TAO TE CHING #48

eva hesse

48

          In the pursuit of knowledge,

          every day something is added.

          In the practice of the Tao,

          every day something is dropped.

          Less and less do you need to force things,

          until finally you arrive at non-action.

          When nothing is done,

          nothing is left undone.

          True mastery can be gained

          by letting things go their own way.

          It can't be gained by interfering. 

                            ---tr Stephen Mitchell

eva hesse

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TAO TE CHING 23

eva hesse

          TAO TE CHING 23


          Express yourself completely,

          then keep quiet.

          Be like the forces of nature:

          when it blows, there is only wind;

          when it rains, there is only rain;

          when the clouds pass, the sun shines
                                                        through.


          If you open yourself to the Tao,

          you are at one with the Tao

          and you can embody it completely.

          If you open yourself to insight,

          you are at one with insight

          and you can use it completely.

          If you open yourself to loss,

          you are at one with loss

          and you can use it completely.


          Open yourself to the Tao,

          then trust your natural responses;

          and everything will fall into place.


                     -----tr by Stephen Mitchell

 

 

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