Chapter 16 (continued)
August 8, 2022
Reach the deepest emptiness and hold qing jing
Purify the body and heart to reach deepest emptiness and stillness.
Everyone and everything grow vigorously, and I observe their movement in cycles.
Everyone and everything could be flourishing, prosperous, complex, changeable; finally, they return to their source.
Returning to the source of life is called deep quietness; after deep quietness, life returns again.
Life comes from nature (Dao) and returns to nature (Dao), which is to return to one’s original nature and original heart. This is called “chang” (a permanent condition. To understand “chang” is to know the truth.
To not understand “chang” (to not return to one’s original nature) is to follow the human way, which could lead to challenges and disasters.
To understand “chang” is to forgive, tolerate, and hold everyone, everything, and every condition, “right” or “not right.”
Reach rong to become selfless.
Reach selflessness and your true nature shines.
Your true nature shines and you reach the tian ren he yi (Heaven and human beings join as one) condition.
Heaven aligns with Dao.
Dao is eternal.
No danger in your whole life.
Chapter 16
August 1, 2022
Reach the deepest emptiness and hold qing jing
Purify the body and heart to reach deepest emptiness and stillness.
Everyone and everything grow vigorously, and I observe their movement in cycles.
Everyone and everything could be flourishing, prosperous, complex, changeable; finally, they return to their source.
Returning to the source of life is called deep quietness; after deep quietness, life returns again.
Life comes from nature (Dao) and returns to nature (Dao), which is to return to one’s original nature and original heart. This is called “chang” (a permanent condition. To understand “chang” is to know the truth.
To not understand “chang” (to not return to one’s original nature) is to follow the human way, which could lead to challenges and disasters.
To understand “chang” is to forgive, tolerate, and hold everyone, everything, and every condition, “right” or “not right.”
Reach rong to become selfless.
Reach selflessness and your true nature shines.
Your true nature shines and you reach the tian ren he yi (Heaven and human beings join as one) condition.
Heaven aligns with Dao.
Dao is eternal.
No danger in your whole life.
Chapter 15
July 25, 2022
Subtle, profound, and mysterious, with no blockages
The ancient ones who mastered Dao were subtle, profound, and mysterious, with no blockages. We cannot understand their profound and mysterious depths.
We cannot understand them, but we try to describe them.
Hesitant, as if crossing a winter river; watchful and afraid to bother your neighbors.
Respectful and serious, like a visiting guest; shining, like the warm spring sun melting the winter ice.
Simple and honest, like an uncarved block; wide and open, like a valley.
Murky, like muddy water.
Who can take muddy water, and purify it through stillness?
Who can let something happen, remain peaceful and still, and create what one wishes?
One who truly understands wei miao xuan tong will never expect to be full and complete.
If you are not full, you can continue to make progress and new creation.
Chapter 14
July 4, 2022
Apply the ancient Dao to manage our current life
Cannot be seen, it’s name is “yi.”
Cannot be heard, its name is ‘xi.”
Cannot be grabbed or touched, its name is “wei.”
We do not know where to ask about the above three. They are one.
Above it is not bright, below it is not dark.
It is just like a rope that extends and turns infinitely, with no clear direction; therefore, it cannot be named. It returns to the wu condition.
It is the “no shape” and “no phenomena” condition, whihc is named “hu huang,” which is blurred.
Face it but cannot see its head, follow it but cannot see its tail.
Apply the ancient Dao to manage our current life.
Can know the ancient Dao principles and natural rules. This is Dao transformation and Dao discipline.
Chapter 20
September 5, 2022
Follow Dao principles to deal with life
Follow Dao principles to deal with life.
How far apart are respect and disrespect?
How different are kindness and unkindness?
What others fear, we should also fear.
It’s been like this from ancient times up to now!
Lots of people are excited, as if going to a sacrifice and feasting on lamb, pork, and beef, as if climbing terraces in the spring.
I am tranquil, still, and peaceful—unmoved and untouched.
Like a newborn infant who cannot smile yet.
My heart is bothered like a prodigal son, and cannot find the way to return.
Everyone has more than enough wealth, but it seems I am lacking.
My foolish heart and soul are ignorant and blurred.
Everyone else is smart and clear; I alone am confused and bothered.
Everyone else seems to see things clearly; I alone am dull, scattered, and troubled.
Like the turbulent sea, as well as like the quiet sea, and like the endless raging wind.
Everyone else has accomplishments, but I am stubborn and stupid.
I am different from others because I honor the mother of all, which is Dao.
Chapter 19
August 29, 2022
Maintain purity, hold your original nature
Remove saints’ positions and do not use cleverness to manage a country or deal with people; then the people will benefit a hundred times more.
Remove false reputations of love and justice and the people return to being respectful and compassionate.
Remove seeking opportunities to take advantage of others by trickery, abandon selfishness and money orientation, and thieves will not exist.
These three (sheng-zhi, ren-yi, qiao-li) educate and manage a country and humanity, but they are not enough.
So create these principles to follow:
Maintain purity, hold your original nature; reduce selfishness and desires.
Chapter 18
August 22, 2022
When great Dao is abandoned, there is love and morality
When great Dao is abandoned, there is love and morality.
When intelligence is misused, then hypocrisy, deception, and fraud appear.
When parents, brother-sister, and husband-wife are not in harmony, then piety and compassion appear.
When nations fall into chaos, there are loyal ministers.
Chapter 17
August 15, 2022
Dao and politics join as one
The highest ruler is one whom people do not know exist.
The second layer of ruler is close to and admired by the people.
The third layer of ruler is feared by the people; the lowest layer of ruler is insulted by the people.
If the ruler is not honest and trustworthy enough, then the people will have no trust or belief in the ruler.
Deal with things in the wu wei (follow Dao) condition, with less talk.
When tasks are completed successfully and duties are satisfied and fulfilled
The common people all say, “This is original nature’s way.”