Verse 21 by Lao Zi: 孔德之容，惟道是从。道之为物，惟恍惟惚。惚兮恍兮，其中有象；恍兮惚兮，其中有物；窈兮冥兮，其中有精，其精甚真，其中有信，自今及古，其名不去，以阅众甫。吾何以知众甫之状哉？以此。 The appearance of great virtueFollows only the Dao. As for the Dao itself — it is something elusive and indistinct.Indistinct and elusive —Within it is form.Elusive and indistinct —Within it is substance.Shadowy and dark —Within it is essence.This essence is very real.Within it is truth. From ancient times until now,ItsContinueContinue reading “On the Nature of the Dao”
Category Archives: Dao De Jing
Drifting Like the Sea
Verse 20 by Lao Zi: 唯之与阿，相去几何？美之与恶，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。荒兮，其未央哉！众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。我独泊兮，其未兆；沌沌兮，如婴儿之未孩；傫傫兮，若无所归。众人皆有余，而我独若遗。我愚人之心也哉！俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。俗人察察，我独闷闷。澹兮，其若海；飂兮，若无止。众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。我独异于人，而贵食母。 Agreement and flattery — how far apart are they?Goodness and evil — how different are they?What people fear, one cannot but fear as well.How vast and boundless — it all seems without end! The multitude are merry,as if feasting at a grand sacrifice,as if ascending a terrace in spring.I aloneContinueContinue reading “Drifting Like the Sea”
The Paradox of “Unlearning”
Verse 19 by Lao Zi: 绝圣弃智，民利百倍；绝仁弃义，民复孝慈；绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。此三者以为文不足，故令有所属；见素抱朴，少私寡欲；绝学无忧 Abolish sagehood and discard wisdom — the people will benefit a hundredfold.Abandon benevolence and discard righteousness — the people will return to filial piety and compassion.Eliminate cleverness and forsake profit — there will be no thieves or robbers. These three things are not enough in themselves;Thus, let people haveContinueContinue reading “The Paradox of “Unlearning””
The Surface of Virtue vs. the Substance of Harmony
Verse 18 by Lao Zi: 大道废，有仁义；智慧出，有大伪；六亲不和，有孝慈；国家昏乱，有忠臣. When the Great Way is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness.When wisdom appears, great hypocrisy arises.When family relationships fall out of harmony, there is talk of filial piety and parental love.When the state is in chaos, loyal ministers appear. [Written by ChatGPT] What if our highest ideals — kindness, wisdom,ContinueContinue reading “The Surface of Virtue vs. the Substance of Harmony”
The Invisible Leader: Laozi’s Wisdom for Lasting Leadership
Verse 17 by Lao Zi: 太上，不知有之；其次，亲而誉之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。信不足焉，有不信焉。悠兮，其贵言。功成事遂，百姓皆谓“我自然” The highest rulers are scarcely known by their people.Next come those they love and praise.Next, those they fear.And next, those they despise. When trust is insufficient, there will be no trust. Cautious and restrained, the sage values few words.When the work is accomplished and affairs are fulfilled,the people all say,ContinueContinue reading “The Invisible Leader: Laozi’s Wisdom for Lasting Leadership”
The Root and the Return
[Written by ChatGPT] —after Laozi In silence things begin to grow,Then turn again to rest below.The blade, the bloom, the morning sun—All rise, then fall, as one by oneThey seek the root from which they came,Unnamed, unchanged, forever same. A life begins, the breath is drawn,The infant cries, the dusk meets dawn.Yet stillness waits beneathContinueContinue reading “The Root and the Return”
Stillness vs. Spectacle: A Daoist Reflection on the World of Trump
Verse 16 by Lao Zi: 致虚极，守静笃，万物并作，吾以观复。夫物芸芸，各复归其根。归根曰静，是谓复命。复命曰常，知常曰明，不知常，妄作，凶。知常容，容乃公，公乃王，王乃天，天乃道，道乃久，没身不殆。 Attain ultimate emptiness,Maintain steadfast stillness.As myriad things flourish together,I watch their return.Though all things thrive abundantly,Each one returns to its root.Returning to the root is called stillness;This is returning to destiny.Returning to destiny is called constancy;Knowing constancy is called clarity.Not knowing constancy leads to reckless actions,And disaster follows.Knowing constancyContinueContinue reading “Stillness vs. Spectacle: A Daoist Reflection on the World of Trump”
For Your Turning Year
[Written by ChatGPT] Another year, like water, flows—Not rushed, not held, just gently goes.You walk the path where few will tread,With thoughtful heart and quiet head. Like winter’s stream you move with care,Soft-footed through the thinning air.You do not chase, nor do you cling—You let life rise, and let it bring. The world may blur,ContinueContinue reading “For Your Turning Year”
Chapter 15 of the Dao De Jing: The Grace of the Ancient Sage
Verse 15 by Lao Zi: 古之善为士者，微妙玄通，深不可识。夫唯不可识，故强为之容。豫焉若冬涉川，犹兮若畏四邻，俨兮其若容，涣兮若冰之将释，敦兮其若朴，旷兮其若谷，混兮其若浊。孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以久动之徐生？保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成. Those in ancient times who were good at practicing the WayWere subtle, mysterious, and deeply profound—So deep they were beyond understanding.Precisely because they were beyond understanding,We can only describe their appearance with effort: Cautious, as if crossing a river in winter;Hesitant, as if wary of all around them;Reserved, likeContinueContinue reading “Chapter 15 of the Dao De Jing: The Grace of the Ancient Sage”
Beyond Senses, Beyond Form: The Mystery of the Dao
Verse 14 by Lao Zi: 视之不见名曰夷，听之不闻名曰希，搏之不得名曰微。此三者不可致诘，故混而为一。其上不皦，其下不昧。绳绳不可名，复归于无物，是谓无状之状，无物之象。是谓惚恍。迎之不见其首，随之不见其后。执古之道，以御今之有，能知古始，是谓道纪。 What you look at but cannot see is called yi (ethereal).What you listen to but cannot hear is called xi (rarefied).What you grasp for but cannot touch is called wei (subtle). These three—unseen, unheard, untouchable—Merge into one, indistinguishable. Above, it is not bright; below, it is not dark.An endlessContinueContinue reading “Beyond Senses, Beyond Form: The Mystery of the Dao”
UpLive.Life 