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Writings and Readings Blog

Madhu Bazaz Wangu

Seventy-Fifth Chapter

Posted on April 3, 2009
in Meditation, Reading
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Seventy-Fifth Chapter Tao Te-Ching When rulers eat too much tax grain people starve. When the government is too intrusive people lose their spirit. If the government acts for people's benefit, leaves them alone and trusts them people's lives become valuable. # As I Understand It: Lao Tzu voiced the deprived and the oppressed. During his lifetime the Chinese rulers imposed burdensome taxation on the ordinary people. They kept the tax money and flaunted their good fortune. Ultimately the masses lost their spirit and rebelled. The sage wanted rulers and officials to leave people alone. Even now, this teaching works at home as well as workplace. Those in power must not take advantage of their subordinates. Trust those under your charge. Too much interference makes people lose respect for and distrust authority. Allow the people to...

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Seventy-Fourth Chapter

Posted on March 27, 2009
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Seventy-Fourth Chapter Tao Te-Ching The people are not afraid of death Why then threaten them with death? Suppose the people are always afraid of death and we can seize those who are vicious and kill them, Who would dare to do so? There is always master executioner who kills. To take executions for the master executioner is like hewing wood for the master carpenter. Whoever undertakes to hew wood for the master carpenter rarely escapes injuring his own hands. # As I Understand It: Our birth, life and death are our reality. Instead of being afraid of death, why not get comfortable with the idea. And deeply understand that we are not in charge of making decisions of anyone's time of death, not even our won. When our inner te is linked with the Tao we feel united with the everlasting...

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Seventy-Third Chapter

Posted on March 20, 2009
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Seventy-Third Chapter Tao Te-Ching Bold action against others results in death. Bold action in harmony with the Tao leads to life. Both of these things sometimes benefit and sometimes harm. Nature's way is to conquer without striving. It does not speak, yet it is answered. It does not ask, yet it is supplied with all that it needs. It does not hurry, yet it completes everything in time. The net of heaven catches all. Though its mesh is course, But it misses nothing. # As I Understand It: Courage is a fine quality but rashness is dangerous. Often our first impulse is to resent, speed up, get back to win. Listen to your opponent's point of view. You may not agree. Be alert not irate. Tao oriented individuals do not demand, resent, push or hurry to win. Like Mother Nature they...

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Seventy-Second Chapter

Posted on March 13, 2009
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Seventy-Second Chapter Tao Te-Ching When people lack a sense of awe, there is disaster. When people do not fear worldly power. A greater power will arrive. Do not despise the conditions of your birth. Do not resist the natural course of your life. In this way you will not be weary of this world. Therefore the sage knows himself but makes no show himself. Therefore he loves himself but does not exalt himself. He prefers what is within to what is without. # As I Understand It: You have received the gift of life, say "thank you." Showing no gratitude would ruin this treasure. When the gift is accepted graciously you eliminate self-limitations. Accept your birth, body and the natural course of your life without pretence. Simple acceptance will link you to your inner tao. Accept that you have power over...

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Seventy-First Chapter

Posted on March 6, 2009
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Seventy-First Chapter Tao-te Ching Knowing ignorance is strength. Ignoring knowledge is sickness. Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we be free from the disease. The sage is free from the disease but he recognizes it. This is the secret of his health. # As I Understand It: Not being an intellectual (a person whose rational thinking is cut-off from intuitive feeling) is strength. Ignoring the knowledge of Tao is unhealthy. Sickness is being out of balance with the Tao. The Tao is kindness, contentment and patience. The non-Tao thinking expresses itself in sickness. Sick mind results in sick body. Only those who are sick of sick thoughts stay healthy. They may feel pain, they may hurt but they do not suffer. Pain and hurt are natural phenomenon but suffering is a personal choice. Mental as...

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Seventieth Chapter

Posted on February 27, 2009
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Seventieth Chapter Tao-te Ching My teachings are very easy to understand and very easy to practice; yet so few in this world understand, and so few are able to practice. My words have a source (Nature). My deeds have a master (Tao). The people have no knowledge of this, therefore they have no knowledge of me. This is why sage dresses plainly, even though his interior is filled with precious jade. # As I Understand It: Lao Tzu teaching is simple: live a Tao-centered life rather than an ego-centered one. Allow the life-sustaining energy of the Tao to guide you. Abstain from hateful thoughts and deeds. Give up trying to control the world. Stay simple. Be humble. Respect your own creative genius and that of the others. The sage-like individuals dress plainly but within they conceal treasures. The treasures, the "precious jade"...

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Sixty-Ninth Chapter

Posted on February 20, 2009
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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
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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
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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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