Stepping Away From the Abyss
Ancient texts often describe a long ago period of idyllic society, a time when humans lived in harmony with one another and with Nature. This is a literary device, a means of contrast with present conditions in order to advance the writer’s point of view. Whether Eden could have existed, if furthermore any of the agents in the tale ever lived is irrelevant to what the reader is invited to understand.
The Taoist, the non-interventionist approach, recognizing that every single element must needs run it’s course, that action is called for in measure, — begs for general subscription by human-kind.
What is it that we call the Tao?
There is the Tao, or Way of Heaven;
and there is the Tao, or Way of Man.
Doing nothing and yet attracting all honor is the Way of Heaven;
Doing and being embarrassed thereby is the Way of Man.
It is the Way of Heaven that plays the part of the Lord;
it is the Way of Man that plays the part of the Servant.
The Way of Heaven and the Way of Man are far apart.
They should be clearly distinguished from each other.
***
The ancients
who had the nourishment of the world
wished for nothing and the world had enough;
they did nothing and all things were transformed;
their stillness was abysmal, and the people were all composed.
The Record says, ‘When the one (Tao) pervades it,
all business is completed.
When the mind gets to be free from all aim,
even the Spirits submit.
—Zhuangzi, Letting Be, and Exercising Forbearance, Heaven and Earth, trans. by James Legge
Is there a lyric and tune that we are able to hold onto? There is. One Tin Soldier by Coven.