Tao of the Day

Tao of the Day S2_030


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A great Friday Tao! We started with a new guest Ariel who chose #9 and we got to dive into that which set the tone for the rest of my conversations. Dr. Robert then came on with #57, followed by Loyce #44, and the Energy Lady #73. Then I hosted Charente and Felicia for #33 and #22 respectively.

#9

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.

The only path to serenity.

#22

If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.

The Master, by residing in the Tao,

sets an example for all beings.
Because he doesn't display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind,
everything he does succeeds.

When the ancient Masters said,

"If you want to be given everything, give everything up,"
they weren't using empty phrases.
Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.

#33

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,

you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

#44

Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success of failure: which is more destructive?

If you look to others for fulfillment,

you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.

#57

If you want to be a great leader,
you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts,
and the world will govern itself.

The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have,
the less secure people will be.

The more subsidies you have,

the less self-reliant people will be.

Therefore the Master says:

I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics,
and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion,
and people become serene.
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass. 

#73

The Tao is always at ease.
It overcomes without competing,
answers without speaking a word,
arrives without being summoned,
accomplishes without a plan.

Its net covers the whole universe.

And though its meshes are wide,
it doesn't let a thing slip through.

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Tao of the DayBy MartinJon