In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped. Less and less is done until non-action is achieved. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.
When the wise hear the Way, they practice it diligently. When the mediocre hear of the Way, they doubt it. When the foolish hear of the Way, they laugh out loud. If it were not laughed at, it would not be the Way.
Therefore it is said, “The enlightenment of the Way seems like dullness; progression in the Way seems like regression; the even path of the Way seems to go up and down.”
Great power appears like a valley. Great purity appears tarnished. Great character appears insufficient. Solid character appears weak. True integrity appears changeable. Great space has no corners. Great ability takes time to mature. Great music has the subtlest sound. Great form has no shape.
The Way is hidden and indescribable. Yet the Way alone is adept at providing for all and bringing fulfillment.
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” ~Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee is well-known for his comment about water, which described the essence of his personal journey toward self-actualization. He was not alone in this realization, however, for in the 2600 year-old classic text, The Tao Te Ching, the qualities of water were elucidated in the poetry of Lao-Tzu.
In Tao Te Ching number eight, water, as it relates to our world, is described as such:
“The supreme goodness is like water. It benefits all things without contention. In dwelling, it stays grounded. In being, it flows to depths. In expression, it is honest. In confrontation, it stays gentle. In governance, it does not control. In action, it aligns to timing. It is content with its nature and therefore cannot be faulted.” ~Lao-Tzo, The Tao Te Ching
In a recent TED talk, Raymond Tang talks about the hectic and overwhelming nature of our technologically connected society, and how even in the presence of such chaos, one can find fulfillment by relating to the simple and elemental forces of nature.
He discusses the nature of water, drawing out three useful lessons that have been known to the Chinese for millennia.
The first lesson is about humility, and he notes the lowly, yet supportive nature of water as a life-giving force.
“If we think about water flowing in a river, it is always staying low. It helps all the plants grow and keeps all the animals alive. It doesn’t actually draw any attention to itself, nor does it need any reward or recognition. It is humble. But without water’s humble contribution, life as we know it may not exist.”
Secondly, he draws out the lesson of harmony, and how water always achieves it’s aim effortlessly in spite of any obstacles along its path.
“If we think about water flowing towards a rock, it will just flow around it. It doesn’t get upset, it doesn’t get angry, it doesn’t get agitated. In fact, it doesn’t feel much at all. When faced with an obstacle, somehow water finds a solution, without force, without conflict.”
The third lesson regards openness and our tendency to resist change along the path of life.
“Water is open to change. Depending on the temperature, it can be a liquid, solid or gas. Depending on the medium it’s in, it can be a teapot, a cup or a flower vase. In fact, it’s water’s ability to adapt and change and remain flexible that made it so enduring through the ages, despite all the changes in the environment.”
Relating these three lessons to the modern pursuits of business and education, he explains how the lessons offer us a perspective on life that allows for greater fulfillment in everything we choose to take on.
Dylan Charles is the editor of Waking Times and co-host of Redesigning Reality, both dedicated to ideas of personal transformation, societal awakening, and planetary renewal. His personal journey is deeply inspired by shamanic plant medicines and the arts of Kung Fu, Qi Gong and Yoga. After seven years of living in Costa Rica, he now lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys spending time with family. He has written hundreds of articles, reaching and inspiring millions of people around the world.
Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish
and then return to the Source.
Returning to the Source is stillness,
which is the way of Nature.
“A man is born gentle and weak. At his death he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At their death they are withered and dry.
Therefore the stiff and unbending
is the disciple of death.
The gentle and yielding
is the disciple of life.A tree that is unbending is easily broken. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome.”
The sage has no mind of his own. He is aware of the needs of others. He is good to people who are good. He is also good to people who are not good. Because Virtue is goodness. Has faith in people who are faithful. And also in people who are not faithful. Because Virtue is faithfulness.The sage is shy and humble – to the world he seems confusing. Others look to him and listen. He behaves like a little child.
“Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts,
you return to the Source of Being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Tao or Dao: 道 is a Chinese word meaning ‘way’, ‘path’, ‘route’… In Japanese pronounced “Do” – the symbol associated with traditional arts like judo, kendo, kyudo, chado (the way of tea)…
“Tao signifies the primordial essence or fundamental true nature of the Universe (and ourselves). Tao is not a ‘name’ for a ‘thing’ but the underlying natural order… It is thus “eternally nameless” and to be distinguished from the countless ‘named’ things (visible forms and structures) which are considered to be its manifestations.”
In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped. Less and less is done until non-action is achieved. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.
Rushing into action, one fails. Trying to grasp things, we lose them. Forcing a project to completion, will ruin what was almost ripe. Therefore the wise take action
by letting things take their course.Remain as calm at the end as at the beginning. Attached to nothing, there is nothing to lose. The wisest desire is non-desire.Learn to unlearn. Simply remind people of who they have always been. Caring about nothing but the Tao, one thereby cares for all things.
Yield and overcome; Bend and be straight; Empty and be full; Wear out and be new; Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.Therefore the wise embrace the one And set an example to all. Not putting on a display, They shine forth. Not justifying themselves, They are distinguished. Not boasting, They receive recognition. Not bragging, They never falter. They do not quarrel, So no one quarrels with them.Therefore the ancients say, “Yield and overcome.” Is that an empty saying? Be really whole, And all things will come to you.
The sage has no mind of his own.
He is aware of the needs of others.
He is good to people who are good.
He is also good to people who are not good.
Because Virtue is goodness.
Has faith in people who are faithful. And also in people who are not faithful. Because Virtue is faithfulness.
The sage is shy and humble – to the world he seems confusing. Others look to him and listen. He behaves like a little child.
The highest good is like water. Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.No fight: No blame.~Lao Tsu Tao Te Ching, Verse 8
The highest good is like water.
Water give life to the ten thousand things
and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.
In the pursuit of learning,
every day something is acquired.
In the pursuit of Tao,
every day something is dropped.
Less and less is done
until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left undone.
The world is ruled by
letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
“Taoists view the universe as the same as, or inseparable from, themselves so that Lao-tzu could say, “Without leaving my house, I know the whole universe.” This implies that the art of life is more like navigation than warfare, for what is important is to understand the winds, the tides, the currents, the seasons, and the principles of growth and decay, so that one’s actions may use them and not fight them.”
Zen Flash 
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