Hua Hu Ching - Verse 37

Verse Thirty-Seven

A superior person cares for the well-being of all things. She does this by accepting responsibility for the energy she manifests, both actively and in the subtle realm. Looking at a tree, she sees not an isolated event but root, leaves, trunk, water, soil and sun: each event related to the others, and "tree" arising out of their relatedness. Looking at herself or another, she sees the same thing. Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and birds: These are active images of the subtle energies that flow from the stars throughout the universe. Meeting and combining with each other and the elements of the earth, they give rise to all living things. The superior person understands this, and understands that her own energies play a part in it. Understanding these things, she respects the earth as her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living things as her brothers and sisters. Caring for them, she knows that she cares for herself. Giving to them, she knows that she gives to herself. At peace with them, she is always at peace with herself.

~ Translated by Brian Walker ~

I don't know how anyone who claims to be a Taoist could not be an environmentalist. Those with a green perspective tend to understand the idea that all things are connected. That's precisely why environmental activists always are talking about e-c-o-s-y-s-t-e-m-s. Every time one species or aspect is affected by a human decision, all interrelated life forms are affected as well.

As was discussed in the TTC series, every thought and action creates a ripple or wave. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the ripple begins from a center point and the waves spread out from there in a widespread arc. Often times, the waves spread much further than can be seen from that center point and so we never know all the effects of our actions.

If life could be represented as a large pond, it would be much easier to understand and manage if only one rock broke the plane of the surface at any given time. We could stand there at the water's edge and lazily watch the ripples spread in all directions. What makes our lives so complex is that billions upon billions of rocks hit the surface at all times. This creates more ripples than we can keep track of. Heck, we're often not even sure which of the ripples are caused by our own words, thoughts and actions and which are caused by others.

Those who understand this dynamic are ever mindful that even the seemingly mundane thought or action can cause serious repercussions. And so, such individuals tend to tread lightly upon our earth. Unfortunately, far too many people willfully ignore the ramifications of the ripple effect and act like a bull in a china shop. They charge into situations half-cocked and only plan for their own short-term successes at the cost of other people and nature's misery.

This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.