Guided by a Hidden Light

Don't you think a lot of our energy is spent in trying and striving, thus stressing ourselves needlessly? And how often don't we end up tying ourselves in knots, and locking ourselves into habits of thought and action that make our lives difficult?

The reading from the Tao Te Ching today is addressed to this human condition, which has obviously afflicted people for centuries. As always, there is paradox here, and a challenge to our normal way of seeing and living. See how this ancient wisdom strikes you.

The best door cannot be opened, except by those with the right key.

The best knot cannot be untied, except by those who know how to tie it.

Wise people are good at caring for others.

They never turn away from anyone in need.

Wise people are good at caring for animals and plants.

They despise nothing that lives.

They are guided by a hidden light.

Good people offer guidance to those who are less good.

Less good people have the potential to be better.

Students who do not respect their teachers may be clever, but they will go astray.

Teachers who do not cherish their students may be capable, but they have gone astray.

Being clever and capable is not enough.

Do not strive to be holy.

Forget trying to be wise.

If you cast aside all grasping for holiness and wisdom,

your relatives and friends will be much relieved.

Do not strive to be virtuous. Forget trying to be good.

If you cast aside all grasping for virtue and goodness,

you will remember what true human compassion is.

Do not strive to plan anxiously for the future.

Forget trying to build up assets.

If you cast aside all ambitions towards wealth and riches,

thieves and cheats will leave you alone.

But even these rules can be ignored.

All that matters is that you appreciate uncut wood.

Need little and want less.

Then you can forget the rules.

Your life will be free of trouble.

My response:

Are you saying all my efforts to be wise and good amount to nothing?

That if I just appreciate my natural, true self, that is enough?

That compassion and caring is the most important thing---for myself, and for others?

I don't think my financial advisor would like that advice not to try to build up assets for the future!

If I don't plan for my future, who will?

Of course, it is true that any number of my/our plans have been upended by downturns in the economy!

Not to mention unexpected events that play havoc with future plans.

I think I can see why it would be freeing to live so simply that even if someone broke in to my house, they would find little of "market" value there. I can't lose what I don't grasp tightly and protect anxiously.

I like the part best about forgetting about the rules, as long as I follow that hidden Light,

need little, want less, and appreciate the beauty of life as it is.

Now if only I can do that effortlessly..........!