Tao te ching_ annotated & explained - Derek Lin [25]
Lao Tzu was a good example of this. He was content to be a humble, unknown philosopher. He never sought fame and recognition; he never claimed to be divine in any way. And yet here we are reading his words, which have survived the last twenty-five centuries and will continue on long after we are gone.
Make it a point to put this teaching into practice, and see what happens. Spend an entire day living this selfless mindset. You’ll discover the world responding to you in wonderful and even miraculous ways. (back to text)
8 Annotations
1 Water is the most fitting metaphor for the Tao. Water always flows to the lowest place, not because it is forced to do so, but because it follows its own nature. We also place ourselves lower, not because we contrive to do so, but because it is our nature to be humble. (back to text)
2 A deep pool of water is much more than its surface. Likewise, there is more to a Tao cultivator than meets the eye. The more people get to know us, the more they will discover. (back to text)
3 Water provides its benefits and moves on, without waiting for any benefits in return. We benefit others in the same way. When we provide assistance, we do so with no strings attached. (back to text)
4 Water reflects its surroundings and does not hide or change anything in its reflection. We conduct ourselves with this same sense of integrity and accuracy. People come to trust us, because they realize we will give them the truth when no one else will. (back to text)
5 Water administers to everything equally. It slakes the thirst of the kind person just as it does the unkind person. Thus, we also do not pick and choose the recipients of the benefits we provide. (back to text)
6 Water is versatile. It conforms to the shape of any container. Following this, we also cultivate flexibility and adaptability. Because the world is continually changing, we make constant adjustments to handle new challenges. (back to text)
7 Whether it takes the form of rain or snow, water follows the timing of natural events. We are the same way. We live each day following its natural flow, and take appropriate actions at the appropriate times. (back to text)
8 Water gives itself to everything without protest. Like water, we do not engage in petty squabbles, because our only wish is to be of service. (back to text)
9 Annotations
1 Moderation and restraint are crucial to life. The sages note that an overflowing cup isn’t necessarily a good thing, because the area around the cup gets wet and messy very quickly. It is better to stop short of fullness. Similarly, if you pound a blade repeatedly and sharpen it too much, it will break easily and won’t last very long.
In general, doing anything to excess is a bad idea. The smarter way is to do just enough and nothing extra. When in doubt, stop just short of the point that you think is the optimum. (back to text)
2 A room that is full of treasures is like an overflowing cup. It becomes the target of thieves and robbers and cannot be safeguarded forever. Arrogance as the result of great wealth or high position is like a blade that has been sharpened too much. It is an invitation to disaster. (back to text)
3 To withdraw oneself does not mean to retreat from society and become a hermit. It means there is no need to brag about your achievements, take on pompous airs, or put on showy displays. Once you have achieved success and fame, it is best to step gracefully, quietly aside. (back to text)
10 Annotations
1 “Straying” refers to deviating from centered oneness, caused by the distractions of the material. Some translations render it as “separation” or “division,” thus obscuring the original meaning and making these lines more difficult to understand. (back to text)
2 The energy to be concentrated is chi—the breath or energy that courses through all living things. This is a clear instruction on using breathing techniques to achieve