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Chapter of the Week: #68 [Archive]
[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.]
What we gain is Something, yet it is by virtue of Nothing that this can be put to use. Perhaps this is the best kept 'open secret' around. Our biology lays its heavy foot on life's accelerator. Go, go, go,... we need to go. More, more, more,... more is better. In the wild, before we civilized ourselves, Nature put the brakes on our urges. Nature sets up our biology to 'go', and Natural [chref=51]circumstances[/chref] force us to 'stop'. We ate the sweet fruit – 'go' – until it rotted and fell to the ground – 'stop' . Then we wait till next season to gorge again – 'wait'. Being [chref=65]clever[/chref] apes, we figured out how to have the goodies continually. Why,.. thanks to civilization, we can almost 'have our cake and eat it too'. Being unable to [chref=20]wax without having reached the limit [/chref], we just keep 'going, going, going', like that little Energizer bunny. Our [chref=71]difficulty[/chref] lies in the fact that we just don't [chref=70]understand[/chref] that we are puppets on biology's string. Moreover, I've noticed that many folks don't want to 'understand'; it would be too big a blow to the ego, I imagine.
So, what does Nothing have to do with all this? Slowing down, [chref=37]remaining still[/chref], and stopping shifts us over to the 'nothing' side of reality's equation (i.e. [chref=2]Something = Nothing[/chref]). Civilization allows us to put most of our eggs in the something side and our life's balance suffers. Nothing is the core, the governor, [chref=52]the mother[/chref]. Stopping helps put us in touch with nothing. Speaking of stopping:
[chref=9]Better to have stopped in time.[/chref]
[chref=32]One ought to know that it is time to stop.[/chref]
[chref=44]Know when to stop, and you will meet with no danger.[/chref]
The literal agrees with the mainstream translations
30 extents together one hub, just at its nothing, have (of) cart use.
mix water clay consider that utensil, just at its nothing, have (of) utensil use.
chisel door window consider that room, just at its nothing, have (of) room use.
hence (of) have consider that favorable, (of) nothing consider that use.
Yet, perhaps I see more emphasis on Nothing in the literal, i.e., Nothing is 'everything'.
Thrity spokes converge on a hub, at nothing's core arises the useful cart.
Kneed clay considering that it is a utensil, at nothing's core arises the useful utensil.
Chisel doors and windows considering that a room, at nothing's core arises the useful room.
Hence, when considering anything favorable, consider that from nothing arises it usefulness.
What we gain is Something, yet it is by virtue of Nothing that this can be put to use. Perhaps this is the best kept 'open secret' around. Our biology lays its heavy foot on life's accelerator. Go, go, go,... we need to go. More, more, more,... more is better. In the wild, before we civilized ourselves, Nature put the brakes on our urges. Nature sets up our biology to 'go', and Natural [chref=51]circumstances[/chref] force us to 'stop'. We ate the sweet fruit – 'go' – until it rotted and fell to the ground – 'stop' . Then we wait till next season to gorge again – 'wait'. Being [chref=65]clever[/chref] apes, we figured out how to have the goodies continually. Why,.. thanks to civilization, we can almost 'have our cake and eat it too'. Being unable to [chref=20]wax without having reached the limit [/chref], we just keep 'going, going, going', like that little Energizer bunny. Our [chref=71]difficulty[/chref] lies in the fact that we just don't [chref=70]understand[/chref] that we are puppets on biology's string. Moreover, I've noticed that many folks don't want to 'understand'; it would be too big a blow to the ego, I imagine.
So, what does Nothing have to do with all this? Slowing down, [chref=37]remaining still[/chref], and stopping shifts us over to the 'nothing' side of reality's equation (i.e. [chref=2]Something = Nothing[/chref]). Civilization allows us to put most of our eggs in the something side and our life's balance suffers. Nothing is the core, the governor, [chref=52]the mother[/chref]. Stopping helps put us in touch with nothing. Speaking of stopping:
[chref=9]Better to have stopped in time.[/chref]
[chref=32]One ought to know that it is time to stop.[/chref]
[chref=44]Know when to stop, and you will meet with no danger.[/chref]
The literal agrees with the mainstream translations
30 extents together one hub, just at its nothing, have (of) cart use.
mix water clay consider that utensil, just at its nothing, have (of) utensil use.
chisel door window consider that room, just at its nothing, have (of) room use.
hence (of) have consider that favorable, (of) nothing consider that use.
Yet, perhaps I see more emphasis on Nothing in the literal, i.e., Nothing is 'everything'.
Thrity spokes converge on a hub, at nothing's core arises the useful cart.
Kneed clay considering that it is a utensil, at nothing's core arises the useful utensil.
Chisel doors and windows considering that a room, at nothing's core arises the useful room.
Hence, when considering anything favorable, consider that from nothing arises it usefulness.
Comments
Chapter 68
One who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable;
One who excels in fighting is never roused in anger;
One who excels in defeating his enemy does not join issue;
One who excels in employing others humbles himself before them.
This is known as the virtue of non-contention;
This is known as making use of the efforts of others;
This is known as matching the sublimity of heaven.
Read commentary previously posted for this chapter.
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