This is

Laotzu’smessageforourworldnow.Henry David Thoreau made the following observation in the middle of the

19thcenturyashewroteatWaldenPond,andIfeel thatitpersonifiesthis3rdverseoftheTaoTeChing:

LetusspendonedayasdeliberatelyasNature,andnotbethrownoffthetrackbyeverynutshellandmosquito’swingthatfallsontherails....Iftheenginewhistles,letitwhistletillitishoarseforitspains.Ifthebellrings,whyshouldwerun?...IhavealwaysbeenregrettingthatIwasnotaswiseasthedayIwasborn.

Trust in your essential sageness. Don’t let desires obscure your eternalconnectiontotheTao.DotheTaoNowWatch for an opportunity today to notice that you’re planning on buying

something.Choose todo theTaoand listen forguidance.Begrateful thatyouhavethechoicetomakethepurchase,thenpracticelisteningtoyourselfandnotdoing. Through your feelings, the Tao will reveal the way for you in thatmoment. Trust it. You might be guided to buy the item and savor it withgratitude, donate it, procure one for you and one for someone else, give themoney to a charity instead of getting the item, or refrain from obtaining italtogether.PracticedoingtheTaoineverydaysituationsandyou’llknowcontentmentina

deepersense.As thisversesays,“Whenaction ispureandselfless,everythingsettlesintoitsownperfectplace.”Nowthat’smydefinitionofcontentment!

4thVerseTheTaoisemptybutinexhaustible,bottomless,

theancestorofitall.

Withinit,thesharpedgesbecomesmooth;thetwistedknotsloosen;thesunissoftenedbyacloud;thedustsettlesintoplace.

Itishiddenbutalwayspresent.Idonotknowwhogavebirthtoit.

Itseemstobethecommonancestorofall,thefatherofthings.

LivingInfinitelyTheTao is theSourceofall life,yet it is emptyand limitlessandcannotbe

constrained, quantified, or measured. This life-giving energy of creationprovidesaprofoundSourceofjoythat’saccessibleatalltimes.Ifyoulivefroman infinite perspective, you’ll relinquish the idea that your only identity is thephysicalbodyinwhichyouprogressfrombirthtodeath.Inyourtotality,you’reaninfinitebeingdisguisedasapersonexistingintheworldof“sharpedges”and“twistedknots”thatthisverserefersto.Coalescingwithinandaroundyouatalltimes is the invisible life-giving force of the Tao. It is inexhaustible. It isbottomless.Itcannotbedepleted.This 4th verse of the Tao invites you to consider rearranging your thoughts

aboutwhoyou are. It seems to be saying that cultivating an awareness of theinfiniteaspectofyourselfisthewaytotapintothelimitlessSourceofcreativeenergythatflowsthroughyou.Forexample,youmaywanttohelplessfortunatepeopleimprovetheirday-to-dayexistence,butyoudon’tbelievethatyouhavethetimeorenergytodosobecauseofwhoyouareandwhatyoupresentlydo.As you relax your hold on the idea of yourself as the job you do or the lifeyou’re living and seek to acquaint yourself with the limitless creative energythat’sapartofyou,thetimeandenergyyourequirewillappear.Imagining yourself helping others, guided by the infinite aspect of yourself,

will generate behavior and actions that complement your vision through the“commonancestor”oftheTao.Ultimately,you’llcultivateanabsoluteknowingthatwhatever assistance you need is right here and right now—in front of, inbackof,above,andbelowyou.Itisempty,yetverymuchpresent.Itis,asLao-tzuremindsyou,“inexhaustible,bottomless,theancestorofitall.”AwarenessoftheomnipresenceoftheTaomeansthatthoughtsofshortagesor

lack aren’t prevalent.Beliefs such as “There’s noway thiswill happen,” “It’snotmydestiny,”or“Withmy luck, thingscouldneverworkout,”cease tobeentertained. Instead,youbegin toexpect thatwhatyou imagine foryourself isnot only on its way—it’s already here! This new self-portrait based on thecooperativepresenceoftheinvisibleTaoelevatesyoutolivinganinspiredlife—thatis,oneofbeing“inspirit”orinunendingtouchwiththeTao.Whenyouliveinfinitely,therewardsareasenseofpeacefuljoybecauseyouknowthatallisinorder.

ThisiswhatIimagineLao-tzu’sancientwordsmeaninourmodernera:Considerallthingsthatseemtobeaproblem

fromtheperspectiveoftheeternalTao.Believingthat there’sashortageofprosperity isasignal to thinkin termsof

theinexhaustibleSource:theTao.Justlikeeverythingelseonourplanet,moneyis available in limitless quantities. Know this and connect to the bottomlesssupply.Doitfirstinyourthoughtsbyaffirming:EverythingIneednowishere.Prosperity thoughts are energetic instructions to access your infinite self, soactionswillfollowthem.Take this same approach—staying in harmonywith the Tao—to all of your

problems,forthere’sanall-encompassingsupplyofwell-beingtopartnerwith.Soratherthangivingenergytoillnessandperceivedmisfortunes,staywiththeTao.Staywithwhatcanneverbeusedup.Staywiththatwhichisthefatherofallthings,thecreativeSourceofall.Itwillworkwithandforyou,asyouhaveitinyourthoughts,theninyourfeelings,andfinallyinyouractions.

Beaninfiniteobserver.Whenacknowledgedasasignofchange,worryistransitory—it’ssimplypart

oftheworldofthechanging.Ifyouviewyourlifefromthevantagepointofaninfinite observer, concerns, anxieties, and struggles blend into the eternalmix.From this ageless perspective, picture how important the things you feeldepressed about now will be in a hundred, a thousand, a million, or anuncountable number of years. Remember that you, like the infinite Tao fromwhichyouoriginated,arepartofaneternalreality.RearrangeyourthoughtstopracticethinkinginalignmentwiththeTao.With

theassistanceof theeternalTao,allof thesharpedgesof life smoothout, theknotsloosen,andthedustsettles.Tryit!

DotheTaoNow

Pick a situation today (any situation will work), and instead of verballyresponding, be silent and listen to your thoughts. For example, in a socialgatheringorbusinessmeeting,choosetoseektheemptinessfoundinsilencein

ordertobeawareofyourinfiniteself.Inviteittoletyouknowwhenorwhetherto respond. If you find your worldly ego interpreting or judging, then justobserve thatwithout criticizing or changing it. You’ll begin to findmore andmoresituationswhereitfeelspeacefulandjoyfultobewithoutresponse...justtobeintheinfinitythat’shiddenbutalwayspresent.Youmightwant toduplicate thisadviceofmy teacherNisargadattaMaharaj

andpostitconspicuouslysothatyoucanreaditdaily:WisdomisknowingIamnothing,loveisknowingIameverything,andbetweenthetwomylifemoves.

Andwhileyou’reliving,stayasclosetoloveasyoucan.

5thVerseHeavenandearthareimpartial;

theyseethe10,000thingsasstrawdogs.Thesageisnotsentimental;

hetreatsallhispeopleasstrawdogs.

Thesageislikeheavenandearth:Tohimnoneareespeciallydear,noristhereanyonehedisfavors.

Hegivesandgives,withoutcondition,offeringhistreasurestoeveryone.

Betweenheavenandearthisaspacelikeabellows;emptyandinexhaustible,

themoreitisused,themoreitproduces.

Holdontothecenter.Manwasmadetositquietlyandfindthetruthwithin.

LivingImpartiallyTheTaodoesnotdiscriminate—period!Likeheavenandearth,itisimpartial.

The Tao is the Source of all, the great invisible provider. It doesn’t showpreference by giving energy to somewhile depriving others; rather, the basiclife-sustaining components of air, sunshine, atmosphere, and rain are providedfor all on our planet. By choosing to harmonize our inner and outerconsciousnesswiththispowerfulfeatureoftheTao,wecanrealizethetrueselfthat we are. The true self is our unsentimental sage aspect that livesharmoniouslywith theTao.Thisaspectdoesn’tview life inone formasmoredeserving than another, and it refuses to play favorites. Or, as Lao-tzu states,“Hetreatsallhispeopleasstrawdogs.”Lao-tzu uses this term to describe how the Tao (as well as the enlightened

ones) treats the 10,000 things that comprise the world of the manifest. InStephenMitchell’stranslationoftheTaoTeChing,heexplainsthat“strawdogswereritualobjects,veneratedbeforetheceremonybutafterwardabandonedandtrampled underfoot.” In other words, Taoism reveres and respects existenceimpartially, as an ebb and flow that is to be revered and then released.Withimpartialawareness,thesagegenuinelyseesthesacrednesswithinallthestrawdogsinthisceremonywecalllife.The 5th verse encourages us to be aware of this unbiased Source and, as a

bonus, to enjoy the paradoxical nature of theTao. Themore rapportwe havewith the energy of the Tao and the more we’re living from its all-creatingperspective, themore it is available to us. It’s impossible to use it up—ifweconsumemore, we simply receive more. But if we attempt to hoard it, we’llexperienceshortagesourselves,alongwiththefailureofhavingevenawispofunderstanding. The Tao and its inexhaustible powers paradoxically disappearwhenweattempttoexcludeanyonefromitsunprejudicednature.ThevariedformsoflifeareillusoryasfarastheTaoisconcerned,sonooneis

special or better than anyone else. This sentiment is echoed in the Christianscriptures:“[God]sendsrainontherighteousandtheunrighteous”(Matt.5:45).Practicing impartiality is a way to incorporate the 5th verse of the Tao Te

Ching intoyour life,and topractice itswisdomin today’sworld.To thatend,thisiswhatIbelieveLao-tzuwastryingtoimparttousfromhis2,500-year-oldvantagepoint:

StayinharmonywiththeimpartialessenceoftheTaoinallofyourthoughtsandallofyourbehaviors.

Whenyouhaveathoughtthatexcludesothers,you’veelectedtoseeyourselfas “special” and therefore deservingof exceptional favor fromyourSourceofbeing.Themomentyou’vepromotedyourselftothiscategory,you’veelevatedyour self-importance above those whom you’ve decided are less deserving.Thinkingthiswaywillcauseyoutolosetheall-encompassingpoweroftheTao.Organizations—including religious groups—that designate some members as“favored” aren’t centered in the Tao. No matter how much they attempt toconvincethemselvesandothersoftheirspiritualconnection,theactofexclusionandpartialityeliminatestheirfunctioningfromtheirtrueself.Inotherwords,ifathoughtorbehaviordividesus,itisnotofGod;ifitunitesus,itisofGod.Staycenteredon thisTao that resideswithinyou,Lao-tzuadvises,andyou’llneverhaveathoughtthatisn’tinharmonywithspirit.

Offeryourtreasurestoeveryone.

This is what the Tao is doing at every moment—offering to all, the entirespectrumofcreation.Thinkofthisasasimplethree-stepprocess:1. Eliminate asmany judgments of others in your thoughts as possible. The

simplest, most natural way to accomplish this is to see yourself in everyone.Rememberthatyouandthoseyoujudgeshareonethingincommon—theTao!So rather thanviewing appearances,which are reallynothingmore than strawdogs, see theunfoldingof theTao in thoseyouencounter,andyourcriticismsandlabelswilldissolve.2.Removethewordspecialfromyourvocabularywhenyourefertoyourself

orothers.Ifanyoneisspecial,thenweallare.Andifwe’reallexceptional,thenwedon’tneedawordlikethattodefineus,sinceitclearlyimpliesthatsomearemorefavoredthanothers!3. Finally, implement the third step of this process by extending generosity

throughlivingtheTaoimpartiallyandconnectingwiththeinnerspaceofbeingthe Tao. In this space you’ll be able to be unbiased about your possessions,recognizing that they’re not exclusively yours but are rather a part of theentirety.Byunconditionallysharingandgiving,you’llthrillattheexperienceofliving theTaoandbeingunprejudiced.TheTao isyour truth; it resideswithin

you.QuietlybeinthepeaceandjoyofconnectingwiththeinexhaustibleTao.

DotheTaoNowAsmanytimesaspossibletoday,decidetoapproachinteractionsorsituations

involving other people with a completely fair mind-set, which you allow andtrusttoguideyourresponses.Dothisasoftenasyoucanforanentiredaywithindividuals, groups, friends, family members, or strangers. Create a shortsentence that you silently repeat to continually remind yourself that you’reapproachingthissituationwithanunbiasedattitude,suchasGuidemerightnow,Tao;HolySpirit,guidemenow;orHolySpirit,helpusnow.Keepingthisbriefsentenceonaloopinyourmindwillpreventjudgmentfromhabituallysurfacing—butevenmoreappealingisthefeelingofrelaxationandopennesstowhateverwantstohappeninthosemomentsofimpartiality.

6thVerseThespiritthatneverdies

iscalledthemysteriousfeminine.Althoughshebecomesthewholeuniverse,herimmaculatepurityisneverlost.

Althoughsheassumescountlessforms,hertrueidentityremainsintact.

Thegatewaytothemysteriousfemaleiscalledtherootofcreation.

Listentohervoice,hearitechothroughcreation.

Withoutfail,sherevealsherpresence.Withoutfail,shebringsustoourownperfection.Althoughitisinvisible,itendures;itwillneverend.

LivingCreativelyIn this 6th verse, Lao-tzu refers to an eternal and indescribable force of

creation that continuously gives birth to new life. He tells us that this“mysterious female” energy continually reveals itself in perfection, and heinvites us to an awareness of that voice of creation echoing throughout life inmyriadways. “Living creatively” is how I describe existingwith a consciousawarenessofthepresenceofthisfeminineprinciple.Thismysteriousfemaleisalwaysbirthing,andtheTaoTeChingspeaksofthe

gatewaytoherasthe“rootofcreation.”It’stellingusthatwehavetheabilitytotapintothisunlimitedfieldandco-create,orasI’vesaid,livecreativelythroughtheTao.Thenever–dyingformativeenergyisbothourheritageandourdestiny,functioningwhetherwe’reconsciousofitornot.Whatawarenessaccomplishes,throughpracticingtheTao,istoletusparticipateintheprocess—whichinturnleadsustowardthewholenessthatisourultimateearthboundtask.Although his writings are almost 3,000 years old, Lao-tzu is offering 21st-

centuryadvicehere,withamessage that’sas timelessandnever-endingas theTaoitself.Wordsmaychange,butbeassuredthatthefeminineenergycanandwillbringyoutoyourownperfection.Ifyouchoosetobeawareoftheinherentcreativity that resonates deep within you, where the invisible Tao sings theloudest, you’ll assist the birthing of new ideas, new accomplishments, newprojects,andnewwaysofunderstandingyourlife.InDengMing-Dao’s365Tao:DailyMeditations,theDivinefeminineenergy

isequatedwiththesoundofbirdssoaringandglidingoveravastlandscape:You can feel this in your life: Events will take on a perfect

momentum, a glorious cadence. You can feel it in your body: Theenergywill rise up in you in a thrilling crescendo, setting your verynervesaglow.Youcan feel it inyour spirit:Youwill enter a stateofsuchperfect grace that youwill resoundover the landscapeof realitylikeephemeralbirdsong.WhenTaocomestoyouinthisway,rideitforallthatyouareworth.

Don’t interfere.Don’t stop. . . .Don’t try todirect it.Let it flowandfollowit....Aslongasthesonglasts,follow.Justfollow.

Herearesomethoughtsforlivingcreatively:

KnowthatyouareaDivinecreationbirthed,notbyyourparents,butbythegreatspritualDivineMother,theTao.

Whenyou’reintouchwiththeenergyofyourorigin,youoffertheworldyourauthentic intelligence, talents, and behaviors. You’re co-creatingwith the youthatoriginatedintheTao,withtheverymeasureofyouressence.TheTaoisnotconfusedaboutwhattocreateandhowtogoaboutit,asthisis

yourlegacyfromthemysteriousfeminine.Listentoyourinnercallings,ignorehowothersmightwanttodirectyourlifeenergies,andallowyourselftoradiateoutwardwhatyoufeelsoprofoundlyanddeeplywithinyou.Thereisareservoirof talent, ability, and intelligence inside of you that’s as endless andinexhaustibleas theTao itself. Itmustbe thatway,becauseyouarewhatyoucame from, and where you came from is this all-encompassing, endlesslycreativeDivineMother,themysteriousfeminineoftheTao.Whateveryoufeelwithinyouasyourcalling—whatevermakesyoufeelalive

—knowinyourheart that thisexcitement isall theevidenceyouneed tohaveyourinnerpassionbecomereality.Thisispreciselyhowcreationworks...andit’sthatenergythatharmonizeswiththeTao.Becreative—inyourthoughts,inyourfeelings,andinallofyouractions.

Applyyourownuniquenesstoeverythingyouundertake.Whatever you feel compelled to do—be it writemusic, design software, do

floral arrangements, clean teeth, or drive a taxi—do itwith your unique flair.Beingcreativemeanstrustingyourinnercalling,ignoringcriticismorjudgment,and releasing resistance to your natural talents. Reread this 6th verse, payingparticular attention to these words: “Without fail, she reveals her presence.Withoutfail,shebringsustoourownperfection.”Thenchoosetoletgoofthedoubtandfearyou’veharboredwithinyouregardingyourcapacitytoharmonizewith the creative power—apower that’s not only greater than your individuallife,butislifeitself.Asthegreat14th-centurySufipoetHafizremindsallofus:

JustsitthererightnowDon’tdoathing

Justrest.

ForyourseparationfromGod,Fromlove,

IsthehardestworkInthisWorld.

Whenyou reconnect toyourDivineMother,you’llbe livingcreatively.Youwill,infact,belivingtheTao!

DotheTaoNowToday, notice babies and small children. Look for the mysterious feminine

natureinlittleboysandgirlswhohaven’tyetbecomesoattunedtoculturalandsocietal demands that their true selves are hidden. Can you see some whoseinherentnatureisintact?Noticewhatseemstobetheirnaturalcharacter,ortheirgiftfromtheTao.Thentrytorecallyourselfasachild,whenthenatural,Tao-given self was unaware of the ego-self—the time before you believed thatacquisitionsorpowerwereimportant.Whowereyou?Whoareyou?Yes,todayspendafewmomentswithayoungchildandcontemplatehisorher

connectiontotheTaoandhowitunfoldsperfectlywithoutanyinterference.

7thVerseHeaveniseternal—theearthendures.Whydoheavenandearthlastforever?Theydonotliveforthemselvesonly.Thisisthesecretoftheirdurability.

Forthisreasonthesageputshimselflastandsoendsupahead.Hestaysawitnesstolife,

soheendures.

Servetheneedsofothers,andallyourownneedswillbefulfilled.

Throughselflessaction,fulfillmentisattained.

LivingBeyondEgoTheopeninglineofthis7thverseoftheTaoTeChingisareminderthatthe

Tao,theSourceofheavenandearth,iseternal.Byextension,theoriginalnatureoflifeiseverlastingandenduring.Thereisaqualitythatsupportsthisdurability,however, and that quality respondswhenwe live from our Tao center, ratherthanfromourworldlyegocenter.Identifyingexclusivelywiththephysicalityoflife—and basing our existence on acquiring and achieving things—disregardsourinfinitenatureandlimitsourawarenessofTaoness.Insuchafinitesystem,itthereforeseemslogicaltostriveforpossessionsandaccomplishments.Being civilized in most cultures primarily constitutes being consumed with

attaining“success”intheacquisitionofpowerandthings,whichsupposedlywillprovidehappinessandpreventunhappiness.Theprimaryideaisofaselfwho’sa separate being in a separate body, with a name, and with cultural andbiological data that are similar in values and patriotism to others. The Tao,particularly in this 7th verse, is suggesting that we update those notions andchoosetoexistformorethanourselvesorourtribe—thatis,toradicallychangeourthoughtsinordertochangeourlives.Lao-tzusaysthesecretoftheineffablenatureoftheeternalTaoisthatitisn’t

identifiedwith possessions or in asking anything of its endless creations. TheTaoisagivingmachinethatneverrunsoutofgiftstooffer,yetitasksnothinginreturn.Becauseofthisnaturaltendencytoliveforothers,theTaoteachesthatitcanneverdie.Givingandimmortalitythengohandinhand.ThesagewhograspstheeverlastingnatureoftheTaohasgonebeyondfalse

identificationwiththeego,andinsteadhasalivingconnectiontotheTao.Thispersonputsothersfirst,asksnothinginreturn,andwholeheartedlyserves.Inthisway,thesagelivestheultimateparadoxoftheTao—bygivingwithoutasking,he attracts everything that he’s capable of handling or needing. By puttinghimself last, the sage ends up ahead. By putting others before himself, heenduresjustliketheTao.ThesageemulatesthenaturalphilanthropyoftheTao,andallofhisneedsarefulfilledintheprocess.Theegoisademandingforcethat’sneversatisfied:Itconstantlyrequiresthat

weseekmoremoney,power,acquisitions,glory,andprestigetoprovidethefuelitthinksitmusthave.LivingaTao-centeredliferatherthananego-centeredoneremovesusfromthatratrace,asitoffersinnerpeaceandsatisfyingfulfillment.

ThisiswhatIbelievethewisdomofthisverseoftheTaoTeChingissayingforthe21stcentury:

Makeanattempttoreverseego’sholdonyoubypracticingtheTao’steachingto“servetheneedsofothers,andallyourownneedswillbe

fulfilled.”Generouslythinkingofandservingotherswillleadtomatchingyourbehaviors

withtheperpetualrhythmoftheTao—thenitspowerwillflowfreely,leadingtoa fulfilling life. Ego wants the opposite, however, as it tells you to think ofyourself first and “get yours” before someone else beats you to it. The mainproblemwithlisteningtoegoisthatyou’realwayscaughtinthetrapofstrivingandneverarriving.Thus,youcanneverfeelcomplete.Asyoureachoutinthoughtsandbehaviors,youactivatelovingenergy,which

issynonymouswithgiving.Putothersaheadofyouinasmanywaysaspossiblebyaffirming:IseethesacredinvisibleSourceofallinitseternalstateofgivingandaskingnothinginreturn.Ivowtobethis,too,inmythoughtsandbehaviors.When you’re tempted to focus on your personal successes and defeats, shift

your attention in that very moment to a less fortunate individual. You’ll feelmoreconnectedtolife,aswellasmoresatisfiedthanwhenyou’redwellingonyourowncircumstances.Imaginewhat itwouldbelikeifyoudismissedego’sholdonyou.Serveothersandwatchhowallthatyougivereturnstoyoutenfold.ThepoetHafizexpressesthisattitudeperfectly:

EveryoneIsGodspeaking.

WhynotbepoliteandListentoHim?

Stopthechaseandbeawitness.Themoreyoupursuedesires,themorethey’lleludeyou.Trylettinglifecome

toyouandbegintonoticethecluesthatwhatyoucraveisonitsway.You’reina constant state of receivingbecause of the ceaseless generosity of the eternalTao.Theairyoubreathe,thewateryoudrink,thefoodyoueat,thesunshinethatwarmsyou, thenutrients thatkeepyourbodyalive,andeventhe thoughts thatfillyourmindareallgiftsfromtheeternalTao.Stayappreciativeofallthatyou

receive,knowingthatitflowsfromanall-providingSource.Stopthechaseandbecome a witness—soothe your demanding habits by refusing to continuerunningaftermore.Bylettinggo,youletGod;andevenmoresignificantly,youbecomemorelikeGodandlessliketheego,withitslifetimepracticeofedgingGodout.

DotheTaoNowBeonthelookoutforegodemandsforanentireday.Decidetodefuseasmany

ofthemasyoucancomfortably,perhapsbyassigningtheman“intensitygrade.”Living beyond ego situations that are easy to accomplish get a low number,whilethoserequeststhataredifficulttoquellgetahighernumber.For example, let’s say that your spouse is driving a car inwhich you are a

passenger.Youseetheperfectparkingspace,butyourmatedrivesrightonby;oryouwatchhimorher takeadifferent route thanyouordinarilydo.Silentlywitnessthedegreeofdiscomfortwithyourdecisionnottosayanything.Didegoletyouknowitspreference?Or if you have a conversational opportunity to display your specialized

knowledge or describe a situationwherein youwere the recipient of honor orsuccess,notehowuncomfortableyourdecisiontoremainquietfelt.Again,didegoletyouknowitspreference?AsLao-tzusaysinthisverse,“Throughselflessaction,fulfillmentisattained.”Byholdingbackego’sdemands,evenforafewmoments,youwillfeelmoreandmorefulfilled.

8thVerseThesupremegoodislikewater,

whichnourishesallthingswithouttryingto.Itflowstolowplacesloathedbyallmen.

Therefore,itisliketheTao.

Liveinaccordancewiththenatureofthings.Indwelling,beclosetotheland.Inmeditation,godeepintheheart.

Indealingwithothers,begentleandkind.Standbyyourword.Governwithequity.

Betimelyinchoosingtherightmoment.

Onewholivesinaccordancewithnaturedoesnotgoagainstthewayofthings.Hemovesinharmonywiththepresentmoment,alwaysknowingthetruthofjust

whattodo.

LivingintheFlowTheTaoandwateraresynonymousaccordingtotheteachingsofLao-tzu.You

are water; water is you. Think about the first nine months of your life afterconception:Youlivedin,andwerenourishedby,amnioticfluid,whichistrulyunconditionalloveflowingintoyou...flowingasyou.Youarenow75percentwater(andyourbrainis85percent),andtherestissimplymuscledwater.Thinkabout themysteriousmagicalnatureof this liquidenergy thatwe take

forgranted.Try tosqueeze it,and iteludesus; relaxourhands into it,andweexperience it readily. If it stays stationary, it will become stagnant; if it isallowedtoflow,itwillstaypure.Itdoesnotseekthehighspotstobeaboveitall, but settles for the lowest places. It gathers into rivers, lakes, and streams;coursestothesea;andthenevaporatestofallagainasrain.Itmapsoutnothinganditplaysnofavorites:Itdoesn’tintendtoprovidesustenancetotheanimalsandplants.Ithasnoplanstoirrigatethefields;toslakeourthirst;ortoprovidetheopportunitytoswim,sail,ski,andscubadive.Thesearesomeofthebenefitsthatcomenaturallyfromwatersimplydoingwhatitdoesandbeingwhatitis.TheTaoasksyou to clearly see theparallels betweenyouand thisnaturally

flowingsubstancethatallowslifetosustainitself.Liveaswaterlives,sinceyouarewater.Becomeascontentedas is thefluid thatanimatesandsupportsyou.Letyourthoughtsandbehaviorsmovesmoothlyinaccordancewiththenatureofallthings.Itisnaturalforyoutobegentle,toallowotherstobefreetogowherethey’re inclined to go, and to be as they need to bewithout interference fromyou. It isnatural to trust in theeternal flow,be true toyour inner inclinations,andstick toyourword. It isnatural to treateveryoneasanequal.Allof theselessonscanbederivedbyobservinghowwater,whichsustainsalllife,behaves.It simplymoves,and thebenefits itprovidesoccur from itbeingwhat it is, inharmonywith the presentmoment and knowing the truth of precisely how tobehave.WhatfollowsiswhatLao-tzumightsaytoyou,baseduponhiswritingofthe

8thverseoftheTaoTeChing:Whenyou’refreetoflowaswater,you’refreetocommunicatenaturally—informationisexchanged,andknowledgeadvancesinawaythatbenefits

everyone.Becarefulnottoassignyourselfaplaceofimportanceaboveanyoneelse.Be

receptivetoeveryone,particularlythosewhomaynotroutinelyreceiverespect,suchastheuneducated,homeless,ortroubledmembersofoursociety.Gotothe“low places loathed by all men,” and have an openmind when you’re there.LookfortheTaoineveryoneyouencounter;andmakeaspecialefforttohaveacceptance,gentleness,andkindnesscoursethroughyoutoothers.Bynotbeingirritating,you’llbereceivedwithrespect.Bymakingeveryeffort

toavoidcontrollingthelivesofothers,you’llbeinpeacefulharmonywiththenaturalorderoftheTao.Thisisthewayyounourishotherswithouttrying.Belike water—which creates opportunities for swimming, fishing, surfing,drinking, wading, sprinkling, floating, and an endless list of benefits—by nottryingtodoanythingotherthansimplyflow.

Letyourthoughtsfloatfreely.

Forgetaboutfightinglifeortryingtobesomethingelse;rather,allowyourselftobe like thematerialcompound thatcompriseseveryaspectofyourphysicalbeing. InTheHiddenMessages inWater,MasaruEmoto explains thatwe arewater,andwaterwantstobefree.Theauthorhasthoroughlyexploredthewaysinwhich thiscompoundreacts,noting thatbyrespectingand loving it,wecan8thVerseliterallychangeitscrystallizationprocess.Ifkeptinacontainerwiththewords love, thank you,or you’re beautiful imprinted on it,water becomesbeautifulradiantcrystals.Yetifthewordsonthecontainerareyoufool,Satan,orIwillkillyou,thecrystalsbreakapart,aredistorted,andseemconfused.The implications of Emoto’s work are stupendous. Since consciousness is

locatedwithinusandwe’reessentiallywater,thenifwe’reoutofbalanceinourintentions,it’swithintherealmofpossibilitythatourintentionscanimpacttheentireplanet(andbeyond)inadestructiveway.Asourcreator,theeternalTao,mightputit,“WateroflifeamI,pouredforthforthirstymen.”

DotheTaoNow

Drinkwatersilentlytoday,whileremindingyourselfwitheachsiptonourishothersinthesamelife-flourishingwaythatstreamsgivetotheanimalsandraindeliverstotheplants.Notehowmanyplaceswateristhereforyou—servingyouby flowingnaturally.Sayaprayerofgratitude for this life-sustaining, always-

flowingsubstance.

9thVerseTokeeponfilling

isnotasgoodasstopping.Overfilled,thecuppedhandsdrip,bettertostoppouring.

Sharpenabladetoomuchanditsedgewillsoonbelost.

Fillyourhousewithjadeandgoldanditbringsinsecurity.Puffyourselfwithhonorandprideandnoonecansaveyoufromafall.

Retirewhentheworkisdone;thisisthewayofheaven.

LivingHumilityAstheeternalTaoisinacontinuousstateofcreating,itknowspreciselywhen

enoughisenough.Deepwithinourselves,wesensethatthisorganizingprincipleofunconditionalsupplyknowswhen tostop, sowedon’tneed toquestion thequantitiesthattheTaobringsforth.ThecreativeSourceisbeautifullybalancedintheprincipleofhumilityelucidatedinthis9thverseoftheTaoTeChing.The Tao has the capability to generate everything in amounts that would

stupefy an observer, yet its gentle humility seems to know when there areenough trees, flowers, bees, hippos, and every other living thing. Excess iseschewed by the Tao. It doesn’t need to show off its unlimited capacity forcreating—itknowsexactlywhentostop.ThisverseinvitesustobeinspiritualrapportwiththischaracteristicoftheTao.Cramming lifewith possessions, pleasures, pride, and activitieswhenwe’ve

obviously reachedapointwheremore is less indicatesbeing inharmonywithego,nottheTao!Livinghumilityknowswhentojuststop,letgo,andenjoythefruitsofourlabor.Thisverseclearlyanalogizesthatthepursuitofmorestatus,moremoney,morepower,moreapproval,morestuff, isasfoolishashoningacarvingknifeafterithasreacheditszenithofsharpness.Obviously,tocontinuewould just create dullness, and it is obvious that a keen edge representsperfection.Lao-tzu advises us to be careful about amassing great wealth and storing it

away. This practice contributes to a life spent keeping our fortune safe andinsured, while at the same time always feeling the need to pursue more. Hecounselsus tobesatisfiedata level thatfosters livingwithhumility.Ifwealthand famearedesired,wemustknowwhen to retire from the treadmill andbeliketheTao.Thisisthewayofheaven,asopposedtotheworldthatwelivein,whichisaddictedtomore.Wecanheightenour awareness that advertising is primarilydesigned to sell

products and servicesbyconvincingus thatweneed something inorder tobehappy.Analystsmighttellusthattheeconomyisfailingifitisn’tcontinuouslygrowing,butwecan realize that excessivegrowth, like cancer,will ultimatelydestroy itself.Wecanwitness the resultsofoverproduction in thegridlockonmosthighways:ItnowtakeslongertogofromonesideofLondontotheotherthanitdidbeforetheinventionoftheautomobile!Wealsoseethisprincipleat

workwheneverweshop. I call it “choiceoverload”—painpills forbackaches,menstrualcramps,headaches,jointpains,inthemorningoratnight,inacapsuleor liquid or powder? And this is true whether we’re purchasing toilet paper,orangejuice,oranythingelse.I believe that Lao-tzu sends the following modern advice from his ancient

perspective:Cometogripswiththeradicalconceptof“enoughisenough”!

Make this commitment even thoughyou live in aworldaddicted to the ideathat one can never have enough of anything. To paraphrase Lao-tzu, do yourwork and then step back. Practice humility rather than ostentation anduncontrolledconsumption.TheobesitycrisisintheWesternworld,particularlyin America, is a direct result of not understanding (and living) the simplewisdomofthe9thverseoftheTaoTeChing.Eat,butstopwhenyou’refull—tocontinuestuffingfoodintoasatiatedbodyistobetrappedinbelievingthatmoreof something is the cause of your happiness.And this is true of overly fillingyourself with any artificial symbol of success. Think instead of the infinitewisdomoftheTao,whichsays,“Tokeeponfillingisnotasgoodasstopping.”Enoughisnotonlyenough,it isinalignmentwiththeperfectionoftheeternalTao.

Seekthejoyinyouractivitiesratherthanfocusingonego’sagenda.

Egowantsyoutogathermoreandmorerewardsforyouractions.Ifyou’reinastateoflovingappreciationineachofyourpresentmoments,you’relettinggooftheabsurdideathatyou’reheretoaccumulaterewardsandmeritbadgesforyourefforts. Seek the pleasure in what you’re doing, rather than in how it mightultimatelybenefityou.Begintotrustinthatinfinitewisdomthatbirthedyouintothismaterialworld.After all, it knew the exact timing of your arrival here. Itdidn’t say, “If nine months will create such a beautiful baby, I’ll extend thegestationperiodtofiveyears.Nowwe’llhaveanevenmoreperfectcreation!”Nope, theTao says that ninemonths is perfect—that’swhat youget, andyoudon’tneedanymoretime.The next time you’remired in a desire formore, stop and think of theTao.

Thiscreationprinciplefullygraspstheideathatwhentheworkisdone,thenforGod’ssake,it’stimetostop!AsLao-tzuadvises,“Thisisthewayofheaven.”

Whyeverchoosetobeinconflictwiththat?

DotheTaoNowAt your next meal, practice portion control by asking yourself after several

bitesifyou’restillfamished.Ifnot,juststopandwait.Ifnohungerappears,callitcomplete.Atthisonemeal,you’llhavepracticedthelastsentenceofthe9thverseoftheTaoTeChing:“Retirewhenthe[eating]isdone;thisisthewayofheaven.”

10thVerseCarryingbodyandsoulandembracingtheone,canyouavoidseparation?

Canyouletyourbodybecomeassuppleasanewbornchild’s?

Intheopeningandshuttingofheaven’sgate,canyouplaythefemininepart?

Canyouloveyourpeopleandgovernyourdomainwithoutself-importance?

Givingbirthandnourishing;having,yetnotpossessing;

working,yetnottakingcredit;leadingwithoutcontrollingordominating.

OnewhoheedsthispowerbringstheTaotothisveryearth.

Thisistheprimalvirtue.

LivingOnenessThis verse of the Tao Te Ching examines the paradoxical nature of life on

Earth. Lao-tzu encourages the attainment of comfort with the seeminglyincompatibleoppositesofbodyandsoul,whichformthebasisofourdailylife.WeareconnectedtothepoweroftheeternalTao,whilesimultaneouslybeinginamortalphysique.Aswetakeonthisseeminglyambiguousstance,webegintosee theworld revealed as flawless.Everything that seems to be absolute is anopportunitytorecognizeitsparadoxicalreality.Thisteachingtakestheformofaseriesofquestions:Cananadultbodywith

allof theconditions inherent in theagingprocess—suchasstiffness,soreness,limitationscausedbyachingjoints,andsoon—beassuppleasanewborn’s?Isit possible to be someone who works and struggles and still be the femininespirit,birthingcreation?Canonesucceedintheseandsimilarwaysandstillbefreeoffeelingsofself-importance?IsitpossibletostaytruetotheTaowithoutallowingegotodominate,yetsuccessfullyfunctioninanego-dominatedworld?This 10th verse promotes a way of living that is guided by the power of

“embracingtheone”whentheillusionofdualityappearsmorepowerful.ReadHafiz’swritingon this subject thousandsofyears after theTaoTeChingwaswritten:

Only

ThatIlluminedOne

WhokeepsSeducingtheformlessintoform

HadthecharmtowinmyHeart.

OnlyaPerfectOne

WhoisalwaysLaughingattheword

Two

Canmakeyouknow

Of

Love.Our origin cannot be split, yet we’re in a world that all too often seems to

reject the perfect oneness that is the Tao.We can personally live the Tao bysuspendingourbeliefinoppositesandreactivatingourawarenessofitsunity—thatis,wecansurrenderegoandbeinthisworld,withoutbeingofit.This is my interpretation of Lao-tzu’s advice from his 2,500-year-old

perspective:Embraceonenessbyseeingyourselfineveryoneyouencounter.

Rather than having judgmental thoughts about those whom you regard asseparateordifferent,viewothersasanextensionofyourself.Thiswilldiminishself-importance and unite you with what Lao-tzu calls “the primal virtue.”Lettinggoofego-dominatedthoughtsletsyousensetheonenessthatyousharewith others; thus, you give yourself the opportunity to feel a part of the all-embracingTao.Practiceinnerawarenesswheneveryoufeelyourselfabouttocriticizeanyone

oranygroup.Newsreportsdesignedtoencourageyoursenseofseparatenessorsuperiorityinrelationtootherscanbeaperfecttimetodothis:Findyourselfasoneofthem.Insituationswhereyou’reexpectedtohateanassumedenemy,stopyourself from these judgments and walk an imaginary mile (or two) in theirshoes. Do so with all forms of life, even the plant world. See yourself ineveryoneandallcreations,notingtheTaointhissimpleobservation:Wearetheworld.Takepleasurefromwhatyoupossesswithoutbeingattachedtothesethings.

Letgoofyour identificationwithyourstuffandwithyouraccomplishments.Tryinsteadtoenjoywhatyoudoandallthatflowsintoyourlifesimplyforthepleasureofdoingandobservingtheflowitself.Youliterallyownnothingandnoone: All that is composed will decompose; all that is yours will leave andbecomesomeoneelse’s.Sostepbackabitandallowyourselftobeanobserverofthisworldofform.Becomingadetachedwitnesswillputyouintoastateofbliss, while loosening your tight grip on all of your possessions. It is in thisreleasingprocessthatyou’llgainthefreedomtoliveoutwhattheTaoisalwaysteachingbyexample.

DotheTaoNow

Today, practice seeing oneness where you’ve previously seen “twoness”(separation). Feel the invisible energy that beats your heart, and then notice itbeating the heart of every living creature all at once. Now feel the invisibleenergy that allows you to think, and sense it doing the same for every beingcurrentlyalive.Contemplate thesewords from theGospel ofThomas: “His disciples said to

him,‘Whenwill theKingdomcome?’Jesussaid, ‘Itwillnotcomeby lookingoutward. Itwill not say “Behold, this side” or “Behold, that one.”Rather, theKingdomof the Father is spread out upon the earth, andmen do not see it.’”Today,knowthatpracticingonenessthinkingwillhelpyouseethatKingdom.

11thVerseThirtyspokesconvergeuponasinglehub;itisontheholeinthecenterthatthe

useofthecarthinges.

Shapeclayintoavessel;itisthespacewithinthatmakesituseful.

Carvefinedoorsandwindows,buttheroomisusefulinitsemptiness.

Theusefulnessofwhatisdependsonwhatisnot.

LivingfromtheVoidIn this thought-provoking 11th verse of theTaoTeChing,Lao-tzu cites the

value of an emptiness that often goes unnoticed. He explains this idea withimagesoftheholeinthecenterofahub,thespacewithinaclayvessel,andtheinterior areaof a room,concluding that “theusefulnessofwhat isdependsonwhatisnot.”Inotherwords,separatedparts lacktheusefulnessthat thecentercontributes.Thispassage invitesus to livefromthe invisiblevoid that’sat thecoreofourbeing;thatis,tochangehowwethinkaboutit.Consider the paradoxical termnonbeing as you ponder your own beingness.

You’recomprisedofbones,organs,andriversoffluidsthatareencapsulatedbyahugesheetofskinmoldedtoholdyoutogether.There’sdefinitelyadistinctivequalityofbeingness that is“you”in thisarrangementofbodilyparts—yet if itwerepossible todisassembleyouand lay all ofyour still-functioningphysicalcomponentsonablanket,therewouldbenoyou.Althoughallofthepartswouldbe there, their usefulness depends on a nonbeingness, or in Lao-tzu’s words,“whatisnot.”Imagine lining up thewalls of the room you’re presently in,with all of the

elementspresent:Without the spaceof the center, it’sno longer a room, eventhougheverythingelseisthesame.Aclaypotisnotapotwithouttheemptinessthattheclayencapsulates.Ahouseisnotahouseifthereisnoinnerspacefortheexteriortoenclose.A composer once toldme that the silence fromwhich each note emerges is

moreimportantthanthenoteitself.Hesaidthatit’stheemptyspacebetweenthenotesthatliterallyallowsthemusictobemusic—ifthere’snovoid,there’sonlycontinuous sound.You can apply this subtle awareness to everything that youexperienceinyourdailylife.Askyourselfwhatmakesatree,atree.Thebark?Thebranches?Theroots?Theleaves?Allofthesethingsarewhatis.Andallofthemdonotconstitutea tree.What’sneeded tohavea tree iswhat isnot—animperceptible,invisiblelifeforcethateludesyourfivesenses.Youcancutandcarveandsearchthecellsofatreeendlesslyandyou’llnevercaptureit.In the first line of this verse, that hole in the center that’s necessary for the

movementof thewheelcanbelikenedto thevoidthat’svitalforyoutomovethroughinyourlife.Youhaveaninnerstateofnonbeingatyourcenter,sotakenote of what is visible (your body) as well as the invisible essence that your

existencedependsupon..theTaopartofyou.ThefollowingiswhatIhearLao-tzusayingtoyouregardingthisconceptof

livinginthevoidintoday’sworld:Yourimperceptiblecenterisyourvitalessence.

Take the time toshiftyourattention to theso-callednothingness that isyouressence. What does it beckon you toward? The space emanates from theinvisiblenessthat’sresponsibleforallofcreation,andthethoughtsthatemergefromyourinnerselfarepureloveandkindness.Yourinnernonbeingnessisn’taseparatepartofyou,soseekthatmysterious

centerandexploreit.Perhapsthinkofitasaspacecontainedbyyourphysicalself,fromwhichallofyourthoughtsandperceptionsflowintotheworld.Ratherthantryingtohavepositive,lovingnotions,simplybesensitivetotheessenceofyourbeingness.Thewayof theTao is toallow rather than to try.Thus,allowthat essential center of pure love to activate your unique usefulness. Allowthoughtsthatemergetoenteryourphysicalselfandthenleave.Allowandletgo,just like your breathing. And vow to spend some time each day just beingattentivetotheawesomepowerofyourimperceptiblevitalessence.

Practicethepowerofsilenceeveryday.There aremany individualways of doing this. For example,meditation is a

wonderful tool to help you feel the bliss that accompanies your connection toyourinnervoid,thatplacewhereyouexperiencethewayoftheTao.Vowtobemoreawareofthe“placelessplace”withinyou,whereallofyourthoughtsflowoutward.Findyourwaytoenterthespacewithinyouthatisclean,pure,andinharmonywithlove.The difference between saints and the rest of us isn’t that they have loving,

purebeliefsandwedon’t;rather,theyfunctionsolelyfromtheiressence,wherethe way of the Tao flows invisibly through their physical being. This is theprimary purpose of learning tomeditate, or to be in the silence, inviting youressencetorevealitselfandallowingyoutoliveinthevoid.

DotheTaoNow

Spendatleast15minutestodaylivinginthevoidthatisyou.Ignoreyourbodyandyoursurroundings;letgoofyourmaterialidentificationssuchasyourname,

age,ethnicity,jobtitle,andsoon;andjustbeinthatspacebetween—thatvoidwhichisabsolutelycrucialtoyourveryexistence.Lookoutatyourworldfrom“what is not” and appreciate that your very usefulness as a material being iscompletelydependentupon thisvoid.Work todayonbefriending this“what isnot”partofyou.

12thVerseThefivecolorsblindtheeye.Thefivetonesdeafentheear.Thefiveflavorsdullthetaste.

Thechaseandthehuntcrazepeople’sminds.

Wastingenergytoobtainrareobjectsonlyimpedesone’sgrowth.

Themasterobservestheworldbuttrustshisinnervision.

Heallowsthingstocomeandgo.Hepreferswhatiswithintowhatiswithout.

LivingwithInnerConviction

In this passage of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu reminds us that far toomuchattentionisgiventothepleasuresandexperiencesofthesensesattheexpenseofour inner vision. Focusing exclusively on sensory data creates a world ofappearances,which are ultimately illusions. Since everything comes and goes,thenatureofthematerialworldisobviouslyrestrictedtotransitorystatus.Whenour eyes see only the colors before them, they’re destined to becomeblind towhatliesbeyondtheworldofappearances.Wecannotknowthecreatorifwe’refocusedexclusivelyonwhat’sbeencreated.Inthesameway,weloseourowncreativitywhenwe’reunawareofwhat’sbehindallactsofcreation.Sight, scent, sound, touch, and taste are thedomainsof the senses. If you’re

locked into abelief that thepursuit of sensory satisfaction is the focusof life,you’llbeconsumedbywhatLao-tzucalls“thechase.”Thisquestforadoration,money,andpowerisawasteofenergybecausethere’sneverenough,sostrivingformoredefinesyourdaily regimen.Youcan’t arrive at aplaceofpeace andinnersatisfactionwhenyourentireexistenceismotivatedbynothavingenough.Infact,Lao-tzustatesthattherelentlesschaseisaformulaforcraziness.ThepersonwholivesaccordingtothewayoftheTaoisreferredtoasasageor

a master, an enlightened being observing the world but not identifyingexclusivelywithwhat’svisible;beingintheworld,whilesimultaneouslyawareof not being of this world. The master goes within, where inner convictionsreplace the chase. In silence, sustenance is enjoyed beyond the dictates of thepalate.Fromaninnerperspective,nothingmoreisneeded.Awareofhisorherinfinite nature, the sage has the realization that this is a temporary world ofphysicalappearances,whichincludesthebodythatheorshearrivedinandwillleavein.Themasterseesthefollyofappearancesandavoidstheseductivelureofacquisitionsandfame.Ibelieve that our ancient friendand teacherLao-tzuwanted to convey these

simpletruthswhenhedictatedthe12thverseoftheTaoTeChing:Extendyourperspectivebeyondthesensorylevel.

Your innerconvictionknows thata rose ismore thana flower,as itoffersapleasantfragranceandvelvetypetals.Usethatknowingtoperceivethecreative,

invisible force that brings an intricate bloomingmiracle fromnowhere tonowhere. Experience the essence of the creator who allowed this blossomingmasterpiecetoemergefromatinyseed.Notethattheseedarrivedfromwhatwecanonly refer toas theworldof formlessnothingnessor spirit.See that spiritanimating the colors, scents, and textures; and look at all of life from atranscendent perspective. You’ll be less inclined to join the chase and moreinclined to live from the inner conviction that your true essence is not of thisworld.

Discontinuepressuringyourselftoperpetuallyaccumulatemore.Letothersbe consumedwith the chase if they choose to,whileyou learn to

relax.Ratherthanfocusingoutward,turninward.Cultivateaweandappreciationasinnertouchstones,ratherthananouterdeterminationformoreadorationandaccumulation.Whenyouseeabeautifulsight,hearanenchantingsound,ortasteamouthwatering delicacy, allow yourself to think of themiraclewithin thesesensory pleasures. Be like the master who “prefers what is within to what iswithout.” Allow things to come and go without 12th Verse any urgency tobecomeattachedtothisephemeralworldofcomingsandgoings.

DotheTaoNowPlantaseedandcultivateit,observingitsinnernaturethroughoutitslifetime.

Journalwhat’swithin thebud,andgaze inaweatwhat’s in thatseed thatwillonedaycreateaflower.Thenextendthesameawetoyourselfandtheseedthathadyoucontainedinsideaswell.Usethisasareminderofyourinvisibleinnerself,whichistheTaoatwork.

13thVerseFavoranddisgraceseemalarming.

Highstatusgreatlyafflictsyourperson.

Whyarefavoranddisgracealarming?Seekingfavorisdegrading:alarmingwhenitisgotten,alarmingwhenitislost.

Whydoeshighstatusgreatlyafflictyourperson?Thereasonwehavealotoftroubleisthatwehaveselves.

Ifwehadnoselves,whattroublewouldwehave?

Man’strueselfiseternal,yethethinks,Iamthisbodyandwillsoondie.

Ifwehavenobody,whatcalamitiescanwehave?Onewhoseeshimselfaseverythingisfittobeguardianoftheworld.Onewholoveshimselfaseveryoneisfittobeteacheroftheworld.

LivingwithanIndependentMind

Theessentialmessageofthis13thverseoftheTaoTeChingseemstobethatit’scrucialtoremainindependentofboththepositiveandnegativeopinionsofother people.Regardless ofwhether they love or despise us, ifwemake theirassessmentsmoreimportantthanourown,we’llbegreatlyafflicted.Seekingthefavorofothersisn’tthewayoftheTao.Pursuingstatusstopsthe

natural flow of Divine energy to your independent mind. You have a basicnaturethatisuniquelyyours—learntotrustthatTaonatureandbefreeofotherpeople’sopinions.Allowyourselftobeguidedbyyouressentialbeingness,the“naturalyou” thatnourishesyour independentmind.Bycontrast,chasingafterfavored status or lofty titles to display self-importance are examples of livingfromamindthatdependsonexternalsignalsratherthanthenaturalinnervoice.TheTaodoesn’tforceorinterferewiththings;it letsthemworkintheirown

way toproduce resultsnaturally.Whateverapproval issupposed tocomeyourwaywilldosoinperfectalignment.Whateverdisfavorshowsupisalsoapartofthisperfectalignment.Lao-tzuwrylypointsoutthatpursuingfavorisalarming,regardlessoftheoutcome.Ifyougainapproval,you’llbecomeaslavetooutsidemessagesofpraise—someoneelse’sopinionwillbedirectingyour life. Ifyougaindisfavor,you’llpushevenhardertochangetheirminds,andyou’llstillbedirected by forces outside of yourself. Both outcomes result in the dependentminddominating,asopposed to thewayof theTao, inwhich the independentmindflowsfreely.This13thverseinsiststhategoandtheneedforimportancearetroublemakers

thatareenergizedbyyourin-the-worldself.ThewayoftheTaoistobeawareofyoureternalnatureandstepoutsideofyourselforbody.Noegomeansnotrouble;bigegoequalsbigtrouble.TheTaoTeChingrhetoricallyinquires,“Ifwe have no body, what calamities can we have?” If you ask yourself thisquestion, you’ll discover a Divine, invisible soul that’s independent of theopinionsofalltheafflictedseekerspopulatingtheworld.InthespiritoftheTao,yourtruenaturewillreplacethepursuitofexternalfavorwiththeawarenessthatwhatothersthinkofyouisreallynoneofyourbusiness!PracticethefollowingprinciplesinLao-tzu’smessageandgainimmeasurable

innerpeace.You’llbeinbalancewiththenaturallawoftheuniverse,livingwithanindependentmindinthespiritoftheTao:

Practicetrustingyourowninnernature.Every passionate thought that you have regarding how youwant to conduct

yourlifeisevidencethatyou’reinharmonywithyourownuniquenature—yourferventbelief isallyouneed.Ifyou’retemptedtofeel insecurebecauseothersdisagree with you, recall that Lao-tzu counseled that “seeking favor isdegrading”andwillleadyououtoftouchwithyourtrueself.Giveyourselfpermissiontorememberthatyou’renotonlyyourbody,andthat

others’ opinions aboutwhat you should or shouldn’t be doing probably aren’ttakingintoaccountyourtrue,eternalbeing.Thoseotherpeoplearealsonotonlytheirbodies,soseekingtheirapprovaldoublestheillusionthatthephysicalisallweare.Your worldly self isn’t your true identity, so trust your eternal self to

communicate with you. It will do so through your inner nature, where you’llhonor it through an independent mind. Respect your vision and trust yournatural,passionatethoughtsthatarealignedwiththelovingessenceoftheTao.

PracticebeingthepersonLao-tzudescribesinthis13thverse.Affirm the following: I am a guardian of the world and I am fit to be the

teacheroftheworld.Why?Becauseyourecognizeyourconnectiontoeveryoneand everything through an independentmindwhose Source is love.By livingfrom your eternal self, you’ll become a mystical teacher and guardian. Theapprovalthatyourworldlyselfsoughtwillbefeltaswhatitwas—thedependentmind’sstruggletoengagelifeasifitdependedonexternalapproval.

DotheTaoNowAsk yourself right now,What’s my own nature if I have no outside forces

tellingmewhoorwhat I shouldbe?Thenworkat livingoneday incompleteharmonywithyourownnature,ignoringpressurestobeotherwise.Ifyourinnernatureisoneofpeace,love,andharmonyasamusicalgenius,forinstance,thenactonjustthattoday.

14thVerseThatwhichcannotbeseeniscalledinvisible.Thatwhichcannotbeheardiscalledinaudible.Thatwhichcannotbeheldiscalledintangible.

Thesethreecannotbedefined;therefore,theyaremergedasone.

Eachofthesethreeissubtlefordescription.Byintuitionyoucanseeit,

hearit,andfeelit.

Thentheunseen,unheard,

anduntouchedarepresentasone.

Itsrisingbringsnodawn,itssettingnodarkness;

itgoesonandon,unnameable,returningintonothingness.

Approachitandthereisnobeginning;followitandthereisnoend.Youcannotknowit,butyoucanbeit,ateaseinyourownlife.

DiscoveringhowthingshavealwaysbeenbringsoneintoharmonywiththeWay.

LivingBeyondFormTryto imaginethe ideaofforever: thatwhichhasneverchanged, thatwhich

hasnobeginningorend.Itcannotbeseen,heard,ortouched...butyouknowitisandalwayshasbeen.Thinkofthatwhichevennow,inthisverymomentasyoureadthesewords,istheveryunderstandingthat’swithinyou—thatessencethatpermeatesyouandeverythingelse,yetalwayseludesyourgrasp.Thisprimordial principlehas ruled—and still rules—all beings; all that is or

haseverbeenisaresultofitsunfolding.Lao-tzuinsiststhatyoubecomeawareof this amorphous precept by not relying upon your senses to experience thisoneness. In the opening of this verse, you’re urged to see without eyes, hearwithoutears,andholdwithouttouching;thesethreewaysoflivingbeyondformneedtobeapartofyourawareness.Theseshapelessrealmsmergeintotheoneworld of spirit (the Tao), which creates and rules all life. You’re beingencouragedtolivewithatotalawarenessofthisall-encompassingprinciple.Somescholarshavesingledoutthis14thverseoftheTaoTeChingasthemost

significantofallits81offeringsbecauseitstressesthesignificanceofthesingleprinciple that’s the underpinning of all existence. Tapping into this invisible,untouchable, immeasurable force will enable you to gain the harmony thatcomes with being connected to the oneness, and harmony is your ultimateobjectiveindecidingtolivean“in-Spirited”life.Youwanttolearntoabandonyour ego—which identifies with the world of things, possessions, andachievements—and reenter the placeless place fromwhich you and all othersoriginated.Bydoingsoyouregainthemystical,almostmagicalpowersofyoureternalSourceofbeing.Here,youlivebeyondtheworldofform.When you live exclusively “in-form,” you concentrate on accumulating “in-

form-ation.” This 14th verse of the Tao calls for you to immerse yourself ininspirationratherthaninformation,tobecomeatonewiththatwhichhasalwaysbeen.AndasthisverseoftheTaoconcludessoinsightfully,“DiscoveringhowthingshavealwaysbeenbringsoneintoharmonywiththeWay.”TheWayhasnoconflictinit.Howcouldit?Thereisonlytheonenessthatisa

blendoftheinvisible,inaudible,andintangible.Imagineaworldwhereconflictis impossible, where Lao-tzu says that there is no darkness or light. Thenameless Source that has always been gives only the peace and harmony youdesire,sorecognize this infiniteonenessandkeepit inyourawareness.You’ll

know that theWay is simply theWaywhen you stop questioningwhy thingshavebeenastheyhave!Freeofthefearsthatattendsoleidentificationwiththisworldofform,youcanembraceyourinfinitenature.Thatis,youcanloveyourforeverness, rather thandread that lifeendswith thedeathofyourbody.You,yourbody,andalloflifearetheresultoftheunwindingofthiseternity.Here’swhatLao-tzuisrelatinginthis14thverseoftheTaoTeChingfromhis

2,500-year-oldperspective:Usethetechniqueofwalkingmeditationtoobtainknowledgeofthe

absolute.Stayinapersistentstateofawarenessoftheeternalprinciplethatanimatesall

oflife.ByseeingtheunfoldingofGodineveryoneyouencounter—andinallofyour identification with your ego-based world—you’ll come to be more likeHim, and less like that which has tarnished your link to Him. This is thealignmentthatwillbringyoubackintobalanceandrestoretheharmonythatisyourtrueegolessnature.

Improveyourvisionbylookingbeyondwhatyoureyessee.Whatever yougaze upon, ask yourself,What is the true essence ofwhatmy

eyesrevealtome?Wonderaboutthatmagicalsomethingthatawakensatreeinthespringtimeandplacesblossomswherefrozenlimbsexistedonlyafewweeksbefore. Inquire,What is the energy behind the creation of that mosquito—orbehindmy every thought, for thatmatter?Do the same thingwith everythingyou hear as well. Those sounds emerge from, and return to, a silent world—improveyourhearingbylisteningforthe“quietsounds.”Awe and gratitude will grow when you embrace this forever principle. But

evengreaterthanthis,you’llawakentonewpossibilitiesthatincludeyourownDivinemagnificence.Yourmindwillfreeitselffromafalseidentificationwiththe transitoryworld, andyou’ll see theeternal in all things.Yes,Lao-tzu tellsyou, you’ll transform your life by being in-Spirit. It is here that you willrecognize what Rumi poetically offered some 1,500 years after Lao-tzu’spowerfulwords:Everytreeandplantinthemeadowseemedtobedancing,thosewhichaverage

eyeswouldseeasfixedandstill.Iurgeyoutosee thedanceof“howthingshavealwaysbeen”in theunseen,

unheard,anduntouchedpresent.

DotheTaoNow

Takenoteofasmuchinvisiblenessasyoucanwhengazingatatree,adistantstar, a mountain, a cloud, or anything else in the natural world. Embrace theprinciple thatallowsit tobe,andthenturnit inwardanddothesameforyourownphysical existence. It is the principle that expandsyour lungs, beats yourheart, and grows your fingernails—live in this principle for tenminutes todayandtakenoteofhowyoufeelconnectedtoyourSourceofBeing.

15thVerseTheancientmasterswereprofoundandsubtle.

Theirwisdomwasunfathomable.Thereisnowaytodescribeit.

Onecanonlydescribethemvaguelybytheirappearance.

Watchful,likemencrossingawinterstream.Alert,likemenawareofdanger.Simpleasuncarvedwood.

Hollowlikecaves.Yielding,likeiceabouttomelt.Amorphous,likemuddywater.

Butthemuddiestwaterclearsasitisstilled.

Andoutofthatstillnesslifearises.

HewhokeepstheTaodoesnotwanttobefull.Butpreciselybecauseheisneverfull,hecanremainlikeahiddensproutand

doesnotrushtoearlyripening.

LivinganUnhurriedLife

This 15th verse speaks of ancient masters who enjoyed an indescribablyprofoundlevelofcooperationwiththeirworld.Lao-tzuusessimilestodramatizethe flexible and peaceful lives of these sages: Imagine crossing an icywinterstreamthatmightcrackatanymoment,remainingcautiousandwatchfulwhileat thesame timealert to imminentdanger.Thesedescriptorspaintapictureofthosewholiveunhurriedlybutarealsoinaprofoundlyawarestate.Consider the twowaysofbeingpresented in thisverseof theTaoTeChing:

first to meld into, and therefore become at one with, your immediatesurroundings; and to then simultaneously stay so relaxed that your stillnessallowsallthingsaroundyoutosettle,resultinginadeepclarity.Keepalertandsubtlyaware,yetatthesametimestaystillwithin—notrushingordemanding,buttotallyinchargeofyourinnerworld.ThispassageoftheTaoremindsmeofthesewordsoftheBible:“Bestill,andknowthatIamGod”(Ps.46:10).The place of your origination is stillness, fromwhich all of creation comes.

Stay in a creative, simple state,whichLao-tzu describes as “uncarvedwood,”symbolizingbeginner’smindandunlimitedpotential.Haveamindthat’swillingtoflowwithlifeandbeshapedbytheeternalforcesoftheTao.Seeyourselfasallofthesethingsmentionedinthis15thverseoftheTao:watchful,yetrelaxedandpeaceful;alert,yetunhurriedandconfident;yielding,yetwillingtobestillandwaitforthewaterstobecomeclear.This verse reminds you that through nature, everything ultimately becomes

clear. Your purpose is to stay in harmony with nature like the sprout hiddenbeneaththesurfaceof theground,waitingunhurriedlytoemergeandfulfill itsdestiny.Itcannotberushed,norcananythinginnature.Creationtakesplaceonitsowntimetable.Themetaphorisclearhereforyouaswell:YouareunfoldinginDivineorder.All thatyou requirewillbeprovided inanunhurried fashion.Letgoofyourdemandsand trust in theperfectunfoldingof theTao.Be in astateofwatchfulgratitudeandalignwiththeWay.InattemptingtoaccessthemindandintentionsofLao-tzuthroughmeditation

and research on the Tao Te Ching, here’s what I believe he would say to ustoday:

Stopchasingyourdreams.

Allow them tocome toyou inperfectorderwithunquestioned timing.Slowdownyourfranticpaceandpracticebeinghollowlikethecaveandopentoallpossibilitiesliketheuncarvedwood.Makestillnessaregularpartofyourdailypractice.Imagineall thatyou’dliketoexperienceinlifeandthenletgo.TrusttheTao towork inDivineperfection,as itdoeswitheverythingon theplanet.You don’t really need to rush or force anything. Be an observer and receiverratherthanthepushydirectorofyourlife.ItisthroughthisunhurriedunfoldingthatyoumasteryourexistenceinthewayoftheTao.Getintheflowoflifeandallowyourselftoproceedgentlydownitsstream.GiveupstrugglingandstarttrustinginthewisdomoftheTao.Whatisyours

willcometoyouwhenyouaren’ttryingtopushtheriver.You’veprobablybeenencouragedtoactivelydirectandgoafteryourdesiresallofyourlife. . .nowit’stimetotrustintheeternalwisdomthatflowsthroughyou.TheWayofLifeAccording toLaoTzu, translatedbyWitterBynner in1944,

poeticallysumsupthe15thverseoftheTaointhisway:Howcanaman’slifekeepitscourse

Ifhewillnotletitflow?Thosewhoflowaslifeflowsknow

Theyneednootherforce:Theyfeelnowear,theyfeelnotear,Theyneednomending,norepair.

Greatadviceforlivinganunhurriedlife.

DotheTaoNow

Set this book down right now. Take ten minutes to sit quietly whilecontemplating all that you have and all that is flowing into your life on aDivinely orchestrated timetable. Be at peace and give thanks for what isallowingyourlifetounfoldsoperfectly.Letgoofallotherhurriedthoughts.

16thVerseBecometotallyempty.

Letyourheartbeatpeace.Amidsttherushofworldlycomingsandgoings,observehowendingsbecome

beginnings.

Thingsflourish,eachbyeach,onlytoreturntotheSource...towhatisandwhatistobe.

Toreturntotherootistofindpeace.Tofindpeaceistofulfillone’sdestiny.Tofulfillone’sdestinyistobeconstant.Toknowtheconstantiscalledinsight.

Notknowingthiscycleleadstoeternaldisaster.

Knowingtheconstantgivesperspective.Thisperspectiveisimpartial.

Impartialityisthehighestnobility;thehighestnobilityisDivine.

BeingDivine,youwillbeatonewiththeTao.BeingatonewiththeTaoiseternal.

Thiswayiseverlasting,notendangeredbyphysicaldeath.

LivingwithConstancy

The16th verse of theTaoTeChing describes the value of being supremelyconscious of the constant cycle of all. Rather than viewing change as adisruptive,unwantedoccurrence,youcanchoosetoviewthevariancesinyourworldasvaluableinfluencesinthecycleofaTao-centeredexistence.Whenyouseechangeastheonlyconstanttherereallyis,youstarttorecognize

itasanexpressionofongoing life that’sawelcomeclue toyourownpurposeandmeaning.Inthisway,you’rereturnedtotheexperienceofyourSourceandthepeaceofan impartialperspective.Begin thisprocessbyalteringyourego-based thoughtsand lettingyourself feel theblissofbeingatonewith theTao.Then become an acute observer of how your world really works, and allowyourselftobeinharmonywiththecyclicalnatureofalllivingthings.There’s an immutable cycle of “no life, life, no life” thatwe’re part of.All

thingscome,andthentheygo.Lifematerializesinavarietyofforms—it’shere,and then at some point it ends inwhatwe call death. This coming and goingmightseem tobea temporarycondition,but it’sactually theultimateconstantbecauseitneverceases.Embracethisnatureofcyclicalchangeandyou’llthrive.Anendingmayfeellikeareasontomourn,whetheritbetheclosingofaphase

in your life, the completion of a project, the termination of a relationship, ordeath itself. But Lao-tzu invites you to realize that after things flourish, they“return to theSource . . . towhat is andwhat is tobe.”The constancyof thecyclesoflifeisanopportunitytoreturntoyourroot,wherewhatisandwhatisto be are located. The ultimate place of peace and enlightenment is in thiscontinuousreturntothenameless,placelesssiteofyourorigination.Lao-tzu tells you that a sense of inner peace comes with returning to the

Source, where all cycles begin and end. This is the fulfillment of your ownpersonal destiny; that is, you’re here to know and be the Tao, the constantbeyondthecomingsandgoingsoflife.You’vebeeninmanybodiesalready,andyou’re inanewoneeveryday.You’vebeen inandoutofmanyrelationships,yet the eternal you survives despite transitions from beginnings back intoendings.You’renowbeingurgedtoknowyourselfasaphysicalcreationandasapieceoftheeverlastingTao.

TheTaothatanimatesallexistences,includingyourown,istotallyimpartial.Itplaysnofavorites: Itbringswinter regardlessofwhetheryouwant itornot. Itsends those you love on to other people and then back, irrespective of yourdesirestohaveitotherwise.Alloflifemustreturntoit;therearenoexceptionsorapologies.Whenyou’reunawareofthissteadyinginfluence,youattachtooneelementof

one cycle in life, leading to what Lao-tzu calls “eternal disaster.”When oneperson leavesyou, it feels like theendof theworld.Whenabusinessventurefails,you flunkoutof school,oryouhaveapainful illnessor injury,you feeldepressed.Ifyougettrappedintheseemotionalendings,you’renotpermittingthemtoalsobeanaturalpartoflife,leadingyoutofeeldisconnectedfromyourSource.Youbecomestuckinthe“rushofworldlycomingsandgoings,”unabletoremembertheconstancywhere“endingsbecomebeginnings.”Therealityisthatbeginningsareoftendisguisedaspainfulendings.Sowhen

youknowthatthere’saconstantbeyondthepresentmoment’sdisappointment,youcansense that“this tooshallpass”—italwayshasandalwayswill.Whenyouchangethewayyoulookatthings,thethingsyoulookatchange!ThisiswhatLao-tzuseemstobetellingyouinthis16thchapteroftheTaoTe

Ching:Taketimetobeanimpartialobserveroflife,particularlywhenanendingis

causingdespair.RemindyourselfthatyourSourceisatworkwithinthisevent,andthenmakea

decisiontoconnecttothatSourcewithyourthoughts.Allendingsarepartofthecyclicalprocess;you’remerely returning toa lifeofconstancy,whichLao-tzutaught in this passage. You don’t have to learn anything new, change anybehavior, or adopt any new strategies—just think about the word return, andtakecomfort in theever-constantTao,whichbringspeace todespair.TheTaoneverleavesordisappoints,anditisalwaysimpartial.Whereveryouareintheemotional cycle, you’re not being judged. Rather, you’re learning to be in allphases,freeofjudgmentandlivingwithconstancy.

Writethesewordsandposttheminaconspicuousplaceinyourlivingenvironment:Thistooshallpass.

Thisphrasewillremindyouthatchangeistheonlyconstantinlife.Everythingyou notice is in a cycle of coming and going. Everything! There are noexceptions.Know this and let your thoughts flow in the constancy of change.

Thisistheroot,theSourceofallcyclicalhappenings.Itisperfect.ItisDivine.Itis something you can totally rely upon. It brings spring flowers, it brings theagingprocess,itbringsrebirth,itbringsnewrelationships—itistheTaoanditisconstant.Returntoitandexperienceyoureternalessencehereandnow,inthetemporarycontaineryoucallyourbodyandallofitsdramas.Thistooshallpass...youcancountonit!

DotheTaoNowDedicate a day to consciously seeking situations to practice impartially

observingendingsasbeginnings,challengingyourselftofindaspecificnumberby noon. Begin in the morning by being aware that the end of asleep is thebeginning of awake. Break your waking time into sections, noticing withoutjudging the endings that make space for beginnings. Start to consciously livewithconstancybyopeningyourmindtothefactthatchangeistheonlycertainthing. Remember to include all of your feelings in its cycle—impartiallyobserving sad, for instance, permits its natural ending to transform to abeginning.You’redoingtheTao!

17thVerseWiththegreatestleaderabovethem,peoplebarelyknowoneexists.

Nextcomesonewhomtheyloveandpraise.Nextcomesonewhomtheyfear.

Nextcomesonewhomtheydespiseanddefy.

Whenaleadertrustsnoone,noonetrustshim.

Thegreatleaderspeakslittle.Heneverspeakscarelessly.

Heworkswithoutself-interestandleavesnotrace.Whenallisfinished,thepeoplesay,“Wediditourselves.”

LivingasanEnlightenedLeader

Toreflect the lesson in thisverseof theTaoTeChingmeanschanginghowyouseeauthority—whichmeansviewinggreatorenlightened leadersas thosewho don’t actually lead anyone! Through the perspective of the Tao, suchindividuals create an environment where everyone feels that they have apersonalresponsibilityto,andareapartof,theprocess.Byadoptingthismodelof an enlightened leader, you’ll be more than likely to alter the ways youcriticizeandadmirecaptainsofindustry,government,orreligion,aswellasthewayyouguideothers.The advice in this 17thverse is directed toward leaders of all kinds; in fact,

you can personalize it by substituting thewordsparentor teacher for leader.Examine thewaysyouviewyourown tactics,and thenmake thechanges thatarenecessary inorder tobesomeonewhomakesanenlighteningdifference inthelivesofothers.First,youmuststayinthebackgroundandbecomeanastuteobserverofwhat’stakingplace;thenaskyourselfhow,withoutinterfering,youcancreateanenvironmentthatwillhelpeveryoneactresponsibly.TheTaoadvisesmakingyourselfas invisibleaspossible ifyoutrulywishto

be an effective leader. Thus, perhaps your best strategy would be to actuallyleavetheroomandalloweveryoneelsetoactwithoutfeelingthattheyneedtoimpressyou.Maybeyoushouldofferaslightsuggestionandthenanimmediatedeparture.Aknowingsmileorgesturethatconveystothegroupthatyoutrustinitsabilitytofigurethingsoutmightworkbest.Possiblywhat’sneededisforyoutell a quick story of how others have resolved similar issues. Or you couldsimplymeditateandsendpositiveconflict-resolvingenergytoalltheindividualspresent.Whatever your decision, you’ll be well aware of the need to create an

environmentwhereeveryonewillbeabletosay,“Wefixeditourselveswithouttheneedforanyinterferencefromanyone—wereallydon’tneedasupervisor.”Thisapproach,ofcourse,involvessuspendingyourdesiretobeseenasastrongauthorityfigure.Truly inspiring leaders get results by their own example: They encourage

others to be responsible and do the right thing, but not by proclaiming and

braggingabout theirunimpeachablemanagement.Theycreate space forothersto be inspired and to achieve their own greatness. When the time comes forreceivingaccolades, theydissolve in thebackground,wantingeveryoneelse tofeel that their accomplishments arose from their own leadership qualities.ThesupremeTaoistleaderalwaysleavespeopletochooseandpursuetheirownwayoflife,theirownconceptionofthegood.Theviewofaself-styledauthoritarianisnotthewayenlightenedleadersseethemselves;rather, theyraisetheenergyofanenvironmentthroughaviewpointthatelevateslowerinclinations.Inthisverse,theTaooffersthreeotherwaysofchoosingtobealeader.One

optionistomakeadifferenceinthelivesofothers,resolvingconflictsthroughlove.Bybeinganinstrumentofloveandmakinganefforttopraiseothers,thisleader stays in harmony with the Tao. Those who are praised are inclined tobecomeself-lovingandactinacooperativeratherthancompetitivefashion.Thedrawback is that using the approval and affection of a leader for motivationmeans turning control of one’s life over to that leader.But if you see that thechoiceisbetweenloveorfear,theTaoalwaysseesloveassuperior.Theineffectivenessoffearasaleadershipstyleisobvious:IfIcangetyouto

doas Idesirebyusing thatweapon, thenyou’llonlybehave in thesewaysaslongasIhavethepowertothreatenyou.WhenIleave,myinfluenceoveryoudepartsaswell.Studieshavemeasured theeffectivenessof teacherswhowereconsideredstrictdisciplinarians.Studentsinthissettingwerewellbehavedwhenthe17thVersefearedindividualwasintheroom,yetwhenheorshedeparted,theclassroomturnedchaotic.Theoppositewastrueof instructorswhoviewededucationasanopportunity

topraiseandencouragestudents:Theirpresenceorabsencefromtheroomhadalmost nonoticeable impact.This is a great thing to keep inmind if you’re amotherorfather.Thatis,doyouwantyourchildrentobehaveonlywhenyou’rearound,ordoyouwant them tohave theself-discipline toconduct themselveswiselywhetheryou’rethereornot?I’vealwaysbelievedthatparentsarenotforleaningupon,butratherexisttomakeleaningunnecessary.The least effective means for managing others is to use tactics that will

encourage them to despise you, for themoment they leave your sight, they’lldefyallthatyousayandstandfor.Dictatorsalmostalwaysfindthisoutthehardway, when the people they’ve abused rise up to threaten them in the sameintolerablefashioninwhichthey’vebeentreated.Childrenwhodespiseaparentsimilarlytendtoemulatethehatefultacticstowhichtheyweresubjected,orthey

detach themselves completely from that dictatorial adult and spend yearsattemptingtohealthescarsfromtheterribletreatment.Theenlightenedleadertruststhosewhomheorsheisinapositiontogovern.

Thisviewresultsintrust,asheorshewhohasfaithinthepeoplewillbetrustedbytheminturn.Consequently,they’llbeabletosay,“Wediditourselves.”Soraiseyourchildrentobeself-sufficient,tomaketheirowndecisionsassoonasthey’reable,andtofeelprideinthedecisionstheydomake.Seeyourselfasanenlightenedleader,andshowtheworldanewtypeofleadership.ChildrenwhogrowupwithsuchaviewwillbethenextgenerationofgreatleadersthatLao-tzudescribes.Here’swhatIbelievetheesteemedmasterLao-tzuisofferingyoutoday:Insteadofbelievingthatyouknowwhat’sbestforothers,trustthatthey

knowwhat’sbestforthemselves.Allow other people to share their thoughts about the path they see for

themselves.Letyourpositionbeknown,butalsoconveythatyoutrustthemtomaketherightchoice.Thenstepbackandpeacefullybelievethat thewayyoulook at this situationwill change.Offer praisewhen those in your charge aremakingtheirowndecisions,evenwhentheirbehaviormayconflictwithyours.Trust yourself to give the best response by not seeing yourself as knowingwhat’s right. Remember this phrase from the Tao Te Ching: “When a leadertrustsnoone,noonetrustshim.”Thesurestwaytogainthefaithofthoseyougovernorsuperviseistoallowthemtomakeasmanydecisionsaspossible.

Takeprideinrefusingtotakecreditfortheachievementsofothers.If you look at others’ accomplishments as a reason for you to be rewarded,

promoted,orcomplimented,changeyourviewpoint.Letpraisegotothosewhoarethebeneficiariesofyourleadership.Speaklessfrequentlyandsuspendyourself-interest—instead,alloweveryone

in your care to speak for themselves. Change how you see their performancefrom being a credit to your skill to the thrill they exhibit over theiraccomplishment. You’ll cease wanting credit, and alternatively feel thehappinessandpridethatthey’reexperiencing.ThisishowHafizdescribeditinhis14th-centurypoetry:

EvenAfter

AllthistimeThesunneversaystotheearth,

“YouoweMe.”

LookWhathappens

Withalovelikethat,ItlightstheWholeSky.

Lovethoseyou’reentrustedtolead,justasthesunlovesourplanet.Simplybetheretoserve,neverdemandinganythinginreturn.

DotheTaoNow

Choosesomesituationswithyourchildren(oranyoneyou’vebeendesignatedto supervise) to become an active observer. Nod, smile, frown, or gesturewithout saying a thing, where you previously would have readily interfered.Noticehowyouractiveobservingimpactsthoseyou’vebeenassignedtolead.

18thVerseWhenthegreatnessoftheTaoispresent,actionarisesfromone’sownheart.

WhenthegreatnessoftheTaoisabsent,actioncomesfromtherulesof“kindnessandjustice.”

Ifyouneedrulestobekindandjust,ifyouactvirtuous,thisisasuresignthatvirtueisabsent.Thusweseethegreathypocrisy.

Whenkinshipfallsintodiscord,pietyandritesofdevotionarise.

Whenthecountryfallsintochaos,officialloyalistswillappear;patriotismisborn.

LivingWithoutRules

Pictureyourself inaworldwhererulesandlawsdon’texist,whereeveryonelivespeacefullyandharmoniously.There’snoanarchy,thievery,hatred,orwar;people simply live,work, love, andplaywithoutneeding tobegoverned.Canyouimagineaplanetwheretheneedforcodesofconductandedictstogovernthe populace are simply unnecessary? This is the sort of idealistic mentalmeandering that ledLao-tzu to create this 18th verse of theTaoTeChing, inwhichhe’sclearlystatingthatyoudon’tneedrulestobekindandjust.I’m suggesting that when you change the way you look at the underlying

reason for regulation, the organizations controlling society, politics, and thecriminal-justice systemwill eventually change. (Need I add “for the better”?)When you alter your viewpoint to a Tao-oriented one, you cease to see yourdominant reason for being and doing as being dictated by your nation, city,school,religion,orevenyourcondominiumassociation!Lawsorrulesareseenbymanyassolelyresponsibleforeffectivekindness,justice,andlove—butyoucan choose to live from your heart, viewing these virtues as individualresponsibilitiesthatyouadheretowithoutastatuteorconventiontellingyouto.ThisiswhatImeanbylivingwithoutrules:Youcanchoosetoseeyourselfinharmonywith the regulations and laws of your business, government, family,and religion rather thanbecauseof them. I promise you thatwhen you adjustrule-basedthinkingtoaheart-basedattitude,yourlifewillchange!In the Tao orientation, unlimited joy, kindness, abundance, and well-being

flowthroughall; seeing life in thiswaymakesrules irrelevant.Youcanact inaccordancewiththismunificenceandbeneficence,whicharetheessenceoftheTao.Makelovethebedrockofyourfamily’smotivationtobeloving,ratherthanjustfeelingobligatedtobekindtoothers.Thisdoesn’tmeanthereisn’tcertainetiquetteorbehaviortofollow—itmeansthatthereasontodosoissothatloveandkindness flowthroughall individuals.And if there isany“crime,” it’s thestoppingorhinderingofthatenergyoftheTao.Youandyourchildrencanlearntochangethewayyoulookatedictsandlaws.

Whenharmonyislost,arulemayseemtobehelpful,butmakesureeveryoneinthe family realizes that you’re inviting them to learn to live without it! The

existenceofcodesofconductareproofthatwearen’tallowingtheTaotoflowfreely through our lives. Learning that it is each individual’s personalresponsibility to livewithout governingwill ultimately demonstrate thatwhenyouchangeyourthoughts,youchangeyourlife.Thisideaextendsfurther:Askyourselfiflawscreateahealthysociety,andif

patriotism is valuable. Or does it appear that when a country has fallen intochaosorsomeformofcivilwar,lawsandcodesconcerningpatriotismseemtoneedtobeenforced?Rulesarecreatedtoimposepenaltiestocontrolorgovernpeople who haven’t learned their individual responsibility as a part of thewholeness of the group. Yet a national sense of unity needn’t regulate auniversalsense,fortheTaoonenessisgreaterthananygrouponEarth.So here we have a summary of what takes place when the Great Way is

deserted:Theneedforjusticearises.Falsityamongthepeoplecreatesaneedforrules,andrulersareneededtorestoreorder.Politicalministersappear tobringlighttothedisorderanddarkness.Knowingallofthis,Ibelieveit’sessentialtogetbacktothatpictureIaskedyoutoenvisionafewparagraphsagoandapplywhatLao-tzuissayinginthisprofoundverseoftheTaoTeChing:18thVerse

LetyouractionsarisefromyourTao-centeredheart.Whenyou’recenteredintheTao,youdon’tneedanyrules,norareyoubound

bywhat’sdeclaredtobelegalorillegal.Yourreasonfornotstealingfromothersisn’tbecauseit’sagainstthelaw;rather,youassumepersonalresponsibilityforyouractions.Yourlifeisn’tbasedonlivingbyrules;yourreasonfornotstealingis that you respect the rights of others to be free from pilfering because itresonates with the Tao. In the Tao there is no stealing because everythingbelongs toeveryone.There isnoownershipof landorproperty—there isonlythewillingness to love and respect everyone and all things. The lawsmakingstealing,maiming, or fighting illegal arose because of disconnection from theTao.

Don’tactvirtuous;bevirtue.Actingvirtuousisnotthesameasbeingvirtuous,sotheTaoinstructsyoutobe

authenticinallofyourinteractions.Bepiousbecauseyourownheartfeelsthepiety that is the great Tao.Be spontaneously generous to others because yourinner calling demands it, not because others in their code making havedetermined that this is how you should behave.Don’twait for chaos to eruptbefore you are generous and kind to others. A natural disaster may stimulate

your desire to reach out and help your fellow humans—yet if you change thewayyoulookat thatnaturaldisaster,youcouldalsoseeitasaremindertolettheTaobeyourguidingspiritatalltimes.Thiswouldinspireyourpatriotismtobeforallofhumanity,ratherthanconfinedtothelandwhereyouhappenedtobeborn.Again,I’dliketoremindyouofthesimilarsentimentexpressedbyHafiz,the

greatSufipoet:Everyone

IsGodspeaking.Whynotbepoliteand

ListentoHim?

Andeveryone reallymeanseveryone,not just thosewho are subject to yourrulesandyourlaws.

DotheTaoNowEmphasizewhyyou’re obeying human-made edicts today. Spend some time

connectingtotheunderlyingreasonforstoppingataredlight,havingadriver’slicense,wearingaseatbelt,payingtoenteramovietheater,ornotdrinkinganddriving.Seeifyouregoenjoys“breaking”rulesforitspurposesbylistingalltherules and laws you obey or disobey in one day, and then identify your mostimportant“heartrules.”

19thVerseGiveupsainthood,renouncewisdom,anditwillbeahundredtimesbetterfor

everyone.Throwawaymoralityandjusticeandpeoplewilldotherightthing.Throwawayindustryandprofitandtherewillbenothieves.

Alloftheseareoutwardformsalone;theyarenotsufficientinthemselves.

Itismoreimportanttoseethesimplicity,

torealizeone’struenature,tocastoffselfishnessandtemperdesire.

LivingWithoutAttachment

Uponfirstreadingthis19thverseoftheTaoTeChing,itappearsthatLao-tzuis encouraging us to abandon the highest principles of the Tao. Renouncesainthood,wisdom,morality, justice, industry, and profit, says the great sage,andallwillbewell.Lao-tzutellsusthat“alloftheseareoutwardformsalone”andareinsufficientforlivingaccordingtothehighestWay.Thefirstofthesecategoriesrepresentseducationandthewayyoulookatyour

sourcesoflearning.Thisverseadvisesyoutoalteryourconceptofbeingsaintlyjust because you follow the teachings of an organized religion, and to changeyour view of self-importance because of degrees you’ve received from aneducationalinstitution.Lao-tzugentlyinformsyouthatit’sfarmorevaluabletocultivateyourtruenature.AswithvirtuallyalloftheteachingsoftheTao,thegreatesttrustisplacedin

youraccessingthesacredTaocenterofyourself.WithinyouliesapieceofGodthat instinctively knows what to do and how to be. Trust yourself, Lao-tzuadvises, and reevaluate the ultimate importance of educational and religiousinstitutions.When you modify how you see them, you’ll notice that the trueessenceofyouis“ahundredtimesbetterforeveryone.”Lao-tzumightsaythatatruthisatruthuntilyouorganizeit,andthenitbecomesalie.Why?Becausethepurposes of the organization begin to take precedence over that which it firstattemptedtokeepinorder.“Throwawaymoralityand justice,” thisverseurges,“andpeoplewilldo the

right thing.”Here, in thesecondof theoutward forms,Lao-tzu revealsa legalsystem that takes precedence over your natural internal integrity. When youknowthatyouemergedfromanimpeccableSourceofhonorandequality,youdon’t have to rely on a system of justice. Lao-tzu reminds you that it’s veryimportantnottoviewyourselfasrelegatedtoaninferiorpositionbecauselawsof morality tell you who you “really” are. See yourself centered with theperfectionoftheTao,whichisyournature,ratherthanneedingtoconsultalawbook, a courtroom, or a judge to determine your ethical standing. Theselabyrinthine systems designed to determine all issues of right and wrong areevidenceofourdriftawayfromthesimplicityofourinbornnature.

Thelastoftheoutwardformsisthewholeworldofbusiness“Renounceprofitseeking, give up ingenuity, and discard record keeping, and thieves willdisappear altogether,” could be one interpretation.Lao-tzu advises you to staycenteredwithin the all-encompassing integrity of the Tao and to release yourviewofprofitsandmonetarygainasindicatorsofyourlevelofsuccess.Whenyou see your life through the perspective of the Tao teaching, you’ll have noneed to hoard large sums of money. Instead, you’ll discover the pleasure ofservingothersinaspiritofendlessgenerosity.Or,asthistranslationoftheTaoTeChingputsit,you’ll“castoffselfishnessandtemperdesire.”These, then, are the three outward forms: education, justice, and business.

You’re being encouraged to update how you see the reasons for, themethodsusedby,andthewaywell-meaningpeoplehavetaughttovaluethosearenasoflife. When you change how you see them, you’ll note the simplicity andsacredness of a higher principle, which will enrich those institutions with thefree-flowingTao.You’ll realizeyourowntruenature,castoffselfishness,andtemperyourdesire.Beintheworldofeducation,justice,andbusiness—butnotofit—andyou’llseetheinnerworldwhereyou’recenteredintheTao.This is what Lao-tzu is saying to you, throughme, from his 2,500-year-old

perch:19thVerseObserveyourrelationshiptosystemsofeducation,justice,andbusiness.Noticeattempts tocompartmentalizeyou:Areyoudependentonasystemof

reward and punishment for approval? Do the rules and codes of conduct youfollowcomefromaheart-centeredspace,oraretheydesignedtocreatealabelof “specialness”?Don’t fight these institutional pressures or even the fact thattheyexist—simplyletgoofallattachmentstothem.Youarenotsaintly(agoodperson)becauseanorganizationsaysso,butratherbecauseyoustayconnectedtothedivinityofyourorigination.Youarenotintelligentbecauseofatranscript;you are intelligence itself,which needs no external confirmation.You are notmoral because you obey the laws; you aremorality itself because you are thesameaswhatyoucamefrom.Choosetoseetheoutwardformsaspoorsubstitutionsforyourtruenatureand

you’ll begin to live without attachment to those forms. You’ll see your owninner laws, which never require codifying; you’ll live with freedom andsimplicity.Trustfirstandforemostinyourself.

Livewithoutattachmentbybeinggenerous.

Letgoof evaluatingyourselfon thebasisofhowmuchyou’veaccumulatedandwhatisinyourfinancialportfolio.Stopputtingadollarvalueonallthatyouhaveanddo.Letgoofyourneedtogeta“gooddeal”andchooseinsteadtobeabeing of sharing. You’ll be happily surprised by how nice it feels to simplychangeyourbeliefthatyou’reonlysuccessfulifyou’remakingmoney.Thelessyou focus on making a profit—instead shifting your energy to living yourpurposeinharmonywitheveryoneelse—themoremoneywillflowtoyouandthemoreopportunitiesforgenerositywillbeavailabletoyou.Theworldofinstitutionalpressuresisbuiltonanendlesslistofhuman-made

do’sanddon’ts.Lao-tzuadvocatesthatyoudiscoveryourheart’struedesire,allthewhilerememberingthatnooneelsecantellyouwhatitis.

DotheTaoNowPost the following affirmation for your constant attention: I am moral,

profitable, and a genius extraordinaire, regardless of what any institutionaltranscriptorbankstatementsays.Repeatthismantrauntilitbecomesyourwayofbeing.Youwillfeelasenseofinnerpeaceasyoureleasetheholdthatouterformshaveonyou.

20thVerseGiveuplearningandyouwillbefreefromallyourcares.

Whatisthedifferencebetweenyesandno?Whatisthedifferencebetweengoodandevil?

MustIfearwhatothersfear?ShouldIfeardesolationwhenthereisabundance?ShouldIfeardarkness

whenthatlightisshiningeverywhere?

Inspring,somegototheparkandclimbtheterrace,butIaloneamdrifting,notknowingwhereIam.

Likeanewbornbabebeforeitlearnstosmile,Iamalone,withoutaplacetogo.

Mostpeoplehavetoomuch;Ialoneseemtobemissingsomething.

Mineisindeedthemindofanignoramusinitsunadulteratedsimplicity.Iambutaguestinthisworld.

Whileothersrushabouttogetthingsdone,Iacceptwhatisoffered.Ialoneseemfoolish,

earninglittle,spendingless.

Otherpeoplestriveforfame;Iavoidthelimelight,

preferringtobeleftalone.Indeed,Iseemlikeanidiot:

nomind,noworries.

Idriftlikeawaveontheocean.Iblowasaimlessasthewind.

Allmensettledownintheirgrooves;Ialoneamstubbornandremainoutside.ButwhereinIammostdifferentfromothersisinknowingtotakesustenance

fromthegreatMother!

LivingWithoutStriving

In thisverseof theTaoTeChing,you’reencouraged toexperienceyour lifefree of worldly striving. Lao-tzu advises you to slow down your incessantdemands for more, and to relax your efforts to fill up every moment inanticipationofbeingsomewhereelse.You’reinvitedtoexperiencelifeinawaythatcanbesummarizedinthetitleofRamDass’sbookBeHereNow.Behereinyourmindaswellasinyourbody,inastateofappreciationandan

absenceoflonging.Letgoofwonderingaboutdoingtherightthing.Releasethewhat-ifsandallofyourgoals for the future, replacing themwith thepowerofthis instant. Be here, and remember to do it now, for thinking about beingsomeplace else uses up your precious presentmoments. The enlightened sagemakesapracticeof immersinghimselfcompletely in thecurrent“nowness”ofhislife.Being here now is accomplished by adopting an acceptance of life as it is

presentedbythegreatMother,ortheTao.It’sasurrenderingprocess,ifyouwill—simply allowing this great all-creating, all-nourishing Source to take youwhere itwill.Yougive up the idea of having to getmore or to be in anotherplaceinthefuture,andinsteadseeyourselfaswholeandcomplete justasyouare. This surrendering process allows you to bear witness to the unlimitedabundanceandeternal lightthat isalwayspresent.Youretrainyourself togiveupyourbeliefsaboutlacksandshortages;youinsteadtrustinthegreatSourcetoprovidewhatyouneed,asithasalwaysdoneforallbeings.Lao-tzu emphasizes that thiswasn’t a socially accepted standard even 2,500

years ago, as he refers to himself as an outsider who is unlike most people.Strivingforsatisfactionwasviewedatthattimeasaproperroleinlife,justasitistoday.Thenarratorofthisverseadmitsthatheisdrifting,notknowingwherehe is,yethis tone is ironic. It’sas ifhe’ssaying,“Noonereallyknowswheretheyare in thisendlessuniversewithnobeginningandnoending,sowhynotadmititandallowyourselftobemovedbytheTaothatbroughtyouherefromnowhere?”You’re being encouraged to simplify your life by not seeking another thing.

Yes,othersmightjudgeyouasunmotivatedandcallyouanignoramus,butyour

rewardwillbethestrongsenseofinnerpeacethatcomesfromadirectknowingthatyou’rehereasaguestwho’salwaysbeingprovidedfor.Yes,youmayseemtobemissingsomething,butthesomethingisreallyonlyanillusion.You’renolonger living inside of yourself with a desire to be someone else or to gainsomething that seems to be omnipresent in all of those around you—you’vetradedinstrivingforarriving.“Iacceptwhatisoffered,”saysthenarratorofthisprovocativeverseintheTao

TeChing.Hecontinuestoexpressthatthismayseemfoolish,perhapsechoingyourthoughtsasyoucontemplatelettinggoofstriving.Lao-tzuistellingyoutochangehowyouseewhat’sherenowinyourlife,forthenitwillbecomeexactlywhatyouneed inorder tobehappy. Inotherwords,youcanchangehowyoulookatstrivingandhavecontentmentwithoutanxietyandfear.Whenyoulivebythetenetsexplainedinthisverse,youbegintohaveaworry-

free existence. Imagine that! No concerns or fears—only a sense of beingconnectedtotheSourceofall,knowingthatallwillbehandledforyoubythesame force that’s always handling everything. Lao-tzu is teaching you to freeyourmindfromitspersistentnagging.TheworldandeverythinginitarealreadytakencareofbytheTao...ithasalwaysdonesoandalwayswill.Your mind continually urges you to strive in spite of the all-providing

perfection of theTao; it prompts you to pursue fame, to look for a groove orpurpose.Lao-tzuencouragesyou todoprecisely theopposite:Stayoutside therat race and let your mind be in peaceful harmony with the Tao rather thanworryingandfighting.TheconcludinglineofthispassageoftheTaoTeChingsaysitall, instructingyoutochangehowyoulookatyourlifeby“knowingtotakesustenancefromthegreatMother!”ThefollowingaresuggestionscomingfromLao-tzutoyouinthe20thverseof

theTao:Practicelettinggoofthoughtsaboutwhat’snotherenow.

Justallowyourselftomeldintotheperfectionoftheuniverseyoulivein.Youdon’tneedanotherthingtobehappy;it’sallbeingprovidedforyourighthere,rightnow.Beinthismoment,andfreeyourselfofstrivingforsomethingmoreor someone else. This is a mind exercise that will put you in touch with thepeaceoftheTao.Affirm:Itisallperfect.God’sloveiseverywhereandforgetsnoone.Itrustinthisforcetoguideme,andIamnotallowingegotoenternow.Noticehowfreeyoufeelwhenyourelaxintothisno-fears,no-worriesattitude.

Taketimeto“letgoandletGod,”everysingleday.Say thewords over andover to yourself until you can actually tellwhat the

differencefeelslike.Lettinggoisamarkedlydistinctphysicalandpsychologicalexperience,much different from striving.Let go of your demands, alongwithyourbeliefs thatyoucan’tbehappybecauseofwhat is supposedlymissing inyour life. Insisting that youneedwhat youdon’t have is insane!The fact thatyou’re okaywithoutwhat you think you need is the change youwant to see.Then you can note that you already have everything you need to be peaceful,happy,andcontentrighthereandrightnow!Relaxintothisknowing,andaffirmagainandagain:IamlettinggoandlettingGod.Iamagloriousinfantnursingatthegreatall-providingMother’sbreast.

DotheTaoNowBegintonoticethesituationswhereyou’renotinthemomentbecauseyou’re

strivingtocompleteorattainsomethingforafuturebenefit.Youmaynotrealizehowoftenyouendeavortoaccomplishallsortsofthingswiththeideathatonceyoudo,you’llfinallyhavethetimetodowhatyoureallywant.Thisisoneofthemostperniciouswaysthatmanyofusunconsciouslyprevent(orperpetuallypostpone)alifefreeofstriving.It’satoughonetobecomeawareof,andmaybeeasiest to see when your free time becomes hijacked by family members orbusinessemergencies.Here’sanexample:You’veputinextrahoursatworkallweekinordertohave

adeliciously imaginedfreeday to[fill in theblank],whenyou learn thatyourspouse has invited a friend of a friend who’s never been to this part of thecountrybefore—andwhomyou’venevermet—tostayatyourhome.Therearetwoopportunitiestopracticelivingwithoutstrivinginthissituation.

Thefirst,ofcourse,istocatchyourselfwrappedupinstrivingforfuturebenefit,noticewhat you’re doing, and focus on the now. The second comes after theexample above,which is a difficult but incredibly rewarding exercise.Do theTaonowbyacceptingwhatisoffered—thatis,knowthatthissituation,insomewaythatyourstrivingegorejects,isactuallysustenancefromtheGreatMother.

21stVerseThegreatestvirtueistofollowtheTaoandtheTaoalone.

TheTaoiselusiveandintangible.Althoughformlessandintangible,itgivesrisetoform.

Althoughvagueandelusive,itgivesrisetoshapes.

Althoughdarkandobscure,itisthespirit,theessence,thelifebreathofallthings.

Throughouttheages,itsnamehasbeenpreservedinordertorecallthebeginningofallthings.

HowdoIknowthewaysofallthingsatthebeginning?Ilookinsidemyselfandseewhatiswithinme.

LivingtheElusiveParadox

Here in this 21st verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu takes us back to thebook’s very first premise: living the mystery. He has returned to the idea’sdefinitionandvirtueandreaffirmeditwithgreaterclarityandprecision.Inthislesson,henotonlyasksustobecomeconsciousoftheelusivenatureoftheTao,aprinciple that simplycannotbepinneddownorexperiencedwith thesenses,buttoalsovalidatethisawarenessbyrecognizingourselvesasexamplesofthiselusiveparadox.Rereadtheconcludinglinesofthisimportantverse:“HowdoIknowtheways

ofallthingsatthebeginning?Ilookinsidemyselfandseewhatiswithinme.”Nowgoallthewaybacktoyourownbeginning—howdidyougethere?Idon’tmean from a droplet or particle of human protoplasm; go even before that.Quantumphysics teaches that particles emerge from an invisible and formlessenergyfield.Soallcreation,includingyourown,isafunctionofmotion:fromformlessenergytoform,fromspirittobody,fromthenamelessTaotoanamedobject.Theprocessof creation, alongwith the themeofunderstanding eternalnamelessness,runsthroughouttheTaoTeChing.Thisistheelusiveparadoxthatyou’re invited to contemplate, allow, and experience. You can know it byexaminingyourownnatureandrecognizingthatthesameprinciplethatcreateseverythingisanimatingyoureverythoughtandaction.Right nowmake a simple decision tomove your index finger. Nowwiggle

yourtoes.Next,liftyourarm.Finally,askyourself,Whatisitthatallowsmetomakethesemovements?Inotherwords,whatisitthatallowsyoutoseeshapesandcolors?Whatforcebehindyoureyesinvisiblysignalsyoutoprocesstheskyas blue or a tree as tall?What is the formless energy that tweaks a vibrationsomewhereinyoureartogiverisetosound?What it all is, is formless andnameless.Yes, it is vague.Yes, it is obscure.

Andwhenyoubegin to see theworld in thismanner,youbeginknowing thataspect of yourself. This is what Lao-tzu describes as “the life breath of allthings,”anditneedn’tremainamystery.YouhavethesameeternalTaoinsideofyou,andyouapplyitamilliontimesaday.Itiswithinyou...itisyou.This far-reaching verse of the Tao Te Ching asks you to let go of seeking

resultsinmoney,accomplishments,acquisitions,fame,andsoon.Instead,shiftyour attention to the energy in the beginning of all things—the elusive andintangibleTao.Thegreatestvirtueistofindthisnameless,formlessforcewithinyourself.Knowitbylookingwithinandseeingitatworkinallofyourthoughtsandactions.ThisiswhatLao-tzuwasconveyingtoyoumorethan2,500yearsbeforeyour

birth:Haveanunquenchablethirstfortheintangibleandenigmaticforcethat

supportsalllife.CommunicatewiththeSourceregularly:Askforitsguidance,andmeditateon

itssacredness.ThemoreyoupracticebenevolentreverencefortheinvisibleTao,themoreyou’ll feelconnected to it.ThepresenceofaknownconnectionwiththeTaowillreleaseyoufromtheworry,stress,andanxietythatareego’swayoflookingattheworld.Whileothersaroundyoumaystayfocusedontheirpursuitofwealth, fame,andpower,you’llnotice it andsmilecompassionatelyasyoupractice being in a state of appreciation for “the life breath of all things,”includingyourself.You’llfeelsafeandsecureknowingthatyou’reinaDivinepartnershipwiththeall-knowing,all-providingTao.I suggest that you simply take amoment or two several times a day to say

aloud, “Thank You, God, for everything.” Make this your own personalrespectfulritual.Infact,justamomentagoIsaid21stVersetheseverywords:“ThankYou,God,forallowingthesewordstoappear,supposedlyfrommypen.Iknowthat theSourceofeverything, includingthesewords, is theelusiveandintangibleTao.”

Memorizethefinaltwolinesofthisverseandsilentlyrecitethemwhenneeded.

Repeat these two sentences: “How do I know the ways of all things at thebeginning? I look inside myself and see what is within me.” Doing so willremindyou that theTaocomesfromthe truth that’s insideofyouatall times.Giveuptryingtopersuadeanyoneelseofthecorrectnessofyourvision—whenthey’reready,theirownteacherswillsurelyappear.Here’saconcludingthoughtontheelusivenatureoftheTao,writtenbyHafiz

manycenturiesafterthedeathofLao-tzu:IfyouthinkthattheTruthcanbeknown

Fromwords,

IfyouthinkthattheSunandtheOceanCanpassthroughthattinyopeningcalledthemouth.

Osomeoneshouldstartlaughing!Someoneshouldstartwildlylaughing—

Now!

DotheTaoNow

Today,becomeconsciousof theforce thatallowsyoureverymovement.Forfiveminutes in yourmeditation, stay in “the gap” between your thoughts andnotice 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 thisprocess,andit’sincludedinmybookGettingintheGap.)

22ndVerseTheflexiblearepreservedunbroken.

Thebentbecomestraight.Theemptyarefilled.

Theexhaustedbecomerenewed.Thepoorareenriched.Therichareconfounded.

Thereforethesageembracestheone.Becausehedoesn’tdisplayhimself,peoplecanseehislight.Becausehehasnothingtoprove,peoplecantrusthiswords.

Becausehedoesn’tknowwhoheis,peoplerecognizethemselvesinhim.Becausehehasnogoalinmind,everythinghedoessucceeds.

Theoldsayingthattheflexiblearepreservedunbrokenissurelyright!Ifyouhavetrulyattainedwholeness,everythingwillflocktoyou.

LivingwithFlexibility

Having lived by the ocean for many years, I’ve observed the beauty andmajestyofthetallpalmtreesthatgrowatthewater’sedge,oftenmeasuring30or 40 feet in height. These stately giants are able to withstand the enormouspressurethathurricane-forcewindsbringastheyblowatspeedsupto200milesperhour.Thousandsofother trees in thehuge storms’paths areuprootedanddestroyed,while the stately palms remain fixed in their rooted selves, proudlyholdingswayovertheirotherwisedecimateddomain.Sowhatisthepalmtrees’secrettostayinginonepiece?Theanswerisflexibility.Theybendalmostdownto the ground at times, and it’s that very ability that allows them to remainunbroken.In this 22nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu invites you to embrace a

similarqualityofelasticity.BegintosensetheonenessthatistheTaosupplyingyourresiliencyandgrounding,helpingyouwithstandthestormsofyourlifeaspliantly as the supple palm tree.When destructive energy comes along, allowyourself to resist brokenness by bending. Look for times you can make thechoicetoweatherastormbyallowingittoblowthroughwithoutresistance.Bynotfighting,butinsteadrelaxingandgoingwithallthatconfrontsyou,youenter“theTaotime.”Thisverseimpliesanaddedbenefitofwholeness,whichattractseverythingto

you.That is, ifyouwantabundance,knowledge,health, love,andall theotherattributes that personify the Tao, you need to be receptive to them. Lao-tzuinstructsthatyoumustbeemptyinordertobecomefilled,forattachmentskeepyousorestrictedthatnothingcanenteryouralready-filledself.Beingemptyinthissensemeansnotbeingfullofbeliefs,possessions,orego-drivenideas,butrather remainingopen toallpossibilities.This is inkeepingwith thenamelessTao: Itdoesn’t restrict itself to aparticularpointofviewor a singularwayofdoing things; it animates all. Similarly, the flexible person is open to allpossibilities—there’snothingforhimorhertoprovebecausetheTao,notego,isincharge.Awarenessof theTaonurtures flexibility,andremovingyour rigiditycreates

anatmosphereoftrust.Whenyoulivefromtheperspectiveofbeingabletosay,

“Idon’tknowforcertain,butI’mwillingtolisten,”youbecomeapersonwhomothersidentifywith.Why?Becauseyourflexibilityletsthemseethattheirpointofviewiswelcome.Bybeingopentoallpossibilities,everyonewhoencountersyoufeelstheirideasarevaluableandthere’snoneedforconflict.AsyouconnectmoreandmoretoyourTaonature,youbeginnoticingthatthis

principleisperpetuallypresent,availableineverymoment.Inotherwords, theTao isn’t trying to get someplace other than where it is. It has no goals, nodesire,no judgments; it flowseverywherebecause it is theenergyofcreation.TobeinharmonywiththeTaoistobefreeofgoals,immersedinallthatyou’redoingwithout concern about the outcome—just noticing in eachmoment andallowingyourself toflowwith thecreativeSource that’senergizingeverythingand everyone in the universe.When you live in thisway, failure becomes animpossibility.HowcanyoufailatbeingyourselfandtrustingcompletelyinthewisdomoftheSourceofeverything?Withfailureremovedfromyourlife,youunderstand what Lao-tzu means when he says that “everything he doessucceeds.”Followingare themessages fromLao-tzuashewroteout this22ndverseof

theTaoTeChingtwo-and-a-halfmillenniaago:Changethewayyouseethestormsofyourlife.

Workat removingegoas thedominant influenceoveryou.Release theneedfor the attention of others and witness how people become drawn to younaturally.Letgoofhavingtowinanargumentandbeingrightbychangingtheatmosphere with a statement such as “You’re very likely correct. Thanks forgivingme a new 22ndVerse perspective.” This kind of a proclamation giveseveryonepermission to relax their rigiditybecauseyouhavenoneed toproveyourselformakeotherswrong.Ifyouchangethewayyouthink,thelifeyou’relivingwillchange,sobewillingtosay,“Idon’tknow”or“I’muncertainastowhy I evendidwhat Idid.”AsLao-tzu remindsyou,whenyou suspendyourpomposityandrigidity,othersrecognizethemselvesinyourflexiblenature,andthey’lltrustyou.

Imagineyourselfasatall,statelypalmtree.Be an organism without goals and objectives—instead, stand strong and

successful, capable of adjusting to the forces of nature.Bewilling to adapt towhatevermaycomeyourwayby initiallyallowingyourself toexperience thatenergy, much like the bending tree in hurricane-force winds. When criticism

comes,listen.Whenpowerfulforcespushyouinanydirection,bowratherthanfight, lean rather than break, and allowyourself to be free from a rigid set ofrules—insodoing,you’llbepreservedandunbroken.Keepan innervisionofthewindsymbolizingdifficultsituationsasyouaffirm:Ihavenorigiditywithinme.Icanbendtoanywindandremainunbroken.Iwillusethestrengthofthewindtomakemeevenstrongerandbetterpreserved.Thissimpleteachingissopleasantthatyou’llwonderwhyyoudidn’trealizeit

before.IntheTaotime,acknowledgethe“storm”andthenallowittobefeltinyourbody—observeitwithoutjudgment,justlikethetreebendsinthewind.Asrigidity reappears, notice that as well, allowing the winds to blow as youexercisetheTaoinplaceofego!Seektouncovertherootofyourstiffnessandachieve greater flexibility in the storms of life. When seen as this kind ofopportunity to open to the Tao energy, storminess can be transformed intoexhilaratingeventsthatuncovermoreofyourtruenatureoflove.

DotheTaoNow

Listen to someone express an opinion that’s the opposite of yours today. Itcouldbeonanyofavarietyoftopics,suchaspolitics,theenvironment,religion,drugs,war,thedeathpenalty,orwhathaveyou.Refusetoimposeyourposition,and instead remark, “I’ve never considered that point of view. Thank you forsharingyourideaswithme.”Byallowingacontrarypositiontobeheard,you’lldismissego’sattitudeandwelcometheflexibilityoftheTao.

23rdVerseTotalklittleisnatural:

Fiercewindsdonotblowallmorning;adownpourofraindoesnotlasttheday.Whodoesthis?Heavenandearth.

Buttheseareexaggerated,forcedeffects,andthatiswhytheycannotbesustained.

Ifheavenandearthcannotsustainaforcedaction,howmuchlessismanabletodo?

ThosewhofollowtheWaybecomeonewiththeWay.Thosewhofollowgoodnessbecomeonewithgoodness.

ThosewhostrayfromtheWayandgoodnessbecomeonewithfailure.

IfyouconformtotheWay,itspowerflowsthroughyou.

Youractionsbecomethoseofnature,yourwaysthoseofheaven.

OpenyourselftotheTaoandtrustyournaturalresponses...theneverythingwillfallintoplace.

LivingNaturallyEvery thing that composes ultimately decomposes. Notice that I put the

emphasis on theword thing—that’s because all things onEarth are temporaryandinaconstantstateofchange.Sinceyou’reonthisplanet,youtooareapartofthisalways-changingandalways-decomposingprinciple.Inthis23rdverseoftheTaoTeChing,you’reaskedtoobservethewaysofnatureandthenmakethechoicetoliveharmoniouslywiththem.Naturedoesn’t have to insist, push, or force anything; after all, stormsdon’t

last forever.Windsblowhard,but then theysubside.TheTaocreates fromaneternal perspective, but everything is on its return trip home the moment itcomes into being.SoLao-tzu instructs that if you live harmoniouslywith thissimpleprinciple,you’llbeintunewithnature.Letgoofadesiretoforceanyoneoranything,andchooseinsteadtoconsciouslybepartofthecyclicalpatternofnature.Lao-tzuremindsyouthatnotevenheavencansustainaforcedaction.Inits inherent beingness, all action has a temporary existence and returns to acalmerstate.Incontemporarylanguage,we’dsaythat“everythingblowsover.”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 verseemphaticallypointsoutthatyoualwayshaveachoice!Ineverysinglesituation,youcanchoosetoobserveexaggeratedandforcedenergy.Itmightbeverballyattempting to control a situation or cursing how life’s events are unfolding;regardless,thesemomentscanbeinvitationstoopentotheTaoevenwhileinthemidst of chaos and angst. This is how to “follow theWay”: Remember hownatureblowshardandthenreturnstocalm.FollowthegoodnessoftheTaoandyoubecomegoodness.Strayfromgoodnessandyoubecomeonewithfailure.You are part of the law of form in time and space, composing and

decomposing.EverythinginnatureisreturningtoitsSource....Thequestionis,doyouwishtoparticipateconsciouslywiththisnaturalgoodness,orwouldyourather spend your moments in anxiety and failure? The Tao response to thiscrucialquestionisn’twithinyourego,foritstronglybelievesinyourabilitytoforce things, to make things happen, or to be the person in charge. The TaopointsoutthattheWayisresponsibleforeverything,withanaturalnessaboutitthatisn’tforced.Itremindsyouthatwhatseemssodevastatinginthemomentisbenevolentperfectioninanothermoment.Whenyouconformtothenaturalness

of the universe, you cooperatewith this all-creating power that flows throughyou.Suspendego-drivenplansandinsteadparticipateinthepowerthatcreatedyou—allowittobetheguidingforceinyourlife.Here’s what Lao-tzu says to you, through me, from his 2,500year-old

perspectiveinthisverseoftheTaoTeChing:Changeyourlifebyactivelyobservingnature’sway.

See how thunderstorms or fierce winds are temporary conditions that pass,instead of thinking of them as destructive or inconvenient events.Whenwhatseems like a forceful, uncomfortable situation arises, seek the natural cycle.Affirm:Thisisatemporarysetback.Iamgoingtoreleasemyselffromhavingtobe the person in control.Then observewhat you’re feeling,with openness towhat is, in thismoment. Remember that this is nature’smethod. Center yourmindinanaturalway,inperfectrapportwiththepatienceoftheuniversalTao.

Changeyourlifebytrustingyourabilitytorespondnaturallytothecircumstancesinyourlife.

At first this may involve observing yourself in a friendly way instead ofresponding immediately.Whenyoufeelyour inclination tomakeyouropinionknown,letthisurgesilentlytellyouwhatittrulywants.Yourbodyknowshowtobeatpeaceandwaitoutthestormsoflife,butyouneedtoallowittofeelthatyou’rewelcomingitssignals.BestillandallowyourselftobeinharmonywiththecreativeTao,openingyourselftoitspower.T.S.Eliotevokesthenaturalcycleinhispoem“Ash-Wednesday”:

BecauseIknowthattimeisalwaystimeAndplaceisalwaysandonlyplace

AndwhatisactualisactualonlyforonetimeAndonlyforoneplace

Irejoicethatthingsareastheyare...That’stheidea:RejoiceinthestillnessoftheTao.

DotheTaoNowSpendanentiredaynoticingnatureand thecountless instances that itcycles

organically.Seekat least threewaysthatyou’dliketobemorenatural inyourresponsetolife.Thecatcurlinglanguidlyinthesunmightsymbolizehowyou’dliketobe.Orperhapsit’sthedawnslowlyilluminatingthedarkwithoutrushing.Maybeyouprefertofocusonthetidecomfortablycominginandout,apparentlywithoutjudgment.Findyoursymbolicimages,whatevertheymaybe,andinvitetheircounterpartsintheTaotoblossomwithinyou.

24thVerseIfyoustandontiptoe,youcannotstandfirmly.Ifyoutakelongsteps,youcannotwalkfar.

Showingoffdoesnotrevealenlightenment.Boastingwillnotproduceaccomplishment.Hewhoisself-righteousisnotrespected.

Hewhobragswillnotendure.

Allthesewaysofactingareodious,distasteful.Theyaresuperfluousexcesses.

Theyarelikeapaininthestomach,atumorinthebody.

WhenwalkingthepathoftheTao,thisistheverystuffthatmustbe

uprooted,thrownout,andleftbehind.

LivingWithoutExcess

In thisverse,Lao-tzuadvises that thepathof theTaoneeds tobeclearedofanyweedsofexcessivepersonalimportance.Afterall,accomplishmentsderivefrom the all-creatingSource thatLao-tzu calls “theTao.”Everything that yousee, touch,orownisagift fromtheTao; thus, it isyourduty tosuspendyouregoandseekanattitudeofgratitudeandgenerosityfortheTao’screativity.Inthisway,youwalkthepathoftheTaobybecominglikeit is,whichisalwaysexistinginastateofunlimitedgiving.Itistothisstatethatthe24thverseoftheTaoTeChingurgesyoutoreturn.Noticehowthenatural flowof theTaooperates: Itasksnothingofyouas it

provides you and everyone else with unlimited supplies of food, air, water,sunshine,land,andbeauty.Itisalwayscreatingforthebenefitofall,andithasnoneedforpridefulboastingordemandingsomethinginreturn.ThispoembyHafizbearsrepeatingheretoillustratethispoint:

EvenAfter

AllthistimeThesunneversaystotheearth,

“YouoweMe.”Look

WhathappensWithalovelikethat,Itlightsthe

WholeSky.

ThesunsymbolizestheTaoatwork:Itoffersitswarmth,light,andlife-givingenergy to all, illuminating the globe without any demand for recognition.

Imagine if the sunneededattentionanddemandedaccolades for its efforts—itwouldshineonlywhereitfeltmostappreciatedorwhenitreceivedpaymentforthat life-giving energy! Soon the world would be partially shut off from thesun’s magnificence, and ultimately the entire planet would be covered indarknessaswarseruptedoverwaysofappeasingthe“sungod.”It’seasytoseewhy Lao-tzu refers to such inclinations to be boastful and self-righteous as“odious”andakinto“atumorinthebody.”Walk thepathof theTaobybeing agiver rather than a taker, providing for

others and asking nothing in return. Then view your desires to brag and seekapprovalasweedsappearingonyourjourney.Seeingyourselfasimportantandspecialbecauseofyourartistic talent, for instance, iswalking thepathofego.WalkingthepathoftheTaomeansthatyouexpressappreciationforthehandsthatallowyoutocreateasculpture.ThisishowLao-tzuadvisesyoutowalkthepathoftheTao,freeofyourego-

drivendesirestoberecognizedforallofyoureffortsandaccomplishments:Changeyourlifebyconsciouslychoosingtobeinastateofgratitude.

Thejourneyofyourlifewillchangewhenyouemphasizegratitudeforallthatyou are, all that you accomplish, and all that you receive. Practice silentlyrepeatingIthankYouthroughoutyourwakinghours,andasyoufallasleepandawaken.Itreallydoesn’tmatterwhetheryou’rethankingGod,Spirit,Allah,theTao,Krishna,Buddha,theSource,orself,becauseallthosenamesrepresentthegreatwisdomtraditions.Givethanksfor thesunshine, therain,andyourbody,includingallofitscomponents.Haveabrain-,heart-,liver,andevenatoenail-appreciationday!Yourpracticeofgratitudehelps24thVerseyoufocusontherealSourceofeverything,aswellasnoticewhenyou’re lettingegodominate.Makethisasilentdailypractice:Givethanksforthebed,thesheets,thepillows,andtheroomyousleepinatnight;andinthemorning,sayIthankYouforwhatlies ahead. Then begin the beautiful day doing something kind for anotherhumanbeingsomeplaceontheplanet.Changeyourlifebyexaminingyoururgetoboastandbeself-righteous.When you’re about to brag to others about your credentials or

accomplishments,momentarily sense the urge and recallLao-tzu’s advice that“thisistheverystuffthatmustbeuprooted,thrownout,andleftbehind.”OntheTao path, inner approval is healthy and pure, while self-righteous boasting issimplysuperfluous.Whenyounoticeyourgloatinghabit,youcanchoosetoget

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 reallyhave no need for. By returning to radical humility and seeing the greatnesswithineveryone,you’vethenclearedyourlifeofexcessiveself-importance...andthisisthewayoftheTao.

DotheTaoNowTomorrowmorning,dosomethingexpressingyourkindnesstosomeonewho

willbetotallysurprisedbyyouractions.E-mailsomeone,expressingyourloveandappreciation.Callagrandparentwhomaybefeeling lonely inanassisted-living facility. Send flowers to a loved onewho’s alone, or even a stranger ifnecessary.NotehowyourgratitudeforanothertrulynurturesyourTaopath,notthatofyourego.

25thVerseTherewassomethingformlessandperfectbeforetheuniversewasborn.

Itisserene.Empty.Solitary.Unchanging.

Infinite.Eternallypresent.ItistheMotheroftheuniverse.

Forlackofabettername,IcallittheTao.

Icallitgreat.Greatisboundless;

boundlessiseternallyflowing;everflowing,itisconstantlyreturning.

Therefore,theWayisgreat,heavenisgreat,earthisgreat,peoplearegreat.

Thus,toknowhumanity,understandearth.Toknowearth,

understandheaven.Toknowheaven,

understandtheWay.ToknowtheWay,

understandthegreatwithinyourself.

LivingfromGreatness

Many of the scholars who have written about the Tao Te Ching over thecenturiesconsiderthis25thversetobeoneofthemostsignificantlessonsintheentiremanuscript. Inmy research, all the translations of this passage actuallyincludethewordgreattodescribeit.This verse tells the story that even before the beginning there existed

“somethingformlessandperfect.”Itgoesontosaythatthisformlessperfectionisthe“Motheroftheuniverse.”Eventhoughit’snameless,it’scalledthe“Tao,”andit’ssynonymouswithwhatisgreat.Thatis,there’snothingwithintheTaothat is the opposite of great—there’s nothing that’s puny, insignificant, weak,unimportant,orevenaverage.Thestoryappearstowantthereadertorealizethere’sapure,timelessenergy

that’swithin everythingon theplanet and that remainsuncontaminatedby thesolid appearance of form.The conclusion is a directive to the student,who isyou, the reader. To know this formless perfection, you must “understand thegreatwithinyourself.”You’rethecentralcharacterinthiswonderfulsaga!Since you’re animated by the eternal Tao, this tale’s message of greatness

invitesyoutochangethewayyouliveandtoseethelifeyou’relivingchange.Youcanbegin todo soby examining thoughts and ideas that are inconsistentwiththisphenomenalobservationmadebyLao-tzu,whichhasbeenechoedbyothers throughout history. In her book The Journey,which was published in1954,LillianSmithdescribesitlikethis:

Theneedthatonefeelseverydayofone’slife,eventhoughonedoesnotacknowledgeit.Toberelatedtosomethingbiggerthanone’sself,somethingmore alive thanone’s self, somethingolder and somethingnotyetborn,thatwillendurethroughtime.

Thatenduring“something”confirmsyourgreatness,yourabsoluteconnectiontotheinfinite.There’sasenseofbeingpermanentlyalignedwithasortofseniorpartnerthatisgreatnessitself.Lao-tzuadvisesyou tonotice theplanet, itspeople,and theheavensandsee

greatness.Next, lookatyourself and see thatyou’re a componentof themall.

Thatis,befriendwhatappearstobethegreatmysteryofcreationbydiscoveringthegreatnesswithinyou,thenbaskinthejoyofnotingthegreatnessyousharewithheaven,Earth,andallofitspeople.Bypersistentlyhangingontoyourown“greatness heritage,” you ensure that the always-present Tao is consciouslyavailable.Fromaperspectiveofgreatness,onlygreatnesscanemergefromyou;froman innerperspectiveof inferiority,youonlyattractevents thatalignwiththosebeliefs.Yourgreatnesswon’tbefoundinaclassroom;anapprenticeship;ateacher;or

flatteringcommentsfromwell-meaningfamilymembers,friends,orlovers.Itiswithin you. It’s crucial for you to become conscious of the greatness thatconstantly flows through you—to do so, meet it in meditative moments ofgratitude,andceasetobeinfluencedbycontrarypointsofview.In particular, watch and listen for the critical comments that originate from

yourowninnerdialogue.Whensuchthoughtsemergeinyourmind,letthemtellyou what they want. If you allow those not-so-great notions to speak, you’llalwaysdiscover thatwhat theyreallywant is tofeelgood.Give themthe timetheyneedtotrustthatthere’snopayofffortheirexistence,andtheywillhappilymerge into the greatness within you. Accessing this quality allows you toparticipateinthegreaterwhole,wherethepoweroftheTaoflowsunimpededbyfearful self-judgment.Change thewayyou liveby tapping into this greatness,andthelifeyou’relivingwillliterallychange.FollowingarethethoughtsthatLao-tzuwouldhaveyouadoptashewroteout

thisverseoftheTaoTeChingsome25centuriesago:

Trustinyourowngreatness.

Youarenotthisbodyyouoccupy,whichistemporaryandonitswaybacktothenowherefromwhichitcame.Youarepuregreatness...preciselytheverysamegreatnessthatcreatesalloflife.Keepthisthoughtuppermostinyourmindand you’ll attract to yourself these same powers of creation: The right peoplewillappear.Theexactevents thatyoudesirewill transpire.The financingwillshowup.That’sbecausegreatnessattractsmoreofitsownselftoitself,justasthoughts of inadequacy act upon a belief that ensures that deficiency willbecome your reality. Affirm the following to yourself over and over until itbecomesyourautomatic inner response to theworld: Icome fromgreatness. I

attractgreatness.Iamgreatness.Lookforbeliefsthatcontradictyourstatusasabeingofgreatness.

Catchyourselfinthemidstofanyutterancethatreflectsyourbeliefthatyou’reaverage. Silently speakwarmly to that belief and ask itwhat itwants. Itmaythinkithastoprotectyoufromdisappointmentorpain,asitprobablydidearlierinyourexistence.Butwithcontinuedacceptingattention,thefeelingwillalwayseventually admit that it wants to feel great. So let it! You’re good enough towithstandthepassingdisappointmentsandpainthatafflictlifeonthisplanet—but trying to protect yourself by believing that you don’t embodygreatness isoverkill.Lookforthesemisbeliefsandgivethemthechancetotransformtowhatthey

(andyou)reallywant.Whateveryoudesiretobecomeortoattracttoyourself,maketheinternalshiftfromItprobablywon’thappenformetoItisonitsway!Thenbegintheprocessoflookingforevenminuteevidencethatwhatyoudesireisindeedonitsway.It’scrucialtokeepthisancientaxiominmind:IgetwhatIthinkabout,whether Iwant itornot.So thinkabouthowfortunateyouare tohavegreatnesslocatedwithinyourself.Nowyoucanlivetheultimateparadox:Youcanbegreatnessandbenobody,simultaneously.

DotheTaoNowCopythefollowingwordsandapplythemtoyourself:Icamefromgreatness.I

mustbelikewhatIcamefrom.Iwillneverabandonmybeliefinmygreatnessand the greatness of others.Read thesewords daily, perhaps by posting themconspicuouslywhere you can see them.Theywill serve to remind you of thetruthofyourowngreatness.Meditate for tenminutes today, focusingonyourinnergreatness.

26thVerseTheheavyistherootofthelight.Thestillisthemasterofunrest.

Realizingthis,thesuccessfulpersonispoisedandcentered

inthemidstofallactivities;althoughsurroundedbyopulence,heisnotswayed.

Whyshouldthelordofthecountryflitaboutlikeafool?Ifyouletyourselfbeblowntoandfro,youlosetouchwithyourroot.

Toberestlessistoloseone’sself-mastery.

LivingCalmlyInthischapteroftheTaoTeChing,you’rebeingadvisedtomaintainasense

ofserenityregardlessofwhatyoumayseetakingplacearoundyou.Moreover,you’re being told that the true master knows that the ability to stay calm isalways located within. From this perspective, there’s no need to assignresponsibilitytoothersforhowyoufeel.Eventhoughyoumayliveinaworldwhere blame and faultfinding are endemic, you will own your feelings andactions.Youwillknowthatcircumstancesdon’tdetermineyourstateofmind,forthatpowerrestswithyou.Whenyoumaintainapeacefulinnerposture,eveninthemidstofchaos,youchangeyourlife.ThewisdomofthisverseoftheTaoTeChingpromptsyoutoknowthatyou

haveachoice.Doyouwant tobe inastateofconfusionor tohavea tranquilinnerlandscape?It’suptoyou!Armedwiththisinsight,theTaomasterdoesn’tallow an external event to be a disturbance. Lao-tzu tells you that assigningblameforyour lackofcalmnesswillneverbringyouto thestateofbeingthatyou’re striving to attain. Self-mastery only blossomswhen you practice beingawareof,andresponsiblefor,whatyou’refeeling.This particular part of theTaoTeChing is one that you’ll probablywant to

immerseyourselfinrepeatedly.Afterall,whatcouldbebetterthanthefreedomofgoingthroughlifewithoutfeelingthatpeopleandcircumstancescontrolyouwithoutyourpermission?Areyoudepressed?Irritated?Frustrated?Exhilarated?Ecstaticallyinlove?Whateveryourcurrentstate,ifyoubelievethatachangingeconomicpictureoratapestryofeventstakingplacearoundyouisresponsible—andyouthenusetheseexternalfactorstoexplainyourinnerstateofmind—you’velosttouchwithyourroot.Why?Becauseyou’reallowingyourselftobe“blowntoandfro”bytheshiftingwindsofcircumstance.Thesolutionfora lifeofunrest ischoosingstillness.Thequietof theTao is

oblivious to any turmoil in the world of the 10,000 things. Be like the Tao,advisesLao-tzu:“Thestillisthemasterofunrest.”Youhaveachoiceineverymoment,soyoucandecidetobeahost toGodandcarryaroundwithyouthecalmnessthatistheTao,oryoucanbeahostagetoyourego,whichinsiststhatyou can’t really help feeling disorderly when you’re in circumstances thatresemblepandemonium.Here’swhatLao-tzuofferstoyouinthisprofoundlysimplepassage,fromthe

profoundlysimplelifehechose2,500yearsbeforeyours:Vowtoseekacalminnerresponsetothecircumstancesofyourlife.

Inthemidstofanykindofunrest—beitanargument,atrafficjam,amonetarycrisis, or anything at all—make the immediate decision that youwill find thecalm center of yourself. By not thinking of what is taking place, and insteadtakingafewdeepbreathsinwhichyouopttoemptyyourmindofjudgments,itbecomes impossible to mentally “flit about like a fool.” You have the innateabilitytochoosecalmnessinthefaceofsituationsthatdriveotherstomadness.Your willingness to do so, especially when chaos and anger have been yourprevious choices, puts you in touchwith “themaster of unrest.” Therewas atimewhen I thought this was impossible. Now I know that even in themosttroublesomeoftimes,myreactionistochoosestillness...thewayoftheTao.

Don’tlosetouchwithyourroot.With a written declaration or picture placed strategically in your home and

workplace,remindyourselfthatnoonecanmakeyou26thVerselosetouchwithyourrootwithoutyourconsent.Affirmthefollowingoften:Ihavetheabilitytostaypoisedandcentered,regardlessofwhatgoesbeforeme.Thenvowtoputthisnewwayofbeingintopracticethenexttimeasituationofunrestcropsup.Dothementalworkinadvanceandyou’llachievetheself-masterythatLao-tzurefers to in this verse.More significantly, you’ll be in harmonywith theTao,whichisyourultimatecalling.

DotheTaoNowSitinaquietplaceandpicturetheonepersonwithwhomyouhavesomekind

oflong-standingconflictsittingtherebeforeyou.Nowsayoutloud,directlytohimorher,“Iforgiveyou.Isurroundyouwithloveandlight,andIdothesameformyself.”Thiswillputthemessageofthe26thverseoftheTaoTeChingtoworkforyoubybringingaboutasenseofcalm.

27thVerseAknowerofthetruth

travelswithoutleavingatrace,speakswithoutcausingharm,

giveswithoutkeepinganaccount.Thedoorheshuts,thoughhavingnolock,cannotbeopened.Theknotheties,thoughusingnocord,cannotbeundone.

Bewiseandhelpallbeingsimpartially,abandoningnone.Wastenoopportunities.

Thisiscalledfollowingthelight.

Whatisagoodmanbutabadman’steacher?Whatisabadmanbutagoodman’sjob?

Iftheteacherisnotrespectedandthestudentnotcaredfor,

confusionwillarise,howevercleveroneis.Thisisthegreatsecret.

LivingbyYourInnerLight

Forjustamoment,imagineyourmostvaluablepossessions,includingalargecache ofmoney, on a table in your bedroom and in full view of anyonewhomightcomein.Nowfurtherimaginethatyourpileofpreciousjewelry,cash,andimportantdocumentsiscompletelysafe—there’snoneedforinsurance,andnoone could ever possibly steal your treasure. Is this state of complete trustpossible?Ithinkso,especiallysinceit’sencouragedinthis27thverseoftheTaoTeChing:“Thedoor...thoughhavingnolock,cannotbeopened.”The“knowerofthetruth”livesbyaninnerlight.Thisilluminationshineson

thefactthatstealingisn’tthewayoftruth,soit’sunnecessarytolockanythingup.Possessionsaresafeamongthosewholivebyaninnerlight,whichreflectstheperfectionoftheTao.It’stheSourceyou’reencouragedtoalwayscarrywithyouandtoconsultwhenyoufeeltheneedforassistanceordirection.Lao-tzu advises you to give without keeping an account or expecting

something in return, for this is the nature of theTao, andyou are of theTao.Givingissynonymouswithreceivingwhenyoulivebythisillumination.Trusttheinnerlighttoguideyou,foritisyourheritage.YouroriginismorefromtheTaothanfromparents,culture,orcountry.It’salsoimportantthatyoulivemorespontaneously—youdon’tneedtoneatly

wrap up each detail of your life. Understand this and you can travel withoutbeingattachedtoaplanthatcoverseverypossiblescenario.Yourinnerlightismoretrustworthythananyguidebook,anditwillpointyouinthedirectionthat’smostbeneficialtoyouandeveryoneyouencounter.WhenyoudevelopatrustintheTao,you’llchangethewayyoulookatlife.You’llmarvelat thebrillianceandclarityofwhatyoubegintosee:Fear,anxiety,stress,andunrestwillsimplybecomefacetsofyourselfseenintheglowoftheTao,likecandlesmarkingyourwayandhelpingyouloveeveryoneasapieceofyourself.Lao-tzu advises you to “bewise and help all beings impartially, abandoning

none”—thatis,youdon’tneedanyoneelse’srulesinordertoreachouttoothers.Givingofyourselfbecomesyournaturalresponsebecauseyou’refollowingtheinner light of theTao.You andgiving are one; you and receiving are one. Insuchanarrangement,thereisnoonewhoisnotyou.

Themostrevealinglinesofthisverseremindyouthatagoodmanisbutabadman’s teacher, and a badman is but a goodman’s job. This is an extremelyempowering way to see life and eliminate stress and anger: If you perceiveyourself to be a “good” person, then those whom you call “bad”—includingconvictedfelonsorenemiesontheothersideoftheworld—areyourjob!Tryontheviewthatyou’reheretoteachyourselfandothersinsomeway,andthatthework is to raise the collective energy of our entire universe. Cultivate yourawarenessoftheinnerlightthat’swithinall.BetheTao!VirtuallyeverytranslationoftheTaoTeChingI’veexaminedreferstoallof

usbeingone,andallofusneedingtobethereforeachother.Thegreatsecretisthis:Wastenoopportunity, abandonnoone, respect the teachers, andcare forthestudent.Twenty-fivehundredyearslater,theTaoremainselusivetomostofusbecauseit’ssoinfrequentlypracticed.Nevertheless,itmustbeinstilledwithinusifwe’retoevertrulywalkintheluminosityoftheGreatWay.Become“aknowerof the truth,”asLao-tzuadvises,by forgetting the locks,

chains,maps,andplans.Travelwithoutleavingatrace,trustinthegoodnessthatistherootofall,andratherthancursethedarknessthatseemssorampant,reachoutwith that inner light and let it shine on thosewho aren’t seeing their ownlegacyintheTao.From his ancient spiritual throne, Lao-tzu is telling you to practice in these

newways:

Trustinyourself.

Developaninnercodeofconductthat’sbasedexclusivelyonyourirreversibleconnection to the Tao. When you trust this wisdom that created you, you’retrustingyourself.Knowthatnothingcouldeverdissuadeyoufromyourinternalcodeofhonesty,andlivebythisstandard.Ifyouencounteraneasyopportunityto cheat, perhaps because you’ve been handed toomuch change by a hurriedcashier,make thedecision tobedown-to-the-pennyhonest.Furthermore,havefaith in yourself to go on a trip with a minimal amount of planning. AllowyourselftotrustintheenergyoftheTaotoguideyou,ratherthanrelyinguponfixedplansarrangedbysomeoneelse.

Don’tjudgeyourselforothers.Don’tcriticizethebehaviororappearanceofthoseyou’veassessedtobe“bad

people.”Instead,switchyourthoughtstosomethingalongtheselines:IammyownstudentandhavethisopportunitytolearnthatI’minstructingratherthanjudging.Iwillnowceasecritiquingmyselforanyother,andteachbybeingtheTao.Iftheentireworldofthe10,000thingsknewthesimpletruththatweareallone,theninmyopinionwar,hostilities,confusion,andevenillnesswouldceasetoexist.Whynotbeone individualwhochooses to respectyourselfandallothersas

teachers and as students?When you see the world as full of opportunities tohelp,onethoughtandoneactionatatime,you’llbelivingbyyourinnerlight.ThegreatSufipoetHafizspeaksofthisinhispoem“NoMoreLeaving”:

AtSomepoint

YourrelationshipWithGodWill

Becomelikethis:NexttimeyoumeetHimintheforestOronacrowdedcitystreet

Therewon’tbeanymore

“Leaving.”

Thatis,

GodwillclimbintoYourpocket.

Youwillsimplyjusttake

Yourself

Along!

DotheTaoNow

Findonepersonlabeled“bad,”andusethatopportunitytodoyourjob.Beateacherby reachingout and sendinga lovingmessage tohimorher—perhapsyoucouldpassalongabook,writeane-mailorletter,ormakeaphonecall.Justdo one thing as a “good” person today, even if it’s for a stranger living in aprisoncell.Heorsheisyourassignmentrightnow.

28thVerseKnowthestrengthofman,butkeepawoman’scare!Beavalleyunderheaven;ifyoudo,theconstantvirtue

willnotfadeaway.Onewillbecomelikeachildagain.

Knowthewhite,keeptotheblack,

andbethepatternoftheworld.Tobethepatternoftheworldistomoveconstantlyinthepathofvirtuewithout

erringasinglestep,andtoreturnagaintotheinfinite.

Onewhounderstandssplendorwhileholdingtohumility

actsinaccordwitheternalpower.Tobethefountainoftheworldistolivetheabundantlifeofvirtue.

Whentheunformedisformedintoobjects,itsoriginalqualitiesarelost.Ifyoupreserveyouroriginalqualities,youcangovernanything.

Truly,thebestgovernorgovernsleast.

LivingVirtuouslyIn thisverse, thewordvirtue is synonymouswith“nature”or “theTao.”By

being one with nature, the sage is in concert with the Tao and is a virtuousperson indaily life.Here,Lao-tzuspeaksaboutyourpersonalpath,andalsoaTao-oriented way of governing others. These others could be your familymembers, fellow employees, business associates, friends, and even the entireprocessofgovernmentifyou’reinapoliticalposition.Infact,muchoftheTaoTeChingisfocusedonteachingallofushowtocreateanadministrationthatisinaccordwiththesehighestprinciplesoftheTao.Itismymostferventintentionto spread these teachings throughout theworld in suchawayas to facilitateatransformationofallthosewhocallthemselves“leaders”andaredestinedfor,orpresentlyin,positionsofpower.Everypersonhastheinherentcapacitytosparkmassivechangesthatcanlead

to the tranquility, harmony, and peace that are our heritage. Lao-tzu calls thispreserving our “original qualities.” Such qualities require the least amount ofgovernment, so it seems natural to see thatwe rule best by allowing our Taonature,whichrulestheleast,toflourish!Livingvirtuouslyiswhatyoudowhenyou’repermittingtheTaotoguideyou.

TheadviceLao-tzugives fordoing this iscontained in fourdistinct images inthisverse:1.“Beavalleyunderheaven”isnumberone.Lettheriveroflifeflowthrough

you.Asavalleybeneathheaven,you’reafertileplaceofgracewhereeverythingisreceivedandallowed.Youmightseeitasthelowestareainthespectrumofthe 10,000 things, or as the pointwhere you can see all things flowing aboveyou. In this place of humility, the constant virtue of the Tao will never fadeaway.Forme,thismeanslivingfromradicalhumility.Sogetdown(ifyoucan)totheeyelevelofasmallchild.Lookingup,seeif“originalqualities”aremorevisible.Belikethevalleyunderheaven,readytoembraceandtendtheseedsthatblowyourway.2. “Be thepatternof theworld” is the second image that invites you to live

virtuously.Seenatureunspoiledbyculture,asintheperfectionoftheuncarvedblockofwood.Thepatternof theworld,untouchedbyhumans, isadesignoftheTao.Soratherthaninsistingonchangingorresisting,you’reencouragedtorowyourboat,andyourlife,gentlydownthestream.Trusttheperfectionofthe

Tao to take youmerrily back to your perfect place of origination. Lao-tzu isbasically saying to let go and let theTao.Dismiss ego,whichyou’ve created,andallowyourselftobeintheworldbychanginghowyoulookattheworld.3.“[Act]inaccordwitheternalpower”isthethirdimageforlivingvirtuously.

Justcontemplateforamomenttheideaofafountainoftheworld,whichneverfades, never ends, and is there beyond the comings and goings of the 10,000things.Thiskindofpoweristheonetocreateandthenretreat,toformandthento render formless. It is always there, an endless geyser gushing forth theabundantlifeofvirtue.Youareinaccordwitheternalpowerwhenyoususpendyouregoandbecome

consciousof theTao flowing in this fountainof you.Pictureyourself pouringforth,notfromyourideasofself-importanceandyourneedforexternalpoweroverothers,but fromaceaselessSourceofgoodandvirtue that’s inharmonywith your infinite nature. Change the image of yourself to a being who’s inaccordwitheternalpower,andthevirtuouslifeyouwanttoseewillbevisible.4. “Preserve your original qualities” is the fourth imageof livingvirtuously,

and one that I happen to love.Your original qualities are those thatwere youbeforetherewasayou!ThisiswhatJesusmeantby“Andnow,Father,glorifymeinyourpresencewiththegloryIhadwithyoubeforetheworldbegan”(John17:5). Imagine if you can what is meant by “before the world began.” Theoriginal qualities Lao-tzu speaks of are the love, kindness, and beauty thatdefinedyouressencebeforeyouwereformedintoaparticleandthenahumanbeing. In otherwords, living virtuously has nothing to dowith obeying laws,beingagoodcitizen,or fulfilling someexternally inspired ideaofwhoyou’remeanttobecome.ThisinsightfulverseoftheTaoTeChingtellsyouhowtolivevirtuously.Bea

valleyunderheavenbybeinghumble andallowing seemingopposites to flowthroughyou.Bethepatternoftheworldbyseeingthepatternofyourworldandlivinginharmonywithoutimposingegoonothers.Inaccordwitheternalpower,beafountainoftheplanetbyconsciouslypouringforthfromtheendlessoceanofgoodnessandvirtuethat’syourbirthright.Preserveyouroriginalqualitiesbyreclaiming and reacquainting yourselfwith theTao’s essence,which precededyourbirthintoformandisyouroriginalquality.Here’s what Lao-tzu offers you from his 2,500-year-old perspective in this

28thverseoftheTaoTeChing:

Entertaintheexactoppositeofwhatyou’vebeenconditionedtobelieve.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, bewillingtohearandreceive.Listenintentlywhenyou’reinclinedtoofferadvice.Beahumbleearthsourceratherthanaloftyego-inspiredperson.Inthelastlineof the 28th verse, Lao-tzu is clear on this: “Truly, the best governor governsleast.” This isn’t advice to lower your opinion of yourself, but rather to seeyourself as so strongly connected to your Source of being that you know andtrustthatyou’reapieceofit.

Replaceallnegativitywithlove.KahlilGibran, the spiritual Lebanese poet, once advised that “if you cannot

workwith love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave yourwork and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of thosewhoworkwithjoy.”ActivelybegintheprocessofpreservingyouroriginalqualitiesbybeinganinstrumentofSpirit,particularlyinplaceswhereyoufinditeasytoforgetyourowntruevirtuousself.

DotheTaoNow

Be childlike at least once a day. Deliberately select a typically stressfulsituation and become a valley of heaven. Play rather than work, even whileyou’reatyourjob!Giggleratherthanmaintainingasolemnair.Beinaweforamoment or two. For example, find a spider-web and just gaze at the miraclebeforeyou:atinylittlecreaturespinningaperfectnetbiggerthanitisinordertocatchairbornebugsfordinner...wow!

29thVerseDoyouthinkyoucantakeovertheuniverseandimproveit?

Idonotbelieveitcanbedone.

Everythingunderheavenisasacredvesselandcannotbecontrolled.Tryingtocontrolleadstoruin.Tryingtograsp,welose.

Allowyourlifetounfoldnaturally.Knowthatittooisavesselofperfection.

Justasyoubreatheinandbreatheout,thereisatimeforbeingaheadandatimeforbeingbehind;atimeforbeinginmotionandatimeforbeingatrest;atimeforbeingvigorous

andatimeforbeingexhausted;atimeforbeingsafeandatimeforbeingindanger.

Tothesagealloflifeisamovementtowardperfection,sowhatneedhashe

fortheexcessive,theextravagant,ortheextreme?

LivingbyNaturalLaw

This verse speaks of a natural law that’s unaffected by ego. The message?You’renot incharge—youneverhavebeen,andyouneverwillbe.Soyou’readvised to let goof any ideas youhave about controlling anythingor anyone,includingyourself.It’sadifficultlessonformostofustolearn.AsLao-tzuputsitinthebeginningofthisverse,“Idonotbelieveitcanbedone.”Nevertheless,here’soneof theworld’smost famousscientificminds,Albert

Einstein,commentingonthislaw:[The scientist’s] religious feeling takes the form of a rapturous

amazementattheharmonyofnaturallaw,whichrevealsanintelligenceof such superiority that, comparedwith it, all the systematic thinkingand acting of humanbeings is an utterly insignificant reflection.Thisfeelingistheguidingprincipleofhislifeandwork...

ItistothisfeelingthatIurgeyoutoturnasyouputintopracticethewisdomof the 29th verse of the TaoTeChing. Tuning in to this rapturous feeling ofamazementatthesacredperfectionoftheworldhelpsyoureleaseyourdesiretocontrolanythingoranyone.Doingsowillallowyoutoliveinthe“harmonyofnaturallaw,”asEinsteindescribesit.Lao-tzu reminds you that “everything under heaven is a sacred vessel,”

needingnoinputfromyou.Sinceyou’realsoapartofeverything,youmayneedtochangethewayyoulookatyourlifeandallthathastranspiredinit,aswellasyourvisionofthefuture.Whetheryouagreeordisagree,whetheryoulikeitornot,allofitisoutsideofyourego’sdomain.It’sallunfoldingaccordingtothesamenaturallawthatcausestheseasonstofollowoneanother,themoontolookasifitrisesandfalls,thewhalestotraverseoceans,andthebirdstomigrateandreturn without benefit of a map or human-made guidance system.When youlookatyourlifeinthisway,you’llbegintoseeitunfoldingorganically.TheTaoisanatural law,notsomecontrollingforcethat’smanipulatingyou.

InTheTaoofPhilosophy,AlanWattsremindsusthatLao-tzuoncesaid,“TheGreat Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right. It loves andnourishes all thingsbut doesnot lord it over them.”TheTao is the informingprinciple of God, not nature’s lord and master. A power-hungry and ego-

dominatedcontrolfreakit’snot!Feelingsuperiorisahumancreation.TheTaodoesn’t act as boss, forcing itself on you or anyone. It simply allows all ofcreationtorevealitselfwithperfecttiming...andallthatisrevealedissacredbecauseit’sapieceoftheego-freeTao.Isuggestthatyoucreatesomequiettimetorereadthisverseandreflectonthe

sacred nature of everything in your life. Include past experiences that you’veblamedforpreventingyoufromhavingtheabundance,health,orhappinessthatyou’vewantedandevenexpected.Pondertheadvicethatthere’satimeforitall:Justasyoumustbreatheintobreatheout,youmayexperiencewhatitistobeaheadbyalsohavinga“being-behindexperience.”Allof those times thatyoufelt betrayed, abandoned, abused, frightened, anxious, or incomplete—they allcame about according to a natural law that also led you to feel cared for,protected,loved,comforted,andwhole.There’satimeforeverything,includingwhatyou’reexperiencingtoday.Begin recognizing that everymoment of your life is in accordancewith the

Divine Tao. By doing so, you’ll shift from judgment (and perhaps anger) togratefulness for being able to feel both exhausted and rested, scared and safe,unloved and cared for.All of it is a part of the natural law.Your “ego-mind”triestoprotectyoufrompainbyinsistingthatyoucanlearntoeliminatesomeaspects29thVerseofyourlife.However,thesagewithinyoudesirestobemoreharmonious with the perfection of the Tao. How do you allow this? Lao-tzuurges you to avoid the extremes, the excesses, and the extravagant, and knowthatallisunfoldingperfectly,evenifyourthoughtstellyouthatit’simperfect.Thosethoughtsmustalsohavetheirowntime,andinthenaturalflow,they’llbereplacedbynewones...whichwillshowupontimeaswell.Here’swhatIbelievethisversefromLao-tzuoffersyoufromits2,500-year-

oldperspective:

Giveupneedingtocontrol.

Begin a conscious program of surrendering, and allowing your world andeveryoneinittodoastheyareordainedtodo.Surrenderingisamentalprocess:It involves takinga split second to stopyourself inyourmodeof judgmentorfrustrationandhaveabrieftalkwithyourselfonthespot.Justremindyourselftostep back and be a witness rather than a protagonist, which you can do by

providingasanctuaryforthefeelingyou’rejudging.InviteDivinenaturalorderinbysimplyallowingwhatyou’reexperiencingtogoforwardwithoutcriticismorcontrol;inthisway,youmovetothecenter.ThinkoftheneedtocontrolasasignaltoallowtheTaotoflowfreelythroughyourlife.Atfirstyourego-mindmay loudly scoff at the idea of the Tao being responsible for the perfectunfoldingofeverything.It’suptoyoutorecognizethatyourbeliefthategocancontrollifeisanillusion.

Practicerecognizingthatthere’satimeforeverything.Whenyou’reinthemiddleofatoughmoment,repeatthelinesgiventoyouby

Lao-tzu.IdothisinyogapracticewhenIfeelexhaustedholdingapositionforwhatseemslikeatoo-lengthyperiod.Iremindmyself,There’satimeforbeingexhausted, and there’s a time for being vigorous.This frees me immediatelyfrommydemanding ego,which is saying,You shouldn’t be feeling this tired.Youcandothesameinanymomentinyourlife.Experiencesofpain,loss,fear,anger,andevenhatredseemtovanishwhenyourememberthatthisisapartoftheperfectblossomingofnaturallaw;andtherewillsoonbeatimeforcomfort,peace,andlove.ApplythisverseoftheTaoTeChingbycreatingyourpersonalizedstatement

whenyouobservethingssuchascrime,AIDS,hunger,andwar.Trysomethinglike,Yes,thereseemstobeatimeforsuchthings,andIchoosenottoremaininextremesofresentmentandanger.But thereisalsomydesire todosomethingabout these circumstances—that feeling is also a part of the natural lawunfolding. I choose to act on my inner desire to rectify these conditions. Byremaininginternallypeacefulandavoidingtheextremes,IwillimpacttheworldinthesamelovingwaythattheTaoeternallymanifestsfromloveandkindness.It’s not what you see around you that keeps you connected to the Tao; it’s

understandinghowthiseternalflowworks.AsRalphWaldoEmersonputit,“Byatoms, by trifles, by sots, heaven operates. The needles are nothing, themagnetismisall.”

DotheTaoNowFindaplacewherecontrolisall-consumingandrelinquishittoday.Stifleyour

inclination to interfere, remindingyourselfasyoudoso that there’sa timeforeverythingandyou’rebecomingmoreadeptatobservingpeacefullyratherthan

takingover.Post this advice by Naomi Long Madgett where you can read it, and be

constantlyremindedofyourdesiretolivenaturally:Iwouldn’tcoaxtheplantifIwereyou.Suchwatchfulnurturingmaydoitharm.Letthesoilrestfromsomuchdigging

Andwaituntilit’sdrybeforeyouwaterit.Theleaf’sinclinedtofinditsowndirection;Giveitachancetoseekthesunlightforitself.

Muchgrowthisstuntedbytoomuchprodding,Tooeagertenderness.

Thethingswelovewehavetolearntoleavealone.

30thVerseOnewhowouldguidealeaderofmenintheusesoflifewillwarnhimagainst

theuseofarmsforconquest.Weaponsoftenturnuponthewielder.

Wherearmiessettle,natureoffersnothingbutbriarsandthorns.

Afteragreatbattlehasbeenfought,thelandiscursed,thecropsfail,theearthliesstrippedofitsMotherhood.

Afteryouhaveattainedyourpurpose,youmustnotparadeyoursuccess,youmustnotboastofyourability,

youmustnotfeelproud;youmustratherregretthatyouhadnotbeenabletopreventthewar.

Youmustneverthinkofconqueringothersbyforce.Whateverstrainswithforce

willsoondecay.ItisnotattunedtotheWay.NotbeingattunedtotheWay,itsendcomesalltoosoon.

LivingWithoutForce

Ifyouweretoexplicitlyfollowtheadviceofferedinthis30thverseoftheTaoTeChing,you’dbeinapositiontohaveaconflict-freeexistence.Imaginethat!IfourentireglobalpopulationunderstoodandlivedthedirectivesofthischapteroftheTaoTeChing,we’dfinallybefreeofbattle-relatedstress,alongwiththeravagesthatwarhasspreadacrossourplanetsincewebegankeepinghistoricalrecords. As the 29th verse wisely instructed, there’s a time for everything—couldthisbethetimeforlivingwithoutforce?Here’s my impression of what’s being offered to you in this verse: Force

createsacounterforce,andthisexchangegoesonandonuntilanall-outwarisinprogress.Oncewarhasbegun,decimationandfamineresultbecausethelandcannot produce crops. Now when you create war in your personal life, itproduces a dearth of love, kindness, and joy, which leaves you and everyonearoundyoustrippedofDivineMotherhood.Lao-tzuisencouragingyoutolookforanalternativetoforceforsettlingdisputes.Ifyoucanfindnootheroption,then you’re encouraged to abandon any reference to yourself as winning orconquering.Force includesanyuseofphysicalormentalabuse inwhich theweaponsof

hatred and intolerance are applied. There will always be a counterforce, andwhat you’ve opted to do isn’t “attuned to the Way.” This means that you’llultimatelylose—especiallywhenyouconsiderthatMartinLutherKing,Jr.,onceobservedthattheonlywaytoconvertanenemytoafriendisthroughlove.Unfortunately, whenever force is used, resentment and ultimately revenge

become the means for responding. If we’re thinking in war-zone terms, thekillingof a largegroupof peopledesignated as enemies leaves their sons anddaughtersgrowinguphatingthevanquishers.Ultimately,thosesurvivorstakeupweapons to exact revengeon the childrenof thosewhovanquished them.Theuseofforcepropelsentiregenerationsofpeopleintoacontinuationofwar.OrasLao-tzuputsit,“Weaponsoftenturnuponthewielder.”Thinking in alignment with the Tao applies to any conflict you may

experience. When you resort to force, then disputes with your spouse, yourchildren, your business partners, and even your neighbors will continue to

intensify. That’s because the Great Way of Tao is that of cooperation, notcompetition.The all-creating Source is always providing, asking nothing in return, and

comingfromaplaceofsharingitsinherentlove.Itknowsthatallarepartofthe10,000 things,and theymustcooperatewitheachotherbecause theyshare thesameorigin.Sowheneveryou’reinamodethatpropelsyouinthedirectionofusing force, you’ve lost sight of your connection to the Tao. Moreover, anycollectionofpeople(suchascommunitiesorcountries)whoresorttoweaponstogettheirpointsacrossareunattunedtotheWay.They’llleavetheearthandthehearts of the people uninhabitable, except to “briars and thorns.”Your choiceconcerning your commitment to practicing the Tao includes refusing toparticipateinanymanner,beitmentalorphysical,inanythingthatviolatesyourunderstanding of the advice offered in this powerful passage of the Tao TeChing.Perhaps the easiest lesson presented here is the reminder to eschew the

behaviors of boastfulness and pomposity for anything achieved by force.Remember thatwhatever isaccomplished insuchawaycreatesacounterforcethatwill ultimately result in your victory turning to a defeat. If you somehowfeel that you had no other choice than to use violence to protect yourself andthoseyoulove,immediatelyretreattoapositionthatdoesn’tallowforbraggingand self-congratulation. Vow to work on restoring a balance of love wherehatred previously resided, and do all that you can to make amends for anydamagethatresultedfromyouruseofforce.This30thVerseistheWay.Ithasalsobeencalledwu-wei,or“notforcing,”whichmeanstotakethelineofleastresistanceinallofone’sactions,andbydoingso,createmorestrength.Here’swhatIbelieveyoucanlearnandpracticefromLao-tzu’sadviceinthis

30thverseoftheTaoTeChing:Eliminateverbaland/orphysicalforceinallsituations.

Examinetherelationshipsinwhichyouexperienceconflict.Makeaconcerteddecisiontouselessharshlanguageandtocompletelyveerawayfrombecomingphysical in the resolution of any altercation. Practice stopping thoughts ofviolence by shifting right in the moment to a stance of listening. Bite yourtongue!Stifleyourself!Holdbackanyresponseatallforthetimebeing.Thesearegreat reminders toyou tobecomeattuned to theWay.Remember,

any act of force will definitely produce a counterforce, so if you insist on

escalatingdevastation,yourweaponswillbeturnedbackuponyou.Refusetoparticipateinviolentactionsinanyway.

Create distance between any form of violence and yourself. This includeslistening toTVor radio reports or evenperusingnewspaper articles about theusesofforcetakingplaceallovertheplanet.Seeifyou’rejustifyinghearingorreadingabouthostileactivitiesasaneedtobe“fullyinformed.”Onceyouknowthat force is being applied anywhere in thenameof subjugatingothers, you’llrealize that the constant repetitionof thatnewsmakesyouaparticipant in theviolence. By refusing to allow such energy into your life, even as a passiveobserver,youkeepyourselfattunedtotheWay.Eventually,whenenoughofusareunwillingtotoleratesuchbehaviorinany

form, we’ll be closer to bringing an end to the use of force on our planet.Rememberthateveryuseofforce,eventhesmallest,createsacounterforce.Here’swhatagreat16th-centurypoet,SaintJohnoftheCross,advises:

Youmightquietthewholeworldforasecondifyoupray.

Andifyoulove,ifyoureallylove,

ourgunswillwilt.

DotheTaoNowIn line with altering the way you look at the world, today change every

televisionchannelandradiostationthatpresentsanimageoraudiooftheuseofforce or violence.Then increase that “no tolerance” policy to includemovies,videos,andgamesthathavebeatings,homicides,andchasescenes.

31stVerseWeaponsarethetoolsofviolence;alldecentmendetestthem.

Therefore,followersoftheTaoneverusethem.

Armsserveevil.Theyarethetoolsofthosewhoopposewiserule.

Usethemonlyasalastresort.Forpeaceandquietaredearesttothedecentman’sheart,andtohimevena

victoryisnocauseforrejoicing.

Hewhothinkstriumphbeautifulisonewithawilltokill,andonewithawilltokill

shallneverprevailupontheworld.

Itisagoodsignwhenman’shighernaturecomesforward.Abadsignwhenhislowernaturecomesforward.

Withtheslaughterofmultitudes,wehavegriefandsorrow.Everyvictoryisafuneral;whenyouwinawar,

youcelebratebymourning.

LivingWithoutWeapons

The31st verseof theTaoTeChingunequivocally states that implements ofviolenceserveevil.Lao-tzuclearlyknewthatweaponsdesignedtokillaretoolsoffutilityandshouldbeavoidedifyouchoosetoliveaccordingtotheprinciplesoftheTao.Thisincludesthedesign,production,marketing,distribution,andofcourse, the use of weapons in the business of killing. The Tao is about life;weapons are about death. The Tao is a creative force; weapons are aboutdestruction.Humanityhas failed to learn thisprofound teachingof theTaoTeChing,whichwaswrittenwhenweaponsconsistedmainlyofbowsandarrows,spears,hatchets,andthelike.From his position as an observer and a being of Divine wisdom, Lao-tzu

recognized that there’s no victory in any activity where killing takes place.Why? Because all people, regardless of their geographic location or beliefsystem,areconnectedtoeachotherbytheiroriginatingspirit.Weallcomefrom,retain,andreturntotheTao.Whenwedestroyeachother,we’redestroyingouropportunitytoallowtheTaotoinformus,toflowfreelyinandthroughtheformwe’rein.Whatappearstoouregotobeavictorytocelebrateisreallyafuneral,atimetomourn.Lao-tzuremindsusthattakingpleasureinwinningabattleisaligned with an ego will to kill. The Tao has only a creative, nurturing, andlovingwill.On thisphysical plane, ourhighest nature expresses itself throughthepreceptsoftheTao,whileourlowestnatureexpressesitselfbyengaginginthebusinessofkilling.Thewrittenhistoryofhumankindinvolveswarsasfarbackasitcango,and

wemeasureoursupposedmarchtowardcivilizationbythesophisticationofourweapons.We’veadvancedfromsimplespearsusedincloseindividualcombattobowsandarrowsthatkillfromashortdistance,riflesandexplosivedevicesthatexecutefromfartheraway,andbombsthatdecimatewhendroppedfromtheair.We’ve reached the level where we have to invent terms likemega-death andweaponsofmassdestructiontodescribeourcurrentabilitytoannihilatemillionsofpeopleandotherlife-formswithonenuclearblast.Thecurrentlevelofpresumablyenlightenedsophisticationmeansthatwehave

thecapacity todestroyall lifeonourplanetwith theweaponswe’veamassed.

Thisperilousstatehasemergedbecausewe’veignoredthebasictenetoftheTaoTeChing, particularly as stressed in the infinitewisdom of this verse: “Armsserveevil.Theyarethetoolsofthosewhoopposewiserule.”IbelievethatLao-tzuwasnotonlyspeakingaboutphysicalweapons,butalso

nonphysicalbehaviorsthatarejustasdestructive.Theseincludeviolentwords,gestures, and threats that aren’t a part of humankind’s higher nature. If youchangethewayyoulookatyourworld,youmustincludenoticingyourlanguageandyourdemeanor.Doyoudemonstratethatyou’reapersonwhovalueslifeinallofitscostumes?Areyousomeonewhowouldn’ttakeupanytypeofarms—be they physical or not—against another, unless alternative means had beenexhausted?Andthen,ifforcedtoinjureanother,areyouabletofeelcompassionfor your so-called enemy?Weapons designed to kill are inconsistentwith theveryessenceof theTao.Thus,youmustmakeeveryeffort tobepeacefulandharmoniouswithitslife-givingenergy.Themassiveproliferationofguns inourmodernsociety isagiantstepaway

fromhumankind’shighestnature.SoreplacedefendingtherighttoownanduseweaponswiththeTaoconsciousness.Seekinsteadtoaspiretoatimewhenourcollective human energy is elevated to such a high status that even thecontemplationofkillingisimpossible.Youcanbegintodosobychangingthewayyou lookat thenecessity forweapons. Itbeginswitheachandeveryone31stVerse of us, andwe can start by taking heed ofwhat the Tao TeChingteachesus.Bymaking thisverseyourpersonalcalling,youhave theability tosaveourplanetfrombecomingalifelessone.ThisiswhatIbelieveLao-tzuissayingtoyoupersonallyfromhis2,500-year-

oldperspective:Begintoseetheuseofphysicalorverbalweaponsasunwantedresponses.Change your need to defend yourself to a stance of realizing that this is

evidence you’re ignoring the teachings of your Source of being. Refuse toconsiderusingweaponsofviolenceinanyformbynoticingyourlanguageandabolishinghatredfromyourvocabulary.Replacedefendingyourrighttopossessandusearmswithanattitudethatalldeathsfromsuchinstrumentsaresignalsofdetachment from thewisdom of the Tao.When enough of us reach a criticalmass in our thinking so that it disallows the existence of weapons, we’ll bemoving the direction of ourworld.No longerwillwe be able to evaluate theplanet’s levelof civilizationby the sophisticationofourweapons; instead, the

measurementwillbeontheTaoscaleofhowwellwe’reabletofeedandloveeachother.Thenbeingcivilwillauthenticatetherootwordfoundincivilization.

Discontinuecelebratingdeathorviolenceinanyform.Distance yourself from as many images of death as possible, including

watchingmovies or TV shows that depict killing as a form of entertainment,along with news reports that emphasize the extinguishing of life. Teach yourkids, and any children you can, to sanctify life. Encourage them not to takepleasure in the demise of so-called enemies, terrorists, or insurgents—all ofthesekindsofdeath,betheyonabattlefieldoranurbanstreet,areevidenceofour collective will to kill. And don’t demonstrate hatred and outrage; rather,teach yourself and others that every victory accomplished with weapons is afuneralthatshouldbemourned.Here are some sensitive lines fromSaint ThomasAquinas, a holymanwho

attemptedtoteachuswhatLao-tzuofferedinthisverseoftheTaoTeChing:Howisittheyliveforeonsinsuchharmony—thebillionsofstars—

whenmostmencanbarelygoaminutewithoutdeclaringwarintheirmindagainstsomeonetheyknow.

Therearewarswherenoonemarcheswithaflag,thoughthatdoesnotkeepcasualtiesfrommounting.

Ourheartsirrigatethisearth.Wearefieldsbefore

eachother.

Howcanweliveinharmony?Firstweneedto

know

weareallmadlyinlove

withthesameGod.

DotheTaoNow

Say a private prayer today for every person you read or hear aboutwho’s avictimofkillingbyaweapon,nomatterhowdistant.

32ndVerseTheeternalTaohasnoname.Althoughsimpleandsubtle,

nooneintheworldcanmasterit.

Ifkingsandlordscouldharnessthem,the10,000thingswouldnaturallyobey.Heavenandearthwouldrejoicewiththedrippingofsweetdew.Everyonewouldliveinharmony,

notbyofficialdecree,butbytheirowngoodness.

Oncethewholeisdivided,thepartsneednames.Therearealreadyenoughnames;

knowwhentostop.Knowwhenreasonsetslimits

toavoidperil.

Riversandstreamsarebornoftheocean,andallcreationisbornoftheTao.Justasallwaterflowsbacktobecometheocean,allcreationflowsbackto

becometheTao.

LivingthePerfectGoodnessoftheTao

Inthisverse,Lao-tzudescribestheecstasyofbeingtrulyonthesamepageasyourSource.Whatyoumightdescribeasopenheartednessorjoyisthe“simpleandsubtle”flowoftheTaoenergythat’sresponsibleforallof life . . .andnoeffortonyourpartisnecessary.Lao-tzuopensthisversewithareminderthatnoone—notyou,me,oreventhe

mostpowerfulkingordictator—can rein inormaster this forceknownas theTao.Ifitwereunderourcontrol,thenallofnatureandits10,000thingswouldcelebratebecausewe’dliveinpeaceandharmony.Whenwe’reabletoliveandbreathe the perfect goodness that is theTao,wars, famine, conflict, and othernegative human creations cease to exist. The challenge presented in this 32ndverseoftheTaoTeChingishowtoliveinourphysicalworldinunisonwiththeeternal,always-moldingandalways-creatingTao.Look at what you desire to bring into your life; then, in the context of this

sweet verse, feel grateful for everything you encounter. Express gratitude byridingtheflowofyourexistenceandallowingittobeyourally.Youcansteerwhilestillenjoyingthisgloriousride,butifyouelecttofightit,you’llultimatelyget pulled under by its current. This is true for every aspect of your life: Themoreyoupushagainstit,themoreresistanceyoucreate.Be aware of anything that’s directing you toward activities that truly ignite

yourpassion.Ifeventsseemtobetakingyouinanewdirectioninyourwork,forinstance,orsignspointtochangingyourjoborlocation,payattention!Don’tget pulled under by refusing to budge and continuing a familiar frustratingroutine, and then justifying your fear of change. Recognize the Tao energycoursingthroughyourlifeandquitfightingyourcalling.IwatchmyyoungsononasurfboardeachdayofthesummerhereonMaui.

He loves the thrilling rideasheacceleratesbygoingwith thewave—he’snotattempting to control it by prolonging it or forcing it to move in a differentdirection. I use this as ametaphor formy life, for Iwrite in the flow. I allowthoughts and ideas to come in andmove onto the page. I allowmyself to becarried by the greatwave of theTao in all ofmy decisions,which bringsmepeace. That’s because I trust in the perfect goodness of the Tao to guideme,

directme,andtakemewhereitwill.YouandIareliketheriversandstreamsthatLao-tzumentionsinthisverse.

WewerebornoftheTao,ourSourceofbeing,andwe’rereturningtotheTao.Thereturntripisinevitable—itcan’tbestopped.Sowatchyourbodyasitgoesthroughitschanges,notingthatitdoessointhesamewaythattheriversheaddowntotheoceantoreemergeandbecomeonewithit.Lao-tzu urges you to know when to stop driving yourself, advising you to

instead jump into theonenessandavoidallmannerofdifficulties thathecallsyour“peril.”FlowwiththeTaoineverythingyoudo.Giveuptheneedtobeincharge,whichisjustyouregoworkingovertime.YoucannotforcetheTao...letitcarryyoubyrelaxingintoitwithtrustandfaith.As you ride this glorious wave of the Tao, consider this advice from Alan

WattsinTao:TheWatercourseWay:Let your ears hear whatever they want to hear; let your eyes see

whatever they want to see; let yourmind think whatever it wants tothink; let your lungs breathe in their own rhythm.Do not expect anyspecialresult,forinthiswordlessandidealessstate,wherecantherebepastorfuture,andwhereanynotionofpurpose?

Stop, look, and listen right now before you go on reading. Yes, get in theperfectgoodnessoftheTaorightnow—inyourbusiness,inyourrelationships,inyourcareer,inyoureverything!Stop,listenforyourpassion,andthenallowyourselfbetakentherebytheceaselesstideofallcreation,whichcontinuesinspiteofyourego’sopinions.Here’s what Lao-tzu seems to be saying to you, through me, about

implementingtheideaofthis32ndverseoftheTaoTeChing:Payattentiontotheflowofyourlife.

Remind yourself that you don’t have to be in charge—that, in fact, it’simpossibleforyoutobeincharge.Thenamelessforce,whichLao-tzucallstheTao, moves everything, so your continual argument with it only causesdissatisfaction.Eachday,practice lettinggoandseeingwhereyou’redirected.Takenoteofwhoshowsupandwhen.Observethe“strangecoincidences”thatseemtocollaboratewithfateandinsomewaysteeryouinanewdirection.Keeptrackofsituationsthatoccurspontaneouslyoroutoftherealmofyourcontrol.

Lookforanew,joyousfeelingwithinyou.

As you move in the direction of “loosening the leash,” so to speak, you’llbecomekeenlyawareoftheexhilarationoftheTaoflowingthroughyou.BegintoseewhatpassionsarestirredupasyouallowtheridetobedirectedbyyourSourceratherthanego.Thesejoyousfeelingsarecluesthatyou’rebeginningtoharmonize with what Lao-tzu calls “[your] own goodness.” Your enthusiasticinnerreceptivityisyourreminderthatallisperfect,sotrustthatenergy.

DotheTaoNowPickatimetoday,perhapsbetweennoonand4p.m.,toconsciouslyfreeyour

mind from attempting to control the events of your life. Go for a walk andsimplyletyourselfbecarriedalong:Letyourfeetgowheretheywill.Observeeverything inyour lineofvision.Noticeyourbreath, the soundsyouhear, thewind, thecloudformations, thehumidity, the temperature—everything.Simplyletyourselfbeimmersedandtransported,andnoticehowitfeelstojustgowiththe flow. Now decide to let freedom be your guide. Realize that traffic, thepeople in your life, the stock exchange, theweather, the tides . . . all of it istaking place at its own pace in its ownway.You canmovewith the eternal,perfectTaoaswell.Beit...now.

33rdVerseOnewhounderstandsothershasknowledge;onewhounderstandshimselfhas

wisdom.Masteringothersrequiresforce;masteringtheselfneedsstrength.

Ifyourealizethatyouhaveenough,youaretrulyrich.

Onewhogiveshimselftohispositionsurelyliveslong.OnewhogiveshimselftotheTao

surelylivesforever.

LivingSelf-MasteryIn our contemporary world, an educated person is generally thought of as

someonewith several diplomaswho’s in a position to intelligently discuss allmanner of topics, particularly in the academic field. In addition to amassingscholasticcredits,highlylearnedpeopleoftenunderstandandreachouttohelpothers.Infact,theyseemtopossesstheabilitytoeffectively“read”otherpeople.These individuals’ power and status tends to increase in proportion to thenumber of men and women they oversee, such as with the president of auniversity,aCEOofabusiness,orageneralofanarmy.In this33rdverseof theTaoTeChing,Lao-tzu is askingyou to change the

way you look at these twin ideas of knowledge and power.You’re invited toevaluateyourlevelofself-masterybyturningyourgazeinwardandseeingtheworld, and your place in it, in a new light. A Tao-oriented life focuses onunderstandingyourself,ratherthanonthethinkingandbehaviorsofothers.Youshift from the acquisition of information and the pursuit of status symbols tounderstanding and mastering yourself in any and all situations. Power overothers is replacedwith an inner strength that empowers you to behave fromawisdomthatisinherentlytheTao.As you modify your thinking, your world will undergo pleasantly dramatic

changes.Forexample,asyourealizethatyouareresponsibleforyourreactionsinanygivenmoment,otherswillceasetohaveanypowerorcontroloveryou.Ratherthanworrying,Whyisthatpersonbehavingthatwayandmakingmefeelsoupset?youcan see the situationas an invitation to exploreyourself fromanewattitudeofself-mastery.Yourinwardexplorationallowsyoutopermit theflow of inner responses, examining them with tolerance directed towardyourself.Byseekingyourstreamof thoughtsandsimplygoingwith them, theconductof thatotherperson instantly loses itspotency.Youbeginseeingyourworldsuffusedwiththeharmonyof theTaoeternally(and internally!)flowingthroughyou.In any situation—whether it be under the heading of “family,” “work,” or

“social”;orevenjustseeingtheatrocitiesreportedontheeveningnews—you’llbecomeawarethatthere’sno“they”whohavepoweroveryou.Byrefusingtoturn thecontrolsofyourexistenceover toanyoneoranysetofcircumstances,you’re exercising personal strength instead of force. You are indeed

experiencingself-mastery,andthisnewstateofinternalcontrolhascomeaboutbecauseyou’veelectedto liveinaccordancewiththeTao.Youdon’tneedtheapprovalofothersoranotherpossessioninordertobehappy—youmustmerelyunderstandyourself as aDivine piece of the eternalTao, always connected tothatinfiniteessence.Lao-tzuequatestheabilitytolookwithinfortheSourceofenlightenmentand

strength with eternal life. He reminds you that while externals such asknowledgeandthepoweroverothersmayprovidealonglife,shiftingtobeinginchargeofyourselfoffersimperishablewisdomandatickettoimmortality.Here’swhatthisgreatmasterwantsyoutotakefromthisverseoftheTaoTe

Chingandapplytoyourworld:Focusonunderstandingyourselfinsteadofblamingothers.

Whenever you’re anxious, in pain, or evenmildly upset over the conduct ofothers, take the focus off those you’re holding responsible for your innerdistress. Shift your mental energy to allowing yourself to be with whateveryou’re feeling—let the Tao flow freely, without blaming others for yourfeelings.Anddon’tblameyourselfeither!JustallowtheTaotounfold....Tellyourself that noonehas thepower tomakeyouuneasywithoutyour consent,andthat33rdVerseyou’reunwillingtograntthatauthoritytothispersonrightnow. But you arewilling to freely experience your emotions without callingthem“wrong”orneedingtochasethemaway.FlowintheTaonow!Inthisway,withthissimpleexerciseatthemomentofyourdis-ease,you’vemadeashifttoself-mastery.It’s important to bypass blame and even your desire to understand the other

person; instead, focus on understanding yourself.By taking responsibility forhowyouchoosetorespondtoanythingoranyone,you’realigningyourselfwiththeTao.Changethewayyouchoosetoperceivethepowerthatothershaveoveryouandyouwillseeabrightnewworldofunlimitedpotentialforyourself.

CultivateyourdesireforotherstodiscovertheTaointheirlives.Dismissanydesiretoextendpoweroverothersthroughtheforcefulnatureof

your actions and your personality. Ego believes that others are incapable ofrunning their own lives andwants to control with force, so demonstrate yourinnerstrengthbyabandoningsuchtactics.Catchyourselfasyou’reabouttotellothershowthey“should”be.Use theopportunity topracticeallowing themtolearn their own lessons without interference from you. Notice how often you

attempttouseverbalforcetoconvinceotherstolistentoyou.Remindyourselftoremainquietandsendlovingenergy.Practicethiskindofself-masteryeventhoughit’srareintoday’sworld.YouarestrongenoughtotrusttheTao.Whenyourjudgmentsdominate,theflowoftheTaoslows.Seehowtheworld

trulychangesrightbeforeyoureyeswhenyousincerelydesirethatothersfollowtheirownlifepaths,whichwillleadthemtorealizethegreatnessoftheTao.AllthoseformerlyperceivedasneedingyoutotellthemwhatorhowtolivearealsothesameasyouareintheTao’swisdomandstrength.

DotheTaoNow

Today, practice experiencing the unfolding of the Tao with someone whousuallycausesyoudistress.Consciouslyinitiateaconversationwiththatin-law,ex-spouse, bullying co-worker, or family member, inviting the Tao to flowfreely.Noticehow,what,andwhereyoufeel;remainwarmlyandtolerantlyintouchwith the sensationswithin your body.You’ve entered the space of self-masteryinthismoment.Here’swhatACourse inMiraclesofferson thisverseof theTaoTeChing:

“This is theonly thing thatyouneed todo forvision,happiness, release frompain....Sayonlythis,butmeanitwithnoreservations...IamresponsibleforwhatIsee.IchosethefeelingsIexperience...”

34thVerseTheGreatWayisuniversal;

itcanapplytotheleftortheright.Allbeingsdependonitforlife;

evenso,itdoesnottakepossessionofthem.

Itaccomplishesitspurpose,butmakesnoclaimforitself.

Itcoversallcreatureslikethesky,butdoesnotdominatethem.

Allthingsreturntoitastotheirhome,butitdoesnotlorditoverthem;thus,itmaybecalled“great.”

Thesageimitatesthisconduct:Bynotclaiminggreatness,thesageachievesgreatness.

LivingtheGreatWay

In this verse, Lao-tzu asks you to reevaluate your perception of greatness.Typicaldefinitionstendtocenteraroundtheamountoffameandfortunethatanindividualaccumulatesinhisorherlifetime.Asthepreviousverseemphasized,thepowertodominateandcontrolotherscanalsobeusedasabenchmarkofthisquality:Commandersofhugearmiesandheadsofstatewhoattractworldwideattentionareconsideredgreat.Yetgreatmenorwomenareoftenthoughtofashavingbeen instrumental inaffecting thecourseofhumanevents inapositiveway,makingtheworldabetterplaceoneitheralocalorgloballevel.Greatness,then,isaclaimmadebyorforindividualswhostandoutfromthecrowd.Verse 34 of the Tao Te Ching describes greatness in an entirely different

manner:SuchaqualityistheTao,whichissoall-encompassingthateveryplant,creature, and human originates and lives because of it, yet it doesn’t seek todominateanyoneoranything.TheTaodoesn’taskforrecognitionofanykind,for ithasno interest infameorbeing thankedforall that itprovides. It is thisindifferencetowardnotorietythatmakestruegreatness.Whenyouchangethewayyouthinkaboutthisquality,you’llseeyourworld

in an entirely new way: You’ll no longer be gauging appearances andaccumulations,andyouwon’tnoticehowmuchpoweryouoranyoneelseusestoexactdominanceorcontroloverothers.Rather,yournewwayofthinkingwillallowyoutolookfortheunfoldingoftheTaoineveryoneyousee.Perhapsfortheveryfirsttime,you’llnoticegreatnessinothers,aswellasyourself,intermsof the Tao that includes all. You’ll be able to look at the sky and see itsgrandness,whichdemandsabsolutelynothinginreturn.As you change your enculturated view of greatness, you’ll begin seeing a

different world. You’ll see the importance of everyone, including thoseindividuals you’ve previously identified as difficult or unreasonable. You’llbegintoseethattheholinessthatfermentsthegalaxiesisworkinginyou,inme,andineveryone.You’llbegintotrustthatgreatnessiseveryperson’sheritage.TheTao is everywhere; therefore, this qualitywill be visible in all things andpeople.Herearemysuggestions forapplying the34thverseof theTaoTeChing to

youreverydaylife:Discontinuedecidingwhatanyoneelseshouldorshouldn’tbedoing.

Avoid thoughts and activities that involve telling people who are perfectlycapableofmakingtheirownchoiceswhattodo.Inyourfamily,rememberthatyoudonotownanyone.ThepoetKahlilGibranremindsyou:

Yourchildrenarenotyourchildren.TheyarethesonsanddaughtersofLife’slongingforitself.

Theycomethroughyoubutnotfromyou...Thisisalwaystrue.Infact,disregardanyinclinationtodominateinallofyour

relationships.Listenratherthanexpound.Payattentiontoyourselfwhenyou’rehaving judgmental opinions and seewhere self-attention takesyou.Whenyoureplaceanownershipmentalitywithoneofallowing,you’llbegintoseethetrueunfoldingoftheTaoinyourselfandotherpeople.Fromthatmomenton,you’llbe free of frustration with those who don’t behave according to your ego-dominatedexpectations.

Discoveranewdefinitionofgreatness.Offer yourself a definition that doesn’t use any standards of appearance or

traditional external measures of success. Notice those who give much, boastlittle, nurture others, and decline recognition or credit, and put them in yourgreatness file. Encourage yourself to practice these same kinds of behaviors.BeginnoticinghowtheTaoisalwaysflowinginanall-providing,no-boasting,nondemanding, nonpossessing manner. Can you see how great that truly is?There are many people in your daily life doing just that. Seek them out andacknowledge them, while quietly emulating what they do. Remember that agreat sage never claims ownership of greatness, so when you change yourdefinition, you’ll see that quality cropping up everywhere, especially withinyourself.

DotheTaoNowMakeadecisiontospendadayseekingoutseveralpeoplewhofitthemodelof

this verse of the Tao Te Ching. Silently convey to them that you sense theirgreatness as an unfolding of the Tao. Then notice how your interactionswiththem differ when you’re notmaking judgments based on their age, sex, title,

conduct, manner of dress, height, weight, skin color, religious affiliation, orpoliticalbeliefs.

35thVerseAllmenwillcometohimwhokeepstotheone.

Theyflocktohimandreceivenoharm,forinhimtheyfindpeace,security,andhappiness.

Musicanddiningarepassingpleasures,yettheycausepeopletostop.

HowblandandinsipidarethethingsofthisworldwhenonecomparesthemtotheTao!

Whenyoulookforit,thereisnothingtosee.Whenyoulistenforit,thereisnothingtohear.Whenyouuseit,itcannotbeexhausted.

LivingBeyondWorldlyPleasures

Takeafewmomentsbeforereadingthischapterandaskyourselfthefollowingquestions:WhenIthinkofpleasure,whatactivitiesreadilycometomind?HowdoIdistinguishbetweenwhatIfindenjoyableandwhatIdon’t?Generally, pleasure is described as something experiencedby the senses and

availablehere in theworldof form.Perhapsyouexperience it ina sumptuousmeal, in your favorite music, or on the golf course, but it’s most certainly awelcome motivating force for you. Problems can occur, however, when suchpursuits become the primary focus of life. In other words, an emphasis onworldlypleasurescanquiteeasilycreateanimbalanceinyoursystem,leadingtoupsetanddisease.Obesity,eatingdisorders,drugandalcoholabuse,addictionsof everydescription, andpreoccupationswithplastic surgery are just a fewoftheundesirableresults.Mosteverythingdefinedaspleasurableistemporary,soifyouneedmoreand

moreof it, then ithasagriponyou.Whatyoudesire sostronglyhasbecomeyourjailer,trappingyouintobelievingthatitwillbringyoupeace,security,orhappiness . . . but it never does. Worldly pleasures only seduce you intobecomingdependenton them,and they leaveyoualwayswantingmore. It’s acravingthatcanneverbesatisfied:Youneedanothergreatmealinordertohavethatpleasureagainbecauseitvanishedalmostimmediatelyuponthecompletionofyourdessert.Youneedtokeepthemusicplayingbecausewhenitstops,yourenjoymentstops,too.Alladdictionsscreamoutthisdepressingmessage:“You’llnever,evergetenoughofwhatyoudon’twant.”Contrast this bleak picture of pleasure, which Lao-tzu calls “bland and

insipid,” with the ecstasy of the Tao. Just for a moment, imagine having theperspectiveoftheTaoasyoureadthisverse,andseeifyoucanchangethewayyou look at this idea of pleasure. The benefits of having a concept thatharmonizeswiththeTaoareoutlinedintheopeninglines:Allpeoplewillflocktoyou,andthey’llfindpeace,security,andhappinesswhentheydo.Thereasonwhy they’ll discover these three jewels is because you exude such qualities.YouremphasisisontheTao—it’swhoyouareandthereforewhatyouhavetogiveaway.

You are now changing theway you look at things, so your idea of pleasureshiftsbeyondtheworldlynudgesofyoursenses.Youtasteyourfood,butyou’reinaweof themagic thatproducedthedelectablesyou’reeating,aswellas theperfectionofthisincrediblecyclethatcontinuesintheeliminationandreuseofwhatyou’veconsumed.Theconstantbehindthisever-changingworldbecomesyour new Source of pleasure, expressed in thewonder and bewilderment youfeel.Yes, of course you continue to enjoyyourmeals, but your pleasure is inbeingatonewithwhatallowsitalltotranspire.Youknowthatyoucan’t find,hear, see,or touch theSource,yet it’salways

availableandcanneverbedepleted.Themusicthatyouhearisn’ttheTao;theTaoistheinvisibleenergythatfillstheemptyspacesthatgiveyousomuchjoy.Andthathappinessyoufeelistheeternallyavailableandlonged-forpleasureoftranscendingthephysicallimitationsofahumanbody.TouchingtheTaoiswaybeyondanyof thesensorypleasures thatwesomehowbelievewill satisfy thatlongingfortranscendence.Addictions become impossible because you no longer try to get worldly

pursuits to satisfy you. It’s like realizing that you can fly when you’ve beenwalkingfasterandfaster,butnevergettingenoughspeedoraltitude—youkepttrying to satisfy a natural longing to be aloft through the pleasure of rapidwalking.Nowyouobservethewaynatureflows:Youclearlyseeitneveraskingfor more, never using up more, and absolutely never demanding that it beprovidedwithmorethanisnecessarytomaintainaperfectbalance.Therealmofpassing pleasures is no longer your central place of 35th Verse self-identification. You’re at peace, feeling secure and happy because you’vechangedyourworldview to include the infiniteTao . . . howcould addictionsevercompare?Imagine a heroin addict believing that peace, security, and happiness are

available with an inexhaustible supply of opiates. That scenario is impossiblebecause the pleasure that drugs bring lasts but a few seconds, and then theoppositeofpeace,security,andhappinessclicks in.Theaddictkeeps trying tofly by running faster—ultimately he comes to despise his life and destroyhimselfintheprocess.Suchisthedestinyofthosewhoseekthepleasuresoftheworld of the senses to fulfill their longing and natural ability to transcend thephysicalplane.Here’s what Lao-tzu is offering you in this profound verse of the Tao Te

Ching:

Noticetheeternalblissthat’salwayswithyou—evenwhenthedelicaciesareoutofsight!

Changeyourwayof thinkingofyourselfasa totallyphysicalbeing. Instead,recognize that worldly pleasures that tend to be overdone are attempts totranscend the physical,which isn’t going to happenwithout tapping into yournatural connection to the Tao. Stop equating sensory delight with the Tao-inspiredblissthat’savailabletoyou.Enjoyall thatyouexperiencethroughthesenses:Loveyourfinedining,baskinthemelodiesofyourfavoritemusic,andbe appreciative of the excitement of sexual energy. But notice that this is allcomingfromyoursensoryself,which ishappilyadaptable to thisworld.Thenseekyour“Taoself,”whichtranscendsthephysical,andexploreitspleasures.Reexaminewhattrue,lasting,enjoymentis.EventhoughtheeffectsoftheTao

may initially have no appeal to your seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, andsmelling faculties, they’ll fulfill the longingyou’re trying to satewithworldlypursuits.Whenyou’rechasinganypassingfancy,beginrecognizingitsvalueinthehereandnow,butstoptryingtogetittosatisfyagreaterlonging.

Introducetranscendentthankfulnesstoyoureverydaylife.MakeitadailypracticetogivethanksforthepresenceoftheeternalTaothat’s

alwayswithyou.Fromanappreciativeviewpoint, theworld thatyou formerlydesiredwill begin to lookdifferent. In the gratefulTao awareness, feelings ofbeing incomplete when worldly pleasures are unavailable are replaced with atranscendent thankfulness. What used to be a need for a worldly delight isreplacedwith gratitude and contentment for being aware of the aspect of youthatistheTao,freeofphysicalandearthlylimitationsandconfinement.LivingwithconsciousappreciationoftheTaowillattractmorepeopleandexperiences,enriching your balance ofmortal and eternal awareness. Open yourself to theunlimited love and abundanceof theTao andyou’ll attractmoreof that sameloveandabundance toyou.Yourworldhas changedbecauseyou see theTaowhereyoupreviouslyonlynoticedyourmortalselfneedingworldlypleasures.

DotheTaoNowGoon a 24-hour fast.Whenyou feel hunger pangs, switchyour thoughts to

gratitudefortheeternalforcethat’salwayswithyou.Warmlyletyourphysicalselfknow that itwillbe fedwhen the fast isover, then switch to theTaoself

that’s unaware of hunger. Enjoy the different nature of the Tao self byconcentrating on locating its energy flowing through your body. Itwill revealitself—perhaps as contented, exhilarated, or blissful. Note the differencebetweenhowthisfeelscomparedwithworldlypleasures.

36thVerseShouldyouwanttocontainsomething,youmustdeliberatelyletitexpand.

Shouldyouwanttoweakensomething,youmustdeliberatelyletitgrowstrong.

Shouldyouwanttoeliminatesomething,youmustdeliberatelyallowittoflourish.

Shouldyouwanttotakesomethingaway,youmustdeliberatelygrantitaccess.

Thelessonhereiscalledthewisdomofobscurity.

Thegentleoutlaststhestrong.Theobscureoutlaststheobvious.

Fishcannotleavedeepwaters,andacountry’sweaponsshouldnotbedisplayed.

LivinginObscurityAlargepartofyourgrowing-uplifelessonsrevolvedaroundthewordsNotice

me!Youweretaughtthatthemoreattentionyoureceived,particularlyforbeinga“goodlittleperson,” themorestatusandapprovalyou’dgetfromyourpeers(aswellastheadultsyouknew).Becomenumberone,youweretold,earnthatgold star, win that championship, get the best grades, become valedictorian,attain that letter sweater, gather up trophies, and so on. Such lessonswere allaboutrisingto the topof thecrowdandevaluatingyourselfbasedonhowyoustackedupcompetitivelywitheveryonearoundyou.Whenyouchangethewayyouthinkaboutyourplaceinthegreatschemeof

things, you’ll discover that “thewisdomofobscurity” allowsyou to eliminatecompetitionfromyour lifeandretreat intoquietstrength. Inotherwords,Lao-tzuisaskingyoutotakeiteasyandbaseyourviewonentirelynewcriteria.Asyoudo,yourworldwillbegintoreflectagentle,low-keysoulwhooutlaststhosewhomeasure their strength by howmuch status they have compared to theirpeers.Thisverseopenswiththeideaofunderstandingthedichotomousnatureofthe

materialworld and then encouragesyou tobecomean astuteobserverof yourlife.Feelingbelittledmeansthatyoumustknowwhatit’sliketobeimportant;theideaofbeingweakgrowsoutofhavingknownwhatit’sliketofeelstrong.AsonetranslationoftheTaoTeChing(TheWayofLifeAccordingtoLaoTzu,translatedbyWitterBynner)remindsus:

HewhofeelspuncturedMustoncehavebeenabubble,

HewhofeelsunarmedMusthavecarriedarms,Hewhofeelsdeprived

Musthavehadprivilege...Avoid the pitfalls of feeling weak, unimportant, stressed, or fearful by

transcendingthethinkingthatgotyouthereinthefirstplace.Keepinmindthatifyoufeelweak,youmusthavehadtheoppositeperceptionofbeingstrongatleastonce.Ifyouexperiencestress,youhaveanideaofwhatbeingunstressedislike.Bybecomingindependentof theneedtocompareyourselfandfit in,you

choose the path that Lao-tzu calls “the wisdom of obscurity”—that is, youreleaseyourneedtobemoreanythingintheeyesofothers.Lao-tzuconcludesthiselegantversewiththemetaphoroffishleavingthedeep

water—when they try to examine the surface and see the “bigworld” beyondthosedepths,thelittleguysnolongerendurebecausethey’recapturedbyanet.Hence, you find the great lesson of this 36th verse: Stay under the radar andyou’lloutlastallwhostrivetoberecognized.Whenyoushifttothisviewpoint,yourdesireforobscuritywillsurpassyourneedtobeseenasstrongandaboveeveryoneelse—andyouwon’tendupallaloneinyourtrophyroom!Here’swhatLao-tzuoffersyou from25centuriesago,whenhedictated this

enduringtomeofwisdom:Strivetoknowonenessbyseekingawarenessofopposites.

Makeeveryeffort tostayinastateofonenessinyourmind.Forexample, ifyou’retired,remindyourselfthatyouknowwhatbeingrestedislike.Recognizetheopposingfeelingsothatyoucanknowbothofthemsimultaneously.Dothiswithanysensation:Ifyou’redepressed,weak,jealous,unloved—anything—theantithesisofwhatyou’regoing through iswithinyourexperiential framework.Seekthe36thVerseoppositefeelingrightinthemomentandbeatonewithitinyourmind, for thiswill provide youwith a balanced sense of being at peacewithinyourself.This is oneness,whereinyou entertain extremes anduseyourmind to be like the Tao, which never divides anything. How can oneness bebrokenapart?Itwouldnolongerexistifyoucouldsplititup.

Withdrawyourselfandallowothers.Monitoryour inclinations tocompareyourself toothersor to staywithin the

“system.”Asystemisdesignedtogetyoutobehavejustlikeeveryoneelse,asitcontrivestomakecomparisonsdetermineyoursuccessorhappiness.TheTaoTeChingurgesyou to seekobscurity:Draw littleornoattention toyourself, anddon’tasktoberecognized.Instead,allow,allow,allow.Let other people flourish,waxing on about their strength and popularity.As

Lao-tzu says, youmust deliberately grant others the right to expand, but takeyourown lesson from the fish thatendureandstay in thedeepwatersofyourTao-directedsoul.

DotheTaoNow

Giveyourselfanassignmenttobeasmuchinthebackgroundasyoucanforanentire day. Stifle inclinations to compare yourself to anyone else or to drawattention toyourself.Youcanaccomplish thisbymakingacommitment tobeinterested in others today, substituting the pronoun I for you. So instead ofsaying, “I did this kind of work for years; let me tell you how you shouldproceed,” remark,“Youseemtobedoingsowellwithyournewbusiness.” InthelanguageoftheTao,staysoftandgentleandyouwillendure.

37thVerseTheTaodoesnothing,

butleavesnothingundone.Ifpowerfulmen

couldcenterthemselvesinit,thewholeworldwouldbetransformedbyitself,initsnaturalrhythms.

Whenlifeissimple,pretensesfallaway;

ouressentialnaturesshinethrough.

Bynotwanting,thereiscalm,andtheworldwillstraightenitself.Whenthereissilence,

onefindstheanchoroftheuniversewithinoneself.

LivinginSimplicityIcallthisthe“Biteyourtongue,zipyourlips”verseoftheTaoTeChing.The

paradox inherent in the twoopening lines intriguesme enormously: “TheTaodoesnothing,butleavesnothingundone.”Justimaginewhatwe’rebeingtoldtoconsider in this verse—do nothing and everything gets done. It obviouslycontradicts all that you and I have been taught. Doing nothing in our culturesuggestsa lazy,unsuccessful,andquitepossiblyworthless individual.Soforamoment,let’smodifythewaywethinkaboutlivingsimplyanddoingnothing.Ofall the troubles that are reported in themedia—includingwars, terrorism,

famine,hatred,crime,anddisease—howmanyaretheresultofinterferingwiththenaturalunfoldingofcreation?Howmuchoftheessentialnatureofourselvesand our planet is able to shine through? What would Earth be like ifgovernments didn’t meddle in everyone’s lives? What if no one could beperceivedasanenemy?Could therebeaworldwheregroupsofpeoplenevergottogethertocontrolothersortoinvadeorconquer—howaboutwhereoceans,mountains, natural resources, air, plants, and animals were respected andallowed to flourish without any interference? Suppose that such a place ofsimplicityandlackofinterferenceexisted...itwouldbeactingexactlyastheTaodoes,doingnothingandyetleavingnothingundone.Now shift out of this highly imaginative scenario and begin to reconsider

what’s meant in this passage by the concept of powerful individualstransforming the world. When they’re interfering with natural rhythms, theyultimatelycreatedifficultiesthatareinconsistentwiththeTao.Trytovisualizegreat leaderswhoare insteadcentered in theTao—theybite their tonguesandzip their lips rather than act in a hostileway, and they refuse toparticipate inactivitiesthatcauseharmtoanythingontheplanet.Yes,thismaybeafantasy,butit’snotanimpossibilitywhenyouthinklikeasageandarecenteredintheTao.The37thverseoftheTaoTeChingcanalsohelpyouchangethewayyoulook

atyourself.Let’ssaythatyou’reaccustomedtoequatingtheideaofsuccesswitha take-charge kind of person. You believe that this individual allocatesresponsibilitiestoothersbecauseheorsheisaleaderwho’swillingandabletotell others what to do and how to do it.Well, this view is completely out ofharmonywiththeTao,which“doesnothing”and“leavesnothingundone.”As

you alter the way you look at your own power and success, you’ll begin toreplacestrongdesireswithcalmcontentment.Whenyoustarttoallowyourtruenature—whichistheanchoroftheuniverse—toshinethrough,you’llrecognizethatthewayyoulookatthingshasabsolutelychanged.I’veusedthissimplicitylessonindealingwithallofmychildren.WhenIstep

inandtell them“how,”Icreateresistance.ButwhenIbitemytongue,zipmylips,andretreat intosilence, theynotonlyfigure itout themselves,butacalmenergyreplacestheirfrustration.I’velearnedthatmykidsknowhowtobe:Theytoohavetheanchoroftheuniversewithinthem.Theytooarecenteredinthedo-nothing,get-everything-doneTao.Theytoohaveanessentialnaturethatthey’relisteningto.AsI’vegottenmoreadeptattrustingthis—notonlyformychildren,but foreveryone Iencounter—I’mmorepeaceful.Andguesswhat?More,notless, seems to get accomplished—on time and without problems that used tosurfacebecauseofmyinterference.Changethewayyouthinkabouttheentireideaofsuccessandpower,forthis

isn’t the result of obsessive accomplishment and continually followingdirections.Startlivinginaworldthatyouknow37thVerseworksfarbetterwithlessmeddling.YouunderstandthatnoteveryonewillstopinstructingothersandjustallowtheTaotounfold,butyoucanbeanobserver,watchingotherstapintotheirpowerbycenteringthemselves.Here’swhatLao-tzusuggestsformakingthisversebecomeyourdailyreality:

Cultivateyourunique,naturalself.Practiceallowingyouressentialnaturetoshinebynotenforcingjudgmentson

yourselfthatwereimposedbyothers.Remindyourselfthatyoudon’thavetodoanything:Youdon’thavetobebetterthananyoneelse.Youdon’thavetowin.Youdon’thavetobenumber1ornumber27oranyothernumber.Giveyourselfpermission to justbe.Stop interferingwithyouruniquenaturalbeing.Lightenthe burden you carry to be productive,wealthy, and successful in the eyes ofothers;andreplaceitwithaninnerassertionthatallowsyoutoaccesstheTao.Affirm:IamcenteredintheTao.ItrustthatIamabletostraightenmyselfout,andsoistheworld.Iretreatintosilence,knowingthatalliswell.

Expecttoseetheessentialnatureofothersbyremainingsilent.Deliberately bite your tongue and zip your lips at the precise moment that

you’retemptedtogetinvolvedinthelivesofthosearoundyou.Becomeawareof your inclination to tell others, particularly your familymembers, how they

shouldbeconductingtheirlives.Evenifyouholdoffforafewmomentsbeforeyoubutt in to someone else’s business, you’re on yourway to allowing thosearound you to find their anchor of the universe within themselves. This newdiscipline of resisting your habit to get involved by pausing before interferingwillenableyoutoseehowcapableeveryonetrulyiswhenthey’reintheenergyfieldofsomeonewhoallowsratherthandictates.

DotheTaoNow

Printorcopythefirsttwolinesofthis37thverse:“TheTaodoesnothing,butleavesnothingundone.”Readthewordsrepeatedlyuntilyou’vecommittedthemtomemory; thengofora30-minutewalkand takenoteof their truth.Theair,sky,clouds,grass,wind,andflowers...nothingnaturalthatyouseeisundone,butnothingistakingplacetoworkitallout.Itisallaccomplishedbythetruthofthesewords.I’mremindedofa13th-centurypoembyRumicalled“NibbleAtMe,”which

appliesperfectlytothissectionoftheTaoTeChing:Nibbleatme.

Don’tgulpmedown.Howoftenisityouhaveaguestinyourhouse

whocanfixeverything?Letyourall-knowingguestfixthingswhileyoulivenaturally.

38thVerseAtrulygoodmanisnotawareofhisgoodnessandisthereforegood.

Afoolishmantriestobegoodandisthereforenotgood.

Themasterdoesnothing,yetheleavesnothingundone.

Theordinarymanisalwaysdoingthings,yetmanymorearelefttobedone.

Thehighestvirtueistoactwithoutasenseofself.Thehighestkindnessistogivewithoutcondition.Thehighestjusticeistoseewithoutpreference.

WhentheTaoislost,thereisgoodness.Whengoodnessislost,thereismorality.Whenmoralityislost,thereisritual.

Ritualisthehuskoftruefaith,thebeginningofchaos.

Thegreatmasterfollowshisownnatureandnotthetrappingsoflife.Itissaid:

“Hestayswiththefruitandnotthefluff.”“Hestayswiththefirmandnottheflimsy.”“Hestayswiththetrueandnotthefalse.”

LivingWithin

YourOwnNatureHere’s the message behind this seemingly paradoxical verse of the Tao Te

Ching: Your nature is to be good because you came from the Tao, which isgoodness. But when you’re trying to be good, your essential nature becomesinoperative. Inyoureffort tobegood,moral,orobedient,you lose touchwithyourTaonature.There’sonesentenceinthisversethatIponderedfordaysbeforewritingthis

shortessay:“WhentheTaoislost,thereisgoodness.”Ifeltperplexedbecauseitseemed so contradictory towhat theTaoTeChingwas teaching.Finally, in amomentofcontemplationwhileImeditatedonadrawingofLao-tzu,itbecamecleartome:NatureisgoodwithoutknowingitweretheexactwordsIheardinmymeditation. I then understoodwhatLao-tzu seemed towantme to conveyaboutthissomewhatconfusing(tome)38thverse.Livebyyouressentialnature,theTao,whichisoneness;ithasnopolarity.Yet

themoment that you knowyou’re good, you introduce the polarity of “good”versus “bad,”which causesyou to loseyour connection to theTao.Thenyouintroducesomethingnew—youfigurethatifyoucan’tbegood,you’lltrytobemoral.Andwhat ismorality but standards of right andwrong that you try touphold?AsLao-tzu seems to be saying tome,The Tao is oneness; it has nostandards for you to follow. In other words, the Tao just is; it isn’t doinganything, yet it leaves nothing undone. There’s nomorality; there is only theunattachedTao.Itisn’trightanditisn’tfair,butitisessentialnature,andyou’reencouragedtobetruetoyourown.Asmoralityislost,theideaofritualsurfaces,soyoutrytoliveinaccordance

withrulesandcustomsthathavedefined“yourpeople”forcenturies.ButIcouldalmost hear Lao-tzu saying: The Tao is infinite and excludes no one.RitualskeepyoudisconnectedfromtheTao,andyoulosethembytrying.Soyourelyuponlaws,furtherdividingyourselfandcreatingchaosforyourself.Again,theTao just is its own true, essential nature—it has no laws, rituals,morality, orgoodness.Observeitandlivewithinitsnature.Inotherwords,actwithoutbeingconcernedforyourownego.GiveastheTaodoes,withoutconditionortryingtobegood,moral,orjust.Justgivetoallwithoutpreference,asLao-tzuadvises.

Iadmitthatlivingbythis38thversemaybethetotaloppositeofwhatyou’velearned in this lifetime. It certainly represents both an intellectual and abehavioralchallengeformeattimes.Youmayappreciateknowingthatmanyofthe scholarswhom I researched regarding this verse said thatLao-tzuwrote it(andthenextone)inresponsetohisoppositiontoConfucius,hiscontemporarywholaidoutspecificedictsandcodesofconductforthepeople.WhatLao-tzuseemed to be saying tome throughmeditationwas:Trust your own essentialnature.LetgoofallpolaritiesandliveintheindivisibleonenessthatistheTao.The dichotomies of good/bad, right/wrong, proper/improper, legal/illegal, andthelikecanbedifficult—justrememberthatwhentheysurface,theTaoislost.Here’ssomemoreadviceforyou,throughme,fromLao-tzu:

Liveinyouressentialnaturebyrejectingartificialprinciples.These principles in descending order are goodness, fairness, rites, and laws.

Artificialgoodnessisanattempttolivebynotbeing“bad,”soyouallowotherstodecidewhereyoufitinonagoodnessscale.Affirm:IamoftheTao,apieceofGod,andIneednohuman-madedevicetoconfirmit.GoodnessandGod-nessareone,and I trustwho Iamandwillact from thisperspective. Iamstayingwith this truth and not what is false. Furthermore, see that the Tao isn’tconcerned with fairness—give of yourself knowing that this is an artificialcontrivancethatcannotexistfromaperspectiveofoneness.Youarefrom,andwill return to, that oneness, regardless of your opinions about it. So open upgenerouslywithoutdesiringtobetreatedfairly.

Abandonoutmodedfamilialandculturalcustoms.Relinquishritesthatyoufeelcompelledtofollowsimplybecausethey’vebeen

thatwayinyourlifetime,andparticularlyinyourfamily.Peacefullyaffirm:Iamfreetolive,trustingintheeternalTao.Idonothavetobeasmyancestorswere.Irelinquishancientritualsthatnolongerworkorthatperpetuateseparationorenmity.Remindyourselfthatgoodnessisn’taccessedbyobeyinglaws;rather,itiswhatresonateswithyouressentialnature.Youdon’tneedanysortofcodetodecide what is proper, good, moral, ethical, or legal. Trust yourself to be aninstrument of love by surrendering to your highest nature rather than beingseducedbymortallaws.This poem from the 16th-century mystic Saint John of the Cross, titled “A

RabbitNoticedMyCondition,”beautifullydescribesthisattitude:Iwassadonedayandwentforawalk;Isatinafield.

Arabbitnoticedmyconditionandcamenear.

Itoftendoesnottakemorethanthattohelpattimes—tojustbeclosetocreatureswhoaresofullofknowing,

sofulloflovethattheydon’t—

chat,

theyjustgazewiththeirmarvelousunderstanding.

DotheTaoNow

SpendadayconsciouslychoosingtonoticeoneofGod’screatures,suchasadog,abutterfly,amoth,aspider,anant,afish,acat,adeer,orwhateverattractsyou.Youcanlearnalotfromthemabouttrustingyourinnernature.Theyare,asthepoetsays,“sofullofknowing.”

39thVerseThesethingsfromancienttimesarisefromone:Theskyiswholeandclear.

Theearthiswholeandfirm.Thespiritiswholeandfull.

The10,000thingsarewhole,andthecountryisupright.Alltheseareinvirtueofwholeness.

WhenmaninterfereswiththeTao,theskybecomesfilthy,theearthbecomesdepleted,theequilibriumcrumbles,creaturesbecomeextinct.

Therefore,nobilityisrootedinhumility;loftinessisbasedonlowliness.Thisiswhynoblepeoplerefertothemselvesasalone,lacking,andunworthy.

Thepiecesofachariotareuselessunlesstheyworkinaccordancewiththewhole.

Aman’slifebringsnothingunlesshelivesinaccordancewiththewholeuniverse.

Playingone’spartinaccordancewiththeuniverseistruehumility.

Truly,toomuchhonormeansnohonor.Itisnotwisetoshinelikejadeandresoundlikestonechimes.

LivingWholenessWetraditionallythinkofwholenessassomethingthat’scomplete.“Thewhole

nine yards,” for instance, implies the entire distance. “I ate the whole thing”signifies having consumed something completely. Lao-tzu, however, seems toviewtheconceptdifferently:Wholeness,hewrites,hasrootsinhumility.Whenhumility evokes our wholeness, we live the reality that we’re pieces of thewhole.With thisattitude,youwant toexistharmoniouslywith theentireuniverse—

cooperatingwith,andbeingsubjugatedto,otheraspectsofthewhole.Youcan’teven consider interferingwith any piece of it because you’re onewith it.Themoment you begin to place yourself in a transcendent position in relation toothers,ortoyourworldofthe10,000things,you’reinterferingwiththeTao.Iencourageyoutoexamineyourconceptofwholenessbaseduponthis39thverseoftheTaoTeChing.Icanassureyouthattheworldwillappeartohavechangedwhenyouseeitthroughthislens.Lao-tzu insists that the universe is whole; that is, it’s in a state of oneness.

Therearenopartsneedingseparationfromthisstate.Sky,earth,spirit,andthe10,000 things are all parts of thewhole—andwhat’smore, that’s their virtue!Nowwhiletheskyandthetreesmaytrulybeinaunifiedstate,youregoinsiststhatyou’reseparate,distinct,andgenerallysuperior.Butifyoucanmodifyyourego’sviewpoint,yourlifewillchange.Whenyou’recooperativeandlookingforsignsofoneness,you’llbegintosee

and feel the interconnectedness of everything. For example, your body is aconvenient analogy for a universe all unto itself. While it is one entity, itcertainlyhastrillionsofindividual,althoughinterconnected,cells.Justonecellwith an arrogant relationship to the whole makes all the cells suffer andultimatelybecomeextinct,muchliketheindividualwhointerfereswiththeTaobypolluting the sky,depleting theearth, anddisrupting theequilibriumof thewhole.Acancercell that refuses tocooperatewith thecellsadjacent to itwillultimatelygobblethemup,andifleftunchecked,willdestroythewhole.Why?Becausethatcancerouscellhasnorelationshiptothewhole.Itwilldestroyitselfasitkillsthehostuponwhichitdependsforitsownsurvival.Andyou’lldestroyyourselfifyouparticipateindestroyingtheTaouponwhichyouaredependentforyoursurvival.

Each seemingly individual part of a whole is potentially dangerous (andgenerallyuseless)ifitdoesn’tfunctioninharmony.What’strueforthechariotinthisverseoftheTaoTeChingistrueforyouaswell.YourlifeneedstohavearelationshipwiththeTao,andthatrelationshipischaracterizedbyLao-tzuasabondforgedbyhumility.Inotherwords,wholenessandhumilityareoneandthesame,soupdatethewayyouthinkaboutyourrelationshiptolife,andplayyourpart“inaccordancewiththewhole.”Here’swhatLao-tzuseemstobeinstructingasIreadandinterpretthisverseof

theancientTaoTeChing:Cultivateyourrelationshipwiththeplanet.

Liveinthespiritofwholeness,knowingthatyouhavearoleasoneofthepartsoftheTao.RemindyourselfthatyoucannotinterferewiththeTaoandlivealifeofgreatness.ThismeansrespectingtheenvironmentineverywaybylivinginanEarth-friendly manner as a part of its oneness. Become an advocate forconservation.Maketimetopickupandrecycletrash.Driveanenvironmentallyfriendlyautomobile,orbetteryet,walkinpeacetoasmanyplacesaspossible.Wholenessmeansmaintainingasenseofbalancewiththeall-providing,gentle,nonpushyTao. Inhumility,you’reable to feelyourowntinyrole in thisgreatdrama orchestrated by your Sources. You’ll see what Lao-tzu means by: “Aman’slifebringsnothingunlesshelivesinaccordancewiththewholeuniverse.”Changethewayyouthinkofyourselffrombeingseparatetoseeingyourself

inallthatyouencounter.Asyouliveinwholeness,noticehowyoubegintofeelaconnectiontoallof

life,ratherthantheseparatenessthatyouregoprefers.Seeyourselfineveryoneyouencounter,ineverycreatureonourplanet,intheforestandtheoceansandthesky—themoreyoudo,themoreyou’llwanttostayinastateofcooperationratherthancompetition.You’llalsofeelmoreinclinedtorejecttheconceptthatthereisa“them.”Practicethiswayofbeingandnoticethatthetypeofhappinessthatmayhaveeludedyouforalifetimeispartoftheonenessyoubegintoenjoy.Here’showRumiexpressedthissentiment:Ifyouputyourheartagainsttheearthwithme,inservingeverycreature,ourBelovedwillenteryoufromoursacredrealmandwewillbe,wewillbeso

happy.

DotheTaoNow

Goforawalktodayandthinkinwholenesstermswithallthatyouencounterduring a 30-minute period. See yourself in those you might otherwise havejudged,includingtheveryold,veryyoung,obese,disabled,orindigent.Asyoulookatthem,remindyourself,Isharethesameoriginatingspiritwitheveryoneofthesepeople.ThiswillhelpyoufeelwholebyshiftingfromyouregotothevirtueoftheTao.

40thVerseReturningisthemotionoftheTao.YieldingisthewayoftheTao.

The10,000thingsarebornofbeing.Beingisbornofnonbeing.

LivingbyReturningandYielding

IseeoneofthegreatestteachingsoftheTaoTeChinghereintheshortestofits81passages. Ifyoucanmaster thewisdom in these four lines,you’llbeashappy,content,andcenteredintheTaoasanysage.With thefirstword,returning,you’rebeingnudged towardanunderstanding

of the basic principle of your existence.Without needing to leave your body,you’reaskedtodiewhilealive.Youaccomplishthisbyrealizingthatyou’reoneof the 10,000 things that has appeared in theworld of form.What Lao-tzu isexpressing here in the 40th verse is what contemporary quantum physics hasconfirmed many centuries later: Particles do not come from particles at thetiniest subatomic level. Instead, when the infinitesimally small specks arecollided in a particle accelerator, there’s nothing remaining but waves of“particle-less”energy.Inorderforyou,amuchbiggerspeck,toform,youmusthavecomefromanoriginatingspirit.NowLao-tzumayhaveknownnothingofquantumphysicsinthe6thcentury

b.c.,buthewasteachinganessentialtrutheventhen:It’sspiritthatgiveslife.Soto truly liveoutyourdestinyasapieceof theoriginatingTao,youmust shedyour ego and return to spirit—oryou canwait until your bodydies andmakeyourreturntripatthattime.SixcenturiesafterLao-tzudictatedthe81versesoftheTaoTeChing,theman

whowroteahugepercentageof theNewTestamentalso spokeofwhencewecome. Formerly called Saul of Tarsus, he became known as Saint Paul, anapostle of JesusChrist. In his letter to thepeopleofEphesus, hewrote: “Youwere created to be like God, and so youmust please him and be truly holy”(Eph. 4:24). This is an invitation for us all to return to what we came from,whichisloving,kind,andnotexclusiveinanyway.How is this accomplished, according to Saint Paul and Lao-tzu, who

emphasizesthispointinmanyoftheversesoftheTaoTeChing?Youdosobyyieldingyourego,surrendering,andbeinghumble.Tothatend, inhis letter tothepeopleofCorinth,SaintPaulquotesJesusdirectly:“Mygrace issufficientforyou, formypower ismadeperfect inweakness.”Paul thengoeson tosayhimself,“ThereforeIwillboastallthemoregladlyaboutmyweaknesses,sothat

Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight inweaknesses, in insults, inhardships, inpersecutions, indifficulties.ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong”(2Cor.12:9–10).Indeed,yieldingisthewayoftheTao, as well as the key to an uplifted existence, according to virtually allspiritualtextsthathavesurvivedoverthecenturies.Whenyoutrulychangethewayyouthinkaboutalloflife,theworldbeginsto

lookverydifferent.Youbegin seeingeveryoneandeverythingas if theyhaveround-trip tickets: You know they all arrived from spirit, and you know theymust return. All that composes also decomposes, and whether anyone elseunderstandsthatisn’timportanttoyou.YoufindtheawarenessthatlifeonEarthisadeathsentencetobealiberatingandamusingviewpoint.You’rechoosingtolive every day, each moment that you have and as much as you can, as thenonbeingaspectofyourself.Asabeingofspirit,youdecidetouseyour“returnticket”whileyou’restillin

physical formbykeepingyourself inprecisely thesame lovingstatus thatyouoccupied before entering this world of boundaries. As you take your returnjourney, you not only get to lose your ego-identification card, you have theadded bonus of regaining the power of your Source,which is the all-creatingpoweroftheuniverse.Youmergeintotheonenessofabeingwhodissolvesegoconcerns,andtheworldthatyounowseeisperfectandinfiniteinnature.Thereisnomoreworry,anxiety,oridentificationwithyourpossessions—you’reafreeperson.You’reaspiritualbeingfirst,last,andalways.ThisiswhatIfeelthatLao-tzuistellingyouinthisbriefyetprofoundteaching

ofthe40thverseoftheTaoTeChing:40thVerseMonitoryourdirection,emphasizingreturningandyielding.

Mentallymake an effort to assess every step you’re taking in all aspects ofyour life—including in your career, your relationships, and your health—intermsofdirectionality.That is,askyourself,InwhichwayamI trulymoving?AmIgettingaway frommyoriginatingplace,oramIreturning to it?Asyoumakethisassessment,youcanbemoreforthrightaboutreturningto,ratherthanmoving away from, the Tao. A resolution to exercise or eat more nutritiousfoodsisasteptakingyoubacktothewell-beingfromwhichyouoriginated.Adecision to suspend your ego and take an interest in another person is amovement ofmoving back to the Tao.A determination to be generous ratherthanhoardisachoicetobeinthereturnmotion.Alloftheseactionscomefrom

yourthinkingfirstaboutthedirectioninwhichyou’removing—awayfromyouroriginationspiritorbacktoit.

Surrender!Thisiswhatyieldingisallabout.Recognizethatyourlittleegodoesnothing

andthattheTaocreateseverything,includingyou.AsIsitandwritethesewordsinmymagicalwritingspace,IknowthatIdon’townwhatmysteriouslyappearsonthepaper.I’vesurrendered.IknowthatGodwritesallthebooks,composesallthemusic,anderectsallthebuildings.Ibowtothisall-creatingpower.Whileitappears thatallof the10,000thingsarebornof theworldofbeingness,asIthinkaboutitmore,thebeingnessitselfcamefromnonbeing.It is to this glorious state of nonbeing spirituality, or theTao, that I yield. I

encourage you to do the same, and then peacefully observe how it all flowstogetherperfectly.

DotheTaoNow

Strategically place a picture of a yield sign, frequently found as a trafficdevice,withinyour fieldofvision.Each timeyou lookat thissign,use itasareminder for you to return to the Tao. At least once each day, rather thancontinuingadisagreement,cedeonthespot.Inthemidstoftalkingaboutyourown achievements or basking in the light of your ego, stop and become aninstantlistener.Themoreyouyieldeachday,themoreyoureturntothepeaceandharmonyoftheTao.

41stVerseAgreatscholarhearsoftheTaoandbeginsdiligentpractice.

AmiddlingscholarhearsoftheTaoandretainssomeandlosessome.AninferiorscholarhearsoftheTaoandroarswithridicule.

Withoutthatlaugh,itwouldnotbetheTao.

Sothereareconstructivesayingsonthis:Thewayofilluminationseemsdark,goingforwardseemslikeretreat,

theeasywayseemshard,truepowerseemsweak,

truepurityseemstarnished,trueclarityseemsobscure,

thegreatestartseemsunsophisticated,thegreatestloveseemsindifferent,thegreatestwisdomseemschildish.

TheTaoishiddenandnameless;theTaoalonenourishesandbringseverythingtofulfillment.

LivingBeyondAppearances

ThisverseoftheTaoTeChinginfluencedmychoiceofthetitleforthisbook.By changing your thoughts so that they harmonizewith theTao, you see thatwhatyou’vecalled“reality”isinfactanoutwardform,anappearanceonly.Inthe beginning, your new way of regarding oneness is clouded by old ego-inspired habits.What you’ve been accustomed to still resonateswithin you asreal,andyourTao-inspiredworldmaynotbeconsistentlyrecognizable.Butyouwill begin to look beyondwhat only seems to be your truth andmove into adirectexperienceoftheTao,unclutteredbyyourpreviouslylimitedviews.Rereadthefirstsectionof this41stverseof theTaoTeChing,noticingyour

response. Ask yourself whether you’re a great, middling, or inferior scholarwhen it comes to understanding and applying the wisdom of the Tao. Forexample,Icanunabashedlyproclaimmyselfagreatscholaraftersomanyyearsspentstudyingandwritingit.AndthemoreI’vestudied,themorediligentlyI’vepracticed. I’ve become highly attuned to the infinite variety of dailyopportunities to employ the principles of the Tao. As you examine your ownthoughts, you may discover an aspect of yourself that wants to learn how toutilize these ancient teachings. Thus, you canmove from being a personwhoknewverylittleabouttheTao,andmightevenhaveridiculedit,tobeingagreatscholar.The application of the Tao each day determines the greatness of a scholar,

rather than whether he or she intellectually understands these paradoxical-sounding concepts. Lao-tzu points out that without the ridiculing laughter ofinferiorscholars,theTaocouldn’tevenexist.Talkaboutparadoxicalconcepts!InAWarriorBlendswithLife:AModernTao,MichaelLaTorracommentson

this41stverse:TheWay isonlyattractive to thosewhoarealreadywiseenough to

know how foolish they are. Sarcastic laughter from other fools whobelieve themselveswise does not deter the trulywise from followingthe Way. Following the Way, they do not become complicated,extraordinary, and prominent. Rather they become simple, ordinary,andsubtle.

AsyouelecttolivetheTaoeachday,whatyouexperiencewithinandaroundyou will be different from what it appears to be. You will go way beyondsurfacesintotheblissfulworldoftheTao,andit’svitalthatyouchoosetostayin this truth regardless of how it all seems.Otherswillmake fun of you, butremember the paradox thatwithout that ridiculing laughter, itwouldn’t be theTao.You’ll experience times of darkness, but your new vision will eventually

illuminate your inner world. And when it seems as though you’re movingbackward,rememberthat“theTaoishiddenandnameless.”Ifitwasknockingatyourdoor,orreadilyaccessiblelikeapilltoswallow,itwouldn’tbetheTao.So when life looks difficult, stop and realize that you’re only one thoughtremoved frombeing at peace.You’ll knowwhatLao-tzumeantwhenhe saidthat theeasywayseemshard,and truepowerseems likeweakness.Youdon’thavetostruggleordominateothersinordertofeelstrong.ApersonintheTaoseestheworldquitedifferently,knowingthatinnerpeace

is power. Less effort is actually easier—work gets donewhen you lighten upinternallyandletyourselfbemovedalongbytheceaselessTao,ratherthanbysetting goals or meeting standards set by others. Allow the Tao, and see thepurity and clarity that originates from this vantage point. The outwardappearance of anyone or anythingmay appear tarnished, but a Tao viewwillremind you that essential goodness is always there. It’s hidden and nameless,though,sodon’tbeobsessedwithfindingandlabelingit.In this way you become a great scholar who diligently works to live in

harmonywiththeTaoeventhoughitremainsobscure.Applythissameinsightto the timesyou feel unloved:Whenyou seewhat appears to be indifference,knowinyourheartthatloveispresent.TheTaoisn’tconcernedwithprovingitsfidelity. It appears to be uninterested, but it’s nevertheless always there,everywhere.Asyour thinkingchanges fromapositiondictatedbyyourego toonethattranscendsit,you’llseeanilluminatedworldthatistrulyinviting.Egoconvincedyou to seeacoldand indifferentplanet,while theego-transcendingTaoshinespurelovetoallthatyou’reconnectedto.Allowittoworkitsmagicinyourlife.ThisiswhatLao-tzuseemstobeinstructing,asIsithereaskinghowImight

servethosewhoreadthisbook:

Bediligent.

You’re not an inferior scholar of Tao if you’re reading these words. So ifyou’reamiddlingscholarwho“retains someand loses some”of thiswisdom,makeacommitmenttoworktowardyourgreatness.Justpracticeafewoftheseinsightseachday.Bediligentaboutit—setasideyourinclinationtobepuzzledorargumentative,andallowyourselfthefreedomtobeapersistentpractitioner.EvenasmallthingsuchasanaffirmationorarereadingofaverseeachdayputsyouonthepathoflivingaccordingtotheGreatWay.Lao-tzusimplysaystoliveitbyzealouslypracticingtheseinsights.Here are some lines fromWaltWhitman to remindyou that you’renotwho

youappeartobe:OIcouldsingsuchgrandeursandgloriesaboutyou!

Youhavenotknownwhatyouare,youhaveslumber’duponyourselfallyourlife,

Youreyelidshavebeenthesameasclosedmostofthetime...

Whoeveryouare!claimyourownatanyhazard!TheseshowsoftheEastandWestaretamecomparedtoyou,Theseimmensemeadows,theseinterminablerivers,youareimmenseandinterminableasthey.

..

TheTaotruthisunprovableinphysicalterms.Letgoofyourconditionedwayofneedingproofinthephysicalworldbefore

somethingbecomesyourtruth.TheTaoishiddenpermanentlyanditcannotbenamed,soacceptthisasafact.You’renotgoingtofinditinamaterialform;ithasnoboundaries,andthemomentyoutrytonameit,you’velostit.(Seethe1stverse.) Just as modern scientists must accept the fact that quantum particlesoriginate inwaves of formless energy or spirit, without their ever seeing thatinfiniteall-creatingfield,sotoocanyouletgoofyourneedtoseeandtouchtheTaobeforeyoucanbelieveit.Bychangingthewayyoulookattheworld,you’llsee a realm beyond the appearance of darkness, difficulty, weakness,indifference,anddeath.

AsthepoetRainerMariaRilkeobserved,...behindtheworldournamesencloseisthenameless:ourtruearchetypeandhome.

DotheTaoNowSpend an hour with a child today, taking note of how much wisdom is

embodiedinwhatappearstobejuvenilebehaviorandbeliefs.Noticehisorherfascination with seemingly insignificant items, repeating the same senselessphrase,tantrums,orlaughter.Jotdownyourimpressionsofthewisdombehindsuch so-called childish impulses and vow to be a kid again as frequently aspossible.

42ndVerseTheTaogavebirthtoone.Onegavebirthtotwo.Twogavebirthtothree.

Andthreebegatthe10,000things.The10,000thingscarryyinandembraceyang;theyachieveharmonyby

combiningtheseforces.

Peoplesufferatthethoughtofbeingwithoutparents,withoutfood,orwithoutworth.

Yetthisistheverywaythatkingsandlordsoncedescribedthemselves.

Foronegainsbylosing,andlosesbygaining.

Whatotherstaught,Iteach.Theviolentdonotdieanaturaldeath.Thatismyfundamentalteaching.

LivingbyMelting

intoHarmonyThebeginningofthisversereiterateswhatLao-tzuhasbeensayingthroughout

the previous 41 sections of the Tao Te Ching—that is, the Tao is the hiddenforce that brings all of the creatures and substances that comprise the 10,000thingsintobeing,aswellasbeingtheintangiblethatwethinkofasonenessorwholeness.Allcarryandembracetheoppositesofyinandyang,orthefeminineand masculine principles. This verse reinforces the idea that blending theseseeminglyopposingforcesisthewaytoachieveharmony.Lao-tzuremindsyouofthethingsthatyouprobablythinkcausesufferingand

suggeststhatbeingorphaned,goinghungry,orfeelingworthlessarehighonthelist. But then he says that achieving harmony in terms of the Tao involvesgainingbylosing.Doeshemeanthatifyouloseyourhome,yourmomanddad,your belongings, or your sense of self-esteem, you’ll gain all that you need?What?Howisthatpossible?Yourinfiniteselfthatoriginatedin,andisanimatedby,theTaoneedsnothing

to sustain itself. Parents, possessions, and self-worth are only necessary to theexistence of your mortal self. Lao-tzu wants you to recognize this differencewithintheonenessthatyouare.HeteachesthatyougainawarenessofyourTaonature through the lossof emphasison thephysical conditionsofyour life. Inyour oneness, you’re likely to lose the Tao sensibility in proportion to theemphasisyouplaceonworldlydesires.At the same time,Lao-tzuemphasizesthatdeathof themortalself is influencedby thewayyou live.Youwilldieasyouliveisthefundamentalteachingforthemortalself.Thisisthebalancingactthat’srequiredtotrulymeltintoharmonywiththeTao.The last several linesof this verse insistentlydrewmyattentionwhen Iwas

researching, writing, and meditating on this 42nd passage. I studied manytranslationsofit,andIspentcountlesshourscommuningwithLao-tzu,gazingathis likeness in my writing space. I discovered that this particular verse wasalwaysinterpretedwiththesamekindofdramaticemphasis.Allsaidsomethingsimilartothefollowing:“Itakethistobethefatherofteachings”;“Knowthistobethefoundationofmyteachings”;“Thiswillbetheessenceofmyteaching”;“Whoeversaysthisismybelovedteacher”;andtheoneIusedhere,“Thatismy

fundamentalteaching.”Myconclusionisthatwhenyou’reviolentinanyway—including in your thoughts, behavior, pronouncements, and allegiances—thenyou’re choosing to die in the same way. Of course, you’ll draw your ownconclusionsaboutthesignificanceofthisparticularlydramaticinstructionoftheTaoTeChing.The insistence with which this teaching presented itself to me leads me to

believethatLao-tzuwantsmetoemphasizethatitsoppositeisalsotrue.Thatis,apersonwhoembraces theTaoandeschewsviolenceandhatredwill liveanddienaturally...whichisinharmonywiththeperfectionoftheTao.SoIinviteyoutochangethewayyouperceivewhatkeepsyoufromharmonizingwithyourSource.Thebirthingagentofallisalsoyourultimateplaceofreturnwhenyouleaveyourbodyinthatmomentcalled“death.”Youmustbewillingtogiveupyour attachment to all forms of violence in your life if youwant tomelt intoharmony.Here are Lao-tzu’s suggestions, written through me, for embracing this

fundamentalteachingoftheTaoTeChing:Rememberthatviolenceviolatestheharmonyoflifeanddeath.

Make a decision to live harmoniously with the Tao by removing allassociations that you have with violence. Stop supporting entertainment thatpromotes any type of it, for instance. Monitor your vocabulary to remindyourself to removewords that direct hatred 42ndVerse or killing toward anyliving creature. Explore avenues for resolving disputes peacefully, and getinvolved with organizations that discourage violence. Remember that the onefundamentalprincipleoftheTaoTeChingisthatifyoutakeupsavageryinanyway, thenyou’resigningupforasavageendon thisplanet.And this includesyourmentalactivityaswellasbehavior,soseekkindandforgivingthoughtsinplaceofrevengeandhatred.Changethewayyoulookatlifetoseeingapicturethat’sfreeofviolenceandmeltsintoharmonyasyouliveanddie.Examineyourattachmentswiththeideathatyougainbylosingandloseby

gaining.Your attachments to objects, status, your culture, and even other people

preventyou frombeing free in theGreatWayof theTao.Themorestuff thataccumulates,themoreyouhavetowatchit,insureit,worryaboutit,protectit,polish it, distribute it, and identifywith it. In other words, you lose harmonywhileseekingtogain.Practicegivingyourpossessionsawayandlooseningyour

need for who and what you have. Imagine strings attached to everyone andeverythingthatyoufeelyouown;thensymbolicallycutthosestringsandbeanobserverratherthananowner.ThisishowyoumeltintoharmonywiththeTao.ThepoetHafizadvises:

StartseeingeverythingasGodButkeepitasecret.

DotheTaoNow

Thinkof one personwhomayhavewrongedyou at some time in your life:someonewhoabandonedormistreatedyou,someonewhostolefromorcheatedyou,someonewhoabusedyouorspreaduglyrumorsaboutyou.Spendonedayputtingall thoughtsof revengeaside,and insteadfeel forgivenessand loveforthatindividual.Noticethedifferenceinyourbodywhenyoudon’thaveviolentthoughts...thisistheessentialteachingoftheTao.

43rdVerseThesoftestofallthings

overridesthehardestofallthings.Thatwithoutsubstanceenterswherethereisnospace.

HenceIknowthevalueofnonaction.

Teachingwithoutwords,performingwithoutactions—

fewintheworldcangraspit—thatisthemaster’sway.Rareindeedarethose

whoobtainthebountyofthisworld.

LivingSoftlyTheTaoTeChingisfullofparallelstonature,andinfactthepureessenceof

theteachingsseemstobetohelpusbecomeTao-inspiredsagesthroughonenesswiththeenvironment.Theopeninglinesofthis43rdverseremindmeofthewayof water, of its softness and ability to enter everywhere, even where there’sseeminglynospacetodoso.WaterisusedsymbolicallyinmanyreferencestoTaoism, such as in the title of the outstanding contemporary work by AlanWatts,Tao:TheWatercourseWay.Tolivesoftlyistolivethewatercourseway.In this verse, Lao-tzu invites you to change theway you view hardness. To

you,theconceptisprobablyequatedwithstrength.Youmayworkoutbecausethe firmer your muscles, the tougher you think you are. Do you considerdiamondsmorevaluablethanasoftmineral,likevolcanicash,whichcrumblesinyourhand?Perhapsyousubscribetotheideathatdoingadifficulttaskmakesyouabetterperson.Nowimagineemulatingwater,thisbasicelementthatistheembodimentofnature(afterall,itdoescomprise75percentofboththeworld’ssurfaceandourphysicalmakeup).Thinkaboutthewaywatercourses,flowingto the lowest place, and how in order to experience it, you can’t just grab ahandful.Youmustinsteadrelax,lightlyplacingyourfingersinsideofit.Reflectuponhowthegentlewatercomparestothesolidstoneandmarbleit’s

capable of carving through. The soft water overrides hardness—deep valleyssurroundedbymountainsofgranitehavebeencarvedawayoverthecenturiesbythe patient, quiet,moving liquid. Imagine being able to enterwhere no spaceappears to be available, and to move slowly, speaking seldom and allowingyourselftobeharmoniouslyintactasyouseekalower,lessnoisyandnoticeableplace...aplacewhereallothersdesiretocometoyou.Thisisthewatercourseway.There’svalueinthenonactionofbeingabletoflowlikewater,naturallyand

effortlessly.Ican’thelpbutthinkofthiswhenIentertheoceantoswimforanhourorso.Iwanttogowiththecurrentratherthanswimagainstit,somyfirstchoiceinvolvesseeingwhichwaythewateriscoursing.AsImovethroughthesea, emulating its naturalness, I trust my instinct and swim without trying todirectmyarmsandlegsintheirstrokes.Ithinkofitasdoing,butnotinterfering—that is, I’mallowingmybody topropel itself through thewaterwithoutmymind telling it how tomove. As I’ve changedmy thoughts about “hard” and

“soft,”Idon’thavetodoanythingbutbeinthewater.I’vechosentomakemydaily swima soft, silent experience that requiresvery little actiononmypart.And my swimming world has changed, becoming easy, joyful, and almosteffortless. I’ve learned“thevalueofnonaction,”asLao-tzuexpresses it in thisverse.It’sperformingwithoutaction!Apply thiswayofseeingeverything inyourworld:Taskswillbesimplified,

yourperformancelevelwillincrease,andthepressuretobebetterthanothersbyusing superior hardened strength will cease to be a factor. You’ll naturallyincorporatethewisdomofpeacefulharmonythat’sfoundinthemartialartsbylettingtheeffortsofothersbecomeasourceofyourownpower.Yoursoftnesswilloverridethehardnessofothers.This principle is clearly seen when you look at great champions as they

performtheirchosenactivities.Thegreatestgolfersareeffortlessintheirswing.The most successful ballplayers run, jump, throw, catch, and shoot with asoftness that seems to stupefy most observers—they don’t use force, nor canthey find words to describe how they do it. The most talented artists dancesoftly, without effort; paint quietly, without force; and write easily, withoutstruggle,byallowingthewordstocometothem.AsLao-tzuremindsyou,43rdVersethesearerarebeingswholivethemaster’sway.Thesesages“obtainthebountyofthisworld,”whichisavailabletoyou,too.AsIcontemplateLao-tzu’scounsel,heurgesmetoofferyouencouragement

toapplythespiritofthewatercoursewaythat’sfoundinthis43rdverseoftheTaoTeChing:

Introduceasoft,nonactionstyletoyourlife.Practice thewayofnonaction,orperformingwithouteffort.By lettinggoof

yourinnerdrivetopushahead,you’llseethatyouironicallydobetterthanwhenyoutriedsohard.Inyourwork,becomemoretolerantinyourdrivetoachieveby softening your attitude and behavior. You’ll see that customers and largeropportunitiesareattractedtoyou.Whyisthistrue?Becauseyou’reallowingtheperfectflowoftheTao,likethegreatgrayheronletsthetiderecedeinordertoreveal the nourishment he needs to live.Notice howyour life changes as youchangethewayyoulookatit.Practiceperformingwithouteffortinotherareasofyourlife,too.Forexample,

some marathon runners say that they’ve learned to relax and stop pushing,letting their legs,arms,and torsosimplybeas theirbodiesbeginexperiencing

extremeexhaustionwithonlyafewmilestogo.Theyreportthatwhentheyshutdown themental interference and instructions, theymagically cross that finishline.Softalwayshasitsplace,foritisthewatercourseway.. .thewayoftheTao.

Encouragedesirestofreelyflowinyourimagination.Consider what you’ve wanted to have in this life as if it’s behind a locked

door. Examinewhat you’ve been telling yourself about the prosperity, superbhealth,goodluck,businesssuccess,orwonderfulrelationshipsyou’vecraved—that no matter how hard you’ve tried, it’s all come to naught. Then imagineyourselfflowinglikewaterthroughthebarrierofthatlockedroom.Doitsoftly,gently,andsilently inyourmind.Inotherwords, justspendsometimegettingusedtopracticingthewatercoursewayoftheTao.Asyouallowsoftnesstobepartofthepictureofyourlife,thehardwaywill

soften.Begintoexercisethiskindofeffortlessnessinallareasofyourdesires.AccordingtoRalphWaldoEmerson,“It is theconditionofInspiration—marrynature,don’tuseherforpleasure.”Iurgeyoutoconsiderthiskindofmarriage.

DotheTaoNow

Haveadayofsilence.Don’tspeakaloudtoanyone;instead,justobserveandsee if youcanbe in a stateof softnesswithout tellingyourselfor anyoneelsewhattodo.GentlyconsiderthepowerfulwordsofHermanMelville,whooncesaidthatGod’soneandonlyvoiceissilence.

44thVerseWhichmeansmoretoyou,youoryourrenown?

Whichbringsmoretoyou,youorwhatyouown?Isaywhatyougain

ismoretroublethatwhatyoulose.

Loveisthefruitofsacrifice.Wealthisthefruitofgenerosity.

Acontentedmanisneverdisappointed.Hewhoknowswhentostopispreservedfromperil,onlythuscanyouendure

long.

LivingbyKnowingWhentoStop

The44thversetellsyouthatchangingthewayyouprioritizeyourlifeensuresa fruitful one. I call it the “Enough is enough” section of the Tao Te Ching.Whenyouupdateyourviewofthemostimportantthingsinyourlife,theworldaroundyou isgoing toseemverydifferent.Lao-tzu isurgingyou to look intoyourheartandexaminewhatistrulyimportant.Earlierversesof theTaoTeChingcounsel that theessentialmissionofyour

life is to go back to (or get to know) your originating Source before physicaldeath.Inotherwords,youdon’thavetodietomakethereturntrip!It’snotonlypossible,butessential,tofeelyourconnectiontotheTaowhileyou’restillalive.Knowingwhen to stop is part of the path leadingyou to your essential self,

where the need for fame and possessions is nonexistent.You see, it’s not thethingsorevenadesireforrecognitionthatkeepsyoufromalivingconnectiontothe Tao—it’s your attachment to them that gets in the way. So shift theimportance you’ve placed on success or belongings,which has obscured yourconnectedness to theTao.Begin tonote thesenselessnessofdemandingmore,exhaustingyourself inpursuitofwhatkeepsyou trapped inaviciouscycleof“striving and never arriving” or trying to find fulfillment.This verse imploresyoutoknowwhentostop.I’msure thatyoucaneasilyseepeople inyourenvironmentwhospendtheir

entirelivesseekingmoreofeverything—morepossessions,money,recognition,awards, friends, places to go, substances, food—you name it. If you livewiththis same philosophy, you’ve signed up for a life of frustration anddissatisfactionbecausethesearchitselfbecomesyourjailer.It’seasytoseethenwhyLao-tzuadvisesthatwhatyougainisfarmoretroublethanwhatyoulose!Whenyouprioritizeyour life,you’ll find that loveanda feelingofabundanceare not only what you desire, but these two principles are instantly availablebecause you’ve changed the way you look at the world. From this newperspective,you’llfeeltotallylovedandwealthyinallways.IrealizethatLao-tzuisagainspeakinginwhatseemtobeparadoxicalwords.

But he’s coming to you from the perspective of having changed the way helookedatthings,andnotingthatwhathelookedatchanged.Henowseeslove

andwealtheverywhere—yetheknowsintuitivelythathecanneverpossessthembychasingafterthem,sincethey’llalwaysremainjustoutsideofhisgrasp.Andsohe looksat theTaoandsees that theGreatWaykeepsnothingfor itself, iswillingtoletgoofitslife-givingessence,andisdesiroustosharewithall.Whenyougive of yourself, asking nothing in return andwithdrawing your need forrecognition,you’llexperiencemorecontentment.Thefruitsofwealthandloveareseenrighttherebeforeyouwhenyousimplystopthechase.The beauty of the wisdom in this 44th verse is that you give away your

attachmenttothingsorwaysofbeing,whichiswhatImeanbyknowingwhento stop. If the chase iswearingoutyourhealth, stop! If the chase iswreakinghavoc on your relationships, stop! If the chase is exhausting you, stop! If thechase is keeping you from enjoying your life, stop!When you knowwhen tocease and desist, you’re protected from all of those perils, and you’ll enjoy alongandcontentedexistenceconnectingwiththeTao.The following is what Lao-tzu asks me to offer you as a means for

implementingthisteaching:MakeyourrelationshiptotheTaoyourtoppriority.

Prioritizeyourlifebymakingthistheessentialandforemostresponsibilityyouhave. Your primary relationship needs to be with yourself, not your family,business,country,culture,orethnicity.Affirm:Thenumberonepriority inmylifeismyrelationshipwithmySourceofbeing.Gotherefirst,beforeanyotherconsiderations, and you’ll automatically discontinue demanding more ofanything else. You’ll begin to emulate the Tao effortlessly, living heaven onearth.

Practiceknowingwhentostop.Alert yourself to recognizing when it’s a good time to stop demanding,

chasing, talking, walking, working, sleeping, playing, shopping, complaining,striving,andsoon.Bypracticingcessation,you’llmoveintoprioritizingwhat’simportant inyour life in thatmoment. Isyourbusinessdoingwell?Let it stopgrowing. Is your stomach full? Quit eating right now. Do you have enoughmoney saved?Give some of it away,without taking deductions or asking forcreditforyourgenerosity.Themoreyou’reattachedtoneedingandwantingandpossessing, themore you lose in your relationship to the Tao. But when you

know the time to stop, you say good-bye to the troubles that accrue for thosewhosacrificearrivingforalifetimeofstriving.

DotheTaoNowPickanareaofyourlifetopracticereleasinganattachmentbydecidingwhen

tostop.Forexample,plantoleavetenminutesbeforeyouthinkyou’redoneinthe grocery store, or refrain from buying anything that’s not on your list. Atwork, restrainyourself fromgettinganothercupofcoffeeorwritingonemorepersonale-mail.Inarelationship,don’tsayanythingelseinadiscussionthat’sgoingnowhere.Thoseareallexamplesofattachmenttobeingordoing.Youcanalsopracticedetachingbygivingsomethingaway.Justrecently,for

instance,mysonsurprisedbothofusbydoingjustthat.IwasadmiringanewT-shirthe’djustpurchased,andhesaid,“Here,Dad,youlikethisonesomuchthateventhoughit’smyfavorite,Iwantyoutohaveit.”Itwasasimple,spontaneousletting go of an attachment, and both of us felt thewealth that is the fruit ofgenerosity.

45thVerseThegreatestperfectionseemsimperfect,andyetitsuseisinexhaustible.

Thegreatestfullnessseemsempty,andyetitsuseisendless.

Greatstraightnessseemstwisted.Greatintelligenceseemsstupid.Greateloquenceseemsawkward.

Greattruthseemsfalse.Greatdiscussionseemssilent.

Activityconquerscold;inactivityconquersheat.

Stillnessandtranquilitysetthingsinorderintheuniverse.

LivingBeyondSuperficialities

This verse subtly asks you to view the world with new eyes. Most likelyyou’ve been conditioned to evaluate just about everythingwith a cursory andfleeting glance. Here, however, Lao-tzu is asking you to stop seeing throughyourego-dominatedculture,and to insteadbeginnoticing thestilland tranquilinvisible space within everything. When you go beyond superficialities, youbecomeawarethatwhatusedtolookimperfect,empty,awkward,orevenstupidnowappearsperfect,full,eloquent,andintelligent.Your previous way of thinking about the world told you that it’s full of

imperfections—thepeopleinyourlifeshouldbedifferent,politiciansshouldbealignedwithyourvalues,theweathershouldbemoreconsistentandreliable,themultitudes should be more peaceful, young people should study harder, andolderpeopleshouldbemore tolerant.Theassessmentsarerelentlesslyendless,and they’re all based on teachings that you’ve adopted.While theymay seemsensibleandcorrect, theseviewsare simply the resultofonly lookingatwhatexistsonthesurface.“Holdonaminute,”thisverseoftheTaoTeChingseemsto say, “try lookingat it thisway.What seems tobe imperfecthasperfection,andwhatseemsemptyandfalsehasaprofoundspiritualtruthsupportingit.”Theparadoxhereisevident:Hungerdoesexistintheworldasanelementof

theperfectionof theTao,and thedesire tohelp thosewhoarestarving isalsopart of that perfection. You’re being asked not to label what you see asimperfect, stupid,orempty; rather, look for the stillnessand tranquilitywithinyouthatyoucanbringtothesesuperficialappearances.Whenyourefrainfromengaging in judgments based solely on looks, you paradoxically become aninstrumentforchange.Study the opening lines of this verse.What seems imperfect is nevertheless

inexhaustible;whatseemsemptyisendless.Imagineapitcheroutofwhichyoucouldpourdelicious iced teawithouteverneeding to refill. “Impossible!”yousay,yetthat’spreciselywhattheTaodoes.Itnever,everrunsout.Itneverhas,and it never will. It cannot be exhausted. You are asked to be like thisinexhaustible,always-fullTao—benonjudgmental,still,andaboveall,tranquil.Lettheworldandallofitscreationsunfoldwhileyouremainconstantwiththe

invisiblenessthatallowsitalltotakeplace.Allowwhateveryoufeeldeepwithinyouinthatquietandpeacefulspacetoguideyouinthedirectionthatisyourtruedestiny.RecentlyIattendedatalkbymyfriend,colleague,andmentorRamDass,who

hadastrokein1997thatimpactedhisspeech.Asofthiswriting,hestillspendsalmost all of his waking moments in a wheelchair, and his lecture lastedapproximately 45 minutes. He received a standing ovation at the end, and Ipersonallyfeltsoblessedandblissfulbyhavingbeenintheaudience.Therearesomewhomighthaveonlyseensuperficialities—tothem,thelecturemighthaveseemedhaltingandslowbecauseof the stroke,and judgedasembarrassingoreven intellectually challenging. Much of my dear friend’s time onstage wassilent, and it certainly appeared to be awkward in comparison to his earlierspeeches,whichwerealwaysmasterfulandeloquent.ButasIsitherewriting,Ican only say that because I changed the way I looked at this experience, theentirethingchangedformeinaverydramaticway.WhileRamDass’swordswerefew,hismessagewasstraightforward,laconic,

and direct.Whatmight have appeared as unintelligible to others struckme asbrilliancemaskedbycircumstance.Whatcouldhavebeenviewedas fumblingwasarticulateandperfectineveryway.Iheardagreatpresentationtoaloving,receptivecrowdthatwasdonelargelybetweenlongperiodsofluscioussilence.Throughoutthislecture,alloftheaudiencemembersandI45thVerseremainedstillandtranquil.AsLao-tzuconcludesinthis45thverseoftheTaoTeChing,it“setthingsinorderin[our]universe.”IcanfeelthepresenceofLao-tzuherethismorningasIgazeatthedrawingof

thatbeautifuloldmansittingonanox.Heseemstobeurgingmeontotellyouhowtoapplythisgreatwisdom,whichcomesfromlivingbeyondshallowness:Seeimperfectionsasperfect,evenifyourego-mindcannotcomprehendthis.Become aware of your conditioned responses that lead you to label people,

places, andcircumstancesas less thanperfect.See the flawlessnessbehind thesupposeddefects.As Iwatchedmychildrengrowup, for instance, thereweremanytimeswhentheirchallengingbehavioratacertainagewasreallyakindofbrilliance.Forexample,Iobservedthemrefusingtoeatcertainnutritiousfoods,knowing that they needed to go through these phases in order to reach higherplaces.Anadamantrefusaltoeatvegetablesisn’tstupidortwistedthinking—itwasperfectandnecessaryforthematthetime.Youcanapplythissamekindof

patient stillness to yourworld. Inch by inch,we evolve as a people toward afullerunionwiththeTao.Oneofhistory’sgreatmysticalthinkers,MeisterEckhart,poeticallyputitthis

wayseveralcenturiesago:Everyobject,everycreature,everyman,womanandchildhasasoulanditis

thedestinyofall,

toseeasGodsees,toknowasGodknows,tofeelasGodfeels,toBe

asGodIs.

Giveyourselfpermissiontobeperfect,evenwith

allofyourseemingimperfections.Recognize yourself first and foremost as a creation of God, which is your

perfection.Ithasnothingtodowithhowyoulookoranyso-calledmistakesorfailures youmay have attracted to yourself, even though these superficialitieswill continue throughoutyour entire lifetime in thisbody.TheSourceofyourmaterial self, the eternal Tao, is flawless, straight, full, and an expression oftruth.When thoseways that you’vebeen taught are imperfect appear andyounoticethepainyou’recausingyourselfbydislikingorjudgingthem,callinyourTao-perfectselftotendtotheso-calledfaults.Whenyousurrounditwithlove,thesuperficialappearanceandfeelingofbeingunlovedwillbecometranquil.The 13th-century mystical poet Rumi sums this up perfectly in this short

observation:Youarethetruth

fromfoottobrow.Now,whatelsewouldyouliketoknow?

DotheTaoNow

Makealistoftenthingsyou’velabeledasimperfect,twisted,orstupid.Thentakeoneatatimeandelicitthefeelinginyourbodythat’sattachedtothatitem.Allow the sensation to be observed and to be held in your thoughts from aperspective of loving permission. Do this for as long as you’re comfortable,allowingthe“Taonow!” tobepresent.Rememberasyoudo thisexercise thattheTaoisnonjudgmentalandprovidesequallytoall.Youcantakethesunshineandbaskinit,oryoucanburnyourselftoacrisp.TheTaojustis,anditdoesn’tcare!

46thVerseWhentheworldhastheWay,

runninghorsesareretiredtotillthefields.WhentheworldlackstheWay,

warhorsesarebredinthecountryside.

ThereisnogreaterlossthanlosingtheTao,nogreatercursethancovetousness,nogreatertragedythandiscontentment;theworstoffaultsiswantingmore—

always.

Contentmentaloneisenough.Indeed,theblissofeternity

canbefoundinyourcontentment.

LivingPeacefullyIfyou’representlyevaluatingyour levelofachievementbasedonhowmuch

you’ve accumulated, prepare to sense a major shift in your state of personalsatisfaction and contentment. Verse 46 of the Tao Te Ching invites you todiscover amore peaceful and self-satisfyingway of knowing success—and asyour determination to acquire more begins to weaken, your new views willchangetheworldyou’veknown.You’llfindthattheexperienceofinnerpeacebecomesyourtruegaugeofaccomplishment.This 46th verse beginswith a look atwhat happenswhen a planet loses its

connection to theWay.Countriesbeginneeding toconquermore territory . . .and in their quest for more land, power, and control over others, they mustconstantly prepare forwar.Lao-tzu speaks symbolically of horses here:WhenconnectedtotheTao,theanimalsfertilizethefields;whendisconnectedfromit,thebeautifulcreaturesarebredforwar.In a modern translation of the Tao Te Ching, my friend Stephen Mitchell

interpretsthismessageinpresent-dayterms:WhenacountryisinharmonywiththeTao,thefactoriesmaketrucksand

tractors.WhenacountrygoescountertotheTao,warheadsarestockpiledoutsidethecities.

It’spainfullyobviousthatourworldhaslargelylostcontactwiththeWayasdescribedbyLao-tzu.Thesedayssomuchofourenergyisplacedonbreedingwarhorsesattheexpenseofusingourresourcestofertilizeourfieldssothatwecan live in peace. The United States is chock-full of weapons of massdestruction,andwecontinuallylegislatemorefundingtomakeourweaponssomenacingthatthey’recapableofrenderingourentireplanetuninhabitable.The“disease of more” has created an environment that personifies Lao-tzu’sobservationthatthereis“nogreatertragedythandiscontentment.”ButevenifsomanyofourDivineselvesseemtobeengulfedbytheflamesofunease,youcanbegintheprocessofputtingLao-tzu’sadvicetowork.Whenyoutrulyunderstandwhat itmeans to livepeacefully,satisfactionwill

begintoreplaceyourdesireformore.Yourworldwillbegintobecometranquilasyouchangeyourownlifeandthentouchthelivesofyourimmediatefamily,

yourneighbors,yourcoworkers,andultimatelyyournationandtheentireplanet.Begin by simply thinking of the opening line of the famous Prayer of SaintFranciswhenyounoticethatyou’redemandingmoreofanything.Silentlysay,Lord,makemeaninstrumentofThypeace;wherethereishatred,

letmesowlove.Asthatinstrumentofpeace,you’llradiatetranquilitytothoseinyourimmediatesurroundings,andyou’llfeeltheflickerofanewanddifferentsuccessincontentment,perhapsforthefirsttimeinyourlife.Byrefusingtolosethe Tao, regardless of how lost others are andwhat ourworld’s governmentselecttodo,you’relivingharmoniously.YourconnectiontotheTaowillmakeadifference, gradually inchingEarth away from theprecipice of discontentmentthatLao-tzucalled“nogreatertragedy.”ThesublimeHafizbeautifullysumsupthekindofsuccessI’mreferringtoin

hispoem“WouldYouThinkitOdd?”:WouldyouthinkitoddifHafizsaid,“Iaminlovewitheverychurch

AndmosqueAndtemple

AndanykindofshrineBecauseIknowitisthere

ThatpeoplesaythedifferentnamesOftheOneGod.”

Gettingback toLao-tzu,herearehismessages fromthepowerful46thversethatareapplicabletodayinyourpersonallife:

Practicegratitudeandcontentmenteveryday.When your feet hit the floor every single morning, without exception, say,

“Thank You for an opportunity to live in a state of contentment.” Invite themagicalenergyoftheTaotofreelyflowthroughyouandinformyourresponsesthroughouttheday.You’reinharmonywithyourSourcewhenyou’resolicitinggratitudeandgratificationintheseways.

Beonewithyournature.In aworld that seems toproducemore andmoreviolence, becomeaperson

whochoosestobeaninstrumentofpeace.Letyournaturebethe“horses”thatarebredtotillthefields,feedthehungry,andoffercomforttothelameorlessfortunate. Live as if you and the Tao are one,which of course you arewhenyou’reinyournaturalstate.When enough of us are able to do this, we’ll reach a critical mass, and

eventuallytheGreatWaywillsurpassthedemandsoftheego.Itrulybelieve,touseabaseballanalogy,thatnaturealways“batslast.”

DotheTaoNow

Setasidetimetomakeaconsciousefforttosendpeacefulenergytosomeoneor some group whom you think of as the enemy. Include a competitor; analienated familymember;apersonofadifferent religiouspersuasion;or thoseyouopposeinagovernment,politicalparty,ordisagreement.Thenliterallysendsomethingtothemifthatfeelsokaytoyou,suchasaflower,abook,oraletter.Beginyourconsciousefforttoday,rightnow,tosurrendertotheTaoandknowauthenticsuccess,whichhasnoseparation.

47thVerseWithoutgoingoutthedoor,

knowtheworld.Withoutlookingoutthewindow,youmayseethewaysofheaven.

Thefartheronegoes,thelessoneknows.Thereforethesagedoesnotventureforthandyetknows,doesnotlookandyet

names,doesnotstriveandyetattainscompletion.

LivingbyBeingI encourage you to change your belief that effort and striving are necessary

toolsforsuccess.Inverse47,Lao-tzusuggeststhatthesearewaysofbeingthatkeep you from experiencing the harmony and attaining the completion that’sofferedbytheTao.Livingbybeinginsteadoftryingisadifferentviewpoint;asLao-tzustates,youcanseeandaccomplishmorebynotlookingoutthewindow.Howisthispossible?Let’slookatanexampletoclarifythisconundrum.I’d

like you to place all of your attention on one ofGod’s greatest creations. I’mreferring to your heart, that always-beating, mysterious chunk of arteries,vessels, muscle, and blood that you carry with you wherever you go. Itcontinuallymaintains its thump, thump, thumpwithout your trying tomake itbeat,evenwhileyousleep.Youdon’tmakeitthumpaway—evenwithoutyourconsciousattention,itworksasperfectlyastheoceandoes.Itscontinuousbeatisevenreminiscentofwavesonthesea’ssurface.Yourheartisindeedathingofwonderasitdeliverslifeitself;itisessentially

you. That organ in your chest is a model for understanding and applying thelesson of living by being. Your heart attains completion (your life) by notventuring forth, looking beyond its chest cavity, or striving. As you sit herereading these words right now, it’s keeping you alive just by being, and youdon’tevenfeelit.I’d likeyou to thinkofyourentireselfasaheart thatalreadyknowsexactly

whattodobyvirtueofitsverynature.Thatis,youdon’thavetogoanywheretoknowtheworldbecauseyoualreadyaretheworld.Themomentyouattempttocontrolthebeatingofyourownheart,yourealizethefutilityofsuchaneffort.Noamountoftryingorstrivingwillmakeanydifference,foryourheartoperatesby its natural connection to the Tao, which does nothing but leaves nothingundone.MichaelLaTorrapointsthisoutinhiscommentaryonthisverseinAWarrior

BlendswithLife:As the wisest of sages have always realized, the root of essential

beingisintheheart,especiallyintheheartbeatmechanism.Fromhere,the radiance of essential being spirals upward to illuminate the head.Thismechanismliesbeyondanytechnology.Youalreadyinhabitit....And through deep feelings (rather than superficial emotions) you can

connect with it immediately. . . . The ultimate act that enlightensinvolvesnoactionatall.

SonowyouknowthattheparadoxicalstateLao-tzudescribesinthisverseisnotonlypossible,butit’sactuallytakingplaceeverywhererightnow,inbillionsof human hearts. The further reality is that this is true for the hearts of allcreatures,aswellasthelifesystemofeverytree,flower,bush,andevenmineralon Earth. And this is only one planet in a universe that contains so manyheavenly bodies that counting them is so far beyond our ability thatwe can’tevendevisecalculatorstoundertakesuchatask.The21stcenturyisoftencalled“theinformationage”:Weliveinatimewhen

there’smore data available on tiny computer chips than ever before in humanhistory.Wecanalsoeasilyseethatoureffortsdoindeedbringusmorefactsandthelike.Infact,youmaybeoneofthecomputerwizardswhosegreatereffortshave made all of this possible. What’s at issue here is the relationship ofinformationtoknowledgeandwisdom.Let’s take apart the very name of this era—information—to explain what I

mean.Whenyoustay“in-form”(inyourbodyand thematerialworld),you’rerewarded with information. But move beyond form (transform to spirit) andyou’ll receive inspiration. Thus, information is not always knowledge, andknowledge isnot alwayswisdom.Wisdomconnectsyou toyourheart inyourwakingmoments; it is theTaoatwork.Lao-tzu isaskingyoutorecognize thedifference47thVersebetweenstrivingformorefactsandbeingintheworldthatiscompleteasitis.AsyoulivefromthisperspectiveofwisdomorconnectiontotheTao,theworldlookssoverydifferent.Youareasinglebeatintheoneheartthatishumanity.Youdon’thavetolook

outsideyourwindoworventureforth—allyouhavetodoisjustbeinthesamewaythatyouallowyourhearttobe.Thisconceptwasdifficult2,500yearsago,andIrealizethatitmaystillbechallengingtograsp,butyoumust!Inaworldmad for information without the grace of being the Tao, you are one of theheartbeatsthatkeepstheTaowisdomflowingfreely...justbybeing.Through me, Lao-tzu urges you to work at this new awareness and try out

thesesuggestions:Begintheprocessoftrustingyourheart.

Listening toyourheartbeat,youcanclearly recognize theTaopracticing theparadox of doing nothing and at the same time leaving nothing undone.Your

deepestfeelingsarereflectionsofyour“heartspace”talkingtoyou.Youdon’thave to do anything to activate this internal profundity; simply let your heartspeaktoyou.Beginnoticingandappreciatingitscontinualsilentthumping—andwhateverprovidestheenergyforthebeattogoon,letitspresenceinyourchestbeaconstantreminderoftheTaoatwork.

Trustinyour“senseofknowing,”whichisalwayswithyou.An internal knowing is there independent of your venturing forth—it’s there

evenwhenyoureyesareclosedandyou’resittingstill.Thisdoesn’tnecessarilymeanyoushouldbecomeacouchpotato.Rather,youmustallowyourselftobeguidedbythesameSourcethattwirlstheplanetsaroundthesun,andtrustthatitwilldirectyouperfectlywithoutyourhavingtointerfere.Experienceyourinnatecreativitywhile being an observer,watching in amazement as everything fallsperfectlyintoplace.Justasmovingwaterneverstagnates,youwillbemovedbyanaturalforcethatseeksbeingcompletewithinyouandwithoutyourneedingtostep in. You can get in touch with this knowing through the practice ofmeditation.

DotheTaoNow

Findormakeapictureofaheart,andspendtimetodaycontemplatingitasareminderoftheTaoeffortlesslyatworkwithinyourchestcavity.Atsomepointduringtheday,allowyourselftobeguidedbytheTaotodosomethingcreativethatcomesfromwithin,suchaspainting,writingapoem, takingawalk in thepark,beginningapersonalproject,oranythingatall.Justletyourselfbeguidedwithouthaving toventure forth in anyway.Thenbring thismagicof theTaomorefrequentlyintoallaspectsofyourlife.

48thVerseLearningconsistsofdailyaccumulating.

ThepracticeoftheTaoconsistsofdailydiminishing;decreasinganddecreasing,untildoingnothing.

Whennothingisdone,nothingisleftundone.

Truemasterycanbegainedbylettingthingsgotheirownway.Itcannotbegainedbyinterfering.

LivingbyDecreasingWeliveinasocietythatseemstosay,“Themoreyouamass,themorevalue

youpossess as a humanbeing.”Here, in the 48th verse of theTaoTeChing,you’reaskedtochangethewayyoulookat thisnotion.Rather thanvalidatingyourselfbyacquiringmore,youcanreversethisembeddedideaofincreasingasthecriteriaformasteringlife.Thebenefitoflivingbydecreasingisseeingyourworld in adifferent light—one inwhich,believe it ornot, you’ll experience agreatersenseofcompleteness.Throughout the years of your formal schooling, you were encouraged to

accumulatemoreofeverythingbeingmadeavailabletoyou:moremathematicalformulas; rules of grammar; knowledge of ancient and modern history;information about the human body, the inner and outer galaxies, religion,chemical compounds, and so forth—on and on. You amassed a series oftranscripts, diplomas, and degrees that summarized your voyage of collecting,gathering, and hoarding evidence of your learning. Lao-tzu suggestsreexamining this legacy, for then you can base your level of success onsomethingthatappearstobetheexactoppositeofwhatyou’vepursuedsofar.The Tao asks you to release the external indicators and symbols of your

educational status. While learning is about accumulating information andknowledge, theTao isaboutwisdom,which involves lettinggoof informationandknowledgeandlivinginharmonywithyourSource.Inordertoenlivenyourexperienceof theTaoandlivebyitsprinciples,you’rebeingaskedtopracticedecreasingyourrelianceuponthings.AsI’vealreadymentionedinthesepages,everythingthatyouaddtoyourlife

bringswith itanelementof imprisonment:Yourstuff requiresyou to insure itandprotect itfrompotential thievesornaturaldisasters;furthermore,youneedtopolish,paint,clean,store,andpackit,aswellasmoveitfromplacetoplace.There’sinfinitewisdomintheideasthatLao-tzuoutlinesinthisverseoftheTaoTeChing,especiallyinhisviewthattruemasterycanonlybegainedbyfreeingyourselfofattachmentstothingsand,infact,downsizingwhatyoualreadyhave.When you seriously think about this idea and change the way you look at

accumulation, you’ll realize that you can never truly own anything. NativeAmericans once had no term for owning land; today, themodern individual’spurchaseofapieceofpropertyinvolvesanendlesscascadeoflegalmaneuvers

including title searches, liens, attorney fees,mortgages, tax stamps, and soon.We’vecreatedgargantuanhurdlesforthepurchaseandownershipofapieceofland that we only really occupy temporarily. Lao-tzu urges you to think ofyourself as a guest here, rather than a proprietor. Cease interfering with thenatural world by doing as much as you can to decrease your impact on theenvironment.That is, live inharmonywith theno-thing-nessstate fromwhichyouemergedandtowhichyouaredestinedtoultimatelyreturn.Lao-tzu says that you must think about your lifetime, your “parentheses in

eternity,”asanopportunitytobeinharmonywiththealways-decreasingTaobyputtingintopracticethesesuggestions:

Seethevalueinsubtraction,or“dailydiminishing.”Begin to consciously decrease your need to purchase more things. Keep in

mindthattheadvertisingworldisdesignedtoconvinceyouthatyourhappinessistiedtowhateverit’spromoting—soinsteadofbuyingmore,seehowmanyofyouraccumulatedpossessionsyoucanrecirculate.Iguaranteethatyou’llnoticearefreshingfeelingoffreedomasyourdesirediminishesandyouletgoofyourobsessionwiththematerialobjectsyou’veamassed.AsLao-tzumightsay,youcameherewithno-thingandyouleavewithno-thing,sotakegreatpleasureinall that has arrived in your life. There’s even greater pleasure to be had inknowingthatyourabilitytolivepeacefullyandhappilyisn’tdependentonhowmuchstuffyouaddtoyourlife.LivingbydecreasingisthewayoftheTao.Practiceseeingjoyinthenaturalworld,ratherthanseekingfulfillmentin

ownership.Seethefollyofownershipinauniversethat’seternallycomposingand

decomposing...justlikeyouare.Inessence,Lao-tzuissayingthatwhat’srealneverchangesbecauseithasnoform.Sothemoreyoucanletthingsunfoldnaturally,themoreharmoniouslyyou’relivingtheTao.Enjoytheflowers,

clouds,sunsets,storms,stars,mountains,andallthepeopleyouencounter.Bewiththeworld,initandadoringit,butnotneedingtopossessit.Thisistheway

ofpeace.ThisisthewayoftheTao.Formorethan500years,KabirhasbeenoneofIndia’sreveredpoets.Oneofhis

mostpopularobservationssumsupthis48thverseoftheTaoTeChing:Thefishinthewaterthatisthirstyneeds

seriousprofessionalcounseling.

DotheTaoNow

Rightthisminute,letgooffiveitemsthatyouhaveinyourpossession,puttingthemincirculationsothatothersmightfindthem.Next,picksomethingthathassomeparticularvaluetoyouandgiveitaway.It’simportantthatitbesomethingyoureallylike,forthemoreattachmentyouhavetoanitem,thegreaterthejoyyou’ll feelasyoulet itgo.Thiscanbecomeapracticeof livinga lifeofdailydiminishing.

49thVerseThesagehasnofixedmind;

heisawareoftheneedsofothers.

Thosewhoaregoodhetreatswithgoodness.Thosewhoarebadhealsotreatswithgoodnessbecausethenatureofhisbeing

isgood.

Heiskindtothekind.Heisalsokindtotheunkind

becausethenatureofhisbeingiskindness.

Heisfaithfultothefaithful;heisalsofaithfultotheunfaithful.

Thesagelivesinharmonywithallbelowheaven.Heseeseverythingashisownself;heloveseveryoneashisownchild.

Allpeoplearedrawntohim.Hebehaveslikealittlechild.

LivingBeyondJudgment

In this gently powerful verse,we’re encouraged to change thewayweviewvirtually everyone on the planet. Lao-tzu saw the potential for existingharmoniouslythroughlivingbeyondjudgment; thus, this49thverseoftheTaoTeChinginvitesustoexplorethatpeacefulworld.It’sencouragingustoreplaceour idea of criticizing themwith an acknowledgment of uswithout criticism.Imagine thepossibilities for allofhumanity ifwe simplyeliminatedprejudiceandcouldlive“inharmonywithallbelowheaven.”You can begin changing your view of judgment as a valuable or important

activitybybeingawareofwhenyou’redoing it toyourself.Thensimplystartsubstituting noticing for judging; from this perspective, you’ll realize prettyquickly that you prefer to observe what you’re doing or feeling rather thancritiquingyourself.Callingyourbehavior“bad”or“good”justpitsyouagainstyourself and others by using competition, punishment, or dislike as yourmotivational markers—hatred, anger, and threats become necessary becauselove,acceptance,andkindnesscan’tbetrusted.Asyoumoveawayfromjudgingyourself,you’llnolongerneedorwantwhat

Lao-tzu calls the “fixed mind”; thus, allegiances that pitted you against thepeople you thought of as them will begin to dissolve. The innumerablecategories thathelpedyouorganizeyourlabelsbecometotallysuperfluousandunimportantwhenyouchangethewayyoulookattheirso-calledvalue.Inspiteof having been conditioned by the country youwere born in, the religion youwereassignedatbirth,thecultureyouwereimmersedin,oreventhefamilywhoraised you, living beyond judgment becomes your preference. You exist inharmonywiththeTaothatexcludesnooneandhasnoconceptionofdivisionsand loyalties. The oneness of the Tao entices you away from any belief thatothersareseparate.This is the basic solution to wars and conflicts. You see, when you stop

judgingandinsteadbegintoseeyourself inothers,youcan’thelpbutlovetheuniquenessofeveryoneasthoughtheywereyourownchildren.Theninsteadofexclusionsandallegiances,theonenessoftheTaogracesall,unimpeded.RatherthanGod bless America (orwhatever country you happen to reside in),Allah

saveourpeople,orKrishnabless thosewhobelieve in you, there’sGodblesshumanity—let me do all that I can to treat everyone, without exception, withgoodness and kindness, as all of those whom we revere as spiritual masterstaughtusbytheirexample.As your worldview changes, you’ll extend goodness to everyone you

encounter. You’ll find that you can feel nonjudgmental compassion for themistreated, evenwhen theirway of seeing things causes you and yours pain.Youcansendoutkindnessnotonlyinresponsetokindness,butespeciallywhenyou’re the recipient of cruelty.Why?Because, asLao-tzu remindsyou in thispoignantverse,“thenatureof[your]beingiskindness.”It’simpossibletogiveto others what you are not, and you are not judgmental. You see yourself ineveryone,withouttheneedtocriticizethemoryourself.Change your thoughts and live beyond judgment—and don’t see yourself as

“bad”whenyoufalterinthisvieworas“holy”whenyousucceed.Keepinmindthat you’re amix of infinite openness and finite limitation, as we all are. Sosometimes you just need to notice yourself judging, without then judgingyourself!This iswhatI feelcalledbyLao-tzu toofferyoufromthis49thverseof the

TaoTeChing:Changethewayyoulookatyourself.

If you pride yourself on having a fixed mind, realize that it relies onconditioning that generally shows up as prejudice. Instead, see yourself asflexible,sincebeingopenisthehighervirtue.Prideyourselfonextendingyourgoodness and kindness to all sides, even 49th Verse when they oppose yourpreprogrammedlearning.Begintoseeyourselfasapersonwhonoticesinsteadof judges. Avoid taking one position and sticking to it no matter what thecircumstancesare;rather,beinharmonywithallpeople,especiallythosewhoseopinions conflict with yours! And remember to include yourself whendispensingkindnessandnonjudgment.

Changethewayyoulookatotherpeople.Oneversionofthisversesays:“Itrustmenoftheirword,andItrustliars.IfI

amtrueenough,Ifeeltheheartbeatsofothersabovemyown.”Whetheryoucallit “judging” or “labeling,” notice when you think of others as evil, lazy,dishonest,stupid,orugly.Thenaffirm:Iseemyselfinthisperson,andIchooseto be in a space of goodness rather than judgment.There’s a Sanskrit word,

Namaste, that can help you with this. When used as a greeting, it roughlytranslates to: “I honor the place in youwhere we are all one.” So silently orverbally begin telling others “Namaste” in order to remind yourself to loveeveryoneasyourownchildren.

DotheTaoNowVow to spend a day looking for opportunities to practice kindness in

circumstances that usually provoke judgment. Notice what you think or sayabout a panhandler, a relative whom you feel animosity toward, or even apoliticianorTVcommentatorspeakingintermsthatsendyouoffinaflurryofcritical thoughts.Take thatopportunity tobecomea“noticer,”decreasingyourcriticismwhileincreasingtheamountofcourtesyandgoodnessinyourworld.

50thVerseBetweenbirthanddeath,

threeintenarefollowersoflife;threeintenarefollowersofdeath.Andmenjustpassingfrombirthtodeathalsonumberthreeinten.

Whyisthisso?Becausetheyclutchtolife

andclingtothispassingworld.

Butthereisoneoutoften,theysay,sosureoflifethattigersandwildbullskeepclear.

Weaponsturnfromhimonthebattlefield,rhinoceroseshavenoplacetohornhim,tigersfindnoplaceforclaws,andsoldiershavenoplacetothrusttheir

blades.

Whyisthisso?Becausehedwellsinthatplacewheredeathcannotenter.

Realizeyouressenceandyouwillwitnesstheendwithoutending.

LivingasanImmortalInthispassage,Lao-tzuasksyoutochangethewayyoulookatyourmortality.

The Tao teaches that death is an insignificant detail that doesn’t need to beconsciously struggled with or dreaded. As this verse of the Tao Te Chinginforms you, there’s a “placewhere death cannot enter.” Talk about your lifechangingwhenyouchangeyourthoughts!Thisistheultimate,sincethefearofdeathtopsvirtuallyeveryone’slistofanxieties.If you see yourself solely as a physical mortal, then you’re part of the 90

percent of the population that this passage refers to as “followers of life,”“followers of death,” or “just passing frombirth to death.”Here you’re beingencouragedtoaspiretobepartoftheremaining10percent,forwhomthoughtsofmortalitydon’tinvadetheheartspaceorlifeingeneral.Byalteringthewayyouseedeath,you’llbeinthatselectgroup.You’llexperiencelifeontheactivesideofinfinity,knowingyourselffirstandforemostasaspiritualbeinghavingatemporaryhumanexperience,ratherthantheotherwayaround.Inthisrealm,you’llbegracefullyadeptatmovingalongfreeofthefearoflife-

threateningevents.You’llhaveaknowingaboutyourselfandyourconnectiontotheTao that simply allows you to ridewith life like a fearless downhill skierwho’satonewith the snow-coveredmountain.Without resorting to judgment,you’ll notice others who are perpetually victimized by scams, bureaucracies,indifference,naturaldisaster,criminals,ormeddlingrelatives.Withanintimateawarenessofyourinfiniteessencethat’scenteredintheTao,

you’ll most likely escape from victimization yourself, and you’ll lightly dealwithsituationsthatotherstendtogetstuckin.Inotherwords,whenyouknowyour own endless nature and live each daywith this awareness directing you,therewillsimplybenospacewithinyouformortalitytocalltheshots.Ifharmever doesmake an attempt to inflict damage or death on you, itwon’t find aplacetosinkitshooksinto.Changehowyouthinkaboutdeathbyseeingyouressentialspiritualbeingness,

andyou’llbeabletoenjoythisworldwithoutthedreadcausedbybelievingyouareof it.When you know your immortality through the flow of the Tao, youwon’tevenneedtoassignitaworldlyconceptorformalreligion.Andwhenthetime comes for you to remove theworn-out coat you call your body, Lao-tzusaysthat“youwillwitnesstheendwithoutending.”

ContemplatetheteachingsoftheTaoTeChingandrealizethatyoucanneverreallybekilledor evenharmed.With thisviewof life, you’ll be able to clearyourinnerbattlefieldofthearmyofbeliefsthatcontinuallytrytomarchonyouressentialself.Fearanddreadareweaponsthatcan’thurtorthreatenyou.Eventhenaturalelementssymbolizedbyrhinos’hornsandtigers’clawscan’tinflictdamagebecausetheybuttagainstandtearataspacethathasnosolidityforthemtoinflictpain.Youdwellinaplacethat’simpenetrabletodeath—nolongerareyouclutchingatthe10,000thingsandtreatingyourshortjourneyfromcradletograve as your one and only ultimate life experience.Nowyou are the infiniteTao,livingyourrealessence.AlthoughLao-tzulived25centuriesago,heisstillverymuchalive.Ifeelhim

urgingyoutoheedthefollowingbitsofwisdom:

Createaffirmations.

Remindyourself,Noonedies,includingmyself.Affirmthatyoucanneverbeharmedor destroyed, for you are not yourbody. If you stay connected to thisreality,you’llautomaticallydeflectdangersthatmayhavepreviouslybeenabletoinvadeyourphysicalspace.Forexample,astheIndiansaintMuktanandalaydying, his devotees are said to have surrounded him, pleading, “Please don’tleave.” Muktananda replied, “Don’t be silly—where could I go?” The greatswamirealizedhistrueessenceandknewthathewasatanendwithoutending.

Diewhileyou’realive!Inyourimagination,contemplatethedeathofyourphysicalshell:Visualizeit

lyingtherelifeless,andobservehowyou,thewitness,aren’tidentifiedwiththiscorpse.Nowbringthatsameattentiontoyourbodyasitgetsupandgoesaboutits daily tasks. Nothing could harm your human formwhen it was dead, andnothingcanharmyounowbecauseyouarenotthatbody—you’retheinvisiblewitnessingessence.Remaininthisrealization,knowingthatyou’veexperiencedthedeathofyourearthlycontainerasyourprimarysourceof identification. Inthis new awareness, you’re impenetrable and free. Here’s how Leonardo daVinciexpressedthemessageofthisverseoftheTaoTeChing:“WhileIthoughtthatIwaslearninghowtolive,Ihavebeenlearninghowtodie.”Dothisnow,whileyou’restillalive.

DotheTaoNow

This Tao exercise is an inner-vision quest in which you picture yourself asimmune toharm.Createyourown imaginedpictureofdanger,ordrawon the50thverseoftheTaoTeChingforthreatstoyourlife.Tigersjumpatyouandmiss, swords are thrust at you but do no damage, bombs explode but you’reunscathed. . . . Keep this image of yourself as incapable of being harmedregardless of what goes on in your body. Then use this “witness to yourimmortality” vision to help you activate dormant protective forces that willaccommodateyouinfulfillingwhatyou’veimagined.

51stVerseTheWayconnectsalllivingbeingstotheirSource.

Itspringsintoexistence,unconscious,perfect,free;takesonaphysicalbody;

letscircumstancescompleteit.

ThereforeallbeingshonortheWayandvalueitsvirtue.TheyhavenotbeencommandedtoworshiptheTaoanddohomagetovirtue,but

theyalwaysdosospontaneously.

TheTaogivesthemlife.Virtuenourishesandnurturesthem,rearsandsheltersandprotectsthem.TheTaoproducesbutdoesnotpossess;theTaogiveswithoutexpecting;

theTaofostersgrowthwithoutruling.Thisiscalledhiddenvirtue.

LivingbyHiddenVirtue

Thispassageencouragesyoutodiscoverthatqualitywithinyouthatprotects,nurtures, and shelters automatically, “without ruling.” Consciously living byhiddenvirtueprobablymeanschangingmanyofthewaysinwhichyouseeyourroleinthegrandschemeofthings.Andanaturalstartingpointwouldbethewayyouexplainthemysteryofhowlifebegins.Ifyouhadtodescribeyourcreation,you’dmostlikelysaythatyouoriginated

through an act of commingling between your biological parents. If that’s theonlyexplanationforyourexistence,thenitexcludesthespontaneityandmysterythatlivingbyhiddenvirtueoffersyou.Operatinginthisnewwayexpandsandredefinesyourconceptionandbirth,and theworldchangesasa resultofyourmodifiedviewpoint.Livingbyhiddenvirtueallowsyoutogetthemostoutoflifebecauseitmeans

seeing that it’s your choice and responsibility to decide how you’re going tospendit.Notlivingbyhiddenvirtue,ontheotherhand,ensuresthatyourroleinafamilyorcultureisassignedatbirth(orevenconception),withpredeterminedexpectationsabouthowyoushouldandwillfunction.Yourdaysbecomefilledwithstressfulattemptstopleasethosetowhomyou’rebiologcallyrelated.Youexperience the nagging self-criticism that you’re disappointing a parent orgrandparent, along with unsettling desires to be free of the pressure of yourgenderorplacementinadesignatedfamily.Tryingtooperatewithinthisbeliefsystemcanconsequentlykeepyoutrappedinanunpleasantandintolerableroleofservitudeandobsequiousness.Inthe51stverseoftheTaoTeChing,Lao-tzuasksyoutoexpandyourvision

andbegintoseeyourselfasacreationoftheTao.Imaginethatthetinyseedlingthat was you didn’t come from another particle, but rather from an invisibleSource.AndthisSourcethatsprungyouintoexistence,hereincalled“theWay,”hasnopreconceiveddoctrinedictatingwhatyou shoulddo,whomyou shouldlistento,whereyoushouldlive,orhowyoushouldworship.TheSource,yourgreatMother,hasnoinvestmentinthechoicesyoumakeduringyourindividualjourney—itknowsthattheseedlingthatwasyouisperfectandfreetocompleteitself in whatever way it chooses. This Mother, which is the Tao, has no

expectations for you . . . no demands, no battles orwars for you to fight, nohistorytoliveupto.TheChineserefer to thishiddenentity thatbroughtyouintoexistenceasTe.

I’m referring to Te here as “virtue” or “character.” And Jonathan Star’stranslationoftheTaoTeChinginterpretsitinthisverseasfollows:

ThoughTaogiveslifetoallthings,Teiswhatcultivatesthem.Teisthatmagicpowerwhich

raisesandrearsthem,completesandpreparesthem,comfortsandprotectsthem.

Te, then, is thevirtue that’sdeepwithinyouandallofcreation.This isn’t aforcethatguaranteesthephysicalshellwillneverdie;it’smoreacharacteristicthat allows you to move through the material world in your body, perfectlyalignedwith the creative originating force.Read this verse as a reminder thatyou’reprotectedandcompletedbyyourultimateoriginatingSource,whichisn’tthesameasguaranteeingyoursecurityinthisphenomenalworld.HelenKeller51stVersewasspeakingofthisverythingwhenshestated,“Securityismostlyasuperstition.Itdoesnotexistinnature...”The 51st verse is about learning to trust by changing your view of life to

includeTe,orhiddenvirtue.It’saboutseeingyourselfasamemberofafamilyofoneness,withthesameparentsasallothercreatures.It’saboutfeelingyourtotal freedom—to produce without possessing, and to keep from becoming apossessionyourself.Sogivewithoutexpecting,anddon’tbevictimizedby theexpectationsofothers.HerearesuggestionsofferedtoyoubyLao-tzuasIgazeatthegreatmaster’s

picturebeforemeandfeelasifwewereone:

Practicefeelingsafeandprotected.Live each day trusting in the hidden virtue that’s bothwithin you and that

causedyou.Keepinmindthatthefeelingofbeingsecure,shielded,andnurturedwon’t come from anything youmight possess. Instead, itwill arisewhen you

knowthatyou’reinconstantcontactwithavirtuouspowerthatlieswithineverycellofyourbeing.Thishiddenforceisresponsibleforyourverypresence.YousprangintoexistencebyvirtueofTao;andwhileyoureverybreathand

action aren’t commanded to do so, they nevertheless pay homage to the innervirtuethatisyourlife.ThatpowerisinmyhandasIwritethesewords,andit’sinyoureyesastheyreadthispage.Trustinit.Worshipit.Feelsafeintheforcethatremainshidden.Thisisallyouneedtofeelcomplete.

RememberthattheTaoproduces—itdoesn’tpossess.Dothesameandyou’llachievethewisdomofthisverse.Beacaretaker,not

an owner. Don’t attempt to control anyone; instead, foster growth withoutdominatingorruling.Whenyou’reinasupervisoryrole,allowotherstoactivatetheirhiddenvirtueasmuchaspossible. Justasyouwish to feelprotectedandtrustinthatinvisibleforcethatanimatesyou,sodoeseveryoneyouencounter.Iemphasizethiswordbecausetherearenoexceptions.WitterBynner’stranslationofthis51stverseoftheTaoTeChingstates:Allcreatedthingsrender,totheexistenceandfitnesstheydependon...

Doyoulikewise:Beparent,notpossessor,Attendant,notmaster.

Beconcernednotwithobediencebutwithbenefit,Andyouareatthecoreofliving.

I urge you to remember the phrase “Do you likewise,” and live by hiddenvirtue.

DotheTaoNowPlan a day of letting go: Let go of thinking, and discover the all-embracing

nature of the mind. Let go of preconceptions and ideas, and experience howthingsreallyare.Letgoofneedingtocontrolothers,anddiscoverhowcapabletheyreallyare.TaketimetofindyouranswerstothequestionWhatmightreallyhappenifIletgo?Asyoudothisexercise,youmaybesurprisedtodiscoverthatyoufindmoreofthehiddenvirtueinyourlife,whichthenchangesthewayyouseeyourself.

52ndVerseAllunderheavenhaveacommonbeginning.ThisbeginningistheMotheroftheworld.

HavingknowntheMother,wemayproceedtoknowherchildren.

Havingknownthechildren,weshouldgobackandholdontotheMother.

Keepyourmouthshut,guardthesenses,andlifeiseverfull.Openyourmouth,alwaysbebusy,

andlifeisbeyondhope.

Seeingthesmalliscalledclarity;keepingflexibleiscalledstrength.Usingtheshiningradiance,youreturnagaintothelightandsaveyourself

misfortune.

Thisiscalledthepracticeofeternallight.

LivingbyReturningtotheMother

Thisversetellsyouthatit’svaluableandimportanttorealizethatyourlifeismore than just a linear experience happening in time and space. That is, youmoreorlesscurrentlyviewyourtimeonEarthasastraightlinefromconceptionto birth—you’ll move through predictable stages of development, concludingwithdeath,whereyou’llmeetupwiththemysterythatawaitsyouontheOtherSide. Lao-tzu is inviting you to see that your existence is a return trip to theplacewhereall theplanets’creationsemerge.Hewantsyoutorealizethatyouhavetheabilitytoenjoythismysteriousbeginningbeforeyourphysicalending.Thismystery,whichisineachandeveryoneofthe10,000things,isreferredtobyLao-tzuasthe“Mother,”orthesymbolofwhatliesbeyondallthatseemstobeginandend.Startyourjourneybackto theMotherbycontemplatingthefirst twolinesof

thisverseof theTaoTeChing:“Allunderheavenhaveacommonbeginning.This beginning is the Mother of the world.” Let this thought filter into yourphysical being and create a state of awe about your existence,which emergedoutofnothing-ness.KnowthatthisunseenSourcethatbirthseverysinglethingalso birthed you. Like electricity streaming through a conduit, themysteriousnothingnessflowsthroughandsustainsalloflife,includingyou.It’saconstantinvisible, soundless, odorless force,which isn’t immediately available to yoursensoryself.It’svital thatyou spenda fewmomentseachdaygetting toknowyour (and

my)eternalMother,whichyoucandoby simplyacknowledgingherpresenceandsilentlycommunicatingwithher.Onceyoudecidetoknowandhonorher,you’ll begin to change the way you look at all of her children, includingyourself.You’ll view all of the 10,000 things as offspring of theMother, andyou’ll look beyond the temporariness of their appearances to see the Taounfolding.This iswhatLao-tzumeanswhenheasksyoutoknowthechildrennot as separate from their Mother, but as the Mother herself. So see all ofcreationasoriginatingintheMother,andthen“gobackandholdonto”her.HowdoyouembarkonthisreturntriptoyoureternalMother?Lao-tzuadvises

that you close your mouth and seal your ears to ensure that your spirit isn’t

fritteredawayonworldlyactivities.Inotherwords,spendtimewiththematernalpartofyourself,andseekclaritybynoticingtheTaointhesmallandthelarge.Practice abandoning rigidity, and instead cultivate elasticity to improve yourstrength.Lao-tzuconcludesby tellingyou that thiswayof seeing theworld is“thepracticeofeternallight.”Seethatlightinthetiniestinsect,andevenintheinvisibleparticlethatformsthatlittlecreature’sleg.It’sthesamelightthatbeatsyourheartandholds theuniverse inplace—soallowyourself tonot justbe inawe of the insect but to be that insect. In this way, you find clarity through“seeing the small,” and you’ll improve the power of your newway of seeingthrough your flexible viewpoint. Change your linear thoughts about yourpresencehereonEarth,andbegintoseeyourlifechangerightbeforeyoureyes!Lao-tzuoffersthefollowingtoyou,throughme,toaidyouin“thepracticeof

eternallight”intoday’sworld:Openmouth—spiritescapes.Closedmouth—spiritconnectionexcellent!Think of your mouth as a gate that guards your spirit:When you speak to

others,becomeconsciousoftheneedtoclosethedoorandallowyourspirittobe safely ensconced within you. Make the same mental shift with your ears:Keepthemsealedwhenitcomestorumorsandpettyconversations.Usefewerwords;commityourselftolongperiodsoflistening;andeliminategivingadvice,meddling,andparticipatingingossip.Cultivate your strength with the flexibility of consciously deciding when to

involve your speaking and auditory senses.When you’re inclined to get intootherpeople’sbusiness,rememberthatyoureternalMother’soneandonlyvoiceissilence.Dolikewise,andyou’llfeelyourselfholdingontoherinfreedomandbliss,thusreturningwhileliving!

Seeingthesmallestmysteryrevealsthegrandestmystery.Bybeing attentive to smallness, you cultivate your desire for clarity.Noting

thesamesparkinmicroscopiccreaturesthatanimatesyouisawayofexploringlifeasareturntripratherthanadeadend.Whatseemtobethetiniestmysteriesof life lead to an experience of the shining radiance that comes from anappreciationforallthatyouencounter.YouandtheMotherwhobirthedyouandeverythingelseareone.Byseeingthesmall,yougainthisclarity,whichisthereturn trip you’re encouraged tomakewhile alive.Nowyourworld begins tolookverydifferent,asyouseeoriginatingspiriteverywhere.Nothingisviewedasordinary,inferior,orunwantedanymore.

DotheTaoNow

Plan a day dedicated to examining the smallest life-forms that you can find.Become awitness to a spider creating aweb, a sand crab scurrying along thebeach,oraflybuzzingaboutonthewall.Takeanimaginarytripthroughyourinsides, examining the life-forms that reside in your intestines, in yourbloodstream, or in the lining of your eyes—all creatures that you’d need apowerfulmicroscope to be able to see.Meditate on theMother birthing theselittlebacteria inorder foryou toexist.Experience thewayviewingyourbodythrough the infinitesimally tiny life that’s part of you affects you. Living byreturningtotheMotherwillprovideyouwithaclarityyou’veneverexperiencedbefore.

53rdVerseIfIhaveevenjustalittlesense,IshouldwalkintheGreatWay,

andmyonlyfearwouldbestraying.

TheGreatWayisverysmoothandstraight,andyetthepeoplepreferdeviouspaths.

Thatiswhythecourtiscorrupt,thefieldslieinwaste,thegranariesareempty.

Dressingmagnificently,wearingasharpsword,

stuffingoneselfwithfoodanddrink,amassingwealthtotheextentofnotknowingwhattodowithit,isbeinglikearobber.

Isaythispompattheexpenseofothersisliketheboastingofthievesafteralooting.

ThisisnottheTao.

LivingHonorablyImagine that you were able to view the world from a position of complete

honorandoneness:EverywhereyoulookedyousawtheGreatWay...andsawallofitasyou.Fromthisperspective,everypersonwho’severexisted,orwilleverexist,isapartofyou,birthedbyyourSource.Alloflife—thecreatures,theland, the oceans, and the vegetation—are connected by the Tao. From thisperspective, your world would change dramatically. If a critical mass ofhumanityhadthissameperspective,seeingthewholeglobeaspartofourselveswould translate to thesamerespect foreveryformof life thatwehaveforourindividual bodies. And this unity would make the scene that Lao-tzu isdescribinginthispassageimpossible.Despite all of our technological advances, the words that the great Chinese

masterwrote2,500yearsagostillapply.Unfortunately,we’refarremovedfromwalkingtheGreatWay,forwecontinuetoseegreatdivisionsratherthanasenseofunifiedoneness.AsLao-tzuadmonishesattheendofthisverse,“ThisisnottheTao.”One ofmy favorite translations of this 53rd verse of theTaoTeChingwas

writtenin1944byWitterBynner.Heexpressesitperfectly:Seehowfinethepalaces

Andseehowpoorthefarms,Howbarethepeasants’granariesWhilegentrywearembroideries

Hidingsharpenedarms.Andthemoretheyhavethemoretheyseize,Howcantherebesuchmenasthese

Whoneverhunger,neverthirst,Yeteatanddrinkuntiltheyburst!

Youcanseethattheseconditionsstillexisttoday:Wholecontinentsofpeopleexperience starvation,while a few in positions of power live in opulence andgrandeur. Weapons of destruction receive funding, while millions live inpoverty.Leaderssitdowntooverflowingplenitude,whilethemassesscroungearoundforwaystofeedtheirfamiliesandheattheirhomes.WehavealongwaytogobeforetraversingthatsmoothandstraightWayoftheTao,forwestilltake

“deviouspaths”andseetheall-too-painfulresultsofthischoiceeveryday.ButI’mnotwritingthesewordstotrytochangetheworldinonefellswoop;rather,I’mdoing so to encourageyou to change thewayyou seeyourworld. If youmake thatmodification, otherswill gravitate toward living honorably aswell.Whenenoughofusdo this,we’ll reachacriticalmass thatwilleliminate“theboastingofthievesafteralooting.”Beginbyseeingyourselfastheenvironment,ratherthanasanorganismwithin

it. I’ve evencoinedaword todescribewhen life-formsarewhole, rather thanseparate:environorganisms.Understandthatyoucan’tsurviveapartfromwhatitseems isn’tpartofyou—foryouabsolutelyare theair, thewater, theplants,theanimals,andeveryoneelseontheplanet.Changeyourworldviewtoonethatcompletelyunderstandsthatwhenanyoneelseisstarvingorlivinginpoverty,soare you. See yourself in all others and you’ll find the compassion, love, andwillingnessthatreplacesyourbeliefinyouruniquenessanddifferentness.Lao-tzu was obviously distressed by the conditions of hardheartedness and

indifference that he observed in ancient China, so he appealed to all to livehonorablythroughtheemulationoftheTaoratherthanfromtheegoperspectiveofseparateness.Andnowheasksyoutochangethewayyoulookattheblatantimbalances in53rdVerseyourworld,notinghowyourworldchanges toalignwiththeTaowhenyoulivehonorably.Herearehissuggestions,whichyoucanapplytoyourlifetoday:Makecompassiontheessentialfoundationofyourpersonalphilosophy.Feeling guilty aboutwhat you’ve amassed orwallowing in sadness over the

plightofthestarvingwon’tchangethings,butmakingcompassiontheessentialfoundationofyourphilosophywill.Thisisoneofthemostsignificantwaysofinitiating the growth of a critical mass. As that mass grows, kind hearts andactions will realign our planet: Like-minded leaders will emerge, and grossinconsistencieswillbereducedandeventuallyeliminated.MotherTeresawasanoutstandingexampleofhowoneperson’swayofseeing theworldcanchangetheworlditself:“[I]neach[personIsee],”shesaid,“IseethefaceofChristinoneofhismoredistressingdisguises.”“WalkintheGreatWay”bydoingcharityworkorsupportingcandidatesfor

publicofficewhoembodycompassionateaction.Andvowtomakeadifferenceonadailybasis throughoutyour life,whichmightbe as simple as refusing tojoinindenouncingothersorcategorizingthemas“evil”or“defective.”Afterall,

somany of the wars that currently rage on our planet are rooted in religioushatred that perpetuates the imbalances pointed out in this verse of theTaoTeChing.InthefollowingexcerptfromtheKoran,thegreatprophetMohammedtellsthe

followersofIslamtopracticecompassionateaction.Youcanusehisteachingtomakeadailydifferenceduringyourownlife:Behavebeneficentlytowardtheneighborthatisakinsmanandtheneighborthat

isastrangerandthecompanionbyyourside.

Hewhobehavesilltowardhisneighborisnotabeliever,norcaneverbeone.

Onewhoeatshisfillwhilehisneighborishungrybyhissideisnotabeliever.

DotheTaoNow

Make a daily practice of opening your heart in compassion when you seesomeone less fortunate than yourself.Give him or her a silent blessing ratherthanathoughtofscorn,ridicule,blame,orindifference.Dothesamewhenyoulearn howmany of “them”were killed in any skirmish—rather than rejoicingaboutthedeadenemies,sayasilentprayerofloveandcompassion.Livehonorably;it“just[takes]alittlesense.”

54thVerseWhoeverisplantedintheTao

willnotberootedup.WhoeverembracestheTao

willnotslipaway.

Generationshonorgenerationsendlessly.Cultivatedintheself,virtueisrealized;cultivatedinthefamily,virtue

overflows;cultivatedinthecommunity,virtueincreases;cultivatedinthestate,virtueabounds.

TheTaoiseverywhere;ithasbecomeeverything.Totrulyseeit,seeitasitis.

Inaperson,seeitasaperson;inafamily,seeitasafamily;inacountry,seeitasacountry;intheworld,seeitastheworld.

HowdoIknowthisistrue?Bylookinginsidemyself.

LivingasIfYourLifeMakesaDifference

In this verse of the Tao Te Ching, you’re invited to see your role in thetransformationoftheplanet.Insteadofperceivingyourselfasoneinsignificantindividual among billions of people, you’re urged to see yourself as the Taoitself. “We Are the World” is everybody’s theme song. You do make adifference!Whenyoulivewiththejoyfulawarenessthatyoupotentiallyhaveaninfinite

effectontheuniverse,you’llradiateTaoconsciousness.You’llbelikeawaveofenergy that illuminates a room—everyone will see the light and becomeaffected.ThosewhowereunawareoftheirTaonaturewillnoticethedifference,and thosewhowere aware—but not living as if their livesmattered—will beattractedandbeginchanging.SorecognizeandliveyourlifeaspartoftheGreatWay,andhelpbringbalanceintotheworld.Inthis54thpassage,Lao-tzuisadvisingyoutoseeyourdivinityandrevelin

your magnificence. Know that in the silent space within you, where the Taoanimateseverybreathandthought,yourlifemakesadifference.Thefollowingiswhatheadvisesinthelanguageofthe21stcentury:

Chooseanareatoconcentrateonmakingadifference.Don’t entertain doubt about your impact on the world; instead, develop a

vision for Earth and convince yourself that you are perfectly capable ofcontributingtothisvision,whetherit’sgrandioseorsmall.Seeaworldwithouthatred,disrespect,orviolence;wheretheenvironmentisrespectedandcaredfor;andwhere cancer,AIDS, starvation, child abuse,weaponsof all kinds, or anyotherdetrimentalordemeaningscenariosdisappear.The anthropologist Margaret Mead addressed this idea in the following

observation:“Neverdoubtthatasmallgroupofthoughtful,committedcitizenscanchangetheworld.Indeed,it’stheonlythingthateverhas.”

Realizehowmuchyourlifematters.It’ssaid thatwhenabutterflyflaps itswings, thatenergyflows thousandsof

miles away. Therefore, everything you think and do extends outward andmultiplies. Live your life knowing that the difference you choose to make is

towardwholeness,notdestructiveness.Evenifnooneseesoracknowledgesit,an act of unkindness contains energy that impacts our entire universe. And asilentblessingorthoughtoflovetowardotherscontainsavibrationthatwillbefeltthroughoutthecosmos.WilliamBlake’svisionexpressesthisidea:

ToseeaWorldinaGrainofSandAndaHeaveninaWildFlower,

HoldInfinityinthepalmofyourhandAndEternityinanhour.

Beconsciousofhowverymuchyoumattertoallofcreation.

DotheTaoNowDedicateadaytoextendingkindthoughtsandacts towardyourfamily,your

community, your country, and the world. In your family, encourage someonewho’sstrugglingwithlowself-esteem.In54thVerseyourcommunity,pickuplitterandrecycleitwithoutjudgment.Inyourcountry,spendafewmomentsinsilent prayer, sending loving energy to thosewho are in positions of power—thendothesamefortheworld,includinganyso-calledenemies.

55thVerseHewhoisinharmonywiththeTao

islikeanewbornchild.Deadlyinsectswillnotstinghim.Wildbeastswillnotattackhim.Birdsofpreywillnotstrikehim.Bonesareweak,musclesaresoft,

yethisgraspisfirm.

Hehasnotexperiencedtheunionofmanandwoman,butiswhole.Hismanhoodisstrong.

Hescreamsalldaywithoutbecominghoarse.Thisisperfectharmony.

Toknowharmonyistoknowthechangeless;toknowthechangelessistohaveinsight.

ThingsinharmonywiththeTaoremain;thingsthatareforcedgrowforawhile,butthenwitheraway.ThisisnottheTao.

AndwhateverisagainsttheTaosoonceasestobe.

LivingbyLettingGo

Perhapsyou’veobservedpeoplewhoseemtogetall thebreaks,appearingtobeimpervioustotheonslaughtsthatwreakhavocinmanylives.Forexample,doyou know someonewho seldom if ever gets sick, in spite of spending the fluseasoninclosecontactwithpeoplewhoarecoughingandsneezing?Howaboutthosewhoemergeunscathedinthemiddleofacrimespree?Youmightsaythatthese lucky few seem to have guardian angels that protect them from theprovocationsofthesymbolic“deadlyinsects,”“wildbeasts,”and“birdsofprey”mentioned in the opening lines of this passage. But Lao-tzu knows that thesemenandwomenaresimply inharmonywith theTao, justassomeindividualsappear to have the right people showup in their lives at the right time,whileothersseemtohaveaknackformakingmoneymaterializejustwhenit’sneededmost.Lao-tzusaysthatweshouldlooktoinfants,whohaven’tyettakenontheego

belief that they’re separate from their originating Source. Consequently, theyhavewhatcouldbeconsidered“magical”powers:Theycanscreamalldayandnever lose their voice like a screeching adult would. Even with undevelopedmuscles, they can fashion a firm grip. Furthermore, babies are pliable andvirtuallyimmunetoharmfromafallthatwouldbreakthebonesofagrown-up.Allofthisiscalled“perfectharmony”byLao-tzu.Verse 55of theTaoTeChing invites you to realize thatwhat you call luck

isn’t something that randomlyhappens—it’syours for lifewhenyoudecide tolivebylettinggo.YouattractthecooperativepoweroftheTaowhenyoureleasethe need to control your life. So change your thoughts and see how your lifechangestoaveryfortunateoneindeed.Letgoandexist inharmonywith theTao inorder tobuildupyour immune

systemandbe“lucky”aboutresistingdiseaseandillness.Iknowthatlettinggoforprotectionsoundsparadoxical,andIsupposeyoucouldthinkofitlikethat.But tryseeingitasawayofallowinglife’snaturalrhythmtoflowunimpededthroughyou.Livingbylettinggomeansreleasingworry,stress,andfear.Whenyoupromoteyoursenseofwell-beinginthefaceofwhatappearsasdangertoothers,youralignmentwithyourSourcefreesyoufrompushingyourselftoact

inaforcefulmanner.Lao-tzuremindsyouherethat“thingsthatareforcedgrowforawhile,butthenwitheraway.”Attaintheprotectivenaturethat’salludedtointhispowerfulverse,andrealize

thechangelesswiththeseinsightsfortheworldyou’relivingintoday:

Visualizeyourselfasindestructible.

Activateaninnerpicturethatwillcarryyouthroughperceiveddangers.Inthisvisualization,removetheimageofyourphysicalbodyandinsteadseethepartofyou that’s as constant as a spirit or a thought. This is your essence, and it’sincapable of being harmed in any way. From this perspective, you’re notthreatenedbyanything,fromcriminalstocancer,fromacommoncoldtoawildbeast. When you live in harmony with the enduring part of yourself, it willcontributetoanoverallsenseofbeingindestructible.Declareyourselftobethatluckypersonwhogoesthroughlifeunscathedbyfreeingyourselffromtryingtocontrolyourperceptionofloomingdanger.Changethewayyoulookatyourpotentialforbecomingaluckyperson.Ratherthantellingyourself:Withmyluck,thingsaren’tgoingtoworkoutfor

me,affirm:Iamopentoallowingwhatneedstohappen.Itrustlucktoguideme.Thischangeinyourthinkingwillserveyouby55thVerseguidingyoutoliveinthe flowwith the Tao. Peace will replace stress, harmonywill replace effort,acceptancewillreplaceinterferenceandforce,andgoodluckwillreplacefear.You’ll become what you think about, so even things that you previouslybelievedwereevidenceofbadluckwillnowbeviewedaswhathelpsyoumovetowardgreaterharmony.LivingbylettinggowillallowyoutoappreciateLinYutang’swryobservation

inTheImportanceofLiving:“Ifyoucanspendaperfectlyuselessafternooninaperfectlyuselessmanner,youhavelearnedhowtolive.”

DotheTaoNow

Dedicate aweek to charting incidents of “thingsworking out”without yourhavingtocontrolor“make”themhappen.Thiswillmeanconsciouslychoosingsituationswhereyoucurbyourautomaticimpulsetocontroltheoutcome.Relax

whenyouwanttotenseup,andtrustinasmanysituationsasyoucan.Attheendoftheweek,noticehowchangingthewayyouthinkhaschangedyourlife.

56thVerseThosewhoknowdonottalk.Thosewhotalkdonotknow.

Blockallthepassages!Closeyourmouth,

cordonoffyoursenses,bluntyoursharpness,untieyourknots,softenyourglare,settleyourdust.

Thisisprimalunionorthesecretembrace.

Onewhoknowsthissecretisnotmovedbyattachmentoraversion,swayedbyprofitorloss,

nortouchedbyhonorordisgrace.Heisfarbeyondthecaresofmenyetcomestoholdthedearestplaceintheir

hearts.

This,therefore,isthehigheststateofman.

LivingbySilentKnowing

This is probably the best-known verse of the Tao Te Ching. In fact, theopeningtwolines(“Thosewhoknowdonottalk.Thosewhotalkdonotknow”)aresopopularthatthey’vealmostbecomeacliché.Nevertheless,thepassage’sessentialmessageislittleunderstoodandrarelypracticed.Lao-tzuiscallingyoutoliveinthehigheststateofsilentknowing,thatplace

deepwithin you that can’t be communicated to any other. Consequently, youmight want to change your thinking about whom you consider to be wise orlearned. Persuasive speakers with a good command of the language, who areforceful in their pronouncements and confident in their point of view, aregenerallyconsideredtohavesuperiorknowledge . . .butLao-tzusuggests thatprecisely the opposite is true. Thosewho talk, he says, aren’t living from theplaceofsilentknowing,sotheydonotknow.As you modify the way you look at this presumption, you’ll see several

differencesinthewayyourworldappears.First,you’llnotethatthosewhoarecompelledtopontificateandpersuadearealmostalwaystiedtoanattachmentofsome kind—perhaps it’s to a point of view, to being right, to winning, or toprofitinginsomeway.Andthemoretalkingtheydo,themoretheyappeartobeswayedbysuchattachments.Thesecondthingyou’llnoticetakesplacewithinyou:Youbegintoseeyour

inclinationanddesiretopersuadeandconvinceothers.Thenyoubegintolistenmoreattentively,findingyourselfin“thesecretembrace”ofthe“primalunion”thatLao-tzudescribes.Yourneedtobeknowledgeableordominantisreplacedby the deep realization that it’s all irrelevant, and you lose interest in seekingapproval.Livinginsilentknowingbecomestheprocessthatcastsyourexistenceinadifferentlight—youhavelessofanedgeandfeelsettled,softer,andmorecentered.Asyouchangehowyouthinkaboutwhatitmeanstobeintelligentandwise,

you’ll come into contact with the irony that sums up this wonderfullyparadoxicalsectionoftheTaoTeChing.Lao-tzusaysthatthesagewholivesbytheTao is “far beyond the cares ofmen,” yet holds “the dearest place” in hisheart.I’dsumitupthisway:Thosewhocaretheleastaboutapprovalseemto

receive it themost. Since such individuals aren’t concernedwith how they’reperceived,eitherhonorablyorindisgrace,theydon’tseekpraiseorrunfromit.Whiletheircalmwisdommaymakethemappeartobealoof,theyactuallyendupgainingtherespectofeveryone.Youhavethisplaceofsilentknowingwithinyourightnow.Andthefollowing

iswhatLao-tzusuggestsforadaptingtheparadoxical languageof thisverseoftheTaoTeChingtoyourworld:

Blockallthepassages!Gethonestwithyourselfaboutwantingtowinthefavorofothers.Youdon’t

havetoproveanythingtoanyone,andyou’llneversucceedbydroningonandon.Remember that“thosewhotalkdonotknow,”orasonetranslationof thisverse simply states, “Shut your mouth.” Silence is your evidence of innerknowing.Talking toconvinceothersactuallysaysmoreaboutyourneed toberight than their need to hear what you have to say! So rather than trying topersuadeothers,keepquiet...justenjoythatdeeplysatisfyinginnerawareness.

UsetheacronymBUSStorememberthefourdirectivesofthisverse.

—Blunt your sharpness.Do thisby listening toyourself beforeyou let yourjudgmentsattack someoneelse.Abetter courseofaction56thVerse is to justlisten,and thensilentlyoffer lovingcompassion tobothyourselfand theotherperson.

—Untie your knots.Detach from what keeps you tied to worldly patterns.Untie the knots that bind you to a life that’s dedicated to showing profit anddemonstratingvictory,andreplacethemwithsilentlycontemplatingtheTaoin“thesecretembrace.”—Softenyourglare.Noticewhenyourneed toberight isglaringlyobvious,

andletthesoftundersideofyourbeingreplaceyourrigidstance.Yourimpulsetoglower at external events is alertingyou that you’reoutof touchwithyourinnersilentknowing.—Settleyourdust.Don’tkickitupinthefirstplace!Realizeyourinclination

tostirupdustwhenyoufeeladiatribeabouttoeruptonhowothersoughttobebehaving.Stopinthemiddleofpoundingthetableorangrilyscreamingandjustobserve yourself. Since your emotions are like waves on the ocean, learn to

watchthemreturntothevast,calm,all-knowingSource.

DotheTaoNowSpend an hour, a day, a week, or amonth practicing not giving unsolicited

advice. Stop yourself for an instant and call upon your silent knowing.Ask aquestion,ratherthangivingadviceorcitinganexamplefromyourlife,andthenjustlistentoyourselfandtheotherperson.AsLao-tzuwouldlikeyoutoknow,that’s“thehigheststateofman.”

57thVerseIfyouwanttobeagreatleader,youmustlearntofollowtheTao.

Stoptryingtocontrol.Letgooffixedplansandconcepts,andtheworldwillgovernitself.

HowdoIknowthisisso?Becauseinthisworld,

thegreatertherestrictionsandprohibitions,themorepeopleareimpoverished;themoreadvancedtheweaponsofstate,thedarkerthenation;themoreartfulandcraftytheplan,thestrangertheoutcome;

themorelawsareposted,themorethievesappear.

Thereforethesagesays:Itakenoactionandpeoplearereformed.Ienjoypeaceandpeoplebecomehonest.Idonothingandpeoplebecomerich.

IfIkeepfromimposingonpeople,theybecomethemselves.

LivingWithout

AuthoritarianismIn this and some of the following chapters of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu

counselstherulersof2,500yearsagoonhowandwhytopursueahighqualityofleadership.Hisadviceispertinenttoday,inthe21stcentury, toallformsofleadership,includinggovernment,business,and,inparticular,parenting.Theessentialmessageinthis57thverseistoallowratherthaninterfere.NowI

don’tinterpretthistomeanlettinganinfantcrawlintotrafficorleavingachildalonenearaswimmingpool—obviously,youmustbesensiblewhensupervisingthosewhocouldharmthemselvesorothers.WhatIbelieveLao-tzuisconveyinghereisthatallowingisquiteoftenthehighestformofleadership.Hestatesthat“more people are impoverished” in societies with excessive restrictions andprohibitions;thesamecanbetrueinfamilieswithcommandmentsthatmustbeobeyed without question. The more authoritarian any system is, the moreoutlawswillappear.Ontheotherhand,whenchildrenareencouragedtoexploreandexercisetheir

inquisitiveness,they’reinspiredtobetheirbestwithlittleneedforregulation.Sowhenyouchangethewayyouviewtheneedforrules,familymemberswilltendtomakedecisionsbasedonwhat’sbestforeveryoneratherthanthemselves.Seewhat happens, for instance, if you drop an absolute curfew time for yourteenagers, asking them to justbe sensible aboutwhen theycomehomeand tonotifyyou if they’regoing tobe later thannormal.Youmayfind thatbecauseyoudidn’timposeyourselfonthem,theyendupcominghomeevenearlierthanwhentheyhadastrictcurfewgoverningtheirconduct.Examine the restrictions that you enforce in your family. Remember that

effective parents don’t want to be leaned on; they want to make leaningunnecessary. After all, you want your children to be responsible, healthy,successful, and honest—not simply because you’re there tomonitor them, butbecauseitiswithintheirnaturetodoso.Sosetanexampleandletthemseethatit’spossibletobeself-sufficientandenormouslysuccessful.Allowthemtolearntotrustintheirhighestnature,ratherthanhavingtothumbthrougharulebooktodecidewhat’sright.Changethewayyoulookattheneedforedicts,laws,andprohibitions,andsee

yourself as someone who doesn’t need to rule with an iron fist. Then enjoytakingthisrevisedviewofyourleadershipabilitiesintoeveryareaofyourlifewhereyou’reconsideredtobe“theboss.”Whatfollowsissome21st-centuryadvicebasedonthisversethatwaswritten

2,500yearsago:Practicetheartofallowingyourself.

Begin by letting yourself be more spontaneous and less regimented in yourdaily life: Take a trip without first planning it. Gowhere you’re instinctivelyguided to go. Tell the authoritarian part of you to take a break. Introduce adifferentsidetoyourselfandtheworldbyaffirming:Iamfreetobemyself.Idonot have to live by anyone else’s rules, and I release the need for laws toregulatemybehavior.

Practicetheartofallowingothers.Catchyourselfwhenyou’reabouttocitearuleasareasonforsayingnotoa

childorsomeoneyousupervise,andinsteadconsidertheramificationsofsayingnothingandjustobserving.Whenyouchangethewayyoulookatyourroleasaleader,you’ll find thatvery fewedictsarenecessary forpeople toconduct thebusinessoftheirlives.Everyonehasastrongsenseofwhattheywanttodo,57thVersewhatlimitstheyhave,andhowtoactualizetheirdreams.BeliketheTao—allowothers,andenjoyhowyournonauthoritarianleadershipinspiresthemtobethemselves.

DotheTaoNow

Make time to do something you’ve never done before—it could bewalkingbarefoot in the rain, taking a yoga class, speaking before a group at aToastmastersClub,playingagameoftouchfootball,jumpingoutofanairplanein a parachute, or anything else you’ve always wanted to do. Recognize thatyou’vecreatedrestrictions foryourself thatkeepyoufromnewandexpandingexperiences,andfindthetimenowtocloseyourpersonalrulebookandplungeinwhereyou’veneverbeforewandered.Also,maketimetogivethoseinyourchargeanopportunitytodothesame,enjoyinghowmuchtheyaccomplishwithminimalornoactiononyourpart.

58thVerseWhentherulerknowshisownheart,thepeoplearesimpleandpure.Whenhemeddleswiththeirlives,theybecomerestlessanddisturbed.

Badfortuneiswhatgoodfortuneleanson;goodfortuneiswhatbadfortunehidesin.

Whoknowstheultimateendofthisprocess?Istherenonormofright?

Yetwhatisnormalsoonbecomesabnormal;peoples’sconfusionisindeedlong-standing.

Thusthemasteriscontenttoserveasanexampleandnottoimposehiswill.Heispointedbutdoesnotpierce;hestraightensbutdoesnotdisrupt;heilluminatesbutdoesnotdazzle.

LivingUntroubledbyGoodorBadFortune

Theworldofthe10,000thingsisalsocalled“theworldofthechanging.”Yousee it in your ever-altering life, even as youwant everything to be stable andpredictable.However,allthingsonourplanetareinconstantmotion.AsAlbertEinstein once observed, “Nothing happens until somethingmoves.” This 58thverseoftheTaoTeChingstressesthatthere’sanotherwaytoseetheworld,onethat virtually guarantees that you’ll be untroubled by good or bad fortune.Instead of only noticing the constantly shifting energy pattern of thematerialworld,thisverseinvitesyoutoletyourselffocusontheunchangingTao.Like most humans, you probably want your surroundings to be permanent,

steady, reliable, secure, and predictable. However, your reality unequivocallyinsiststhatyoutakeintoaccounttheoppositeandunpredictablethatarepresentineveryexperienceyouhave.Afterall,eventhelandscapethatsurroundsyouisfarfromorderly:Mountainrangesgoupandthendownintovalleys.Treestowerovershrubs,andcloudformationsareominouslyblackattimesandfluffywhiteat others. In every perfectly sunny day, there’s a storm hiding, and in everyrainstorm liesadroughtwaiting its turn.Upanddownand theunexpectedarethenormofnature;hillsanddalesarethewayofthe10,000things.Change your view of the peaks and valleys of all of life to an attitude that

allowsyoutodiscoverwhat’shiddeninbothofthoseexperiences.Begintoseewholeness rather thangoodorbad fortune. See opposites as parts of oneness,ratherthandisruptingsurprises.InaworldofpureTaoistunity,there’snogoodorbadluck; it’s indivisible.Whatyou’recalling“bad”fortunehas“good”justwaitingtoemergebecauseit’stheotherhalf.Lao-tzu’sadviceforapplyingthe58thversetotoday’sworldwouldprobably

includethefollowing:Seewholenessinplaceofgoodorbadfortune.

Whenanyoneisinthemidstofanexperienceyoubelieveisfortunate,suchasablissfulrelationship,financialsuccess,excellenthealth,agreatjobwithanewpromotion, or children excelling in school, know that all is subject to change.Accumulated wealth has poverty hidden in it; popularity has nonrecognitioncamouflagedin it, too.And,ofcourse, thesameis trueduringtheperiods that

aregenerallythoughtofasunfortunate.Yourlifeitselfistheperfectplacetopersonalizeyourabilitytoliveuntroubled

by good or bad fortune, for you have the opportunity at every stage to seewholeness.Soratherthancallingyouthanaspectof“goodfortune”andoldageamarkof“badfortune,”knowthattheyouthyouwereispartofthewholenessofyouroldage.Theelderlyindividualyoumaybecomeispartofthewholenessof your development through the levels of change that are your physicalexistence.Lifehasdeathconcealedinit.Soknowyourownheartandletyourconduct be consistent with the Tao by not imposing your will—be pointed,straight,andilluminatingwithoutpiercing,disrupting,ordazzling.Whenbadfortunefeelssotroublesomethatyoucan’tgetunstuck,seegood

fortuneleaningonit.Whenyoufeeloverpoweringlydiscouragedduringatripthroughthevalleyof

despair,itcanfeelasifthat’sallthereis.Ifyou’reunabletoseeacircumstanceor situation as part of a larger picture, remind yourself that good fortune isleaning on this bad one, just as morning follows the darkest night. Withwholenessasabackdrop,relyonyourknowledgeofdayfollowingnightatthesetimes.Keep58thVerseinmindthatwhenyou’vereachedthevalleyfloor, theonlydirectionyoucangoisupward.Thingsdefinitelywillgetbetter;yourluckmustchange;scarcityhastoturnintoabundance.Thisisbecausegoodfortuneisinvisibly there in all moments of despair, and you want to learn to liveuntroubledbythemboth.

DotheTaoNow

Spendadaynoticingwhataspectsoflifefallintothecategoriesof“fortunate”or “unfortunate.” List them under their titles at the end of the day, and thenexplore eachof themwhenyouwon’tbe interrupted.Allowyourself to eitherfeeleachonephysicallyinyourbodyorseeitasanimagethatpresentsitselftoyou. Without trying to change it in any way, allow yourself to observe thesubjectwithyour eyes closed. Just as if itwere a kaleidoscope (or life itself),watchitandpermitittoflowthroughyou—thewaythecloudsdriftinthesky,night turns into day, rain evaporates . . . and how confusion comes and goeswhenyou’relivinguntroubledbygoodorbadfortune.

59thVerseIngoverningpeopleandservingnature,nothingsurpassesthriftandmoderation.

Restraintbeginswithgivingupone’sownideas.Thisdependsonvirtuegatheredinthepast.

Ifthereisagoodstoreofvirtue,thennothingisimpossible.Ifnothingisimpossible,thentherearenolimits.

Ifamanknowsnolimits,heisfittolead.

ThisisthewaytobedeeplyrootedandfirmlyplantedintheTao,thesecretoflonglifeandlastingvision.

LivingbyThriftandModeration

Therearefourwordsthatcropuprepeatedlyinmanyofthetranslationsofthispassageof theTaoTeChing:restraint, frugality,moderation,and thrift.Here,Lao-tzuisadvisingyoutoexaminethewayyoulookatthesequalitiesinrelationtoyoursupervisoryandparentingroles—hedoesn’t say thatyoushouldsitonthe sidelines and do nothing, but he does counsel you to practice self-control.Whenyoucultivateastyleofleadershipthatcreates“agoodstoreofvirtue,thennothingisimpossible,”fortherearenolimits.Living in thrift and moderation means being in harmony with the world

through your generous nature. Rather than continually prodding, directing,givingorders,settingdownrules,anddemandingobedience,it’simportanttobealeaderwhoaccumulatesawarehousefullofvirtuebylivinginaccordancewiththeTao.Whenthat’swhatyouhavetogiveaway,you’llnaturallyinterfereless.Feel joyful knowing that the exampleyou’remodeling is helpingothersmaketherightchoices,asthisistheessenceofTaoleadership.AsLao-tzuspecificallystates,“Ifamanknowsnolimits,heisfittolead.”Peoplewhoselivesarerunbyrules,dogma,andfearcanonlydowhatthey’ve

beentoldtodo...nothingmore.Theoptionsforself-directionarenonexistentfor the blindly obedient, so practice restraint,moderation, frugality, and thriftwhenmakingpronouncementsabouthowothersmustbehave.Childrenraisedinfamilies where that blind obedience is demanded have the highest levels ofprejudice when they become adults. Why? Because they’ve been taught to“prejudge”what’sacceptable,accordingtosomeoneinapositiontoleadthem.That’s why it’s so vital to give your kids an example of leadership thatencouragesthemtomakechoicesbasedonhigherstandards.Ihaveagift frommydaughterSaje that I’veplacedonmydesk,whichI’ve

titledNothingIsImpossible.It’sagreenplantgrowingoutofarock—there’snodirt or earth, only hard rock, yet it thrives, despite what all of us have beentaughttobelieve.WhenSajegavethistome,sheremarkedthatitremindedherof me because I’ve always said that I refuse to believe in anything beingimpossible.Myplanthelpsmerememberthatnatureknowsnolimits,andthatIamasmuchapartofnatureasboth therockand thegreenerygrowingwithin

thathardstone.Lao-tzuremindsyou that“ifnothing is impossible, then thereareno limits.”

Sopracticelivingwithoutlimitsbygatheringvirtueandmodelingit.Whenyoudo,you’ll see the“lastingvision” in thoseyou’vebeenselected to lead inonewayoranother,andthey’llseeit inyou,too.Andputthewisdomofthis59thversetoworkforyoubytakingthesesuggestions:

Gatherasmuchvirtueasyoupossiblycan.Foryears Ipracticedgatheringvirtuewithout realizing it. I senthundredsof

thousandsofbookstoindividualsandorganizationsatmyownexpense,gettingintothehabitofbeginningeachdaywiththisactoflove.IspentagreatdealoftimegivingawaymuchofwhatIearned,almostallofitanonymously.Ididn’trealize itat the time,butwhat Iwasdoingwasaccumulatingvirtue,orwhat Ifacetiouslycalled“Godpoints.”I then found that not all ofmy lifewas to be peaks andmountaintops. Yet

when I succeeded in getting out from underwhat felt like amountain, I wasvirtuallyunscathed.ThisisbecauseIwassodeeplyrootedandfirmlyplantedintheTaothatmyoriginalvisionwas tobea lastingone, impervious toexternalcircumstances.

Practicemoderatingyourego.Changethewayyoulookatyourlifebymoderatingyourego.Seeyourselfas

a beingwhogives rather than collects, and live onwhat you need rather thanpracticingconspicuousconsumption.You’llbegintosee thatyourpurposehasmore to do with Tao consciousness than ego directives.When you moderateyour demands and use only what you and your family require, you’ll gathervirtuepointsbyservingratherthanaccumulating.Lao-tzuremindsyouthatthisis“thesecretoflonglifeandlastingvision.”William Shakespeare described this more than 2,000 years after Lao-tzu’s

passinginhisplayTheThirdPartofHenrytheSixth:Mycrownisinmyheart,notonmyhead;

Notdeck’dwithdiamondsandIndianstones,Nortobeseen.Mycrowniscall’dcontent;

Acrownitisthatseldomkingsenjoy.

DotheTaoNowMakeacommitmenttogatherfiveGodpointstoday.ImaginehowtheDivine

Sourceofall10,000thingsmustbeoperatinginorder tomaintainthecreationcyclesoflife,anddofivethingsthatmatchuptoit.Pickupapieceofsomeoneelse’strash,whichisanexampleofexcess;anonymouslygiveagifttosomeoneinneed;orperformanyotheractionsthathelpyouaccumulatevirtueandremaindeeplyrootedintheTao.

60thVerseGoverningalargecountyislikefryingasmallfish.

Youspoilitwithtoomuchpoking.

ApproachtheuniversewiththeTaoandevilwillhavenopower.Notthatevilisnotpowerful,

butitspowerwillnotbeusedtoharmothers.Notonlywillitnotdoharmtoothers,butthesagehimselfwillalsobeprotected.

Ifonlytherulerandhispeoplewouldrefrainfromharmingeachother,allthebenefitsoflifewouldaccumulateinthekingdom.

LivingwithImmunitytoEvil

Yourassignment in thisverseof theTaoTeChingis tochangethewayyouview the presence of evil in your personalworld, aswell as the entire planet.Youcandosobyacquiringaninnerawarenessthatevilsimplycan’timpactyouifyou’recenteredwithintheprotectivenetoftheTao.Ifyouliveinaccordancewith theGreatWay, refusing tohave injurious thoughtsdirectedeither towardyourself or others, then the powers of wickedness and wrongdoing will berenderedimpotent.The Tao isn’t about destruction or visiting harm on anyone; rather, it gives

sustaining energy to everyone, without exception. When people violate thisprinciple,they’reonlysuccessfulwhenothersrespondinkind.Thisiswhenwarerupts and dissension becomes present in the family and the community.Negativitythenbegetsmorenegativity,andtheleaderorrulerwillultimatelybedestroyedasthelargergroupingfallsintochaos.Updateyourviewpointonthepresenceofmalevolenceintheworldtoonethat

emphaticallyaffirms:MylovedonesandIcannotandwillnotbe impactedbythe presence of evil anywhere in the world. Your inner landscape willimmediatelybegintochangeaswell.Sowhenyouseeorhearreportsofviolentthinking and action, your immediate reactionmust be,This is not aboutme. Ichoosenottohaveanythoughtsofharmdirectedtoanyonebyme.Iamabeingoflightandlove,andthereforetheonlythoughtsthatcanemergefrommeareinharmonywith thegreat lovingTao. Inotherwords,whatevercomesyourwaybecause of other people won’t evoke a plan of revenge and hatred. That’sbecauseyou’vemadeyourselfimmunetonegativitybybeingTaocentered.Now you may think that this sounds too simplistic, but imagine if large

numbersofpeoplebeganthinkingthisway—andthenimagineifrulersbegantoemergefromthiskindofconsciousness.AsLao-tzusaysinthisverse,“Ifonlytherulerandhispeoplewouldrefrainfromharmingeachother,allthebenefitsof lifewouldaccumulate in thekingdom.”Ultimately,ourworldmust livebythisprincipleorhumanitywillceasetoexist...anditbeginswithyou.As Tao awareness grows one person, one family, one community, and one

countryat a time,prioritieswill shift.Ourenergieswillgo intobuildingmore

environmentallysensitivevehiclesandhomesratherthaninstrumentsthatreflectabelief thatwecandowhateverwewant to theplanetwithout repercussions.We’llfindwaystodestroythestockpilesofunimaginablyhorrendousweaponsofmass destruction. Cooperationwill replace hatred and thoughts of harm. Itwillcomeabout,asLao-tzustates,whenrulersandpeoplechangethewaytheythinkaboutharmingeachother.As you reexamine this passage of theTaoTeChing, see how it can impact

yourdailylife.Whennegativityfeelslikeit’sdirectedrightatyou,retreattothatplace of kindness and love within and deflect that energy. Remember, it’simpossibletopickafightwithsomeonewhorefusestofight!Soyourrefusaltoenter into battle is yourmost potentweapon against evil. You can change anangryperson’sattempttoinflictharmbyrefusingtoloweryourselftotheleveloftheirabusivethinking.Fromanenragedmotorist’scursetotheharshwordsofa disgruntled clerk or upset familymember, these outbursts are easily shiftedwhenyoustaycenteredinwardly.Becomeimmunetosuchharmfulthinkingandactionbyknowingthatnoneofthisisaboutyou.As he dictated this 60th verse some 2,500 years ago, Lao-tzu was thinking

aboutallofhumanity.Heknewthathurtfulbehaviorcouldberenderedimpotentifenoughpeoplewerewillingtoliveinwaysthatencouragecooperationandaspirit of love in place of competition and revenge. Now he asks you toimplementthewisdomofthisversebymakingthefollowingchangesinthewayyouthinkaboutevilanditspotentialimpactonyouandtheworld:60thVerseBolsteryourimmunitytonegativitybycontrollingyourselfinthemidstof

noxiousthinking.Catchyourselfwhenyouhave judgmental thoughts that couldbe considered

harmfulforyourselforothers.Forexample,ifyouseeyourselfasunworthyofrespect, that’s a damaging thought directed at you.Change it to the followingaffirmation:IdeserveandanticipatereceivingonlyDivine love.This iswhatIattract.When you’re confronted with any reports of hatred and evil on ourplanet,suspendyourfantasiesofrevengetowardtheperpetrators.Changeyourmentalenergytosomethinglike:Isendloving,kindthoughtstoallandtrustthatthislovewillhelpthemseethefollyoftheirhatred.Beconsciousofallofyourthoughts,changingthemmidstreamifnecessary.BecomeonepersonwhobringsthebenefitsoftheTaotoourworld.

Declareyourselfimmunetoinjuriousentreaties.

Visualize a protective shield all around you, guarding you against what’sperceived as evil in the world. Your shield is permeable only to energy thatharmonizeswith theTao.Love,kindness,andhelpcanallget through—but ifany harm comes near you, itwill be repelled by your shield. Thismeans youcreateagreatsenseoffaithintheTao.Withthiskindofinnertrust,whenevilragesaroundyou,itwon’tbeabletoimpactyoudirectly.Becomethesage,theleaderwhogovernsyourlifeandthelivesofthosearoundyou,andwhocan’tbehurt.Declareit,practiceitinyoureverythought,andwalkfreelyinthemidstofdanger.Thisisn’thavingafalsesenseofsecurity;instead,it’sanawarenessthatyouandtheTaoareone.

DotheTaoNowThe next time you think that you’re the target of a harmful thought from a

stranger, a familymember, or a co-worker,make every effort to remember torespond from your inner nature, which is the Tao. Send back a loving, kindresponse,andthenretreattoasilentandpeacefulknowingthatyou’vebeguntheprocessofimmunizingyourselffromharm.Bypracticingwithevenaseeminglyinnocuousstatement,you’llwitnesshoweffectivethisis.ApproachtheuniversewiththeTaoinyourheartratherthanreactingdefensively.

61stVerseAgreatcountryislikethelowland,towardwhichallstreamsflow.

Itisthereservoirofallunderheaven,thefeminineoftheworld.Thefemaleovercomesthemalewithstillness,byloweringherselfthroughher

quietness.

Soifagreatcountrylowersitselfbeforeasmallone,itwinsfriendshipandtrust.

Andifasmallcountrycanloweritselfbeforeagreatone,itwillwinoverthat“great”country.

Theonewinsbystooping;theother,byremaininglow.

LivingbyRemainingLow

Mostof ushavebeen taught that it’s important to towerover lesser folks invirtuallyalloflife’sendeavors.We’retoldto“gettothetop,”“standoutinthecrowd,” “be the best,” and “honor champions”who defeat challengers.We’reexpected topayhomage to thosewhomake themostmoney, collect themostmaterial objects, and evoke the most fear and obedience because of theirpositionsofpower;andthosewhodeigntoliveamongthe“commoners”aretheleast deservingofour respect.Thispassageof theTaoTeChing invitesus toreevaluatethesebeliefs.Lookattheocean:It’sthemostpowerfulforceontheplanetbecauseitstays

lowerthanthestreams,whicharenecessarilyandinescapablydrawntoit.Astherivers flow downward to become one with it, the sea is able to be the greatreservoirofallunderheaven.ThisiswhatLao-tzureferstothroughouttheTaoTe Ching as the “greatMother” or the “feminine of the world.” That femaleenergy, or yin, is the true receptor of all; by remaining quiet and still, itultimatelyovercomesmale(yang)effortstosubjugateandconquer.In the 61st verse of the TaoTeChing, Lao-tzu speaks of the advantages of

leadingbyremaininglow,usingentirecountriesashisexamples.Hemakesthecasefornationsbothlargeandsmalltobelikethegreatocean.Asheobservedwarringterritoriesattemptingtovanquisheachotherbyexertingtheirstrength,hesawthatpeaceandharmonycouldonlybepossibleiftheterritoriesbehavedin accord with the Tao—that is, by subjugating their egos rather than theirneighbors.Lao-tzuwasaddressingcountriesandtheirpoliticalleadersinthischapter,but

countries are made up of individual men and women.We need to become acriticalmassofindividualswhoarewillingtomodelthewisdomthatthegreatChinese master offers us. We all must learn the value of making a dramaticchange in thewaywe thinkofourselvesandeachother.Yes, itmayrequireacomplete about-face on our part, but if we begin to lessen ego-dominatedthinking,soonerorlatertheworldwillgetthemessagethatLao-tzuproposedinancienttimes.Nationsallovertheglobewillfindthatleaderswithfeminineyinenergyarebeneficial.Afterall,thisisthewayofnature...itistheTaoatwork.

Youcanapplythewisdomofthisverseinthebusinessworldorwithanyoneyou encounter by updating the notion that towering above others in the yangapproachofmasculinedominationisthewaytogetahead.Instead,seethevalueof living as if you can win trust and friendship through a yin approach offemininereceptivityandstillness.Asyoutryonthesenewattitudesandbehaviors,quietlywatchas theenergy

fromthefollowingsuggestionsbeginstoinfluenceyourreality:Reassessyourpersonalviewofwhatconstitutesstrength.

Canyouseepowerinhumility,stillness,andremaininglowandoutofsight?Inmartialarts, thestrongestconqueror is theonewhouses the least forceandconverts the lunges of his opponent into his ownmight. Look at the story ofviolence throughout human history: Those obsessed with positions of powerultimately resort to brutality, and then incur the same kind of violence onthemselves.Andsoitisinyourpersonallife.Bystayingcalmandundertheradar,otherswillultimatelyflowtoyou,joining

with you in creating friendship and trust. As you stay in this yin, feminine,Divine-Mothermode,you’llradiateenergyandstrengthandwinoverothers...includingthosewithanaversiontochange.Thinkofyourselfastheoceanandstay lowenough toallowallothers to streamdown toyouandcreatea“greatcountry”whereveryouelecttosettle.Emulatethosewhosegreatestimpactonhumanityusedtheleastviolent

methods.Therearemanyexamplestobefoundforlivingbyremaininglow,replicating

the example of stillness and yin energy. Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mohammed,Zoroaster, Saint Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and others of thehighest spiritual persuasion serve as wonderful role models for us. Bydemonstratingtheexactoppositeofwhathasbecomeknownaspowerbyforce,they changed the course of human history. Furthermore, they are rememberedwiththehighestesteembyallpeople.Youcanbecomeasimilar leaderof theTao inyour immediateenvironment,

smiling inwardlyasyouseeyourselfas that low,patientocean.All thosewhowishtotoweraboveyouinconquestwillultimatelyflowdowntoyou.

DotheTaoNow

Eachdayasyougrapplewithhowtobeaneffectiveleaderinyourfamily,inyourcountry,andintheworld,applythefollowingadvicefromSaiBaba.Thisiswhathecounselsreaderstodowhenevertheyquestionwhatactiontotakeorhowtothink:

Whenheadfasteyesarehorrifiedbythecrueltiesoflife...

Whenyourmouthisparchedandyoucanhardlyspeak,Thefirstsipofcoolwater

Iamsoothingyou.Thinkofme.

In amoment of crisis, silently sayThink ofme to yourmental image of thepersonwhowonyouoverbystoopingandremaining low.You’ll immediatelyfindyourway,asifthatindividualweredirectingyoutoovercomethestruggle,addiction, or ego-dominated thoughts that seem to take you away from yourfeminine,Taonature.

62ndVerseTheTaoisthetreasure-house,

thetruenature,thesecretSourceofeverything.

Itisthetreasureofthegoodmanandtherefugeofthebad.

Ifapersonseemswicked,donotcasthimaway.

Awakenhimwithyourwords,elevatehimwithyourdeeds,

repayhisinjurywithyourkindness.Donotcasthimaway;castawayhiswickedness.

Thuswhenanewleaderischosen,donotoffertohelphimwithyourwealthoryourexpertise.

Helphimtomeditateontheprinciple;offerinsteadtoteachhimabouttheTao.

Whydidtheancientsmakesomuchoftheprinciple?IsitnotbecauseitistheSourceofallgood,andtheremedyforallevil?

Itisthemostnoblethingintheworld.

LivingintheTreasure-house

oftheTaoImagine having access to a very special place where we could retreat and

communewiththesacredSourceofeverything.Herewe’dfind“thetreasureofthegoodman”andaspacewherethebadmangoestobeforgiven.Thisiswheregreat rulersand thewisestamonguswouldmeditate forguidance tocarryoutawesome responsibilities, where we’d be given the secret for casting out allwickedness without personally needing to cast out anyone ourselves. In thiswonderfullocale,wewouldabsolutelyknowtheSourceofgoodaswellastheremedyforevil.AsIstudiedandcontemplatedthispassage,Ibegancallingitthe“Countyour

blessings”verse. It remindsme that I can access a sacred treasure-housedeepwithinme,ascanyouandallotherconsciousbeings.It remindsmetochangethewayIseetheappearanceofdarknessinourworldtoday.ItremindsmethatwithinmeisthewondrouswellspringoftheTao.ItremindsmetobewillingtochangethewayIviewmyselfandmyrolehereasoneofthe10,000things.Youcanmodifyyourconditionedwayofviewingmostthingsbylookingatall

thatappearstobeweightedwithhatred,wickedness,andevil.AccordingtoLao-tzu,nooneisevilorwicked;rather,thosewholiveincontradictiontotheTao’steachingonlyappeartobeso.Insteadofcastingthemaside,youmustreconnectthemtotheGreatWay.Sostaycenteredbythinkingandbehavinginwaysthatharmonizewiththeall-loving,all-knowingTao,keepinginmindthatthisSourcedoesn’tinflictharmon,exclude,orjudgeanyone—itjustgiveslife.Whereyouperceivenegativity,alteryourviewtoseepureloveandkindness

that’smistakenly being directed to seek a sacred place in thematerial world.That energy is powerful, and it’s moving away from its Source instead ofreturning and replenishing in the spiritual cycle that is its originating point.When you’ve succeeded in changing how you perceive so-called wickedness,invite others to see the difference aswell.Thanks to your newpoint of view,you’ll be quite comfortable discussing the difference between material-worldsatisfactionsandtherichesoftheTao.Andifrequested,you’llevenbeableto

offeramaporpathtothesacredtreasure-houseoftheTao.In a translation of the Tao TeChing byGia-Fu Feng and Jane English, the

62ndverseconcludeswiththefollowingwords:WhydoeseveryoneliketheTaosomuchatfirst?

Isn’titbecauseyoufindwhatyouseekandareforgivenwhenyousin?Thereforethisisthegreatesttreasureoftheuniverse.

Here’swhatLao-tzuoffersyouinthis“Countyourblessings”gemofaverse:Practiceseeingthedoorofthetreasure-houseopeningtoyou.

See yourself as a Divine creation of the eternal Tao, with the entrance to asacred space always available to you. Know that what you’ve thought of asnegative can never be if it’s able to enter the treasure-filled Tao. Visualize ahouse that’s opening its front door to you andwelcoming you to bask in thesacredwarmthof its interior,and imagine leavingall angstand fearbehindasyouwalkin.MakethishomeoftheTaoaprivateretreatthatyou’refreetoenterwiththismeditativevisualizingtechnique.Itisdivinityitself,anditcanbeyoursanctuaryatanytime.Practiceforgiving,andavoidingjudgment,whenyouseereprehensibleor

evil-mindedways.TakeLao-tzuuponhisadvicefordealingwiththosewhoappeartobewicked

people by mentally separating the individuals from their toxic behavior.RememberthattheyareDivinecreationsoftheTaowhosimplybelievethategoshouldcontrollife.Inyourthoughts,erasethevileness,thewrongdoing,andtheaddictiveor harmful actions; and allow those folks to just be there apart fromtheir malevolent behavior. See the unfolding of the Tao in them, and picturethem as innocent children who are overstimulated by ego’s temporarystronghold. In your mind, forgive the evil conduct, and make every effort towraplovingarmsaroundthechildrenyouseebeforeyou.Lao-tzuurgesyoutotreatyourselfinasimilarmanner:Castoutanybehavior

youdislikeaboutyourself,allowyourpaintobefelt,andabsolveyourself.Withthese behaviors removed, visualize embracing yourself, and notice the radiantbeingof lightwho is yourself in your imagination.Practice elevating yourselfwithyourTaodeedsanddolingoutkindnesstoothersaswellasyourself.ThisishowyouapplythisverseoftheTao,whichisindeedtheremedyforallevil.

DotheTaoNow

Today,makethedecisiontohelponeotherperson,ifonlyforafewmoments,tomeditateonthisverse’sprinciple.ButdosowithoutmentioningtheTaoTeChing or this book. Possibly send out an expression of lovewhere youmighthavechosenanger.Ormailagreetingcardwithaparticularlymeaningfulverseof theTao tosomeonewho’sassumedanewpositionof leadership.Whateveryoudo,yourmotivationistohelpthatmanorwomanunlockthedoortohisorher treasure-house by offering keys in the form of your own Tao-centeredthoughtsandbehaviors.

63rdVersePracticenonaction.Workwithoutdoing.Tastethetasteless.

Magnifythesmall,increasethefew.Rewardbitternesswithcare.

Seesimplicityinthecomplicated.Achievegreatnessinlittlethings.

Takeondifficultieswhiletheyarestilleasy;dogreatthingswhiletheyarestillsmall.

Thesagedoesnotattemptanythingverybig,andthusachievesgreatness.

Ifyouagreetooeasily,youwillbelittletrusted;becausethesagealwaysconfrontsdifficulties,heneverexperiencesthem.

LivingWithout

DifficultiesThisverse conveys somuchwith an economical useofwords.Every time I

readwhatLao-tzuissayinghere,Ifeelthatit’simpossibleformetoexperiencedifficultiesinmylifeifI’mwillingtoaccepthissageadvice.Hecounselsthatwe learn to think in moments, rather than in days, weeks, months, years,decades,oralifetime.Allweevergetisrightnow—that’sit.Sowemustavoidthe inclination tomagnify tiny events orworry about a future thatmay neverarrive.It’sthelittlethingsthatmakeallthedifferenceinourworld,andkeepinglife simple replaces chaos. As Lao-tzu reminds us, “See simplicity in thecomplicated...dogreatthingswhiletheyarestillsmall.”I’vefollowedthatadvicewhileworkingonthisbook.Asyoumightimagine,

writing individual essays on the 81 verses of one of the most revered andenduringspiritualtextshasbeenadauntingtask!Aprojectlikethisinvolvesatleast ayearofdaily researching, reading,writing, and revising.Yet insteadoffocusingonthechallengesofthisproject,Ichooseto“seesimplicity”and“takeondifficultieswhiletheyarestilleasy.”Iimmersemyselfinasingleverseinthemorning,allowingthewordstoflowthroughmyheartandontothepage.Ifeellike I’vemastered the ironic conclusion of this 63rd passage,which says thatdifficultiesarenotexperiencedwhenthey’reconfronted.This, then, is the wisdom of this verse: There’s no such thing as difficulty

whenyou live in thepresentmoment,doingonlywhatyoucan rightnow.Soexamine your thoughts aboutwhat you call the troubles in your life.Can youshift to thinking of every undertaking as not only manageable, but easy andsmallaswell?Afterall,howdoyoupursueadifficultcourseofstudythatwilltake several years to complete? By not projecting yourself into the future orusingyourpresentmomentstoworry.Howdoyougetthroughthelong,difficultprocessofgivingbirthtoachild?Momentbymoment.I’vewatchedmywifedojust that during the years she was either pregnant or nursing, delivering fivechildren in eightyears.AsLao-tzu teaches, if youdon’t attempt anythingbig,youwillachievegreatness.Almosteverymorning Idoa90-minutehotyogaclasswith26posturesand

twobreathingexercises.Nowanhour andahalfof intense activity in a room

that’smore than105degreescanseemnotonlybig,butverydifficultaswell.I’ve learned to change theway I think about this daily routine that I enjoy somuch,andnowIfindittobeeasy.Asthefirstbreathingexercisebegins,IkeepmymindandbodytotallyfocusedonwhatI’mdoingintheopeningmoment.IfmymindwantstowandertowhatI’llbedoinginanhour,Ijustbringitbacktothepresent.Ilookinthemirrorandremindmyselfthatthisexerciseorpostureissmallandsimple.Bingo—difficultisoutofthepicture!Bypracticing in thepresentmomentand trainingmyself tostay inastateof

simplicity, I’ve made my 90-minute yoga class a snap. I’ve achieved what Iconsider to be greatness in the little progressions and improvements that haveevolvednaturally.It’sworkwithoutdoing,andnonactioninactionbecauseI’veconfrontedwhatmighthavebeenthoughtofastough.TheresultisthatIdon’texperiencedifficulty.Lao-tzuurgesyoutochangethewayyoulookatyour21st-centuryworldby

doingthefollowing:Lookforthesimplicityinwhatyoucallcomplicatedbyseeingthatinthis

moment,it’snothard.Change your preoccupationwith tomorrow, alongwith all of the tomorrows

that comprise your future. My friend Byron Katie (whose husband, StephenMitchell, created awonderful translation63rdVerseof theTaoTeChing thatI’veincorporatedinthisbook)gavememyfavoritedefinitionof insanity:“Tobelieve thatyouneedwhatyoudon’thave is insane.” I’dadd,“Believing thatyoucan’tbecontentandhappynowbecauseyour futureappears toyou tobedifficultisanotherformofinsanity.”Lookatwhatyouhaveandrealizethatyou’reobviouslyfineinthismoment!

ACourse inMiraclesstates this ideasowell:“Youhavenoproblems, thoughyouthinkyouhave.”

Thinksmall.

Changeyournotionof“thinkingbig”to“thinkingsmallandgettingbigthingsdone.” Examinewhatever it is that seems so enormous that it terrifies you tostart.Thenshiftyour thinking to seewhatcanbedone today inyourpreciouspresent moments, completely ignoring the overall picture. Youraccomplishmentswillmagnifyintogreatnesswhenyouundertakethesmall;by

doingso,you’llparadoxicallyseehugeresults.

DotheTaoNowSetasidesometimetodaytofocusonthebiggestchallengeinyourlife.Break

downwhatever it is toone thing thatcanbedone today, right in thismoment.Erasethebigpicture—simplydowhatyoucannowandleteverythingelsefade.Writetheopeningparagraphofyournovel.Layoutyourblueprintforthehomeyouwanttobuild.Signupforonecourseatalocaleducationalinstitution.Gofor a two-minute run.Be in the now.See how doing the Tao at thismomentbringsbigresultsbyparadoxicallystayingsmallandsimple.

64thVerseWhatisatrestiseasilymanaged.

Whatisnotyetmanifestiseasytoprevent.Thebrittleiseasilyshattered;thesmalliseasilyscattered.

Actbeforethingsexist;managethembeforethereisdisorder.

Remember:Atreethatfillsaman’sembracegrowsfromaseedling.

Atowerninestorieshighstartswithonebrick.Ajourneyofathousandmilesbeginswithasinglestep.

Actanddestroyit;graspitandloseit.

Thesagedoesnotact,andsoisnotdefeated.Hedoesnotgraspandthereforedoesnotlose.

Peopleusuallyfailwhentheyareonthevergeofsuccess.Sogiveasmuchcareattheendasatthebeginning,thentherewillbenofailure.

Thesagedoesnottreasurewhatisdifficulttoattain.Hedoesnotcollectpreciousthings;helearnsnottoholdontoideas.

Hehelpsthe10,000thingsfindtheirownnaturebutdoesnotventuretoleadthembythenose.

LivingbyBeingHereNow

“Ajourneyofathousandmilesbeginswithasinglestep”isthemostfamouslineoftheentireTaoTeChing.It’squotedsooftenbecauseitencouragesustoavoidprocrastinationandjustbeginfromwhereweare,righthere,rightnow.Atinyseedplantedandnurturedgrowsintoaforest;amarathonbeginsbytakingthat first stride. In my opinion, the German poet and playwright Johann vonGoethenicelysummedupthisancientteachingwiththeserhymingwords:

Onlyengage,andthenthemindgrowsheated,beginit,andthentheworkwillbecompleted.

Theessenceofthewidelyknown64thverseoftheTaoTeChingisthis:Everygoalispossiblefromhere!Withtheemphasisonfromhere!Thisisparticularlyapplicabletoproblemsthatseemoverwhelming.Whenyouchangethewayyouthinkabout them,yournewanduniqueperspectivewill cause theenormityofthethingsbeforeyoutodiminish.“Thesagedoesnot treasurewhat isdifficult”becausehebreaksitdowninto

easilymanagedsteps.Ratherthantakingoveranddirectingothersorattemptingto do everything himself, the follower of the Tao finds a way to manageproblems before they exist, and prior to disorder breaking out. Lao-tzu isencouragingusalltodothesame.Reexamine how you view the challenges you face, aswell as those of your

family, community, and country. Sense in your heart how easily preventablemanyof themarewhenyoudealwith thingsbefore theyexist, andwhenyourefusetobeattachedtotheideasthatarelargelyresponsiblefortheseproblems.Therearethreestepstoenlightenmentthatmostpeopletraverse:1. The first is through suffering.This iswhen the big problems of your life

become so overwhelming that a long period of misery ensues because you“treasurewhatisdifficulttoattain.”Ultimately,youcometoaplacewhereyoucan look back at those huge obstacles—such as illness, accidents, addiction,financialloss,children’sstruggles,anddivorce—andseeinretrospectthattheywereactuallygiftsdisguisedasproblems.YetthisisnotthewayoftheTao;thisisnothowasageconductshislife.

2.Thesecondisbybeinginthepresentmoment.Hereyou’vemovedclosertotheTaobyaskingyourselfwhenacrisiserupts,Whatdo Ihave to learn fromthisexperiencerightnow?Iknowthere’sagifthiddenformeinthismisfortune,and I’ll focuson looking for it.While this isTao-centered thinking, it’snot allthatLao-tzuwantstoconveyinthis64thverse.3.Thethirdisbygettingoutinfrontofbigproblems.Thismeansthatyouact

before difficulties occur, sense disorder coming your way, and manage it inadvance.This is thewayof theTao.“Thesmall iseasilyscattered,”saysLao-tzu.Sohereyou’re the acuteobserverwho’s totally in tunewithnature.Withforesight,youanticipateanargument,playitoutinyourmindinasplitsecond,andare able toneutralize thenegative energybecauseyouwere in frontof it.You’verespondedbynotactinginyourformerproblem-producingwaysandarethusharmonizedwiththeTao.Atthisstageyoupreventdifficultiesratherthansolvethem.This verse invites you tomaster the third or Tao-centeredmethod.Here are

somesuggestionsfordoingso:64thVerseRemindyourselfoftheinherentvalueinpracticingthemostenduringlinefromtheentireTaoTeChing:“Ajourneyofathousandmilesbeginswitha

singlestep.”Forgetabouttheendresult:Whenyouarrivewhereyouthoughtyouwantedto

be,you’lljustbeginanewjourney.Soenjoyeachstepalongthewayandkeepinmind that everygoal is possible fromhere. Just doone thing, oneday at atime.Here’s an example of this from my own life: It has now been almost two

decades since I’ve had a drink containing alcohol. Had I thought about notdrinkingfor20years,itwouldhavebeenoverwhelmingandreallydifficult—yetI’vedoneit,onedayatatime.Ican’tspeakforthenext20years,butonethingI’mabsolutely certain of is that today, and today alone, Iwill not be taking adrink.Onestep...onemoment...onedayatatime...istheTaoinaction.

Becomeamasteranticipator.

Decidethatyou’reperfectlycapableofpreventingtroublefromcroppingupinyourlifelongbeforeitmanifestsintoyourmaterialworld.Anticipateyourownhealth, for instance. Become conscious of prevention rather than waiting for

challengestomaterialize.Bytakingcaretobenutritiouslysoundasawayoflife—suchasbytakingsupplementsthatremovetoxinsfromyourbody,cleansingyour colon, eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer animal products,exercising, and meditating—you’re out in front of big problems. You’reforeseeing what you need to do while you’re capable of scattering the small,managing your health in harmony with the Tao long before there’s disorder.Findotherareasofyourlifetopracticebeingamasteranticipator!

DotheTaoNowTake one habit that you’d like to see removed from your life, such as

somethingthatyoubelieveconstitutesaweaknessorperhapsevenanaddiction.Justfortoday,andwithnopromisesabouttomorroworthefuture,takeasinglesteptotranscendthishabit.Don’tsmokeordrinkcaffeine,justtoday.Eatonlyveggies and fruit, just today. Speak warmly to hostile neighbors, just today.Noticeat theendof thisonedayhowyoufeel.Then,andonly then,decide iftomorrowmorningyouwish to continuepracticing thewisdomof theTaoTeChing,whichwasitselfwrittenonewordandonedayatatime,andhaslastedformorethan25centuries.

65thVerseTheancientonesweresimple-heartedandblendedwiththecommonpeople.

Theydidnotshineforth;theydidnotrulewithcleverness,

sothenationwasblessed.

Whentheythinkthattheyknowtheanswers,peoplearedifficulttoguide.Whentheyknowtheydonotknow,peoplecanfindtheirownway.

Notusingcunningtogovernacountryisgoodfortuneforthecountry.Thesimplestpatternistheclearest.Contentwithanordinarylife,youcanshowallpeoplethewaybacktotheirowntruenature.

LivingbyStayingSimple-hearted

Ifyouarecurrentlyintheimportantpositionofrulingacountry,Iencourageyoutotakethiswisdomespeciallytoheart.Ifyou’renot,Isuggeststudyingthispassageof theTaoTeChingfromtheperspectiveofyourpersonal life,whichmostlikelyinvolvesleadingothers.Supervising or parenting shouldn’t mean imposing bureaucratic rules or

impressing others with your supposed intelligence and superiority. A trulyinfluentialpersonisn’tcunning,doesn’t“shineforth,”“rulewithcleverness,”orinstill fear in those he or she is designated to oversee. As Lao-tzu explains,“Whentheyknowtheydonotknow,peoplecanfindtheirownway.”Inotherwords,theeffectiveleaderguidesotherstotheirownnature.Therealizationyou’reinvitedtoconsiderhereisthatyourjobistohelpothers

know that theydon’tknow! If theybelieve that theydohaveknowledge, thenthey’ll never find their way back to their Tao nature. That’s because they’rerelying on ego input, which tells them that their true essence is theiridentificationwith the physical ormaterialworld.Onewho lives according totheTaoknows that ego is a falsemaster,drawingpeople away fromknowingtheirtruenature.Implement the teachings of this verse by refusing to convey superiority or

intellectualingenuity.Instead,showothershowtolivefromtheTaoperspectivebybeingwillingtoadmitthatyoudon’tknowwhat’sbestforthem,nordoyouevenknowwithanydegreeofcertaintyhowyourownlifeshouldgo.Letotherpeopleknowthatyou’rewillingtoaskforguidance.Showthemthatyou’renot“incharge,”eitherofthemorofwhathappenstoyou.Allowthemtoseeamanorwomanwho’shumble,livespeacefullyinthecyclesoflife,andstayssimple-hearted.Asyouchangethewayyoulookatleadership,you’llseethatindividualswho

arewilling to surrender their egos enjoy a connection to theirTao energy andbecome simple-hearted leaders. Their only task is to help everyone in theirsphereof influencerealize that theyalsodonotknow!Lao-tzuseems tosmilewrylyasheinformsyouofthiswondrousparadox.Blendinwiththosewhomyoufeelcompelledtosupervisebytryingonthese

newwaysofthinkingandbeing:Bewillingtoproudlysaytothoseinyourcharge,“Idon’tknow.”

This phrase is a symbol of strength rather than weakness, so use it freely.Whenyouteachotherstodothesame,they’llbegintoallowtheirhighestselvestobeguidedbytheGreatWay.Keepinmindthatnatureneverforcesanythingto grow, but is silently and invisibly ever present.Do the same to the best ofyour ability by not forcing yourself and your ideas on anyone (with sensibleprecautions for those too young or too immature to take on adultresponsibilities).Thesimpletruthisthatneitherwenoranyoneelsereallyknowwhat’sidealfor

ourselvesorothers.There’sasilentdestinyalwaysatwork;therearefortunesaswellasmisfortunesineverylife,independentofourparticularopinions.

Practicekeepingyourlifesimpleanduncomplicated.Modelthisbehaviorforthoseyoufeelobligedtolead.Ratherthananalyzinga

situationfromeveryangle,tryingtocomeupwiththemostviablesolution,trustyourfirstinstinctandtakethesimplestandleastproblematicroute.Don’t“pole-vault overmouse turds”—65thVerse by the timeyou’vediscussed themanyoptionsavailabletoyou,theproblemitselfcouldhavebeenlongbehindyouhadyousimplydisposedofthoserodentdroppingswithasimpletissueanddumpedthemintothegarbage!Here’ssomegreatadviceforyou,aswellastheleadersof countrieswhoareoften somired inbureaucratic red tape that theybecomeparalyzed:Keepitsimple.

DotheTaoNow

Inasmanywaysaspossible,demonstrateyourunderstandingofwhatLao-tzumeant by asking leaders to be “content with an ordinary life.” Spend a daywithout the label of “parent,” “supervisor,” or “boss,” and put yourself on anequalfootingwiththosewhousuallylooktoyoufordirection.Thinkofyourselfasoneofthoseyoulead—infact,pretendthatyouarehimorherforoneday.ThiswillgiveyouanawarenessofhowtoputtheTaotoworkrightaway.I’vefoundthatwhenIpracticethiswithmychildren,theyrespondaccording

totheirownbestandtruenature.Forexample,whenIsimplysaytomyteenagedaughter,“Iknowthatyou’reperfectlycapableofbeingresponsibleandsensible

while I’moutof town,and I love thataboutyou,” I remove the“authoritarianparent”labelandtreatherthewayI’dwanttobetreated.Whenthisbecomesthenorm,it’sobviousthatLao-tzuiscorrect:“Thesimplestpatternistheclearest.”

66thVerseWhyistheseakingofahundredstreams?

Becauseitliesbelowthem.Humilitygivesititspower.

Therefore,thosedesiringapositionaboveothersmustspeakhumbly.Thosedesiringtoleadmustfollow.

Thusitisthatwhenasagestandsabovethepeople,theydonotfeeltheheavinessofhisweight;andwhenhestandsinfrontofthepeople,theydonot

feelhurt.

Thesagestayslowsotheworldnevertiresofexaltinghim.

Heremainsaservantsotheworldnevertiresofmakinghimitsking.

LivingbyEmulatingtheSea

Unlike the perception of God as an old white manWho created a universewhereyourbehaviormaycauseyou tobesentenced todamnationforeternity,theTaoisperceivedasanaturalenergy.TheSourceoflifeisn’tseenasadeitymonitoring earthlings like a king or dictator, since it doesn’t dole outpunishmentsorwithholdrewards.Lao-tzutaughtthattheTaoonlyasksyoutoliveinharmonywithnature.ForLao-tzu,nature’sgreatsymboliswater,andhereferstoitinmanyofthe

81passages.Whenyouemulatethatelement,you’llbegintoseethatjudgmentandexclusionhavenoplaceintheTao.Belikethesea,advisesLao-tzu,andtheworldwill never tire of exalting you. The essentialmessage presented in thisverse and inmanyothers of theTaoTeChing is that the ocean is kingof allbecauseitknowstostaylow.Allstreamsmustultimatelyflowtothesea,andintheprocess,itbecomesaservanttoall.Theteachingshereareclear:Behumble.Never put yourself above others or see yourself as superior to anyone. Thehighestpowerisayieldingvalley.Becomeaservant,notadominator.Wheneventhetiniestwaterwaysareleftalone,theyuniquelycarveoutapath

that leads them to the sea. And the great ocean never lords its greatness andpower over the rivers and streams: It doesn’t rise above them and demanddevotion,nordoesitthreatenthemwithpunishmentorextinctioniftheyrefuseto cooperate. The sea knows instinctively that the streams and rivers willnaturallygravitatetowardthatwhichstayslow.Using thismetaphor throughout theTaoTeChing,Lao-tzu remindsyou that

people also tend to be instinctively drawn to thosewith intrinsicmajesty thatemergesfromhumilityandstayinglow.Andthispositionisn’tuniquelyheldbythegreatmaster. Peter, a servant and apostle of JesusChrist, offers an almostidenticalmessageintheNewTestament,centuriesafterthedeathofLao-tzu:

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving asoverseers—notbecauseyoumust,butbecauseyouarewilling,asGodwantsyoutobe;notgreedyformoney,buteagertoserve;notlordingitoverthoseentrustedtoyou,butbeingexamplestotheflock(1Pet.5:2–3).

Change the way you think about yourself and others as model leaders bylookingtothemassivelife-givingsea,who’spatient,accepting,andlowerthanthestreamsthatflowtoit.Thenimitatethatwaterpoweryourselfbysuspendingyouregoandreleasingtheneedtolordanythingoveranyone.Thepeopleyou’reentrusted to lead will gravitate to you and the watercourse way of the Tao’snaturalflow.You’readvisedtolearnfromthewaywaterbehavesandimitateitasmuchas

possibleinyourlife.Herearewaystoapplythewisdomofemulatingtheseainyourlifetoday:

Neverassumethatyouknowwhat’sbest.Evenifyou’reolder,wiser,andricherthanothersandhavemoreinfluenceand

power than they do, never assume that you know what’s best for anyone.Instead, imagine yourself as the great ocean that allows and encourages thesmallerstreamstocometoyou.Staylow,speaksoftly,andremainhumble—andletothersbeincontroloftheirlivesasmuchasishumanlypossible.Byseeingyourselfastheall-receivingsea,youremoveyouregofromthepictureandthusbecomelikeoneoftheleadersreferredtointhisverseoftheTaoTeChing.Nooneshouldfeeltheheavinessofyourdirectionsorbehurtbyyourinstructions.A situation that allowedme to implement this advice occurred on the day I

wrotethisessay.IliveonMaui,andmy90-year-oldmotherisinFlorida,wheremydaughterSajealsoresides.Mymotherwasexperiencingastomachacheandnausea from some strongmedication she’d taken, so I phonedmydaughter toseeifshehadanysuggestionsforgettingsomeyogurttoher.Saje’simmediateresponsewas,“Wehavesomeyogurtrighthere—I’lltakeitovertoGrandma’s.”Ratherthangivingheranorderandinstructinghertotendtohergrandmother,IallowedmydaughtertobeofservicewhileIstayedinthelowestpossibleplace.

Remainaservant.See yourself as someone who’s on this planet to assist others. Look for

opportunities to be of aid, particularly to those who need your leadership.Rememberthatthegreatseaserveseveryonebybeingalife-supportingreceiverofallwhowishtopartakeofherbounty,sopracticeemulatingherbyexpressingtheTao.

DotheTaoNow

Dedicate a day to leading by serving, as opposed to giving orders. Findoccasionstostifleyourlearnedhabitofinterferingandtellingotherswhattodo,and allow them to flow to you instead. Commit to this principle further byencouragingsomeonetomakethedecisionratherthanfollowingyourorders.

67thVerseAlltheworldtalksaboutmyTaowithsuchfamiliarity—whatfolly!

TheTaoisnotsomethingfoundatthemarketplaceorpassedonfromfathertoson.

Itisnotsomethinggainedbyknowingorlostbyforgetting.IftheTaowerelikethis,

itwouldhavebeenlostandforgottenlongago.

Ihavethreetreasures,whichIholdfastandwatchclosely.Thefirstismercy.

Thesecondisfrugality.Thethirdishumility.

Frommercycomescourage.Fromfrugalitycomesgenerosity.Fromhumilitycomesleadership.

Nowifonewereboldbuthadnomercy,ifonewerebroadbutwerenotfrugal,ifonewentaheadwithouthumility,onewoulddie.

Lovevanquishesallattackers,itisimpregnableindefense.Whenheavenwantstoprotectsomeone,doesitsendanarmy?

No,itprotectshimwithlove.

LivingbytheThreeTreasures

You’rebeinginvitedtochangeyourlifebyseeingitthroughtheprismofthisancientverseoftheTaoTeChing,whichinstructsyouonthethreethingsyouneedforaTao-styledlifeofsuccess:—Mercyisthenameusedhereforthefirsttreasure,butadditionaltermssuch

as compassion, good-heartedness, love, kindness, and charity have beenemployedinother translations.You’veverylikelybeenweanedonamodelofachievement that’s measured by accumulation, accomplishment, and theacquisition of power and influence over others. Successful people are usuallyconsideredtobenarrowlyfocusedontheirowngoals,oblivioustoanythingbutgetting to the top, and ruthless in preventing anyone else from getting whatthey’reafter.Lao-tzu,however,saysthat thefirstandmost important treasureiswhat true

couragestemsfrom,notfromaheartlessandcallousattitude.Heeventellsyouthatboldnesswithoutmercyisaprescriptionfordeath!Soyou’reencouragedtothinkofothersfirstbybeingwillingtoserveandexhibitkindnessandlove,eventowardyourenemies,insteadofseekingexternalindicatorstoprovethatyou’resuccessful.ShakespearespeaksofthefirsttreasureinTheMerchantofVenice:

Thequalityofmercyisnotstrain’d,Itdroppethasthegentlerainfromheaven...

Butmercyisabovethisscepteredsway,Itisenthronedintheheartsofkings...

Thegreat playwright then reminds uswith his next lineswhyLao-tzumademercythetoppriorityofthethreetreasures:

ItisanattributetoGodhimself;AndearthlypowerdoththenshowlikestGod’s

Whenmercyseasonsjustice.

Mercy,compassion,andkindnessareallattributesofGodand theTao.Lao-tzusawthistruthmanycenturiesbeforeShakespearedid.

— The second treasure is frugality, or what was referred to in othertranslations as economy, moderation, thrift, or simplicity. Now frugality andmoderation don’t generally spring to mind when those at the pinnacle ofachievementaredescribed;however,accordingtoLao-tzu,beingsatisfiedwithlessratherthanmoreresultsingreatgenerosity.Sobewillingtotakeonlywhatyouneed,anddon’taccumulateorhoard.Thelessattachedyouaretoyourstuff,theeasier it is tobegenerous; themoreyoucling to it, themoreyoufeelyouneed,andthelessconcernedyouarewiththewelfareofothers.

—The third treasure necessary for a successful life ishumility,which othertranslations refer to as “not presuming to be above nature,” “daring not to beaheadofothers,”and“notalwaystryingtobenumberone.”Fromthisquality,Lao-tzuremindsus,comestrueleadershipthatradiatesTaoenergy.Oftenourperceptionofstrength,power,andtriumphisinfluencedbytheyang

masculine qualities of arrogance, loftiness, and self-importance. So when youchangethewayyouthinkaboutenlightenedleadership,youcandiscoverwhatgenuinely successful 67thVerse people have learned before you—that is, thatwe’reallinstrumentsforTaoorGodorwhateveryoucalltheenergythatwritesthe books, delivers the speeches,makes the lifesaving discoveries, and so on.Humilityisakintosurrenderingtoaforcegreaterthanyourego,givingcredittothatSource,andbeinggratefulforanywisdomandinfluencethat’sgiventoyoubythatpower.Behumble;staylow;andbeagenerous,gratefulleader.Herearesomewaystoapplythesethreetreasurestoyourdailylife:

LiveinharmonywiththemyriadmanifestationsoftheTao.The key to living in harmony is compassion and mercy. You’re not in

competitionwithanyone,sodon’t feelas ifyoumustdefeatanotherpersonorcompare yourself on any level. Extend mercy and compassion toward everyformoflife,includingyourself!Whenyouradiateloveandrespectforall,you’llbealignedwiththeTao,whichwillprotectyouasifyouwereababyinthearmsofalovingmother.Seethehiddenstrengthsofsimplicityandhumilityinthosewhomyoumay

havepreviouslyjudgedtobeweakorineffectiveleaders.Those who practice frugality and refuse to hoard or engage in conspicuous

consumptiondeservetobeviewedasstrongexamplesofhowtoguideothers—whereas thosewho speak and act forcefullywhile stockpilingmore andmoregoodsarenotinharmonywiththeTao.Moreover,suchindividuals’actionstendtocontributetomoredissension,andasLao-tzuremindsushere,thosewhogoaheadwithboldness andwithoutdeferencewill die (and, I hasten to add,willlead others to their deaths aswell).As you notice examples of simplicity andhumilityinthosewhoareinpositionstolead,makeeveryefforttoemulatethesamequalitiesinyourowndailyinteractions.

DotheTaoNowChooseaconversationinwhichyoucanpracticethethreetreasuresbyusing

an economy of words.While attempting tomake a point in conversation, forinstance,stopyourselfafteramomentorsoanduseyourtalkingtimetolisten.You’ll be employing all three of Lao-tzu’s treasures at one time:You’ll havemercy for thepersonwithwhomyou’re conversingbybeing frugalwithyourwordsandhumblyrefusingtobeaheadoforaboveyourconversationalpartner.

68thVerseAgoodsoldierisnotviolent.Agoodfighterisnotangry.Goodwinnersdonotcontend.

Goodemployersservetheirworkers.Thebestleaderfollowsthewillofthepeople.

Allofthemembodythevirtueofnoncompetition.Thisiscalledthevirtueofnoncontending.

Thisiscalledemployingthepowersofothers.

Thissinceancienttimeshasbeenknownastheultimateunitywithheaven.

LivingbyCooperating

ThisverseoftheTaoTeChingasksyoutoreconsiderwhatyouthinkyouhaveto do to be awinner. In theWesternworld, getting aheadmost often implieshavingtobeinastateofcontentionandcompetition—basically,youmustdefeatthe other guy by getting what you want before he does. Lao-tzu asks you tochange this kind of thinking by embodying “the virtue of noncompetition,”whichcanworkforyoueveninasocietywhereconqueringandbeingnumberonearesohighlyvalued.TheTaoTeChingteachesthatallofthe10,000thingsemergefromthesame

state of nonbeing. Here there’s only oneness, which implies completecollaboration,notcompetition.Whocantherebetodefeatifyouseeyourselfineveryone?You’dbepickingafightwithyourself!Lao-tzuasksthatyoufollowhisadviceandchoosetolivebycooperating.Believe it or not, this can actually work to your advantage in athletic

competitions.Ratherthanthinkingofanopponentastheenemyandemployingangerandmentalandphysicalviolence,remindyourselfofLao-tzu’swordsintheopeningof thisverse:“Agoodsoldier isnotviolent.Agoodfighter isnotangry. Good winners do not contend.” Instead, such individuals view theiropponentsasapartofthemselvesandascrucialmembersofthisdanceoflife.So rather thanbeing angry andhateful towardopponents in a tennismatch orfootball game, see them as a part of you that’s working to help you achieveexcellence.Withoutthem,youcouldn’timprove,getagoodworkout,orbecomevictorious.DoasLao-tzuadvisesand“[employ]thepowersofothers”toelevateyourself

tothestatusofwinner.Thatis,cooperatewithyouropponentsbywantingthemtoplayatahighlevel—thebestthey’recapableof.Shiftyourfocusfrombeingupset or self-reproaching to the task at hand. See the ball, move the ball, orremain upright and balanced in a martial-arts contest. When anger isn’t acomponent,yourgamewillgo toanew level.And this is trueoff theathleticfieldaswell:Whatyoufightweakensyou;whatyoucooperatewithstrengthensyou.Sochangeyourthinkingaboutcompetingtocooperatinginallareasofyourlife,includingyourwork.

I practice this conceptby thinkingof everypersonwhosepurpose is tohelpimprovethequalityof lifeonourplanetasbeingmypartner,onmy“team.”Icannot conceive of anyone out there whom I’m in competition with for anyexternalprize.IftheysellmorebooksthanIdo,Iapplaudtheirgoodfortune;infact, I’ll tellasmanypeopleas Ican tobuy theirproducts. If theymakemoremoney, getmore publicity, or reachmore people, I celebrate by thinking,Myteammatehashelpedmewithmymission.WhenIplayaclose tennismatch, I silentlysend loveandencouragement to

my opponent. When I’m less stressed, less angry, and less violent in mythinking, I’m living in themoment that Lao-tzu calls “the ultimate unitywithheaven.” My level of excellence soars, regardless of the outcome on thescoreboard.ThisiswhatLao-tzurecommendstoyoufromhis2,500-year-oldperspective:

Declarethatyou’renotgoingtofight.Don’tfightcolds,illnesses,orevenseriousafflictions.Don’tfightwithfamily

members, or against political opinions. Don’t fight addictions, and mostimportant,don’tfightyourself.Instead,maketheshifttolivingbycooperating.If you have cancer or arthritis cells in your body, talk to them from thatperspective: “If you insist on living in my body, I wish to live in harmony,peace, and total healthwith you; otherwise, I invite you to take up residenceelsewhere.”Thismaysoundstrange,but itputsyouback inharmonywith theTao,whichisn’tviolent,hateful,orangry.Also,whenitcomestoyourchildrenandotherfamilymembers,seeyourself

astheirally,dailypracticingthe“virtueofnon-contending.”Practiceseeingyourselfineveryoneelse.

Ifsomeoneyouloveishurting,youexperiencetheirpain.Therefore,wheneveryou say or do something that’s harmful to someone you love, you’re doingsomethingtoharmyourself.Extendthisawarenesstoallofhumanity—afterall,you share the same origination spirit or Tao with every living being in theuniverse.Whenyouseeyourownspiritinacooperativeembracewithallothers,you’llknowwhatLao-tzumeansby“theultimateunitywithheaven.”HerearesomemarvelouswordsfromPabloCasalsthatexpressthisthought:

Whenwillwe[teachourchildren]whattheyare?Weshouldsaytoeachofthem:Doyouknowwhatyouare?

Youareamarvel.Youareunique.Inall theyears thathavepassed,therehasneverbeenanotherchildlikeyou.Yourlegs,yourarms,yourcunningfingers,thewayyoumove.YoumaybecomeaShakespeare,aMichelangelo,aBeethoven.You

have thecapacityforanything.Yes,youareamarvel.Andwhenyougrowup,canyouthenharmanotherwhois,likeyou,amarvel?

DotheTaoNow

Affirmthatyou’ll thinkofyouropponentasanextensionofyourself inyournext competitive encounter. Vow tomentally send that person love, surroundhimorherinlight,andpraythatheorshewillperformatthehighestlevel.Thennote how your own performance improves and carries you to a new level ofexcellence.

69thVerseThereisasayingamongsoldiers:Idarenotmakethefirstmove

butwouldratherplaytheguest;Idarenotadvanceaninch

butwouldratherwithdrawafoot.

Thisiscalledgoingforwardwithoutadvancing,pushingbackwithoutusingweapons.

Thereisnogreatermisfortunethanfeeling“Ihaveanenemy”;

forwhen“I”and“enemy”existtogether,thereisnoroomleftformytreasure.

Thus,whentwoopponentsmeet,theonewithoutanenemywillsurelytriumph.

Whenarmiesareevenlymatched,theonewithcompassionwins.

LivingWithoutEnemies

Imagineaworldwithacommonheritagethatbondedallbeingsontheplanet—aworldthatdidn’tknowthewordenemy,whereeveryonehappilyagreedthatwe’re all onepeople,originating from the sameSourceofnonbeing.Picture aworld that understood that harming anyone would be analogous to harmingoneself.Unfortunately,while there’s never been such a state of affairs amonghumansduringtheentirewrittenhistoryofcivilization,thisisthevisionofLao-tzuinthe69thverseoftheTaoTeChing.Andit’smyvisionforwhat’spossiblewhenweworkatbeingTao-centeredpeople,withTao-centeredleadership.Thisgrandvisionbeginsrighthere,rightnow,withyou!Removetheconcept

of “enemy” from your life, and model this behavior for those around you.Ultimately, the ripple effect will move everyone around the globe toward an“enemy-less”world.Recently,aderangedmanarmedwithgunsandammunitionbarricadedhimself

in an Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where heproceeded to murder several girls. As the peaceful, Tao-centered, Christianmembers of this close-knit community grieved over their unspeakably horrificlosses, they invited the family of the killer to mourn with them at the massfuneralandprayedforthekilleraswell.As theAmish leader said, “Wehaveno enemies;we are allGod’s children,

and forgiveness is at the very core of our Christian faith. If we can’t forgivethose who are lost and would do harm to us, then our faith would bemeaningless.”These beautifulwords are so similar in feeling towhatLao-tzuwrote in this verse: “There is no greater misfortune than feeling ‘I have anenemy,’”and“whentwoopponentsmeet,theonewithoutanenemywillsurelytriumph.”Sohowcanyouhaveanopponentwithoutanenemy?Inherilluminatingbook

TheTaoofInnerPeace,DianeDreheroffersaresponsetothatquestion.Keepthisinmindasyouapplythe69thverseoftheTaoTeChingtoyourlife:“Theoldperceptionofconflictascombatonlynarrowsourvision,limitsourchoices,pulls us into endless struggles between competing polarities.” She then adds,“Makingenemiesgivesawayourpower,keepsusfromtakingresponsibilityfor

ourlives.Insteadofresolvingconflict,wefocusourattentiononfearing,hating,andlashingoutatperceived‘enemies.’”The lesson fromDiane’s brilliant book, as well as this verse of the Tao Te

ChingandthestatementoftheAmishcommunityleader,isthatconflictdoesn’thave tomeancombat. In otherwords, someonewith a contrary point of viewdoesn’thavetobetheenemy.ImagineifeverygeneraltookthesewordsoftheTaoTeChingtoheartandpracticedthem:“Idarenotmakethefirstmove...”There’snowaywarcouldexist.Lao-tzuadvised that ifwareverdoesbecome inevitable,oneshouldpractice

defenseratherthanoffense.Oneshouldneverinitiatehostilities,butrecognizeinthe heat of battle that the battle itself is something to grieve about.With noconcept of “enemy,” and a heart that’s filled with compassion, one staysharmonizedwiththeTao.Thepresenceofcombat,whetherverbalorphysical,isan indication that contact with the Tao has been lost. There should be nocelebration, and every war and battleground conflict should be treated as afuneral,withcompassionrulingtheday.AsIsitherecontemplatingthevisageofLao-tzu,heseemstosaythataworld

freefromfoesisn’tasimpossibleasyoumaybelieve.Thisishowyoucanputthiswisdomtoworkforyounow:69thVerse

Refusetothinkofanyoneasyouradversary.Reread themost important line in this verse: “[W]hen ‘I’ and ‘enemy’ exist

together, thereisnoroomleftformytreasure.”YourtreasureisyourpeaceofmindandyourTaoconnection,soyourcompetitorsinbusiness,youropponentsinanathleticmatch,andthemembersofacompetingpoliticalpartyarenotyourfoes.Andthosepeoplewhomagovernmentdeclaresareyourenemiesaremostassuredlynot.Affirm: I have no enemies. There are people with whom I have strong

disagreements.Imayevenberequiredtodefendmyselfandmywayoflife,butIwillnotthinkofthemasadversaries.RecallLao-tzu’sstatementthattheperson“withoutanenemywillsurelytriumph.”Bethatindividualrightnow.

Vowtoneverstartafight.Stayonthedefensivesideofdisputes,aligningwithLao-tzu’sadviceto“play

theguest”ratherthanmakethefirstmove.Seecolleagueswhereyouoncesawcombatantsbyfindingyourselfinthem.Conveycompassionandcaringtowardyourperceivedadversaries,whoareactuallyrepresentingapartofyou.Refuse

tostarta fight, remindingyourself thatyou’dbebattlingwithyourself.Findawaytoseeonenessinaholyencounter,sinceallofusareoftheTao.

DotheTaoNowReproducethesewordsfoundinAnneFrank’sdiary,writtenasshewasbeing

huntedby theNazis: “. . . in spiteof everything I still believe that people arereallygoodatheart....Icanfeelthesufferingsofmillionsandyet,ifIlookupintotheheavens,Ithinkthatitwillallcomeright.”Postthisforeveryoneinyourfamilytosee.

70thVerseMyteachingsareveryeasytounderstandandveryeasytopractice;yetsofewinthisworldunderstand,andsofewareabletopractice.

Mywordshaveanancestor;mydeedshavealord.

Thepeoplehavenoknowledgeofthis,thereforetheyhavenoknowledgeofme.

Thisiswhythesagedressesplainly,eventhoughhisinteriorisfilledwithpreciousgems.

LivingaGod-RealizedLife

I pondered this 70th verse of the Tao Te Ching for a week, reading andrereading more than 50 interpretations of it. I was particularly drawn to thisphraseinTheEssentialTao,ThomasCleary’stranslation:

Thosewhoknowmearerare;thosewhoemulatemearenoble.

IalsoaskedLao-tzufordirection,tryingtodeterminewhathismessageisforthe21stcentury.Iknewthatthemasterneverwouldhavespokenfromaneedtohavehisegomassaged.Hewas,afterall,theoriginalTaomaster,enjoyingalifecenteredin theGreatWayrather thanegoandencouragingeveryonetodothesame.Try to imagine what it must have been like for this Divine avatar to walk

amonghispeopleinancientChina:He’dtakeincredulousnoteoftheirwarlikebehaviors,allthewhilehavinganinternalawarenessofwhatwaspossibleforallofhis fellowhumanbeings if theywouldonlychange theway they lookedattheir lives. Freedom, peace of mind, contentment, and virtually every otherprinciplethatI’vedescribedinthese81essayswereonlyathoughtaway.Icanimagine that some 500-plus years later, Jesus ofNazarethmight have felt thesamesentimentthatLao-tzuexpressedhereinverse70,somethingtotheeffectof,This isoh-soeasy, so simple tounderstandand topractice, yet so fewarewillingorabletograsptheessenceofheavenonearth.IcanalmostfeelthefrustrationthatLao-tzuisexpressingintheselinesashe

urgesustoliveaTao-centeredexistence,ratherthananego-centeredone.I’vetitledthisbriefessay“LivingaGodRealizedLife”becausethisiswhatIbelievehe’s asking you to do throughout the 81 passages, and particularly here innumber70.“Mywordshaveanancestor;mydeedshavea lord,”hesays,andthen immediately followswith the thought that thepeople just don’t get it, sotheyclearly“havenoknowledgeofme.”Lao-tzu’sancestoristheTao,andthelordofhisdeedsis thatverysamenamelessSource.Heseemstobemusing,IthinklikeGodthinks;IspeakasGod,thecreatoroftheuniverse,wouldspeak;andthereforeIactinaccordancewiththeseGod-realizedprinciples.

Iurgeyoutodothesame,whichisoh-soeasyifyoujustsurrenderandallowthis life-sustaining Tao energy to guide you. Stop fighting, eschew violentthoughts and deeds, and give up trying to control others or the world. Stayhumble;don’t interfere; respectyourcreativegenius, aswell as thatofothers;and, above all, return toyour invisibleSource and shedyour troublesomeegowhileyou’restillaliveandincarnatedasoneofthe10,000things.Ifyoudoallofthis,youwillnaturallylivealonglifeinjoyful,nonjudgmentalpeace.Think of how the great spiritual masters have been portrayed by artists

throughoutthecenturies:Lao-tzuwearsasimplerobe,Jesusisoutfittedinplainclothesandsandals,SaintFrancissportsalmosttatteredrags,Buddhalookslikea peasantwith awalking stick, andMohammed is depicted as a simpleman.Then lookat thehowthe followersof thegreatestspiritual teachershavebeenportrayed—livinginthelapofluxury,opulence,andconspicuousconsumptionin golden palaces.The great sages dress plainly even though they conceal themostpreciouscommoditywithinthemselves.And just what is this great treasure hidden within these masters? Verse 67

explained that it is God realization in the form of the three treasures: mercy,frugality,andhumility.Youdon’tneedgold-embroideredcostumesandtemplesstrewn with riches—both of which were the result of the sweat of countlessservantsandslaves—tohousethesetreasures.Dressingplainlykeepsthesageinharmonywiththesimplicityofthismessage.This is what I hear Lao-tzu saying between the lines of this 70th verse,

expressing the bewilderment that he feels as so few people seem to grasp hisbeautifullysimplemessage:

KnowtheTaoTeChing.

Change your mind about being one of the vast majority who doesn’tunderstandorpracticetheteachingsoftheTaoTeChing.Lao-tzutellsyouthatthere’ssolittletodo—allyouneedtorememberisthatyourholinessisapieceoftheTao.AccordingtoACourseinMiracles,“Yourholinessreversesallthelaws of theworld. It is beyond every restriction of time, space, distance, andlimitsofanykind.”Declare yourself to be one of those who possesses this knowledge, and be

willingtopracticeGodrealizationeveryday.

SeeGodeverywhere.

MakeityourdailypracticetoseektheinvisibleforceofGodineverythingyouseeandhear.Inthe14thcentury,MeisterEckhartofferedsomeadviceonhowtoputthis70thverseoftheTaoTeChingintodailylife:“Whatisthetestthatyou have indeed undergone this holy birth? Listen carefully; if this birth hastrulytakenplacewithinyou,theneverysinglecreaturepointsyoutowardGod.”Hefurtheradvised:“Iftheonlyprayeryousaidinyourwholelifewas‘ThankYou,’thatwouldsuffice.”Practice saying Thank You, God, for everything. This is the way to God

realization.

DotheTaoNowPlanadaytobelikethesagewhodressesplainly,withoutjewelry,makeup,or

fancy clothes. In fact, head out for the day in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.Wherever you go, stay in this “plain” mode and notice how irrelevant theattentionpaidtodressandlooksseems.Tuneintoyourfeelingsasyougoaboutyourbusinessunconcernedabouthowothersviewyourappearance.

71stVerseKnowingignoranceisstrength.Ignoringknowledgeissickness.

Onlywhenwearesickofoursicknessshallweceasetobesick.

Thesageisnotsickbutissickofsickness;thisisthesecretofhealth.

LivingWithoutSickness

There’s quite a paradox present in this passage, which has been expressedthroughoutmymanyreadingsoftheTaoTeChingasvariationson“onlywhenyoursicknessbecomessickwillyoursicknessdisappear.”Lao-tzuseemstobesayingthatonemustactuallybecomeillinordertoavoidillness.OnceagainI’vethoughtlongandhardaboutthisshortverse.I’veplayedwith

thesewordsoverandoverinordertograsptheiressentialmeaningforyou,andfor myself as well. Finally, I’ve meditated with Lao-tzu’s image before me,askingwhathemeantbythispuzzling71stverse.HisansweriswhatIbasedtherestofthischapteron.First of all, what does the word sickness imply? For me, it means that

somethinginthebodyormindisoutofbalancewiththewell-beingfromwhichit originated—that is, it’s not in agreement with the Tao. Conditions such asfevers,aches,wheezing,sniffling,breathlessness,coughing,unusualfatigue,andfainting are indications of the presence of illness; and the equivalent of suchsymptoms in our thinking could be fear, anxiety, anger, hatred, worry, guilt,stress, impatience, and so on. These are signals that our thoughts are out ofbalancewith our Source,which is pure love, kindness, patience, contentment,and all of the other expressions of Tao-centeredness that appear in these 81essaysontheTaoTeChing.The sage in this verse has looked long and hard at illness, and has come to

realizethatitrepresentsaphysicalmanifestationofnon-Taothinking.Afever,acold, an ache, or a pain are all identical to the non-Tao expressions ofimpatience,fear,anger,oranyotherego-drivenimpulse.Sincethesagehasseenwherethoughts liketheselead,herefusestoparticipate insuchfolly.Thus,hehas looked at poor health and vowed: Iwill not think inways that bring thatabout.I’llstaycenteredinthenaturalwell-beingoftheTaobecausetothinkasickthoughtistoallowsicknesstocropup.Consequently,he’ssickofsickness,andtheresultisthesecretofperfecthealth.Allowme to provide youwith an example of this.My colleague and friend

RadhikaKinger recently returned from a visit to Puttaparthi, India,where shewas in the presence ofSathyaSaiBaba, aGod-realizedmasterwho lives and

breathes all of theDivinemessages presented in theTaoTeChing.Here’s anexcerptfromthelettershesentmeafterward:

I just returned fromPuttaparthi after spending aweek there in SaiBaba’s Divine presence. I was saddened to see Sai Baba in awheelchair due tomultiple fractures in his hipbone.According to thedoctors,nonormalhumanbodycansurvivesuchphysicalagony.ButSai Baba remains ever so blissful and completely unaffected by hisphysicalcondition.AdevoteeaskedSaiBabahowisitthataGod-realizedbeinghasto

undergo physical suffering.Why doesn’t he cure himself?To this SaiBaba replied, “My life ismymessage.People today need to learn togiveupbodyattachmentandexperiencetheirdivinitywithin.Painisanaturalphenomenon.Butsufferingisa‘choice.’Idonotsuffer,asIamnotthebody.”

SaiBabalookedathisconditionanddeclaredhimselftobesickofsuchathingbeing in his life. Sufferingwith illness just isn’t an optionwhen one lives inharmonywiththeTao.Withyearsofaddictivebehaviorbehindme,Icantellyouthatthewisdomof

thisverseoftheTaoTeChingwaslargelyresponsibleformygettingbacktothepurityandwell-beingfromwhichIoriginated.Ibecamesickofmysickness,asIwas no longer willing to go through the withdrawals and shame thataccompaniedit.Isawmyafflictionnotsomuchinthematerialworld,butintheinvisibleworldofmythoughts,whichkeptleadingmebacktotheillness.WhenI finallychanged theway I lookedat allof this, Iwasable tobringabout theseemingparadoxofnolongerbeingillbygettingtothepointofbeingsickofit.Andthisistrulythesecretofhealth.Here’s howLao-tzuwould instruct you to put thiswisdom towork for you

hereandnow:

Haveahappymind.

AnancientChineseproverbsaysthatifamanhasahappymind,hewillahavea happy body.A happymind is sick of sickness—it refuses to anticipate thatthingswillgetworse.Itseesasniffle,astomachache,backorkneediscomfort,and fatigueasmessages to follow thebody’s signalsback toanatural stateof

well-being.Ahappymind thinksof thebodyas capableofhealing infirmitiesbecause it knows that it isn’t a human creation, but a product of the Tao. Ahappymindtruststhecapacityofthebodytolivewithoutsicknessorsuffering.Souseyourhappymindtoworkwithyoutostayhealthy.

Examineyourhabits.What daily habits distance you from your natural state of well-being? Any

addictions,nomatterhowseriousorminortheymightseem,arebeckoningyouto be totally fed up with them. Get sick of being weakened by destructivepursuits. You knowwhat they are, and you knowwhen you’ve habitually letyourself become ill from food, alcohol, or drugs; or from the guilt and shamethatresultsafterabinge.Rememberthat“ignoringknowledgeissickness”andexamineyourfixations,vowingnottoignoreyourawarenessofwhattheyare.

DotheTaoNow

Dedicateadaytoreallylisteningtoandtrustingthemessagesfromyourbody,andthenlistentowhatyourmind tellsyouabout thosesignals.Introduceyourmind to thepossibility that thebody is signaling a request that you cangrant,suchasanaporawalkalongthebeach,forinstance.CultivatetheTao-centeredhappymind,whichwillnotentertainsicknessthoughts.

72ndVerseWhenpeoplelackasenseofawe,

therewillbedisaster.Whenpeopledonotfearworldlypower,agreaterpowerwillarrive.

Donotlimittheviewofyourself.Donotdespisetheconditionsofyourbirth.Donotresistthenaturalcourseofyourlife.Inthiswayyouwillneverwearyofthisworld.

Therefore,thesageknowshimselfbutmakesnoshowofhimself;

loveshimselfbutdoesnotexalthimself.

Hepreferswhatiswithintowhatiswithout.

LivingwithAweandAcceptance

This verse of the Tao Te Ching alerts you to two components that worktogether for a harmonious life: a sense of awe and total acceptance.Withoutthesecombinedforces,you’reunlikelytoseethepresenceoftheTao.As I wrote about this verse, I foundmyself reading from Saint John of the

Cross,a16th-centurymysticalpoetwho liveda lifeofawe. I’ve reproducedafewofhislinestogiveyouanideaofhowthisfeelingmanifestedinaDivinelyspiritualman:

MyBelovedisthemountains,Andlonelywoodedvalleys,

Strangeislands,Andresoundingrivers,

Thewhistlingoflove-stirringbreezes,

ThetranquilnightAtthetimeofrisingdawn,

Silentmusic,Soundingsolitude,

Thesupperthatrefreshesanddeepenslove.Thismorning I sit here inmy sacred spaceonMaui feeling anurgency that

actually feels like the rapture in Saint John of the Cross’s words. I sense thepresenceofLao-tzuurgingmetohurryupsothathemayconveytoyouwhathemeansbyhavinga senseofawe. It is soprofoundas tousher intoyour lifeatimelessawarenessofthearrivalofagreaterpower.Ifeelthatpowerrightnowinmybeautifulsurroundings.Thesoundofmynah

birdsfilltheairastheoceanrollsinundulatingwaves,muchliketheheartbeatof our planet. The colors are absolutely breathtaking: the bright blue sky; theshimmering green palm trees, sea grass, and ficus plants; the dreamy orangesandpurplesmixing in thedistantclouds;and topping it alloff, a rainbow that

appearstobeconnectingthenearbyislandofLanaiwithmyfrontwindow.Whenwordsappearonmyblanksheetsofpaper,I’mawashwithbewildering

wavesofpleasureathowI’mbeingusedbyaninvisibleSource.IknowthatI’llsoonbeintheocean,propellingmyselfalongtheshoreline,lookingdownatthecreaturesplayfullymovingabout in the saltywater andwonderingwhere theysleep.Howdo theygethere?Howcan theybreathewithoutair?Do theyeverstopmoving?Will theybehereafterI’mgone?AndthenI’llemergefromtheoceanandwalkalongthesand,feelingthesunonmybodyandquestioninghowitstaysupthere,howwekeepmovingarounditwhilespinningonceevery24hours,whytheoceandoesn’ttipupsidedownwhilethewholeplanetisturningoverandover,andifthestarsandtheuniverseitselfwilleverend.The reason it’s crucial to have a senseof awe is because it helps loosen the

ego’sholdonyourthinking.Youcanthenknowthatthere’ssomethinggreatandenduring that animates allof existence.Being inaweof that something stavesoff disasters because you have no fear of worldly conditions. You’re keptgroundedintheotherworldlypowerthatmanifestsatrillionmiraclesasecond,allofwhichareoblivioustoyourego.The72ndverseoftheTaoTeChingalsoasksyoutoacceptyourselfandyour

individualconcerns.Withthreeveryemphaticsuggestions,Lao-tzutellsyoutoavoidself-limits,acceptyourbodyasaperfectcreation,andallowyour life tounfoldinaccordancewithitsownnature.I love the metaphor of nature as a guide to sagelike acceptance. In fact,

throughoutthe81verses,Lao-tzuemphasizesbeinginharmonywiththenaturalworld,tellingyouthat’swhereyouconnectwiththeTao.AsMeisterEckhart,a13th-centuryCatholicmonkandscholar,putit:“Godcreatedallthingsinsuchawaythattheyarenotoutsidehimself,asignorantpeoplefalselyimagine.Rather,allcreaturesflowoutward,butnonethelessremainwithinGod.”AndinJohn15:4–5,theBibleadvisesyouto“stayjoinedtome,andIwillstay

joinedtoyou.Justasabranchcannotproducefruitunlessitstaysjoinedtothevine,youcannotproducefruitunlessyoustayjoinedtome.Iamthevine,andyouarethebranches.”LearnabouttheTaobybeinginperfectharmonywiththeenvironment.Think

of trees,which endure rain, snow, cold, andwind—andwhen the harsh timesarrive,theywaitwiththeforbearanceofbeingtruetotheirinnerselves.AsDengMing-Daowritesin365Tao:DailyMeditations:“Theystand,andtheywait,the

poweroftheirgrowthapparentlydormant.Butinside,aburgeoningisbuildingimperceptibly...neitherbadfortunenorgoodfortunewillalterwhattheyare.Weshouldbethesameway.”In order to do so, we must accept ourselves as being a part of the 10,000

things.Andwemustlovethatsameburgeoning,imperceptibleinnernaturethatwillbearfruit.Or,asLao-tzuconcludesthisverse,“Hepreferswhatiswithintowhatiswithout.”Love yourself, make no show of yourself, and quietly remain in awe and

acceptance.Herearesomesuggestionsonhowtomakethisyourreality:

Seethemiraculousin

Changeyourviewoftheworldtooneofaweandbewilderment.Ratherthanlookingformiracles,shifttoseeingeverythingasmiraculous.Bybeinginastateofawe,youwon’tbeable tomentallyexperienceboredomordisappointment.Try seeing the invisible Tao flowing through and supporting everyone andeverything:Arainstormbecomesamiraculousevent,thelightningafascinatingdisplayofelectricalfireworks,thethunderaboomingreminderoftheinvisiblepowerofnature.Live themysterybybeginning toperceivewhataverageeyesfailtonotice.

Focusonlovingthelifeyouhavenowinthebodyyou’vegot!Tell yourself that you love everything about the physical shell you’ve

incarnatedinto.Affirm:Mybodyisperfect,bornatpreciselytherighttime,andthis is the perfect age now. I accept myself as I am. I accept my role in theperfectionof thisuniverseat this time.Isurrender to thenaturalcourseofmybody’sdestiny.Seeyourbodythroughtheeyesof totallyacceptingthoughtsand,asLao-tzu

says,“Inthiswayyouwillneverwearyofthisworld.”

DotheTaoNow

List five natural occurrences in your daily life that you’ve been taking forgranted. Then spend some contemplative time allowing each into yourconsciousness.Thesky,someflowers,atreeinyouryard,themoon,thesun,thefog, the grass, a spiderweb, a crab hole, a lake, a shrub, a cricket, your dog,anything that occurs naturally . . . let yourself radically appreciate themiracleyou hadn’t been noticing.Write, draw, or photograph some observations thatyou’vegleanedfromthisnewperspectiveofaweandbewilderment.

73rdVerseBoldactionagainstothersleadstodeath.

BoldactioninharmonywiththeTaoleadstolife.Bothofthesethingssometimesbenefit

andsometimesinjure.

Itisheaven’swaytoconquerwithoutstriving.Itdoesnotspeak,yetitisanswered.

Itdoesnotask,yetitissuppliedwithallthatitneeds.Itdoesnothurry,yetitcompleteseverythingontime.

Thenetofheavencatchesall;itsmeshiscoarse,

butnothingslipsthrough.

LivinginHeaven’sNet

Onceagainyou’reaskedtoseetheTaothroughaparadoxicallens.Afterall,what is“thenetofheaven”?It is the invisibleworldwhereinallof the10,000thingsoriginate.Andwhileitappearstohavemanyopenings—waystoescapethe inevitability of the intentions of the Tao—no one and no thing can existbeyondwhattheTaoorchestrates.Here in this73rdverse,you’reencouraged tobea respectful, cautiousbeing

under thenetofheaven.All the translationsI’vestudiedsay thesamethingindifferentwords.Here’sone,forinstance,that’sbriefandtothepoint:

Recklessbravery:death.Cautiousbravery:life.

Thereforethesagebehavesinacautiousmanner.SoLao-tzuisaskingyoutochangethewayyoulookatbravadoandcourage.

Rather than seeing these qualities as admirable, he asks you to be less of adauntlessheroandmorevigilantandalertinordertolivetheGreatWay.Notethatthewayofheavenistoeschewboldactionsandremaincautious.Lao-tzuoffersyou fourexamplesofhow thenetofheavenholdseverything

withinitsgraspwithouthavingtobeforcefulorreckless,andyou’reencouragedtoemulatethatinallofyourundertakings:1. “It is heaven’s way to conquer without striving.” See how the Tao is

peaceful,silent,andalwaystheconqueror.Nohumancancommandthesuntocooldown,oceancurrents to stop,winds to subside, rain to cease,or crops toquit growing—this is all handlednaturally andperfectlywithout anyeffort bytheTao.NaturealwayswinsbecausetheTaosimplydoesitallwithoutneedingtoattackorstrive.Belikethisandrelaxinheaven’snet.2.“Itdoesnotspeak,yetitisanswered.”Heaven’snetisinvisibleandsilent—

theforcethatprovidesyouwitheverybreathandholdstheuniversetogetheratthesametimedoessowithoutcommanding,yelling,orevenmildlycajoling.Sobeinharmonywithheaven’swaybybeingmorecautiousandreserved.Listenmore and speak less, trusting that your answerswill come to youwithout anynoticeandmostassuredlywithoutanyscreaming.

3. “It does not ask, yet it is supplied with all that it needs.” You have aninfinite supply of all that youwill ever need available to you, so you needn’tdemand anything or even ask for it. All is in Divinely perfect order withheaven’sway,andyouareacomponentofthatperfectorder.Yoursupplywillarriveifyourequirelessandwelcomeallthatshowsup.Yousimplycannotslipthroughheaven’snet,nomatterhowmanyholesyoumayperceivetheretobe.Everything is arriving on schedule—by trusting in this, you’ll be guided to arendezvouswith your destiny, and you’llmarvel at how it all comes togetherwithoutyouraskingordemanding.4.“Itdoesnothurry,yet itcompleteseverythingontime.”HowcantheTao

hurry up? Imagine giving such a request to heaven: “I’m tired of winter andinsist that you bring me spring flowers in the middle of these long freezingnights.Iwantmypotatoestoday,eventhoughIonlyplantedtheseedsyesterday.Hurry up, I insist!” The Tao works with Divine timing, so everything iscompletedpreciselyasitshouldbe.You’reinvitedtoslowyourpacesothatit73rdVerseharmonizeswithheaven’sway.Evenifyouthinkthatwhatyouwantislate,inrealityitisallontime.Themoreyouhurry,thelessyougetdone.Tryrushingthroughashowerafter

runninga10kandnoticehowyourbodycontinuestosweatprofusely.Thentryslowingyourminddown,relaxing,andallowingthewatertocourseoveryou—and notice how your body feels cleanwithout sweating in precisely the sameamountoftimethatyouusedinyourhurry-upmode.Evenifyouregodoesn’tgraspit,thisisthetruth:Everythingisontimeunderheaven’snet.WhatfollowsisLao-tzu’sadviceforyoutoday,asyouperusethis73rdverse

oftheTaoTeChingsome2,500yearsafteritwaswritten:Don’tseecautionasaweaknessoranexpressionoffear.

Instead, view it as away to step back and allow events to unfold naturally.Bravery is a fine quality, but reckless bravery—that is, where you rush inwithoutthinking—isasurewaytoinvitedisaster.Inthisprovocativeverse,Lao-tzu is telling you to think before you act. Allow heaven’s way to do theconqueringwithoutyourhavingtofightordefeatanyone.Veryoftenyourfirstimpulseisdominatedbyyourego’sneedtowinandconquer.I saw this as a competitive tennis player. By not striving, I’d often emerge

victorious over younger, stronger, and sometimes more talented players. Thereckless overhitting of the ball by my opponent would cause him to make

unnecessaryerrors,whileIstayedinthebackcourtandsimplyreturnedtheballinwhatappearedtobeeffortlessharmony.Andthiscreatedmoreofadesiretowininmyrecklesslybraveopponent,causinghimtomakeevenmoremistakes.Icallthis“youngman’sdisease.”

Beanactivelistener.Rather than attempting to control others by speaking frequently and loudly,

allowyourselftobecomeanactivelistener.Manyoftheanswersyouseek(andtheresultsyouexpect)fromotherswillsurfaceifyoucanremembernottospeakor even ask. Try living in accord with nature, which listening—rather thanpushing,striving,ordemanding—willhelpyoudo.

DotheTaoNow

Idecidedtogoforaone-hournonactionwalktodayafterrereadingthis73rdverse, to simply observe how everything under the net of heaven is workingperfectly.Inoticedthesilentsunnourishingthelandandprovidinglightforusall.Isteppedbackandwatchedbeesflittingbackandforthbetweenflowers,andstoodthereamazedbytheinvisiblelifeforcegrowinggreenbananasinaclumpatthetopofatree.Inall,IwasjustanobserveroftheDivine,invisible,silent,effortless Tao at work—realizing that while it’s in no hurry, it’s still gettingeverything done on time. Those green bananas will ripen in due course; buttodayIjustlovedtheenergythatcreates,nourishes,andpreparesthemtoappearformybreakfastsomeday!TodayIurgeyou totakeasimilarnonactionwalkforanhour,andnotehow

nothingslipsthroughthenetofheaven.

74thVerseIfyourealizethatallthingschange,thereisnothingyouwilltrytoholdonto.

Ifyouarenotafraidofdying,thereisnothingyoucannotachieve.

Thereisalwaysalordofdeath.Hewhotakestheplaceofthelordofdeathislikeonewhocutswiththeblade

ofamastercarpenter.Whoevercutswiththebladeofamastercarpenterissuretocuthisownhands.

LivingwithNoFearofDeath

Whathappenswhenwedie?IsdeaththevehiclethatreturnsustoourSourceofbeing,ordoesitsignifytheendofconsciousnessandalloflife?Onethingisabsolutelycertain:Thissubjectisanabsolutemysterytous.SomeTaoscholarshavereferredtodeathasaplaceofonenesswhereintime,space,andallofthe10,000 things cease to havemeaning. Thus, what dies is our human identity.There’sstillsomeoneunderneaththeexternallayers,though,sowhenyouknowandunderstandwhothatformlesssomeoneis,yourfearofdyingwillevaporate.YoucanliveontheactivesideofinfinitybyknowingyourinfiniteTaonature,whichprobablymeans thatyou’llalter thewayyouthinkaboutbirth, life,anddeath.Movefromwantingtoseepermanenceinyourlifetorealizingthatallthings

changeduetothenatureofthisbeinganever-modifyingworld.There’snothingexternal toholdon to;afterall, themomentyou thinkyouhave it, itbecomessomething else. This is as true for your earthly packaging as it is for yourworldlytreasures.Whetheryourealizeitornot,thebodyyouwereinwhenyoubeganreadingthisessayisdifferentnow,anditwillbecomedifferentagainthemomentyouattempttomakeitremainthesame.Thisisthenatureofourreality.If you can get comfortablewith it, you’ll reduce—and ultimately eliminate—youranxietyregardingmortality.AsLao-tzupromises:“Ifyouarenotafraidofdying,thereisnothingyoucannotachieve.”YourTaoessencehas tobe infinitebecause itcamefromaworldof infinite

possibilities. You’re not a thing that’s solid and permanent; in fact, there’snothinglikethatintheworldyouincarnatedinto!Youarereal,andwhat’srealneverchanges.Yetyourrealselfisn’tinthisworld,butisthepartofyouthatistheTao.WhenyouliveinharmonywiththeinfiniteTao,deathisirrelevant—soknowyourhighestselfandunderstandthatthere’snothingyoucan’tachieve.Thesecondpartofthisversedealswithkilling,ortakinganotherbeing’slife.

Lao-tzuisquitespecifichere,saying,“Thereisalwaysalordofdeath.”Atthemomentofyourcomingintotheworld,everythingyouneededforthisjourneywas handled by the lord of lifeanddeath. Just as your birthwasTao energy,yourbodytype,skincolor,eyes,ears,andeveryotherphysicalaspectofyouare

expressionsoftheTao.Thisincludesyourdeath,whichhasbeenchoreographed,determined,andallowedtounfoldinDivinetiming.Inotherwords,killingisn’tyourjob,notever—notofanotherpersonoranyotherbeing.SincedeathisasmuchapartoftheTaoaslife,itmustbeallowedtobeinaccordwithnature,notperformedasanegodecision.I learned this lessonyearsagowhilechangingcourt sides in themiddleofa

tennismatch in which I’d been playing at an exceptionally high level.Whiletakingadrinkofwater,Inoticedabeelyingupsidedown,apparentlyinthefinalthroesofitsshortlife.Iassumedthatitwassuffering,soIsteppedonittoavoidprolongingitsagony.AsIbegantoplayagain,Icouldn’tgetthatbeeoutofmymind:Did Ido the right thing?Whoam I todecide this little creature’s fate?Who am I to become an executioner, even to such a seemingly insignificantcreatureasatinyinsect?Andeverythingonthetenniscourtbegantotakeonadifferentenergyfromthatmomenton.Previouslymyshotshadbeenlandingonthelines,andpresentlytheywereout

by inches.Thewind seemed to shift andworkagainstme. Iwasnowmovingmoreslowlyandmakinguncharacteristicerrors.Ultimately,whatlookedlikeasurevictoryturnedintoacompleteletdownandanembarrassingdefeatbecausemyroleasthewell-intentionedmurdererofasmallbeehadbeenoccupyingmymind. I’ve since changed the way I see death, and I no longer 74th Versedeliberatelykillanything. I’vedecided that it’snotmy job todecideanother’sdeatheversincemydayofawakeningwiththatbee!Evenifthatbeeonlyhadafewminutesof life remaining, it is the jobof the“lordofdeath,”or thegreatTao,tomakethatdetermination.I justspokewithmydearfriendLauren,who’s in the throesofwatchingher

cat,who’sbeenwithher for19years,get ready topasson.Sheasked formyadvice about having Sweet Pea euthanized to avoid prolonging her suffering.After I readher thisverseand toldhermyownexperiencewith that tinybee,LaurenelectedtoholdSweetPeainherlapuntildeathclaimedher.AreverenceforlifeasaformoftheTaohelpsusallrealizethatwe’renotinchargeofdeathdecisions.Lao-tzu’slegacyissummedupmagnificentlyinthewordsofT.S.Eliot,from

hispoem“LittleGidding”:WeshallnotceasefromexplorationAndtheendofallourexploring

Willbetoarrivewherewestarted,Andknowtheplaceforthefirsttime.

Thisisdeath—nothingtofear,nothingtodo.This iswhat IbelieveLao-tzu is saying toyou in thisprofoundverseof the

TaoTeChing:

Discontinuefearingyourdeath.

Itmakesasmuchsensetothinkaboutyourdeathinfearfultermsasitdoestoperceive thecolorofyoureyes insuchaway.TheTao is in itall—birth, life,anddeath.RereadtheT.S.Eliotquote,aswellasthe40thverseoftheTaoTeChing (which I titled “Living by Returning and Yielding”). By returning indeath,you’lltrulyknowtheTao...forperhapsthefirsttime.

Examinethewaysyoukill.

Make a decision that you’re no longer going to serve in the capacity ofexecutioner, including even the smallest and seemingly most insignificantcreatures,andthenactonit.Livethisprinciplebyallowingthelordoflifeanddeath todecidewhen the return trip is tobemade.Don’tmake thisacrusade;justmakeyourowncommitment toexist inharmonywiththeTao.Andbyallmeans, don’t impose your beliefs on others, for noninterference is one of themajorpositionsoftheTaoTeChing.

DotheTaoNowDuringmeditation, practice dyingwhile still alive.That is, leave your body,

discardit,andfloatabovetheworld.Thiswillhelpyoudisconnectyourselffromfeelingthatyourphysicalshell iswhoyouare.Themoreyouare theobserverratherthantheobjectofwhatyousee,theeasieritwillbetoremoveyourfearofdying.Dothisforjustafewminutesdaily.Rememberthatyouarenotthisbody—youareapieceoftheinfiniteTao,neverchangingandneverdying.ThisexcerptfromNealeDonaldWalsch’sCommunionwithGodelaborateson

thisthought:Which snowflake is the most magnificent? Is it possible that they are all

magnificent—and that, celebrating their magnificence together they create anawesome display? Then theymelt into each other, and into the Oneness. Yettheynevergoaway.Theyneverdisappear.Theyneverceasetobe.Simply,theychange form.And not just once, but several times: from solid to liquid, fromliquid to vapor, from the seen to the unseen, to rise again, and then again toreturn in new displays of breathtaking beauty and wonder. This is Life,nourishingLife.Thisisyou.Themetaphoriscomplete.Themetaphorisreal.Youwillmakethisrealinyourexperiencewhenyousimplydecideitistrue,

andact thatway.See thebeautyand thewonderofallwhose livesyou touch.Foryouareeachwondrousindeed,yetnoonemorewondrousthananother.AndyouallwillonedaymeltintotheOneness,andknowthenthatyouformtogetherasinglestream.

75thVerseWhentaxesaretoohigh,

peoplegohungry.Whenthegovernmentistoointrusive,

peoplelosetheirspirit.

Actforthepeople’sbenefit;trustthem,leavethemalone.

LivingbyDemandingLittle

Thisversewasintendedtohelptherulingclassesandthenobilitymanagetherealm.Understandthatduringthewarring-statesperiodinancientChina,rulersusedonerousmethodstoimposeorderonthemasses:Theytendedtokeepallofthetaxmoneythatwascollectedfromthepeopleforthemselves,flauntingtheirgood fortune in the facesof the impoverished.Thosewhowereovertaxedandoverburdenedwould lose their spirit and sense of loyalty and ultimately rebelagainstthelawsimposeduponthem.Thisbookyou’reholdinginyourhandsisn’tintendedasasocialcommentary

toenlightenpoliticalleaderswhotakeadvantageoftheirpositions(althoughI’dcertainlyinviteanyofthemtotakeheedofLao-tzu’sadvice!).Rather,Iwroteittohelpyouapply the inherentwisdom ineachof the81versesof theTaoTeChing.Soyou’reinvitedtochangethewayyoulookatassistingotherstostayinspiredandhavecontentedandpeacefullives.Youmaybelievethatdemandingmorefromthoseinyourcharge,suchasyour

children or co-workers, creates more productivity, but Lao-tzu suggests theoppositeistrue.Demandlittle,headvises,andevenleavepeoplealoneasmuchaspossible.Andtheimpositionofexcessivetaxationonthemassescanhaveananalogouscomponentforyoutoconsiderwhenitcomestohowyoutreatthoseyou’reresponsibleforleading.Governmentofficialsoftenvotetoraisemoreandmoremoneyforpetprojects

andeventheirownpersonalbenefitsimplybecausetheyhavetheauthoritytodoso.Sincethey’reinchargeoflawmaking,theywriterulesthatallowthemtobeabusivetowardtheverypeoplewhopaytheirsalariesandprovidethemwithallof their benefits. In virtually all cases, those who are being taxed to provideluxurious lifestyleperks receive far less in thewayofbenefits than thosewhoaretherecipientsofthattax.Inotherwords,therulemakersandothersinpowerare using their positions to take advantage of ordinary people. When thisbecomes too prevalent, those ordinary people become restless and disruptive,withscantrespectforauthority.AsLao-tzuputsit“Peoplelosetheirspirit.”Rather than demanding more because you’re older, bigger, richer, or more

powerful, leave those you’re in charge of alonewhenever feasible, trusting in

their inherent wisdom to do the right thing. Overbearing, taxing authoritiescreate rebellion and chaos—andyou’ll create the sameunless you check yourinclinationsandreverseyourselfbybeinglessdemandinginsteadofmore.I’vepracticed thisapproach to leadershipmyentireadult lifebykeeping the

numberofpeoplewhoworkformeandrequiremysupervision toanabsoluteminimum.Mydemandsonmymanager/secretary/all-purposeassistantarefewandfarbetween,andshe’sbeenmysoleemployeeforthreedecades.Iallowherto negotiate contracts, to make all arrangements for speaking events, and tomanagemyverylargebusinesswithanabsenceofdemandsfromme.Idon’ttellherwhattimetocometowork,whattowear,orhowtotalktopeople;andmyrewardforbeingabosswithminimaldemandsissomeonewho’sfiercelyloyal,whocanbedependedon todo the right thing,who lovesher job, andwho isindispensabletome.Ibehavethesamewaytowardmyeditor,whohasalsobeenwithmefor30-

plusyears.Iwritefrommyheart,allowingthewordstoflowontothepage,andthenIsendittoher.Itrustthiswomanimplicitlyandallowhertodowhatsheincarnatedtodowithnodemandsfromme.Myrewardforbeingnonintrusiveistohavemybooksbeautifullyandprofessionallypolished.MyeditorandIalsoenjoya loving,peaceful relationship,withbothofuscontentandproudof thework we were destined to produce. While what I’m describing may seemimpossible to you, it can absolutely be attainedwhen you trust in the Tao tomanageallofthedetailsofbothyourprofessionalandpersonallife.The following iswhatLao-tzuurgesyou to take from this 75thverseof the

Tao Te Ching, which was originally intended for leaders of countries, but isapplicabletoeveryoneinasupervisoryorparentalrole:

Don’tovertaxyourself.Lao-tzu’sreminderthatexcessivetaxationwillleadtoalossofspiritappliesto

youaswell. Ifyouweighyourselfdownwithexcessivedemands,you’llwearyourselfoutordevelopsymptomsofdepression,anxiety,worry,heartdisease,or any number of physical ailments.Give yourself a break from self-imposedpressures that burden you, allowing yourself plenty of free time to communewithnature,playwithyourchildren,read,seeamovie,orjustdonothing.

Trustthoseyou’reentrustedtolead.Don’tcontinuallymonitorthoseyou’reresponsibleforraisingorsupervising;

instead,developatrustinyourlessexperiencedcharges.Theymustbeallowed

tousetheirownminds,fortheyalsohaveadestinytofulfillthat’sorchestratedbytheTao.Sodemandlessandencouragemoreasmuchasyoucan,allowingthemtopursuetheirownexcellenceandhappiness.Yourtrustwillleadtotheirtrustingthemselvesandthewisdomthatcreatedthem.

DotheTaoNowTakeabreakfromallthatoccupiesyourmind,includingyourresponsibilities.

Even if it’sonly for15minutes, clearyourmind, emptyyour “demands file,”andallowyourselfthefreedomthatcomeswithbeinglessexacting.When you complete this, do the same with your children or someone who

reportstoyouatwork.Putyourarmaroundthemandaskthemtogoforabriefwalk, just doing nothing but being together in nature. Then let them return totheirresponsibilitiesattheirownpace.If you’re thinking that your child or employee needs an imperious overseer,

perhaps they’vebecome thatwaybecauseyouhaven’t trusted themtobeself-reliant.

76thVerseAmanisborngentleandweak;athisdeathheishardandstiff.

Allthings,includingthegrassandtrees,aresoftandpliableinlife;dryandbrittleindeath.

Stiffnessisthusacompanionofdeath;flexibilityacompanionoflife.Anarmythatcannotyield

willbedefeated.Atreethatcannotbendwillcrackinthewind.

Thehardandstiffwillbebroken;thesoftandsupplewillprevail.

LivingbyBending

The thing I love most about studying the Tao Te Ching is its impeccableadherencetofindingtheGreatWaybycloselystudyingnature.Inthispassage,Lao-tzuasksustochangethewelookattheconceptofstrengthbynoticinghowthemostsolidanddurablethingsinthenaturalworldtendtobesoft,gentle,andeven weak. If we see strength as being hard, inflexible, and unyielding, heinvitesustochangethatperception.Life,accordingtoLao-tzu,isdefinedassoftandpliable.Someofmyfondestmemoriesofmyeightchildrencamefromwatchingtheir

flexiblenewlybornbodiesinawe.Icouldlaythemonmylapandeasilyplacetheir feet in theirmouths or even behind their necks!Theywere perfect yogamastersat the tenderageofonlya fewmonthsorevendays.When theyweretoddlers,Iwatchedinamazement,oftenholdingmybreathastheybumpedtheirheads,ranintowallswithoutlooking,andtookwhatappearedtobenastyfalls.Yetloandbehold,they’dshakeitrightoff.Whatwouldhavesurelyresultedinabroken hip or arm for an older person was hardly noticed by these limberyoungsters.Bythesametoken,anoldertreethat’sgettingclosetodeathwillbecomehard,

brittle, and susceptible to fire and harsh winds. Since the tree can’t bend, astronggustcanblowitrightover.Asitages,thewoodbecomesweakersimplybecauseit’sinflexible.Itsrigidity,whichsomethinkofasstrength,hasactuallyturneditintoaweakorganism.Similarly,atthemomentofdeathallcreaturesgointorigormortis,which iscompletestiffnessand,ofcourse,a totalabsenceofstrength.Beingpliableandable tobendgoesbeyond theagingprocess thatallbodies

aredestinedtoexperience.Thus,Lao-tzuencouragesyoutoapplythisprincipleto your thought processes and behaviors. You’re reminded that rigidity andhardness accompany death, while pliability and even weakness are thecompanionsoflife.Youmayhavebeentaughtthatstrengthismeasuredbyhow“hard”youareinyourthinkingorhowinflexibleyouareinyouropinions,andthatweaknessisassociatedwiththosewhobend.Butwhenconfrontedwithanystressfulsituation,keepinmindthatbeingstiffwon’tgetyouveryfar,whereas

beingflexiblewillcarryyouthrough.Change the way you think about strength, not just as it relates to those in

positions of power, but for yourself aswell. There’s a lot to be said forwhatwe’reconditioned to thinkofasweak:Begin to see that strength isweakness,and weakness is strength . . . just another of the Tao Te Ching’s fascinatingparadoxes.Here’swhatLao-tzuurgesyoutoconsiderasyouapplythelessonsofthisoft-

quoted76thverse:

Bestrongbybending.Bewilling tobe likepalm trees in themidstofhurricane-forcewinds—their

so-called weakness somehow gives them the strength to survive devastatingstorms.Thesameistrueforthewayyourelatetoothers,solistenmore,allowyour viewpoints to be challenged, and bend when necessary, knowing thatyou’reactuallychoosingstrength.Themoreyouthinkinrigidways,refrainingfromconsideringotherpointsofview,themoreyou’reliabletobreak.AsLao-tzuremindsyou,“Thehardandstiffwillbebroken,”while“thesoftandsupplewillprevail.”

Examineyourunbendableattitudes.

Scrutinizeyourattitudesonmatterssuchas thedeathpenalty, legalizationofcertaindrugs,abortion,gunorbirthcontrol, taxation,energyconservation,andanyotherissuesonwhichyouholdanunshakableposition.Thenmakeanefforttowalkintheshoesof76thVersethosewhohaveoppositeopinions.Whenyouconsidertherebuttalsthey’doffer,you’llseethatthisoldproverbhassometruthinit:

Thisismyway!Whatisyourway?

Thewaydoesn’texist.Today,forexample,IhadaconversationwithmydaughterSerenaconcerning

a presentation she was to make before one of her college classes. She was

convinced that her conclusionwas unbendable regarding a large retail chain’semploymentpolicies.Therewasnoroomfordiscussion—theywerewrongandshewasright.Yetforthesakeofanintelligentdiscussion,Itookthepositionofthe retail giant and tried to offer that perspective to her. As our discussioncontinued, my daughter found herself bending just a bit. As she realized thateverystoryhas twosides,she foundherselfwilling to listen to theopposition.Serenawasabletobendinawaythatmadeherstrong.If leaders on both sides of anymatterwerewilling to at least listen to each

other, conflicts wouldn’t need to escalate to life-and-death proportions. Bylistening,yielding,andbeinggentle,weallbecomedisciplesoflife.

DotheTaoNow

Everydayinyogaclassthere’sanexercisethatremindsmeofthisverseoftheTaoTeChing,andIencourageyoutopracticeitrightnow.Standwithyourfeettogether,raiseyourhandsaboveyourhead,andstretchashighasyoupossiblycan.Nowbendtotherightasfarasyoucango,stretchingfor60seconds.Thenreturntoanuprightpositionanddothesameonyourleftside.Allthewhile,seeyourselfasflexible,supple,andabletobendinharmonywiththeTao.

77thVerseThewayofheaven

islikedrawingabow:Thehighislowered,thelowisraised.

Whenitissurplus,itreduces;whenitisdeficient,itincreases.TheTaoofmankindistheopposite:Itreducesthedeficiency

inordertoaddtothesurplus.Itstripstheneedytoservethosewhohavetoomuch.

OnlytheonewhohastheTaooffershissurplustoothers.

Whatmanhasmorethanenoughandgivesittotheworld?OnlythemanoftheTao.

Themastercankeepgivingbecausethereisnoendtohiswealth.

Heactswithoutexpectation,succeedswithouttakingcredit,anddoesnotthinkthatheisbetterthananyone

else.

LivingbyOfferingtheSurplus

If you view the ways of heaven from a distance, you’ll find that nature isperfect.TheTaoisatwork,invisiblykeepingaDivinebalance.WhenIwasinSedona,Arizona,forinstance,Itookatouroftheforestedareasinthesteppesofthe majestic red-rock mountains. After I lamented the recent fires that haddecimatedsomanytrees,theguideexplainedhowthishadactuallybeennatureatwork.“Formillionsofyears,”heexplained,“whentheforestgets toothick,nature’slightningstrikesandthinsouttheforest.”Withoutsuchanoccurrence,thetimberwouldchokeonitsownsurplus.Thisishowourplanetworks.Whileattimesnaturaleventssuchasdroughts,floods,hurricanes,windstorms,

andexcessiverainfallcanseemdisastrous,they’reactuallymaintainingbalance.Thisisalsoclearinthelivesofbutterflies,flocksofgeese,orherdsofcaribouand buffalo—the sport of killing upsets nature’s system of dealing withsurpluses. And the Tao agrees: “When it is surplus, it reduces; when it isdeficient,itincreases.”Observenature,saysLao-tzu:Ifdeficienciesexist,don’tcontinuetoreducewhat’salreadyinshortsupply.The lessons in these final verses relate to governing the masses by staying

harmonizedwith theTao.Lao-tzu seems to rail against people in positions ofpoliticalpowerwhotookfromtheneedytogivethemselvesmoreofwhattheydidn’t need. In today’sworld,we can see evidence of this practice inmyriadways,butespeciallyinlawmakersvotingthemselvesbenefits tobepaidforbyeveryone else: They give themselves 95 percent retirement packages,medicalinsurance for life, limousines, private parking places on public land, and freefirst-class travel, even as they strip the needy and serve those who have toomuch.Andincountrieswherestarvationisrampant,it’snotunusualtoseelargeamounts of food and supplies stacked on docks while people die frommalnourishment because government representatives think they’re “above” allthat.The77thverseoftheTaoTeChingsuggeststhinkingaboutthesurpluseswe

canputbackintocirculationtodecreasedeficienciesthatexistelsewhereinourworld.Lao-tzuasksyouandmetoputthewisdomofthisversetoworkinourpersonal lives by seeingwhatwehavebut don’t need as anopportunity tobe

“Taopeople.”Lao-tzuisn’taskingourgovernment,politicalleaders,orcaptainsofindustry,butuspersonally:“Whatmanhasmorethanenoughandgivesittotheworld?”Theansweris,onlythemanorwomanoftheTao.Whenthereareenoughofus,therewillbeapoolfromwhichweTao-centeredpeopleemergetogovern.Thenwe’llputintoplacethewayoflivingofferedinthisverse.It’s fairly simple to understand a surplus of money or possessions, but the

word actually symbolizesmuchmore. For example, there’s the surplus of joyyoufeelthatyoucanoffertoyourselfandyourfamily.Thenthere’stheexcessof intellectual prowess, talent, compassion, health, strength, and kindness youcan share with the world. Whenever you see deficiencies in joy, abundance,educationalopportunities,perfecthealth,orsobriety,makeyourownsurplusesavailable.Lao-tzuurgesyoutolookatwhat’sdeficientandbeaninstrumentofincreasing,rather thanacollectorofmore,whichmarginalizesanddivides theonenessthatisalloflife.Practice these newways of being that aremore alignedwith thewayof the

Tao:

Reducesurplus.Reducewhat’sinexcessinyourlifeandthenofferitwhereitcanbeutilized.

Beginwithyourstuff:clothing,furniture, tools,equipment,radios,cameras,oranythingthatyouhavetoomuchof.Don’tsellit;rather,giveitaway(ifyoucanafford to). Don’t ask for recognition for charitable acts—simply behave inharmonywith77thVerse theTaoby reducingyour surplus.Then think aboutyour intangible abundance of health, joy, kindness, love, or inner peace, andseekwaystoofferthosegloriousfeelingstothosewhocouldbenefitfromyourbounty.

Beaninstrumentofincreasing.

Justasnaturefillsvoidsbymaintainingthecyclicalbalancenecessarytoourworld,bean instrumentof increasingwhereyouobservedeficiencies.Practicegivingbydedicatingaportionofyourearningstobeusedtoeasedeficits,forasLao-tzupointsout,“Themastercankeepgivingbecausethereisnoendtohiswealth.” If youcan’t offermoney to thosewhoare less fortunate, say a silent

blessingforthem.Offeraprayerwhenyouhearanambulance’sorpolicecar’ssiren.Lookforopportunitiestofilltheemptyspacesinotherpeople’sliveswithmoney; things;or lovingenergy in theformofkindness,compassion, joy,andforgiveness.

DotheTaoNowPlan a day when you make a point of getting rid of some of your surplus,

makingsurethatyoupartwithsomethingthat’susefulelsewhere.Lookaroundforthingsyoudon’tneedoruse—forinstance,Ijustglancedupfrommywritingandspottedsomelegalpads,threeDVDs,andatoasterthatIhaven’tusedinsixmonths. If you scan the room right now as you’re reading these words, I’mpositiveyou’llseethingsthatyoucouldeasilycategorizeassurplus.Soschedulea time toputsomeofyourexcess intocirculation.Youcanalsopickup thosethingsinyourlineofvisionatthismomentanddropthemoffwherethey’llbewelcomedtoday.BeamanorwomanoftheTao!

78thVerseNothingintheworldissofterandweakerthanwater.

Butforattackingthehard,theunyielding,nothingcansurpassit.Thereisnothinglikeit.

Theweakovercomesthestrong;thesoftsurpassesthehard.

Inalltheworld,thereisnoonewhodoesnotknowthis,butnoonecanmasterthepractice.

Thereforethemasterremainssereneinthemidstofsorrow;evilcannotenterhisheart.

Becausehehasgivenuphelping,heispeople’sgreatesthelp.

Truewordsappearparadoxical.

LivinglikeWaterInresearching,studying,andputtingintopracticethe81versesoftheTaoTe

Ching, I’ve been struck by themany referencesLao-tzumakes towater in itsvarious forms: the sea, rain, fog, mist, snow, and rivers and streams. Theesteemedmasterseemedtofindhisspiritualstrengthinallofnature,buthemusthavehadaspecialreverenceforwaterandhowitfunctionsinallofourlives.Belikewaterseems tobe repeated throughout theTaoTeChing.Thiselement iscloser to being Tao-like than anything else in this world, so it is a perfectlysuitablesymbolforteachingabouttheGreatWay.WaterisasmysterioustousastheTaois.Whenyoureachintotheriverand

trytosqueezeittight,youenduplosingitall.Wateriselusiveuntilyouceasegraspingandletyourhandrelaxandbeonewithit—paradoxically,yougetitbyletting go. Lao-tzu advises emulating this element in all of its undecipherableand mysterious ways, even if it seems contrary to what your intellect andconditioningaretellingyou.Lao-tzureiteratesthreethemesthatappearthroughoutthisbook.Theyarethe

true characteristics ofwater: 1.Overcome the unyielding parts of your life byyielding! Hard and rigid are overcome by the relentless application of gentlethings, such aswater’s soft flow or steady drip. So be persistently gentle andwillingtosurrender,andwatchtheresistanceoftheharshandimplacablewearaway.Foryears,oneofmy familymemberswho insistedondamagingherself and

herrelationshipsbyingestingintoxicatingsubstanceshasbeenmetbymylovingbut firm response.Slowly, over time, her hardness began towear away in theface of the steadydrip, drip, dripof gentle but resolute kindness, acceptance,andlove.Itcanbediscouragingattimes,butasLao-tzupointsoutinthisverse,wemustactjustlikewateranduseasoftapproach,“forattackingthehard,theunyielding,nothingcansurpassit.”

2.Waterappearstobesomethingyoucouldeasilyoverpower.However,it’ssoflexiblethatonceyoupushitoutoftheway,itwillfinditsownlevelbelowallstrongthingsandpatientlyenterwherenothingsolidcanblockitsrestingplace.Put up barricades, erect levees, and make everything waterproof; yet withenoughpassageof time, the flexiblequalityofwaterwill triumph. “Theweak

overcomes the strong” is a powerful message for you. Remember to stayflexible,willingtoloweryourselfinhumilityandappearweak,butknowingthatyou’re inharmonywith theTao.Lao-tzuurgesyou tobe like themasterwhoremains“sereneinthemidstofsorrow,”andevilwillnotbeabletoenteryourheart.

3.Water issosoft that itcan’tbeharmed,damaged,ordestroyed—itsimplyreturnsto itsSourcetobeusedoverandoveragain.Boil ituntil itdisappears,anditsvaporsentertheatmosphere,ultimatelytoreturn.Drinkit,anditreturnsafternourishingyourbody.Polluteit,anditwillreturnafterenoughpassageoftimetobecomepurifiednourishmentagain.Thisisallaccomplishedbecauseoftheelement’smutablesoftness.When you stay soft and surpass the hard, you too will be indestructible.

(Reread verse 43, “Living Softly.”) There’s nothing softer than water underheaven, and yet there’s nothing that can surpass it for overcoming the hard.There’s somuchwisdom tobe found in this analogy:Stay inyour softmode.Hangbackwhenyou’reabouttoshowhowhardyoucanbe.Trypatienceratherthanattemptingtorigidlycontrol.Trustyourinnatelygentleself.I loveMaryOliver’s beautiful poem “WildGeese,” in which she speaks of

this:Youdonothavetobegood.

Youdonothavetowalkonyourkneesforahundredmilesthroughthedesert,repenting.

Youonlyhavetoletthesoftanimalofyourbodylovewhatitloves.Tellmeaboutdespair,yours,andIwilltellyoumine.

Meanwhiletheworldgoeson.Meanwhilethesunandtheclearpebblesoftherainaremovingacrossthe

landscapes,overtheprairiesandthedeeptrees,themountainsandtherivers.

Meanwhilethewildgeese,highinthecleanblueair,areheadinghomeagain.Whoeveryouare,nomatterhowlonely,theworldoffersitselftoyourimagination,

callstoyoulikethewildgeese,harshandexciting—overandoverannouncingyourplace

inthefamilyofthings.Fromhis2,500-year-oldperspective,Lao-tzu remindsyouofhowmuchyou

have to learn fromnature, particularlywater, andurgesyou toput these ideasintopractice:

Changethewayyoulookatstrengthversusweakness.Seethatthestereotypesofrigid,hard,forceful,cocksure,anddominantaren’t

attributesofstrengthatall.Infact,thesequalitieswillleadyoutobesuppressedandoverpoweredbysoftness,orwhatyou’vecalledweakness.Changethewayyoulookatallofthis,andwatchyourworldchange.Whenyoubegintoadmireand emulate those who stay weak and pliable, you’ll see the true strength inyourselfasapersonoftheTao.Giveupinterferingandhelping,andoptinsteadto stream like water—gently, softly, and unobtrusively—wherever you’reneeded.

Besoftlikewater.

Like water, flow everywhere there’s an opening, rather than attempting todominatewithyourforcefulness.Softenyourhardedgesbybeingmoretolerantof contrary opinions. Interfere less, and substitute listening for directing andtelling.When someone offers you their viewpoint, try responding with: “I’veneverconsideredthatbefore—thankyou.I’llgiveitsomethought.”

DotheTaoNow

Do a meditation today in which you picture yourself as having the samequalities as water. Allow your soft, weak, yielding, fluid self to enter placeswhereyoupreviouslywereexcludedbecauseofyourinclinationtobesolidandhard.Flowsoftlyintothelivesofthosewithwhomyoufeelconflicted:Pictureyourselfenteringtheirprivateinnerselves,seeingperhapsforthefirsttimewhatthey’reexperiencing.Keepthisimageofyourselfasgentlycoursingwater,and

watchhowyourrelationshipschange.

79thVerseAfterabitterquarrel,someresentmentremains.

Whatcanonedoaboutit?Beingcontentwithwhatyouhaveisalwaysbestintheend.

Someonemustriskreturninginjurywithkindness,orhostilitywillneverturntogoodwill.

Sothewisealwaysgivewithoutexpectinggratitude.

Onewithtruevirtuealwaysseeksawaytogive.Onewholackstruevirtuealwaysseeksawaytoget.

Tothegivercomesthefullnessoflife;tothetaker,justanemptyhand.

LivingWithout

ResentmentsIn this verse, which has been so helpful to me personally, you’re asked to

change theway you hold resentments following a difference of opinion or anoutright quarrel. Now what causes annoyance and anger after a dispute? Thegenericresponsewouldbealaundrylistthatdetailedwhytheotherpersonwaswrong and how illogically and unreasonably they behaved, concluding withsomething like,“Ihavea right tobeupsetwhenmy[daughter,mother-in-law,ex-husband,boss,orwhomeveryou’rethinkingof]speakstomethatway!”Butifyou’reinterestedinlivingaTao-filledlife,it’simperativethatyoureversethiskindofthinking.Resentmentsdon’tcomefromtheconductoftheotherpartyinanaltercation

—no, they survive and thrive because you’reunwilling to end that altercationwith an offering of kindness, love, and authentic forgiveness. Lao-tzu says,“Someonemustriskreturninginjurywithkindness,orhostilitywillneverturntogoodwill.” Sowhen all of the yelling, screaming, and threateningwords havebeen expressed, the time for calm has arrived. Remember that no storm lastsforever,and thathiddenwithinarealwaysseedsof tranquility.There isa timeforhostilityandatimeforpeace.Asthestormofaquarrelsubsides,youmustfindawaytodisregardyourego’s

need to be right. It’s time to extendkindness by letting go of your anger. It’sover, so offer forgiveness to yourself and the other person and encourageresentmenttodissipate.Betheoneseekingawaytogive,inthesensethatLao-tzudescribesinthisverse,ratherthantheonelookingforsomethingtoget.I run a large enterprise based on the wisdom in this profound verse. My

companyisallaboutgiving,soifthereareanydisputesaboutproductsales,myassistantknowstolettheotherpartyhavewhatevertheydesire.Ifsomeonecan’taffordsomething,Igiveitaway.Iallowrecordingsofmytalksandasknothingin return. I give of my time for photographs, autographs, or anything at all.UnlessIhaveaplanetocatch,I’mthelastpersonoutoftheauditorium,andI’mwillingtotalkwithanybodywhomakessucharequest.It’sallaboutgiving,andthosewhoworkformeknowthisandlivebytheseprinciples.When I asked an outsider to be a part ofmy speaking tour not long ago, I

encounteredamanwhowasatremendouslygiftedmusicianandentertaineryetwas living in scarcity. Despite his enormous talent, abundance just wasn’tflowingintohislife.Afterafewofourspeakingdates,Inoticedhisinclinationtobeatakerratherthanagiver—heconsistentlylookedforwaystomakemoremoney on the side, excluding everyone else who was working to provide aservicetothosewhoattendedthelectures.I had a longdiscussionwith thismanabouthowhisprofiteering rather than

offeringwasblockingtheflowofabundanceintohislife,andIencouragedhimtotrust inthewisdomthatLao-tzuprovides.Thepointhereisthat thiswasanopportunityforustobothproceedonthetourwithoutresentment.Regardlessofanyoneelse’sattitude,ifyoulivewith“truevirtue,”you’llseek

awaytogive.ThistruthcompletelyalignswiththeTao;afterall,thecreatoroflifeisalwaysgiving,nevertaking.Sochangethewayyouthinkaboutscarcityand resentment, and begin to truly feel the questionHow may I serve? Theuniversewill seem to respond,Finally, you got it—you’re acting likeme! I’llkeepthat flowcomingintoyour life inways thatwillastoundanddelightyou.AsLao-tzu says, “To thegiver comes the fullnessof life; to the taker, just anemptyhand.”Here’swhat Lao-tzu encourages you to do tomake thewisdom of the 79th

verseyourreality:79thVerseEndonlove,nomatterwhat!

Pictureyourself at the terminationofaquarrelormajordispute.Rather thanreactingwitholdpatternsofresidualanger,revenge,andhurt,visualizeofferingkindness, love, and forgiveness.Do this right now by sending out these “truevirtue” thoughts to any resentments you’re currently carrying.Make this yourstandardresponsetoanyfuturealtercations:Iendonlove,nomatterwhat!

Practicegiving.

Inthemidstofargumentsordisagreements,practicegivingratherthantakingbeforeyouexit thefracas.OffertheTaotreasuresorrealvirtuesbypresentingkindnessratherthanaput-down,orasignofrespectinsteadofprovingsomeonewrong.Givinginvolvesleavingtheegobehind.Whileitwantstowinandshowitssuperioritybybeingcontraryanddisrespectful,yourTaonaturewantstobeat peace and live in harmony.You can reduce your quarreling time to almost

zeroifyoupracticethisprocedure.

DotheTaoNowSilently recite the followingwords from thePrayerofSaintFrancis:“Where

thereisinjury,[letmebring]pardon.”Beagiverofforgivenessasheteaches:Bring love to hate, light to darkness, and pardon to injury. Read thesewordsdaily,forthey’llhelpyouovercomeyourego’sdemandsandknow“thefullnessoflife.”

80thVerseImagineasmallcountrywithfewpeople.

Theyhaveweaponsanddonotemploythem;theyenjoythelaboroftheirhandsanddonotwastetimeinventinglaborsavingmachines.

Theytakedeathseriouslyanddonottravelfar.Sincetheydearlylovetheirhomes,theyarenotinterestedintravel.

Althoughtheyhaveboatsandcarriages,nooneusesthem.

Theyarecontentwithhealthyfood,pleasedwithusefulclothing,satisfiedinsnughomes,

andprotectiveoftheirwayoflife.

Althoughtheylivewithinsightoftheirneighbors,andcrowingcocksandbarkingdogscanbeheardacrosstheway,

theyleaveeachotherinpeacewhiletheygrowoldanddie.

LivingYourOwnUtopia

This second-to-last verse of the Tao Te Ching might have been titled“KISS”—that is, “Keep ItSimple,Stupid.”Here,Lao-tzumakesacase foranideal society where conflict isn’t a problem, harmonizing with nature ispracticed,andweaponsmaybepresentbutareneverused.TheancientChinesemasterseemstosaythatstayingclosetonatureandtakingpleasureinthebasicsof life are more satisfying than pursuing technological equipment and fancycarriages.Headvises readers tokeepclose to the land,workwith theirhands,andnotcompetewithneighboringvillages.While it’s clear that theworld has changed dramatically over the past 2,500

years, the advice in this 80th verse offers wisdom for the 21st century andbeyond. Imagineaworldwhereweaponsarevestigesof thepast,displayed inmuseumsto illustrateandwarnthepopulaceaboutanabsurdlyviolenthistory.You’dsee theconflictson thisplanetexhibitedfromtheperspectiveofhumanbeingsastinymicrobeslivingonthesamebody,equallydependentonitandononeanotherforsurvival,yetkillingeachotheranddestroyingtheirhostanyway.Warwouldsimplyseemsenselesslydestructive.Whenwe look at the conflicts that have taken place throughout history, we

cannot help but see that the hatred and rivalries in ancient andmodern timesmake no sense.Whywon’t (or can’t) people share the land and live togetherpeacefully?Whatseemssoimportant that it’snecessarytokilleachotheroverit?Eveninfairlyrecenttimes,thoseindividualswhoweresohatedthatwetriedto decimate them have become our allies. So what was all the killing about?Why haven’t we learned to live in harmony with the life-giving Tao? Theanswers to these questions are obviously complex, but, unfortunately, theycontinuetoneedtobeasked.Thisversedoesn’tnegateaneffortbyyoutocreatewaystoliveyourutopia.

Instead, it’s offering you an escape from the vicious cycle of hatred,murder,war,andsubsequentcooperationbefore thenextcycleofviolenceerupts.Youcanreturn to thebasicsofapeacefulexistencebychoosing to livesimplyandplacinglesseffortonneedingtoconqueranyone.Whenyouseetheinclinationtoward creating more war machines, vote instead for candidates who support

peacefulwaysfordealingwithconflict.YourpersonalchoicesalsoalignyouwiththetranquilnatureoftheTao.You

canopttodowithoutsomeofthenewtechnologysome,orevenall,ofthetime.YoucanchoosetowritebyhandandfeelyourconnectiontoyourSourceasthewords flow throughyour heart onto the paper.You can choose towalk ratherthandriveasoftenaspossible.Youcanchoosetocomputenumberswithoutacalculator, and remember phone numbers as a way of personalizing yourconnections.You can choose to swim or bicycle for exercise in lieu of usingmachines.There are many laborsaving devices that Lao-tzu may never have dreamed

about,andyoucaneliminatethemaspartofyoursimplificationroutine.Maybenot having e-mail or downloadingmusic is yourway of symbolically stayingclose to the land thatLao-tzu speaksof in this verse. Inotherwords, you canknowwhatthemodernworldoffersinthewayofinformationandtechnology,whileatthesametimebeingawareoftheareasofyourlifewhereyouwanttokeep things basic. Recognize when you’re feeling the effects of informationoverload, too many gadgets, or overcomplication, and switch to a naturalenvironmentthatpleasesyouforwhateveramountoftimeyouchoose.Lao-tzu seems to be encouraging you to simplify as a way to heighten

awarenessofyourTaoconnection.Tryoutthesenewattitudesandbehaviorstohelp you change the way you think about yourmodern life; youmay in factchangethelifeyou’reliving!

Practiceradicalappreciation.

Begin a practice of joyfully engaging with the things you take for granted.Therearecomfortssuchasyourhome,garden,meals,clothes,familymembers,and friends that you experience every day without ever appreciating them.Choose to pay attention—make the shift by giving thanks and lovingappreciation. Spend more time close to home in awe over the many simpletreasuresthatmakeupyourlife.

Seeparadiseallaroundyou.

Change your belief that youmust travel, beworldly, and experience distantlandsandpeopleinordertohaveafulfillinglife.Infact,youcouldresideonthesame street for a lifetimewithout ever leaving andknow the bliss of theTao.KeepinmindthethoughtofferedbyVoltaire:“ParadiseiswhereIam.”Ifwhereyouareisathome,withthesamepeople, thesamephotographs,andthesamefurniture,makeityourparadise.Findjoyandsolaceinthesimple.Changeyourviewtoseethepleasureinwhatyouhave,whereyou’relocated,andwhoyouare.CultivateyourutopiabyfeelingtheTaoineverycubicinchofspace.

DotheTaoNowDevoteadaytofood!Appreciatethemysteriousintelligencethatcreatedfood

foryourhealthandpleasure,andsayaprayerwitheveryconnectiontoit.Goinggroceryshopping,cooking,planningadinnerparty,beingadinner-partyguest,eatingatarestaurant,grabbingasnack,orhavingsomepopcornat themoviesare just some of the opportunities to consciously explore that connection. SeethesefoodconnectionsasapartoftheendlessTaocycle,andbeinginyourownutopia.

81stVerseTruewordsarenotbeautiful;beautifulwordsarenottrue.Goodmendonotargue;

thosewhoarguearenotgood.Thosewhohavevirtuedonotlookforfaults;thosewholookforfaultshaveno

virtue.

Sagesdonotaccumulateanythingbutgiveeverythingtoothers;havingmore,themoretheygive.

Heavendoesgoodtoall,doingnoeviltoanyone.Thesageimitatesit,acting

forthegoodofall,andopposinghimselftonoone.

LivingWithout

AccumulatingThis final verse of the Tao Te Ching provides the closing message of this

entire collection of ideas: You came from nothing-ness. The place of youroriginationhadnothings;theplaceofyourreturnisoneofnothings.Therefore,Lao-tzu is inviting you to replace the accumulation of more stuff with thecelebrationofyourtrueessence.JustasnothingispureTaoinitsformlessness,therealyouisthatsameformlessness...foryouaretheTao.TheTaoTeChing attempts to attract you to awayof being that recognizes

nothingnessas theTao—youcouldcall itaGod-realizedwayofbeing.In thisfinalessay, I’vechosen topropose thatyouaccessyournonbeing,Taoselfbyliving without accumulating. This means giving more, arguing less, andreleasing your attachment to everything in the world of the 10,000 things.Ultimately,livingthiswayevenmeanslettinggoofyourattachmenttoyourlifeandyourbody.Butyoucanpracticethisrightnow,whileyou’restill livingintheworld.SaintJohnoftheCrossspeakstothiswayofseeingyourlife:

Toreachsatisfactioninalldesireitspossessioninnothing.

Tocometopossessalldesirethepossessionofnothing.

Toarriveatbeingalldesiretobenothing.

Tocometotheknowledgeofalldesiretheknowledgeofnothing.Allof thiswisdomofnothingnesscomesoutof theofferingsofLao-tzu, the

ancient spiritual sage who wants us to experience the bliss of being all byknowinganonaccumulatingplaceofnothingness.It isdifficult to imagineaworldwithout things,yet in this finalverseof the

TaoTeChing,Lao-tzu takesyou throughwhat such aworldwould look like.Youdon’tneedbeautifulwords,sincethereisnothingforyoutodescribe.Thereisnothing toargueabout,as therearenopossessions tofightover.There’sno

faultfindingorblaming, forall thatexists is thehiddenvirtueof theTao.Andfinally,thereisnothingtocollect,amass,oraccumulate,whichleavesyouinastateofcreativegivingandsupporting.“Heavendoesgood,”saysLao-tzu,andgoodisasynonymforGod,whichistrulythesameastheTao.MeisterEckhartillustratestheinterchangeabilityofthewordsGodandTaoin

thispiece:Godisabeingbeyondbeing

andanothingnessbeyondbeing.Godisnothing.Nothing.Godisnothingness.

AndyetGodissomething.You’re encouraged in this final verse of the enduring and amazing Tao Te

Chingtodoallthatyoucantoimitateheavenwhileyou’rehereinform.Try out these suggestions from Lao-tzu as you change your thoughts, and

ultimatelyyourlife,forever:Quitaccumulatingpointsforbeingright!

Letgoofyourpropensityforargumentandreplaceitwiththewillingness toallow anyone with whom you have a disagreement to be right. End yourquarrelingways by simply telling the other 81st Verse person something likethis:“You’rerightaboutthat,andIappreciatehearingyourpointofview.”Thisends the argument and eliminates blame and faultfinding at the same time.Changeego’sneedtoberightbyusingtheTao-basedstatement,“You’rerightaboutthat.”Itwillmakeyourlifesomuchmorepeaceful.

ReduceyourselfdowntozeroorObserve your body and all of your belongings, and then put them into the

changing-worldcontext.KeepthisstatementfromMahatmaGandhiinmind:“IfyouwouldswimonthebosomoftheoceanofTruth,youmustreduceyourselftozero.”Sofromaplaceofnothing-nessorzero,becometheobserver,seeingwhatyouaccumulate in theworldof things.Fromthisperspective,you’ll findthat nothing can ever truly be real in such a world. Practice this exercisewheneveryou’refeelingattachedtoyourpossessionsoryourpointofview.D.H.Lawrencedramaticallycapturesthisidea:

Areyouwillingtobespongedout,erased,cancelled,

madenothing?Areyouwillingtobemadenothing?

dippedintooblivion?Ifnot,youwillneverreallychange.

Nowglance again at the title of this book,Change Your Thoughts—ChangeYourLife:LivingtheWisdomoftheTao.Bewillingtochange.

DotheTaoNowI leave you with these words of Lao-tzu from Tao Te Ching: A New

Translation,whichweretranslatedbySamHamill.Here’sthefinalverse:Thesagedoesnothoard,andtherebybestows.

Themorehelivesforothers,thegreaterhislife.

Themorehegivestoothers,thegreaterhisabundance.

Copythesewordsbyhand,studythem,andputthemintopracticeatleastonceeach day.Youwill energize the flowof theTao in your life, in thisworld of10,000things.

Namaste,Dr.WayneW.Dyer

EpilogueIclosethisyearlongprojectonapersonalnotetosharewithyouhowthese81

verses unexpectedly increased my personal sense of awe and incredulityconcerningthepowerandvastwisdominthisancientclassic.Rereadthedisplayquoteat thebeginningof thisbook,whichisattributedto

Confucius. Legend has it that this master was so impressed by Lao-tzu’sinfluence thathesoughthimout forconsultationonetiquetteand rules,whichwasthemajorfocusofConfucianphilosophybutconsideredtobehypocrisyandnonsense by Lao-tzu.Aftermeeting Lao-tzu, Confucius told his disciples thatthe man was a sage—a dragon with mysterious powers beyond theunderstandingofmostpeople,includingConfuciushimself.Throughout the writing of these 81 short essays, I felt an almost mystical

attraction toLao-tzu. In the early verses, I thought of him as a great educatorofferingallofusadviceonhowtoapplyhiswisdomfromanancientChineseperspectivetoourmodernworld.AstimepassedandIbecamemoreengrossedinhisteachings,IbegantofeelthatLao-tzuwasspeakingdirectlytome...andthen throughme toyou, and even to cominggenerations. It felt at times as ifLao-tzu was intently saying that we had to get these important messages orperishasacivilizedsociety.Asthisbookunfolded,thereweretimesthatIcouldevenfeelhispresence.When I concludedwriting thismanuscript, I hadanunavoidable andpainful

opportunity to experience the dragonlike qualities that impressed Confucius.ThroughtheTaoTeChing,Lao-tzugavemeinsightintotheWaytoconfrontthewindsandcloudsoftimeandspace,alongwithwhatinitiallyseemedtometobeaninsurmountablecrisis.AsIrereadthefinaleditofChangeYourThoughts—ChangeYourLife,Iwas

presentedwithperhapsthegreatestpersonalchallengeofmylife.Ifeltthedeepinternalhurt thatoftendriveshumanbeings intoconflicts. I felt theanger thatallows people to think of themselves as victims and ultimately leads to theextremesofwarthatareaddressedsofrequentlythroughouttheTaoTeChing.MythoughtsstruggledwithhowLao-tzucouldspeakofneverhavingenemies—surely itwould be impossible foranyone to stay serene and feel connected totheir Source of love andwell-being in the face ofwhat I was going through.Whatgoodfortunecouldbehiddeninthismisfortunethatseemedtoemergeout

ofnowherefornojustifiablereason?WasInowtobethedesignatedteacherfor“badmen”?OnandonwentthequestionswithinmeasIreadeachverse.ThenitbegantofeelasifLao-tzu’sdragonlikecharacterappeared,burningmy

faceasIread.Itwasalmostasifhespokethesewordsdirectlytome:Soyouthinkyou’vemasteredtheGreatWaybecauseyou’vespenta

yearreadingandinterpretingthese81verses.Here’sanopportunitytoexplore yourmastery of theTao.Here’s something unexpected that’scapable of turning you upside down and inside out spiritually,physically, intellectually, and emotionally. Apply all that I’ve taughtyou: Stay peaceful; trust your nature; know that it is all perfect; andmostofall,donothing.Live thehiddenvirtueof theTao. Ifyoufeeldragged into a war, refuse to have any enemies. Don’t have anyviolence in your mind—no revenge and absolutely no judgment. Dothiswhilestayingcentered in theall-loving,all-knowingperfectionoftheTaoin thefaceofwhatyouthinkofas insurmountable.ThenyouwillbeabletocallyourselfamanoftheTao.

I began to feel that Lao-tzu was warmingme with his dragon fire, as eachversewasexactlywhat Ineededeach timeI reread it.Whatat firstseemedsohopelessanddevastatingbecamemyultimatecalling:tolivejoyouslyandwithdeepgratitudeforallthattheEpilogueTaobringsme.Asyouclosethisbook,itismywishthatyou,too,willbeabletoapplythisgreatwisdomoftheTaosothatyoucan,eveninthemostdifficultoftimes,changeyourthoughtsandenjoychangingyourlifeaswell.ImaynotbeaTaomaster,butIamamanoftheTao.HoweverthesewordsoftheTaoTeChingcametobewrittenandtoendureforover25centuries,I’mhonoredtohavebeencalledtohelpclarifythemforyou.Iamatpeace.Thankyou,Lao-tzu.

AcknowledgmentsIthankthetranslatorsandauthorsof

thefollowingtenbooks:

TheEssentialTao:AnInitiationintotheHeartofTaoismthroughtheAuthenticTaoTeChingandtheInnerTeachingsofChuangTzu,translatedandpresented

byThomasCleary

TheIllustratedTaoTeChing:ANewTranslationwithCommentary,byStephenHodge

TaoTeChing,byLaoTsu;translatedbyGia-FuFengandJaneEnglish

TaoTeChing:TheDefinitiveEdition,byLaoTzu;translationandcommentarybyJonathanStar

TaoTeChing:ANewEnglishVersion,byStephenMitchell

Tao-Te-Ching:ANewTranslation,byLao-Tzu;translatedbyDerekBryceandLéonWieger

TaoTeChing:ANewTranslation,byLaoTzu;translatedbySamHamill

TaoTheChing,byLaoTzu;translatedbyJohnC.H.Wu

AWarriorBlendswithLife:AModernTao,byMichaelLaTorra

TheWayofLifeAccordingtoLaoTzu,translatedbyWitterBynner

AbouttheAuthorWayneW.Dyer,Ph.D., is an internationally renownedauthor and speaker inthe field of self-development. He’s the author of 30 books, has createdmanyaudio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television andradioshows.HisbooksManifestYourDestiny,Wisdomof theAges,There’saSpiritual Solution to Every Problem, and The New York Times bestsellers 10Secrets for Success and InnerPeace, ThePower of Intention, and InspirationhaveallbeenfeaturedasNationalPublicTelevisionspecials.Wayne holds a doctorate in educational counseling from Wayne State

UniversityandwasanassociateprofessoratSt.John’sUniversityinNewYork.Website:www.DrWayneDyer.com

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