Knowledge had rambled northwards to the region of the Dark Water,
where he ascended the height of Imperceptible Slope,
when it happened that he met with Dumb Inaction.
Knowledge addressed him, saying,

‘I wish to ask you some questions:
By what process of thought and anxious consideration
do we get to know the Tao?
Where should we dwell and what should we do
to find our rest in the Tao?
From what point should we start
and what path should we pursue
to make the Tao our own?’

He asked these three questions,
but Dumb Inaction gave him no reply.
Not only did he not answer,
but he did not know how to answer.

Knowledge, disappointed by the fruitlessness of his questions,
returned to the south of the Bright Water,
and ascended the height of the End of Doubt
where he saw Heedless Blurter,
to whom he put the same questions, and who replied,

‘Ah! I know, and will tell you.’
But while he was about to speak, he forgot what he wanted to say.

Knowledge, (again) receiving no answer to his questions,
returned to the palace of the Ti,
where he saw Hwang-Ti, and put the questions to him.
Hwang-Ti said,
‘To exercise no thought and no anxious consideration
is the first step towards knowing the Tao;
to dwell nowhere and do nothing
is the first step towards resting in the Tao;
to start from nowhere and pursue no path
is the first step towards making the Tao your own.’

Knowledge then asked Hwang-Ti, saying,
‘I and you know this;
those two did not know it;
which of us is right?’

The reply was,
‘Dumb Inaction is truly right;
Heedless Blurter has an appearance of being so;
I and you are not near being so. (As it is said),

“Those who know (the Tao) do not speak of it;
those who speak of it do not know it;”

Zhuangzi by Zhuang Zhou, trans. by James Legge

This parable is delightful.  I was reminded of the Christmas story as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.  Let me try to explain.

In this ancient story from China the names of the characters who speak, the locations mentioned are symbolic, indicating the story tellers purpose. Human beings as a species are nothing if not dependent upon knowledge for well being. Thus “Knowledge” is an apt designation for a leading character who poses the question of supreme importance.  The one who questions desires to understand by what means may he avail himself/herself of “The Way,” a term designating a manner of life that is fulfilling, complete.

The respective answers (non-answers) are offered by Dumb Inaction and Heedless Blurter. Disappointed that so far, he/she had gained no further insight, Knowledge enters the palace of the Ti.  Huang-Ti describes for the disappointed seeker the first step toward discovery of the ideal life.  Knowledge then asks his host, Huang-Ti, between the failure-to-respond of the first two recipients of his inquiry and the knowledge already possessed by themselves, which is closer to the truth?

The surprising answer: Dumb Inaction and Heedless Blurter are closer to the truth.  They themselves are far wide of the truth.

Now, let’s return to Luke’s version of the Christmas story.

What knowledge do you think the shepherds in the Christmas story acquired through encounter with a new-born infant child, resting in a manger’s bed of straw?  Do you think the tangible intersection of presence between shepherds and an infant, yet innocent, depending upon constant care, without agenda or purpose – conveyed the insight sought by the shepherds.

I think the point of insight was made.  Nothing at all need be said.

“Those who know (the Tao) do not speak of it;
those who speak of it do not know it;”