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Tao Te Ching Verse 21

translated by Lok Sang Ho

To tell the virtuous from all the others.
You only need one criterion:
does he follow the Dao?38
The substance of the Dao is impalpable and intractable.
While it is impalpable and intractable,
It manifests itself in the phenomenal world,
And it is not without substance.
While it is shadowy and empty,
It shows itself in the spiritual realm.
The spiritual essence of the Dao is
both truthful and dependable.
From the ancient times till now
The name of the Dao has persisted,
And it has pleased the wise masters.
How do I know about these wise masters?
I use the criterion mentioned above.

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Practicing the Quantum Tao

To practice observing the Quantum Tao, I can do a simple thing: I can observe all of the expressions of the Tao around me.

I think one of the ways we can get started in practicing this verse is to observe the world around us without placing judgments of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ on anything.  So let’s consider where we’re at right now.  

I’m looking at a couple little bonsai trees enjoying the sunlight.  Yesterday, I was in traffic on the way to the city.  Maybe you’re doing the same, or maybe you’re doing something that doesn’t require a lot of action on your part - chores, or even a repetitive task.

I’d like us to pause for a moment and become aware of our surroundings.  The furniture that’s there.  Maybe the noises from outside, from other people.  Are there any people you can see?  Let’s take a moment to see everything as what it actually is - manifestations of the Tao.  Those little trees - yes, they were manipulated by a human’s hand, but isn’t that still a manifestation of the Tao?  That furniture - sure, it came from trees and preservatives were added to it, but isn’t that all material that originated from the Tao?  Taken for what it is, isn’t there a certain connection we can experience with it?  Now those people we can see - or imagine.  They too are manifestations of the Tao, aren’t they?  Regardless of what they say, think, or do, they never stop being manifestations of the Tao - just like you and me.