At today's online Tao meeting, William Bunting made a point that I've been thinking about for the past week or two. It concerns the ongoing series on the Tao Te Ching and the use of words like sage or ruler -- the sage does this or the good ruler does that.
While there is no question that Lao Tzu is offering advice to government officials as how best to run a state or country, it would be a mistake not to also understand that each and and every verse applies to each one of us as well. As Bunting stated this morning, "we each are the emperor of our own life."
This point is very important to keep in mind as we launch into the second half of the TTC because it references political concerns far more than the first half. So, when we read in Verse 58, "When the country is ruled with a light hand" or in Verse 60, "Ruling the country is like cooking a small fish", Lao Tzu is talking about two different things simultaneously -- society as a whole and each of us as individuals.
While there is no question that Lao Tzu is offering advice to government officials as how best to run a state or country, it would be a mistake not to also understand that each and and every verse applies to each one of us as well. As Bunting stated this morning, "we each are the emperor of our own life."
This point is very important to keep in mind as we launch into the second half of the TTC because it references political concerns far more than the first half. So, when we read in Verse 58, "When the country is ruled with a light hand" or in Verse 60, "Ruling the country is like cooking a small fish", Lao Tzu is talking about two different things simultaneously -- society as a whole and each of us as individuals.
Very good insight.
ReplyDeleteI believe that regardless of the circumstances, we choose our own lives.
I haven't read Sun Tzu's The Art of War in its entirety, but I have a feeling the same principle applies. While it may apply to wars or battles, it also applies to the wars or battles we have with our selves. I'll have to read it and test out this theory.
ReplyDeleteOh, there is something else I want to mention.
ReplyDeleteAn old mentor once told me this: "You are the commander of your forces and the master of your ship."