Reading Archives - Page 16 of 17 - Madhu Bazaz Wangu
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Nineteenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on March 7, 2008
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Nineteenth Chapter: The Way of Lao Tzu (Tao-te Ching) Abandon sageliness and discard wisdom. Then the people will benefit a hundredfold. Abandon morality and discard justice; Then the people will return to filial piety and deep love. Abandon skill and discard profit; Then there will be no thieves or robbers. However, these three things are outward forms and are not adequate. Therefore let people hold onto these: Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce selfishness, Temper desires. # As I Understand It: It seems confusing that Lao Tzu would condemn morality, wisdom, skill, profit as well as the characteristics of an ideal human being, the sage, who he models at least thirty times in Tao-te Ching. Lao Tzu seems to condemn the sage (preachers, teachers, lawyers) whose “sageliness” has become a mere shell. Taoist sage is an ideal human being who transcends time. Lao Tzu wants us to...

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Eighteenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on February 29, 2008
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Eighteenth Chapter: The Way of Lao Tzu (Tao-te Ching) When the great Tao is flowing, the action is spontaneous. When the great Tao is absent, the action comes from the rules. When the rules of "kindness and justice" appear. These are sign of great hypocrisy. When kinship is not in harmony, There is the advocacy of filial piety When a country is in chaos, Loyal politicians appear and patriotism is born. # As I understand it: Harmony is lost when our living is not heart-based. If we choose to live from our hearts we don't need codes of conduct and laws. A country is in chaos when a ruler imposes crude authority and people don't take individual responsibility. A need for justice arises - a need for laws to restore order. Patriotism is demanded. Loyalty to the country...

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Seventeenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on February 22, 2008
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Seventeenth Chapter: The Way of Lao Tzu (Tao-te Ching) When the best leader rules people barely know that he exists. The next best is the one who is loved and praised. The next is the one who is feared. And the next comes the one whom people despise. When a ruler trusts no one, no one trusts him. The great ruler speaks little, acts more. He accomplishes his task: he leaves no trace. When the work is done people say, "We did it ourselves." # As I understand it: If we replace one authority figure, that of a ruler, with another authority figure, that of a parent, this chapter becomes immediately meaningful and relevant to the lives of those who have children. Enlightened parents don't lead. They suspend their desire to be seen as an authority figure. They ask...

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Sixteenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching

Posted on February 15, 2008
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Sixteenth Chapter: The Way of Lao Tzu (Tao-te Ching) Attain complete vacuity. Maintain steadfast quietude. All things come into being, And I see thereby their return. All things flourish, But each one returns to its root. This return to its root means tranquility. It is called returning to its destiny. To return to its destiny is called the eternal (Tao) To know the eternal is called enlightenment. Not to know the eternal is to act blindly to result in disaster. He who knows the eternal is all embracing. Being all embracing, he is impartial. Being impartial, he is kingly (universal). Being kingly he is one with Nature. Being one with nature he is in accord with Tao. Being in accord with Tao, he is everlasting. And is free from danger throughout his lifetime. # As I understand it: Empty yourself. Let your heart be at peace. Things are born, flourish and return to...

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Fifteenth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on February 8, 2008
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Fifteenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching Of old those who were the best rulers were subtly mysterious and profoundly penetrating; too deep to comprehend. And because they cannot be comprehended, I can only describe them arbitrarily: Cautious, like crossing a frozen stream in the winter, Being at a loss, like one fearing danger on all sides, Reserved, like one visiting, Supple and pliant, like ice about to melt. Genuine like a piece of uncarved wood, Open and broad, like a valley, Merged and undifferentiated, like muddy water. Who can make muddy water gradually clear through tranquility? Who can make the still gradually come to life through activity? He who embraces this Tao does not want to fill himself to overflowing. It is precisely because there is no overflowing that he is beyond wearing out and renewal. # As I understand it: Stop! Don't rush! Don't be the assertive manager of...

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Fourteenth Chapter:Tao-Te Ching

Posted on February 1, 2008
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Fourteenth Chapter: Tao-te Ching We look at it and do not see it; its name is The Invisible. We listen to it and do not hear it; its name is The Inaudible. We touch it and do not find it; its name is The Subtle (formless). These three cannot be further inquired into, and hence merge into one. Going up high, it is not bright, and coming down low, it is not dark Infinite and boundless, it cannot be given any name; It reverts to nothingness. This is called shape without shape, Form without objects. It is The Vague and Elusive. Meet it and you'll not see its head. Follow it and you'll not see its back. Discover how the Tao energy was from the primeval beginning (of the universe). This brings us into with harmony with Tao. # As I understand it: Forever unfolds itself as we...

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Thirteenth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on January 25, 2008
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Thirteenth Chapter: Tao Te Ching Be uneasy when receiving favor or disgrace. Be uneasy about high status. Why be uneasy about favor or disgrace? Whether you get it or not both ways it is degrading. Why be uneasy about high status? It afflicts your person. We have great trouble because we have bodies. If we had no body, what trouble would we have? If we had no body, what calamities could we have? True self is eternal. Not limited to the body. One who sees his body as everything is fit to be the guardian of the world. One who loves himself as everyone is fit to be teacher of the world. # As I understand it: Don't ask for favors. Don't pursue status. They stop the natural flow of the Tao. Don't feel insecure because others disagree with you. Their opinion is...

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Twelfth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on January 18, 2008
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Chapter Twelfth Tao Te Ching The five colors make us blind. The five tones make us deaf. The five flavors dull our taste. Rush and hunt craze our minds. Accumulating worldly objects injures our inner growth. The sage observes what is without but trusts what is within. He rejects the outer and accepts the inner. # As I understand it: The gratification of the sensory experiences never satiates. Never feeling satisfied is a formula for craziness. The lure of acquisitions and fame is seductive. We need to extend the vision of our lives beyond sensory level. What makes life meaningful is paying attention to that which lies beyond the world of appearances. This is not a formula for renunciation. It suggests enjoying things of the world but not accumulating. As we begin to relax -- go...

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Eleventh Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on January 14, 2008
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Chapter Eleven: Tao Te Ching Thirty spokes converge around one hub, But it is on the hole in the center that the utility of the carriage depends. Clay is molded to form a vessel, But it is in its hollowness that the utility of the vessel depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is in its emptiness that the utility of the room depends. The usefulness of being depends upon its non-being. # As I understand it: The value of a hole, hollowness or emptiness goes unnoticed. The invisible life force eludes our senses. But without silent pauses there is no language, no music. Our bodies function with senses, feelings and locomotion but it is in the invisible essence, the Tao within us, that the utility of our lives depends. Let's allow the essence of...

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Tenth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on December 28, 2007
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Tenth Chapter: Tao te Ching Can you keep your body and soul separated? Can you keep your body as supple as an infant? Can you look at yourself in the dark mirror and make it spotless? Can you govern the state without knowledge (cunning)? Can you play the role of the female in the opening and closing of the gates of Heaven? Can you understand and penetrate all without taking any action? To birth things and to rear them, And not take possession of them, To act, but not to take credit for that action, To lead but not to master - This is called profound and secret virtue. # As I understand it: Body cannot be separated from man's breathing and intelligence. A faded body cannot bloom again. We cannot have the profound insight about ourselves unless we look within. Look at ourselves when...

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