Chapter of the Week: #62 [Archive]

Luke Abbott

[cite] unclebob:[/cite]while typing this, I also remembered what today is. April first ??!! this could be some kinda strange joke.

Wow, unclebob, you just might be on to something! On the other hand, do you really think such a well-respected company like BuddhaAir to pull such a prank on a humble site like CenterTao!? Doesn't seem likely . . .

Happy April Fools' Day, everybody!

Luke

Luke Abbott

Each week we address one chapter of the Tao Te Ching. Chapter 62 was originally featured on the 3rd week in March.

Note: The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.

Chapter 62
The way is the refuge for the myriad creatures.
It is that by which the good man protects,
And that by which the bad is protected.

Beautiful words when offered will win high rank in return;
Beautiful deeds can raise a man above others.

Even if a man is not good, why should he be abandoned?

Hence when the emperor is set up and the three ducal ministers are appointed, he
who makes a present of the way without stirring from his seat is preferable to
one who offers presents of jade disks followed by a team of four horses. Why was
this way valued of old? Was it not said that by means of it one got what one
wanted and escaped the consequences when one transgressed?

Therefore it is valued by the empire.

Carl

Actions speak louder than [chref=81]beautiful words[/chref]. But, the beautiful words do helps us 'win friends and influence people'. They serve as a lubricant to connect people, however superficially, to each other. Beautiful words are part and parcel of civilization, whose very nature precludes the kind of natural intimacy people felt for each other in our pre-agricultural tribal days. As the [chref=80] size and population[/chref] increases the larger the role [chref=23]words [/chref] play in life.

What is a beautiful deed? Certainly from a Taoist standpoint such a [chref=2]deed[/chref] does not hinge on action. Thus, without stirring, one can 'do' a beautiful deed. For me, making a present of the way is about my attitude and how I approach life... not that I have any control over that, alas. It is just that when I find myself modeling [chref=40]the means the way employs [/chref], I'm relaxed and [chref=19] benefit[/chref] whatever I touch.

It all boils down to what I want. I mean, what a truly want! There are so many myriad 'wants' in life, coming and going all the time. This unending parade of desires is confusing, chaotic and constantly shifting. I get what I want and escaped the consequences only when I slow down and [chref=16]hold firmly to stillness [/chref]. This gives me space to prioritize...which helps me to [chref=28]return [/chref]. When I'm settled down to what I truly desire, bottom line, all is [chref=37]at peace of its own accord[/chref]. It is so [chref=70]easy[/chref], and yet...

duirtree

I actually prefer Timothy Freke's version of the Taoteching...
62
Tao is home for all creation.
A treasure to the good.
A refuge for the bad.
It makes true words, priceless.
Good deeds, the perfect gift.
It doesn't abandon someone because they are lost.

So,

when a leader is sworn in or a government takes office,
don't send valuable gifts and fancy cars.
Be still,
and offer Tao.

The ancients, who valued Tao so highly, said:
'With Tao there can be no mistakes.'

To know Tao
is the most wonderful thing in the world.

duirtree

as you would already know, the main reason for the Taoteching's obscurity is the fact that is has been translated from chinese - not an easy task!
thus the meaning can seem different in each translation.
this is why i prefer Timothy Freke's translation...he has made the text a little more contemporary, while remaining faithful to the original as possible. (for instance, 'cars' instead of 'chariots')

Joe

I?ve been thinking a lot about how easy it is to label someone as good or bad, we like them or we don?t, etc. I take the line about not abandoning the man who is not good, as my needing to let go of my value judgments in relating to people. A good example is in traffic. If someone changes lanes too close in front of me, it?s so easy to just call them a jerk, to be angry, and pretty much dismiss them as a human being.

However, when I?m able to take a mental step back, and remind myself that we?re all human, and make mistakes, then I can think about possible reasons why this happened. Instead of being set on I have the ?right? take on this person, I can be more hesitant and questioning. Perhaps the person simply didn?t see me. Perhaps their child?s school called that the child is sick, so the parent is preoccupied thinking about that. And perhaps it?s just plain the person is inconsiderate; how many times do I myself end up being inconsiderate in some way, because I?m so focused on my desires, rather than truly paying attention to reality and the bigger picture.

One of the things I think about beautiful words, is that they?re just that, words. They aren?t reality. Any more than ?ugly? words are reality. I went for a walk in the woods the other day, right after about 6 inches of new snow. (That?s that white precipitation stuff, for you folks in warm climates!) At one point I came to a place where a creek came down through a kind of limestone canyon, into a small pool, before it joined a small river. The view was breathtaking, and I thought to myself (words) how beautiful this view was.

Then I did a bit of Buddhist mindfulness, and focused on what I was seeing, without thinking about it. Just looking. The view shifted into a crystal clear focus, and my judgments dropped away. I saw water, and rocks, and snow, and trees. But at that moment, I wasn?t seeing beautiful water, or difficult-to-climb-around rocks, or cold snow. I wasn?t evaluating, I was just seeing.

I find that the more I can step out of my thinking and judging, the more peace I have. Looking at that person?s driving as simply, ?Oh, there?s a car in front of me that?s too close for safety, I have to brake?, helps me stick to reality. Instead of following the desire of an emotional tirade about how stupid people are, and how ?perfect? I am, that I would never do something so asinine. (Yeah, right!)