Daodejing, Verse 62

Daodejing - Other Voices

62 ~ Human Kindness


All living things flow with Dao.

It protectively covers the goodness in a person, and provides a safe harbor for the badness in them.

Dao makes no judgments as to which actions taken in this world will be accepted or rejected. When a person feels truly connected with an energy that emcompasses everything in the universe, their thoughts begin to expand outward rather than centering on themselves. All of their senses are ready to receive input from what's around them. Perceiving goodness in a person, they encourage and nurture it. Perceiving badness in a person, they cushion the blow for them. Goodness and badness can be seen not as determinations made by society, but as methods people use to achieve greater happiness in life. One who is good at achieving personal happiness can be nurtured. One who is bad at it can still be given consideration and refuge on their journey.

Beautiful words can be willingly exchanged.

Respectful actions can be willingly complimented by others.
But if a person acts badly, is that a reason to abandon them?

Many people who claim to have human kindness express it verbally, but their actions don't follow suit. Most of the time kind words are given to another in an effort to get kind words back. Acting respectfully towards another might make them act more kindly to you. So what are you doing - being kind simply to get another person to be kind to you and to get praised for it? What happens if the other person doesn't act in a kind way back? Would that prevent you from acting kind? If you're really coming from kindness (and not looking for what you'll get out of it) then how could you turn your kindness on and off at whim?

Therefore, when an emperor is enthroned and his "Three Ministers" are installed, they're given jade jewelry, and paraded around on a chariot pulled by a team of four horses.

However, it's not as if they can sit back and make any real progress with those things.

Then why is it that people throughout the centuries valued those things?
Hasn't it been said that what is sought will be attained and any misdeeds will be excused?



In ancient China, when a ruler installed his top three ministers into office, they were paraded around in decorated chariots with gems denoting their high status. The "Three Ministers" can be likened to the different faces you (the emperor) wear. One of them might be your sense of justice and retribution. Another might be used to show how competent you are. You parade these "faces" in front of others, while claiming to be really kind inside - if only someone would take the time to see how truly gregarious you really are. And if you act in some way that doesn't coincide with what you believe in your heart, you can always put the blame on one of your "faces." Is it really beneficial to your own spiritual development to hold these "faces" in high regard? They're merely outer trappings that don't allow you to connect with your own heart.

Therefore, every action taken in this world is precious.

Life isn't a dress rehearsal. Are you more interested in being perceived as a kind person, or in truly finding ways to allow the kindness in your heart to blend with others no matter how they act toward you in return? Where would be the greatest sense of love - for yourself and others?
~ from Dao is Open, author Nina Correa, original post date: not listed ~

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