Forty-Seventh Chapter

Forty-Seventh Chapter

Tao-te Ching

 

Know the world without going out the door.

See the Way of Heaven without looking out the window.

The further one goes, the less one knows.

 

Therefore the sage knows without venturing forth,

Knows without looking,

Accomplishes without striving.

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As I Understand It:

            We are brought up to believe that effort and striving are necessary for success. But this verse suggests “accomplish without striving.” What does it mean?

            Within the spiritual context the act of enlightenment involves no action at all. The sincerity and deep feelings within us can connect us to the world without our taking even a step.

            In this information age we can get in touch with people in seconds and reach the farthest corner of the world within hours. But has that helped us to know ourselves better or made us wise? Wisdom makes us speak the truth at home, at work and to the world at large—are we better able to do that with knowledge and speed?

            There is a difference between striving forth to conquer and being in the world and feeling it to be whole, as it is. Tao teaches the paradox of doing nothing and at the same time leaving nothing undone.  

            Trust your sense of knowing. At each cross-road allow yourself to be guided by that creative force that “knows all.” Let’s get in touch with this inner knowing.

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            Dyer, Wayne W., Change Your Thoughts—Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of Tao, Hay House, Inc. USA. 2007.

            The Way of Lao Tzu (Tao-te Ching), Translated, with introductory essays, comments, and notes by Wing-Tsit Chan. The Liberal Arts Press, Inc. A division of The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc. 1963.