36 If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are….
35 She who is centered in the Taocan go where she wishes, without danger.She perceives the universal harmony,even amid great pain,because she has found peace in her heart. Music or the smell of good cookingmay make people stop and enjoy.But words that point to the Taoseem monotonous and without flavor.When you look for it,…
34 The great Tao flows everywhere.All things are born from it,yet it doesn’t create them.It pours itself into its work,yet it makes no claim.It nourishes infinite worlds,yet it doesn’t hold on to them.Since it is merged with all thingsand hidden in their hearts,it can be called humble.Since all things vanish into itand it alone…
Today is Thursday August 21st. My life is quite good. Others are not as fortunate. At Starbucks, the space is safe, I can search for, investigate anything of my choosing on the internet without fear of being fined. This is not Russia, not here, and not now, not yet. I enjoy reasonable good health…
33 Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich. If you stay in the center and embrace death with your whole heart, you will endure forever. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu, trans….
32 The Tao can’t be perceived,Smaller than an electron,it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and womencould remain centered in the Tao,all things would be in harmony.The world would become a paradise.All people would be at peace,and the law would be written in their hearts. When you have names and forms,know that they are…
31 Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityand, if compelled, will use themonly with the utmost restraint.Peace is his highest value.If the peace has been shattered,how can he be content?His enemies are not demons,but human beings…
30Whoever relies on the Tao in governing mendoesn’t try to force issuesor defeat enemies by force of arms.For every force there is a counterforce.Violence, even well intentioned,always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his joband then stops.He understands that the universeis forever out of control,and that trying to dominate eventsgoes against the current of…
29 Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can’t be improved. If you tamper with it, you’ll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it. There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a…
We read Philip Larkin’s famous 1954 poem Church Going last night. I was five years old when the poem was written. The poem was troubling to everyone in our circle. No doubt that was Larkin’s purpose. I am seventy six now and the dereliction of churches continues unabated. Faith and superstition still die. In…
