To understand what originates and sustains all
is the highest beauty and the highest happiness.
One who knows this highest beauty and happiness
is the complete man/woman.

Confucius said, “I would like to hear
how this is achieved.”

Lao-tsu replied, “Grass-eating animals do not object
to changing their pastures; creatures born in the water
do not object to changing their waters.
They accept inconsequential changes without losing
the constant laws of their nature.
Pleasure, rage, sadness, and happiness
do not perturb them.

Now the world is a place for all things
in their unity.

When all achieve this unity and regard
themselves equally as part of it, they will
see their limbs and bodies as dust and soil.
Life and death and beginning and end
will be regarded as no more than the succession
of day and night. When these cannot unsettle
their minds, how much less will they be disturbed
by gains and losses or misfortunes or happiness?
Those who cast off the dignity of rank
know that they are more worthy than
the rank of office.
Honor resides in the self
and is not lost by any external alternations.
Furthermore, all is undergoing continual change
and no end is determined.
What is there to vex your mind?
For those who understand the tao
all is resolved.

…The water in the well
does nothing itself but
follows its nature.
It is the same with the perfect man
and his virtue.
He does not cultivate it and nothing
can diminish its influence.

Zhuangzi by Zhuang Zhou, trans. by Hyun Höchsmann and Yang Guorong, Book 21 Tian Zifang

Confucius and Lao-tsu are regarded to have been alive at the same time. The 6th century BCE was a long time ago. There is simply no point to press upon whether this is true or not. The excerpt is a conversation between the two major figures in the history and cultural formation of China. Who would deny that to understand how all things of this world come to be as they are is a highly desired state of mind. Confucius is fascinated at the prospect and asks Lao-tsu, “Would you tell me more?”

Lao-tsu paints a picture of “the world” and of our place here. Unlike Odysseus who must find his way home to Ithaca with super-human exertions, Lao-tsu emphasizes that we are home already, right here and right now. It is enough to follow my given nature.

Nothing needs to be added, and nothing at all can be taken away.

Wake up, wake up. It is time to wake up.

You and I are already home…

To conclude Confucius remarked after hearing this:

As for understanding of the tao, I am not much better than a fruit fly in vinegar! Had the master not lifted the veils from my eyes…