Spirit; So who is the master of this servant

And what matters is an amplitude of time ! Then the you is silent.

Introduction to Spirituality section.

Commentary

1

Tao Can be talked about but not the eternal Tao

Names can be named but not the eternal name.

As the origin of heaven and earth it is nameless.

As the mother of all things it is nameable.

So, as ever hidden, we should look at its inner essence.

As always manifest we should look at its outer aspects.

These two flow from the same source, though differently named.

And both are called mysteries.

The mystery of mysteries is the door of all essence.

Tao A New Way of Thinking A Translation of the Tao Tê Ching with an Introduction and Commentaries Chung-yuan Chang Download PDF link

2.

When beauty is universally affirmed* as beauty, therein is ugliness.

When goodness is universally affirmed as goodness, therein is evil.

Therefore: being and non-being are mutually posited in their emergence.

Difficult and easy are mutually posited in their complementariness.

Long and short are mutually posited in their positions.**

High and low are mutually posited in their contradiction.

Voice and tone are mutually posited in their unity. Front and back are mutually posited in their succession.

Thus, the wise deals with things through non-interference and teaches through no-words.

All things flourish without interruption.

They grow by themselves, and no one possesses them.

Work is done, and no one depends on it.

Achievements are made, but no one claims credit.

Because no one claims credit, achievements are always there

3.

If no one esteems the best, men will be free from contention. If no one values the precious, men will be free from illegal gain.

If men see nothing to desire, their minds will be free from confusion.

Therefore, the wise guides men by relaxing their minds and keeping their bellies firm; By reducing their wills and letting their physiques become strong.

He always frees men from the search for knowing and demanding.

This means that the knower dares not act for the known.

When action is through non-action, no one is uncultivated

4

Tao functions through its nothingness. And can not be conceived of as full of things. Profound indeed, it is the model of all things. Dulling its sharpness,

Releasing its entanglements, Tempering its light, and Unifying with the earth, Clearly, indeed, it remains.

I do not know who created it, But it is likely that it existed prior to God.

5.

Heaven and earth are not benevolent: They treat ten thousand things indifferently. The wise is not benevolent: He treats men indifferently.*

The entire universe is basically void, like a bellows:

When it is in non-action, it does not lack anything; When it is in action, it is even more productive.

Debating with words leads to limitations.

Therefore, nothing is better than to remain in the state before things are stirred

6.

The spiritual reality of the void never ceases to exist. We call it the mystery of passivity. The entry to the mystery of passivity is the origin of the universe. Unceasing, it always remains. Drawn upon, it is never exhausted.

7.

The existences of heaven and earth are long-lasting. Their existences are long-lasting because they do not conceive of their existences as existences. Therefore, their existences are long-lasting. When the wise stays back, he steps forward. When he forgets his self, he finds his self. Is it not through selflessness that one achieves selfhood?

8.

That which is best is similar to the water.* Water profits ten thousand things and does not oppose them. It is always at rest in humble places that people dislike. Thus, it is close to Tao. Therefore, for staying, we prefer a humble place. For minds, we prefer profundity. For companions, we prefer the kindness. For words, we prefer sincerity. For government, we prefer good order. For affairs, we prefer ability. For actions, we prefer the right time. Because we do not strive, We are free from fault.

Tao Te ChingTranslated by John C. H. Wu, 1961

Link to book by C. H. Wu

9.

As for holding to fullness,
Far better were it to stop in time!

Keep on beating and sharpening a sword,
And the edge cannot be preserved for long.

Fill your house with gold and jade,
And it can no longer be guarded.

Set store by your riches and honour,
And you will only reap a crop of calamities.

Here is the Way of Heaven:
When you have done your work, retire!

Source

10.

Can you unify hun and p’o* into one and not let them be divided?

Can you concentrate on your breathing to reach harmony and become as an innocent babe?

Can you clean the dark mirror* within yourself and let nothing remain there?

Can you love the people and govern the state and do so without interference?

Can you enter and leave the realm of Non-being and let these actions take place by themselves?

Can the clear illumination radiate to all directions without your having knowledge of it?

Cultivate it, and nourish it,

Produce it, but do not possess it, Labor on it, but do not depend on it,

Lead it, but do not manage it.

This is called the mystic attainment.

11.

Thirty spokes are joined at the hub.

From their non-being arises the function of the wheel.

Lumps of clay are shaped into a vessel.

From their non-being arises the function of the vessel.

Doors and windows are constructed together to make a chamber.

From their non-being arises the function of the chamber.

Therefore, as individual beings, these things are useful materials.

Constructed together in their non-being, they give rise to function.

10. 11. Commentary