Verse Thirty-Six
All behaviors contain their opposites:Also:
- Hyper-inflation leads to collapse.
- A show of strength suggests insecurity.
- What goes up must come down.
- If you want to prosper, be generous.
And:
- The feminine outlasts the masculine.
- The feminine allows, but the masculine causes.
- The feminine surrenders, then encompasses and wins.
Learn to see things backwards, inside out, and upside down.
- Water wears away rock.
- Spirit overcomes force.
- The weak will undo the mighty.
~ John Heider rendition ~
For me, the last line of Heider's rendition is profound. It suggests that things in life are not always how they first appear. It's another way of saying that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
In a manner of speaking, Lao Tzu is suggesting that we move beyond convention. Too often, we view things as the herd does without really seeing for ourselves. A friend or family member tells us that this or that person isn't to be trusted and so, without making up our own mind, we treat the person in an untrustworthy manner. A colleague informs us that a particular film is poorly made, so we decide not to see it.
But, when we take on the perspective of society without investing in our own contemplations, we too often miss out on the genuine beauty this life has to offer or we shuffle along with the crowd toward a destination that we have no interest in.
In terms of the world, at large, it is far better to be a nonconformist -- to have the courage to meet each day authentically. The Tao person looks at things differently and is ever-mindful to draw out lessons and truths that evade those who only peruse the surface.
Finally, a person of Tao must learn the lesson of Luke Skywalker; to see fully with eyes closed. When we can see the world through our hearts, we can easily recognize the connection of all things. Once this connection is realized, it completely changes the way a Taoist interacts with the mysteries of life.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
In a manner of speaking, Lao Tzu is suggesting that we move beyond convention. Too often, we view things as the herd does without really seeing for ourselves. A friend or family member tells us that this or that person isn't to be trusted and so, without making up our own mind, we treat the person in an untrustworthy manner. A colleague informs us that a particular film is poorly made, so we decide not to see it.
But, when we take on the perspective of society without investing in our own contemplations, we too often miss out on the genuine beauty this life has to offer or we shuffle along with the crowd toward a destination that we have no interest in.
In terms of the world, at large, it is far better to be a nonconformist -- to have the courage to meet each day authentically. The Tao person looks at things differently and is ever-mindful to draw out lessons and truths that evade those who only peruse the surface.
Finally, a person of Tao must learn the lesson of Luke Skywalker; to see fully with eyes closed. When we can see the world through our hearts, we can easily recognize the connection of all things. Once this connection is realized, it completely changes the way a Taoist interacts with the mysteries of life.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
this verse reminds me of the "heyoka" in Lakota spiritual tradition... the backwards man, or sacred clown. he does everything backwards and says the opposite of what he means, but is revered by the tribe as one who teaches sacred truths.
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