Chapter of the Week: #60 [Archive]

Carl

[Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. While making it more tedious to read, :? the Tao Te Ching is best pondered in the context of the whole.

Contention is stressful - what to do, what to do? It boils down to that natural dynamic - fight (contend), or flight ([chref=46]content[/chref]...well, at least briefly). When I feel cornered, I'll contend. If not, I'll begin [chref=40]turning back[/chref] until I feel [chref=35]safe and sound[/chref].

Emotion is the 'culprit' in this chapter. Appearing formidable is a symptom of insecurity and fear. Roused in anger creates massive blind spots, where all we see is 'red' instead of the Achilles heel of our opponent. Join issue is competition (contention) where we feel emotionally pushed and pulled to interact and often end up roused in anger. Finally, the inability to humble oneself is a symptom of clinging to self image, which is in turn a symptom of insecurity. Geez, all these symptoms... but I feel fine doc - really!

As animals, we have precious little control over these emotional 'liabilities' (despite our free will fantasies). Indeed, need (for pleasure) and fear (of pain) drive life - it's biology, plain and simple. When we feel insecure deep down within our psyche our actions reflect that, one way or the other. Sure, we can put on an 'act', but even the 'act' reveals what lies within to those who know what to look for... :yy:

There in may lie the benefit of this chapter. Understanding what to look for in ourselves and others. As a bonus, the deeper we [chref=70]understand[/chref], the more our matching the sublimity of heaven [chref=17]happened to us naturally[/chref]. Struggle is unnecessary! And that is the best new of all.

The Chinese literally goes like this, which I enjoy...
excellent practitioner not fierce
excellent warrior not angry
excellent victor not participate
excellent employer becomes lower
is called non contention virtue
is called using people power
is called joining heavens ancient utmost

Carl

Each week we address one chapter of the Tao Te Ching. 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 60
Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.

When the empire is ruled in accordance with the way,
The spirits lose their potencies.
Or rather, it is not that they lose their potencies,
But that, though they have their potencies, do not harm the people,
It is not only they who, having their potencies, do not harm the people,
The sage, also, does not harm the people.
As neither does any harm, each attributes the merit to the other.

Read commentary previously posted for this chapter.

Carl

[Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. While making it more tedious to read, :? the Tao Te Ching is best pondered in the context of the whole.

Anyone who has cooked fish knows how easy it is to overdo it and ruin the fish. Fish offer many metaphors for life. In fact, the optimal way to catch fish is the ideal way to approach life. For example,...

Fishing demands being aware each moment, feeling the line to sense any tugs and nibbles, yet waiting patiently for the fish that may never bite. The more we [chref=37]desire[/chref] to catch a fish instead of being present with the process, the less we can [chref=16]hold firmly to stillness[/chref]. [chref=3]Taking no action[/chref] becomes impossible as we become increasingly bored and restless.

The trick for a fisherman is to apply the 'fishing model' to the rest of his life. The trick for us non fishermen is to apply the 'fishing model' to the rest of our life. One model fits all. Nothing I know fits [chref=48]one does less and less until one does nothing at all[/chref] better than fishing (the old fashioned way), and to cooking fish as well.

'When the empire is ruled in accordance with the way', is a little misleading. The Chinese is actually: using way, manage everything. In other words, when we use the way to manage everything, i.e., our personal empire so to speak, our spirits do not harm ourselves or others. Spirits, potencies...? I think of these as instincts and emotions. Using the way to manage everything doesn't mean we [chref=27]abandon[/chref] our humanity and the instincts and emotions that go with that animal nature. We just cook the fish more carefully!

It is really [chref=70]very easy to understand and very easy to put into practice[/chref], despite the likelihood that few may do so; we all tend to get a little distracted don't we? We prefer [chref=53]by-paths[/chref] because they seem easy. That is why [chref=63] even the sage treats some things as difficult.[/chref] Personally, I rather enjoy the challenge of it all. Something so obviously simple and yet...