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Writings and Readings Blog

Madhu Bazaz Wangu

Sixty-Ninth Chapter

Posted on February 20, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Ninth Chapter Tao-te Ching A soldier says: I dare not make the first move; I rather play the guest; I dare not advance an inch, I rather retreat a foot. He wants: To march forward without advancing, To push back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than feeling "I have an enemy." For when "I" and "enemy" exist together there is no room left for my treasure. When two opponents meet, the one without an enemy will triumph. When armies are evenly matched, the one with compassion wins. # As I Understand It: Is it possible to have a Tao-centered self when the wars are being waged? All the people originate from the same source, then how can we have an "enemy?" Enemies are not necessarily in the battleground. We create them all around us--at home, at work, while...

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Sixty-Eighth Chapter

Posted on February 13, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Eighth Chapter Tao-te Ching A skillful leader of troops is not oppressive with his military strength. A skillful fighter does not become angry. A skillful conqueror does not compete with people. One who is skillful in using others puts himself below them. This is called virtue of non-competing. This is called the strength to use men. This is called matching Heaven, the highest principle. # As I Understand It: Early in our lives we are taught that in order to win we must defeat our opponent. In this chapter the sage advises to reverse our thinking, to make noncompetition our strength, to see yourself in your adversary. A good fighter is the one who is neither angry nor violet. Instead of being hateful towards your opponent think of him as your partner in this dance of life. You will be victorious....

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Vines, Creepers and Trees

Posted on February 6, 2009
in Journaling
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Female Creepers, Male Trees Portrayal of a virgin entwined around a blossoming tree is a characteristic motif of the early Indian art (c. 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE). Such voluptuous females with abundant jewelry, elaborate headdresses and coiffures are reminiscent of Indus Valley terracotta figurines. These figures are believed to be charged with potent sexual energy. The trees are their male counterparts in vegetal form. Such leaning females are called Yakshinis and the trees they lean against, when in human form, Yakshas. Yakshini is a vessel of fertility, capable of bringing forth new life. Yaksha is a water deity. When both figures are in human form they are known as Mithuna. All these images, Yakshini, Yaksha and Mithuna are fundamental symbols of water, fertility and vegetative growth. Yakshinis and Mithunas,...

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Sixty-Seventh Chapter

Posted on February 6, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Seventh Chapter Tao-te Ching The entire world says my Tao is great! Tao is not something that can be bought at a marketplace. If it were it wouldn't be great. I have three treasures, which I guard. The first is mercy. The second is frugality. The third is humility. From mercy comes courage. From frugality comes generosity. From humility comes leadership. But if we are courageous without having mercy, If we are generous without being frugal, If we lead without being humble, The death is certain. Love conquers all attacks, It is impregnable in defense. When Heaven wants to protect someone it does not send an army. It protects with love. # As I Understand It: Many say they know Tao. Only those who are kind, simple and humble know it. Most people are oblivious to anyone or anything that gets in their way, and ruthless with...

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Sixty-Six Chapter

Posted on January 30, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Sixth Chapter Tao-te Ching The sea is the king of all the mountain streams Because it stays below them. Humility gives it its power. Those desiring superior positions must speak humbly. Those desiring to lead must follow. When the sage places himself above the people, They do not feel his weight. When he places himself in front of the people, They do not feel hurt. The sage stays low so the world never tires of exalting him. He stays subservient so the world never tires of making him the king. # As I Understand It: Be humble. Learn from the sea. Stay low and hundred streams will flow to you. The sea never lords its greatness. People are attracted to those who are humble and who do not dominate. Stifle your habit of interfering and telling others what to do. Even if you're richer,...

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Sixty-Fifth Chapter

Posted on January 23, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Fifth Chapter Tao-te Ching Those who practice Tao well Do not seek to enlighten others, Make them aware of their ignorance. People who think they know the answers are difficult to govern. He who thinks he has all the answers is a robber of the state. He who is simple hearted and blended with the people is a blessing to the state. One who knows these two things also knows the secret. Simplicity is a profound and secret virtue. Not using cunning is a deep virtue. Be content with an ordinary life. Show people the way back to their original state. Then complete harmony will be reached. # As I Understand It: "I don't know" is a powerful phrase. This chapter, meant for politicians, may be also read from a personal point of view. The sage says don't force your rules upon the people you...

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Sixty-Fourth Chapter

Posted on January 18, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Fourth Chapter Tao-te Ching What remains still is easy to manage. What is not yet manifest is easy to plan for. What is brittle is easy to crack. What is small is easy to scatter. Deal with things before they appear. Put things in order before disorder arises. A tree that fills a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot. A tower of nine stores begins with a heap of earth The journey of a thousand li starts with a single step. He who takes action fails. He who grasps things loses them. The sage takes no action and therefore does not fail. He does not grasp and therefore does not lose. People usually fail when they are about to succeed. So be as careful at the end as at the beginning, then there will be no failure. The sage does not treasure what is...

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Happy 2009!

Posted on January 9, 2009
in Being in Nature
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Dear Readers and Writers, Happy New Year! A good place to start the year 2009 is with the sixty-third chapter of Tao-te Ching. (See under "Readings") In this verse the sage Lao Tzu asks us to pay attention to the present moment, to the task at hand, and not worry about the next moment or the trillions of future moments that would follow it. It is only by doing little things that we can accomplish something great. I have planned a wonderful year of "Readings" and "Writings" to share with you. In May this year, we will finish reading Tao-te Ching and start Dhammapada, a collection of vivid verses based on the teachings of the Buddha that were preserved by his students. The topics in this collection of harmonious poetry are...

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Sixty-Third Chapter

Posted on January 9, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Third Chapter Tao-te Ching Practice nonaction. Work without doing. Taste the tasteless. Magnify the small; increase the few. Reward bitterness with care. See simplicity in the complicated. Achieve greatness in little things. Take on difficulty while it is still easy; do great things while they are still small. The sage does not attempt anything very big, and thereby achieves greatness. If you make rash promises, you will be little trusted; Because the sage always confronts difficulties right away, he never encounters them. # As I Understand It: Trillions of moments make up our lifetime. All we ever have to do is to live in the present moment to make life effortless. Instead of worrying about a future that has not even arrived do tiny things and achieve big tasks. Sage says confront difficulties the moment you face them--bitter moments with objectivity, lovable with...

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Sixty-Second Chapter

Posted on January 2, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Sixty-Second Chapter Tao-te Ching Tao is the storehouse of all things. It is the good man's treasure and bad man's refuge. Fine words can gain honor And fine deeds can gain respect from others. Even when a man is bad, has Tao ever rejected him? On the occasion of crowning an emperor or installing the three ministers, Rather than present large pieces of jade preceded by teams of four horses, It is better to kneel and offer this Tao. Why did the ancients highly value this Tao? Did they not say, "Those who seek shall have it and those who sin shall be freed? For this reason it is valued by the world. # As I Understand It: There is a treasure house deep within us-the wondrous wellspring of the Tao. When we are in tune with this space we know the source of...

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