If you want to become full, let yourself be empty
Wisdom from Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching 22 If you want to become full, let yourself be empty
What does Tao Te Ching mean?
“The name that can be named is not the eternal name.” What does Tao Te Ching mean? None of the three words in the title of the book by Lao Tzu is in English, so we will need to look at the original Chinese characters to find out what it means. First, let us see the three…
Take the first step, however small the step is
“A tree beyond your embrace grows from one tiny seed. A tower nine-storey high begins with a lump of earth. A journey of thousand miles starts with a single step.” Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching 64 Taking first step is hard. It involves risks, learning of new things and getting to know new people. Making sure…
Being pliable is less easy to break
Lao Tzu says, “At birth one is soft and yielding, At death he is hard and stiff. Green plants at birth are soft and pliable, At death they are brittle and dry. Therefore, hard and rigid are associated with death. Soft and tender affirm greater life.” Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching 76 Stop being stiff…
If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich!
Life is a matter of focus. If your focus is on what you don’t have, you’ll always feel lacking. Feeling lacking is dismaying, because you’re always in the state of longing for something yet to be yours and will never feel happy. What’s worse is that the habit of looking towards to what you’re yet…
Those who know themselves are truly wise
Tao is not about doing your best, but making the best of who you are Tao is about being absolutely honest with yourself. Without the honesty, you are putting your ego, own knowledge and desire in between of who you think you are and the actual you. You become what you think you are, rather than…
Highest virtue is not virtuous – Is Lao Tzu Contradicting Himself?
“Highest virtue is not virtuous and that is why it is virtuous,” says Lao Tzu. Statements like this make many people think that Lao Tzu is contradicting himself. Why is the ‘highest virtue’ virtuous when it is not virtuous. The logical conclusion should be the other way around. Before I proceed, you may want to…
Where does Lao Tzu want you to ‘return’ to?
Lao Tzu constantly reminds us to return. “Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings, but contemplate their return.” – Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching Chapter 16 This is a difficult but all-important question. Here I’m offering my view for your reference. While it is hard to…
Softness of water is sweet, but do not take its sweetness for granted
Lao Tzu uses a few images to describe Tao, and one of the most popular is water. Like Tao — water is soft yet powerful. It is tender. Turn on the tap and the water splits its ways over your hands rather than hitting you hands head on. It does not discriminate. Whether you are rich…
Heading nowhere can be fun
See Tao the Mystery of the Universe Unfold What about an escape with a friend without any destination in mind? Go anyway with any friend. Don’t plan, just go! If you are an organised person, the idea itself can be abhorring. Where shall I begin, who shall I be? what will happen, will I end up…
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