Tao Te Ching 8

 Tao Te Ching 8

The supreme good is like water, which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it.

It gathers in unpopular places.

Thus it is like the Tao.

The location makes the dwelling good.

Depth of understanding makes the mind good.

A kind heart makes the giving good.

Integrity makes the government good.

Accomplishment makes your labours good.

Proper timing makes a decision good.

Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace.

Lao Tzu

My takeaway: Do right, think right, feel right and life will be good. Share when it feels good to do so, act when it feels good to do so. Don't compare yourself to others, don't try to take what they have, do what needs to be done to make your life right for you.

Much love,

Mother Tory

Tao Te Ching 7

 Tao Te Ching 7

The Tao of Heaven is eternal, and the earth is long enduring.

Why are they long enduring?

They do not live for themselves, thus they are present for all beings.

The Master puts herself last; and finds herself in the place of authority.

She detaches herself from all things; therefore she is united with all things.

She gives no thought to self.

She is perfectly fulfilled.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching 6

 Tao Te Ching 6

The spirit of emptiness is immortal.

It is called the Great Mother because it gives birth to Heaven and Earth.

It is like a vapour, barely seen but always present.

Use it effortlessly.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching 5

 Tao Te Ching 5

Heaven and Earth are impartial; they treat all of creation as straw dogs.

The Master doesn't take sides; she treats everyone like a straw dog.

The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows; it is empty, yet has not lost its power.

The more it is used, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you comprehend.

It is better not to speak of things you do not understand.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching 4

 Tao Te Ching 4

The Tao is like an empty container: it can never be emptied and can never be filled.

Infinitely deep, it is the source of all things.

It dulls the sharp, unties the knotted, shades the lighted, and unites all of creation with dust

It is hidden but always present.

I don't know who gave birth to it.

It is older than the concept of God.

Tao Te Ching 3

 Tao Te Ching 3

If you over-esteem talented individuals, people will become overly competitive.

If you overvalue possessions, people will begin to steal.

Do not display your treasures or people will become envious.

The Master leads by emptying people's minds, filling their bellies, weakening their ambitions, and making them become strong.

Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires, avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action.

For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place.

Lao Tzu

I feel a bit conflicted by this passage.  I know that unhappiness and discontent is caused by wanting something that a person feels they can't have, so everyone would be happier if they wanted less.  Materialism has gotten a bit out of control.  But I also believe that everyone can have what they want if they are willing to do what needs to be done to get it.  It worries me that some will take some of this as saying that someone else should take care of you, but what it's really saying is to simply do right, choose happiness, and "God", "Universe", or whatever will line things up so you have what you need.  So stay relaxed.  What do you think?

Mother Tory

Tao Te Ching 2

 Tao Te Ching 2

When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created.

When people see things as good, evil is created.

Being and non-being produce each other.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short define each other.

High and low oppose each other.

Fore and aft follow each other.

Therefore the Master can act without doing anything and teach without saying a word.

Things come her way and she does not stop them; things leave and she lets them go.

She has without possessing, and acts without any expectations.

When her work is done, she takes no credit.

That is why it will last forever.

Lao Tzu

I have to say, I love the way "Master" was combined with the feminine.  What do you think of this passage?

Mother Tory

Tao Te Ching 1

 Tao Te Ching 1

The tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be spoken is not the eternal Name.

The nameless is the boundary of Heaven and Earth.

The name is the mother of creation.

Freed from desire, you can see the hidden mystery.

By having desire, you can only see what is visibly real.

Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source.

This source is called darkness.

Darkness born from darkness.

The beginning of all understanding.

Lao Tzu

What do you think it means?

Mother Tory