Bit by Bit - Chapter 12, Part 3

Trey Smith

Pervading Heaven and earth: that is the Way. Moving among the ten thousand things: that is Virtue. Superiors governing the men below them: that is called administration. Ability finding trained expression: that is called skill. Skill is subsumed in administration; administration in duty; duty in Virtue; Virtue in the Way; and the Way in Heaven. Therefore it is said, those who shepherded the world in ancient times were without desire and the world was satisfied, without action and the ten thousand things were transformed. They were deep and silent and the hundred clans were at rest. The Record says: "Stick to the One and the ten thousand tasks will be accomplished; achieve mindlessness and the gods and spirits will bow down."
~ Burton Watson translation ~

It would be nice if we could live in genuine harmony with the Way. We can't, though, because the human organism comes equipped with an ego and a mind. Both are impediments and yet both are what make us human.

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