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 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.
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Do your work, then step back.
Your only path to serenity.
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Commentary:
I have to admit that I’ve thought long and hard about discontinuing this Sunday ritual of reading and commenting on the Tao. I thought several times yesterday that I’d work on something new for the weekends, when readership is typically lighter.
I like what Sam Spurlin is suggesting in his weekend update this week about short updates on how I’m doing personally. I still may do that because I definitely agree with him that it’s nice to read about how other bloggers are doing in their own lives. Perhaps it will be a Saturday thing, we’ll see.
I thought that the Tao was getting too repetitive. I was getting a bit tired of reading the Tao is everything, timeless and yet nothing.
But this week’s passage is doubtless the clearest and must useful of the first nine Tao passages.
There are two lines in this passage that really ring true for me. I’m all too familiar, intellectually, with the minimalist concept of not chasing money, but I have to admit that I am definitely in Security mode.
And yes, I realize it’s the illusion of security that I have. The well-paying job with the great benefits could be here today, gone tomorrow.
The home I live in could burn down.
My family could suffer illness or worse.
There is really nothing that is secure.
So it’s a matter of doing the work I love, completing the projects, bringing them to fruition from the ethers, and then step away and let the project do as it will.
And then for me it’s on to the next project.
Have a great Sunday, everyone.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this passage, a gentle reminder to push for what you want, but know when to stop pushing. Do what needs to be done, but then learn to let go. Live with imperfection, as perfection is a myth – and striving for it will only ruin what you already have.
I like the Tao commentaries, keep them up!!
Please keep doing the Tao commentaries. I always wanted to read it and got bogged down, but these bite size pieces keep me coming back!
You got it, Paula. I’ll stick with it. Only 71 more entries to go.