Each Sunday I have a weekly feature here at You, Simplified where I share my thoughts on a passage of the Tao Te Ching. I’ve dedicated a page of the website to serve as the table of contents for all the musings. Additionally,a blogging friend of mine, Kye Nelson, is joining in on the fun and we invite other bloggers and readers to share their thoughts as well. Together we have are calling this The Tao Project.
Now, on to Passage 8:
The Supreme Good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places people disdain,
thus it is like the Tao.
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In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
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When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete
everybody will respect you.
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Commentary:
What a beautiful passage for a Sunday morning to contemplate.
For the Supreme Good, this is what we should drink from for sustenance in our lives.
We should not be aiming for the largest home. Instead we should be happy with the modestness, that which takes care of our needs. This is a fundamental minimalist principle, riding against the wave of consumerism, displaying some common sense over how unsustainable our modern lifestyles are for the natural resources that the World possesses.
In thinking, we all tend to overcomplicate things which leads to various forms of progression such that we constantly think we need bigger and better things…all in the name of progress.
And most important of all, if we could simply stop competing with our neighbors, with our neighboring countries and realize that contentment is a state achieved internally, not by external validation, then we’ve solved so many of the World’s difficulties.
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Hi. This is such a great endeavour. What really touched me was the The Supreme Good like water doesn’t mind going into the low places others disdain. A pit , a crack in the ground, anywhere is okay, and thats important. That it is nourishing to everyone, without comparison. Thank u , looking forward to reading more .