In the interim

Random chapter of the Tao Te Ching:

22

If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.

The Master, by residing in the Tao,
sets an example for all beings.
Because he doesn't display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind,
everything he does succeeds.

When the ancient Masters said,
"If you want to be given everything,
give everything up,"
they weren't using empty phrases.
Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.

Comments

[Cindy L.]

Thanks so much for this post. I needed to read these wise words today. I have been in a place where I feel I need to be emptied and begin all over again. I am going to print these words out and post them on my desk. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ...

[Joanne]

Thanks for the inspiration, there is much truth here in these words.

[Sharon]

Let me say thank you, too. The timing of this post is perfect. "If you want to be reborn, let yourself die." This has been the lesson of the last two years of my life, and it was only this week that I realized it.

[Kitty]

It's really neat how it works out ... I post something that I need to hear, and it touches other people as well. I really appreciate getting that feedback.

I was going to write a little commentary in my post, but then I thought, "just let the words speak for themselves."