Tao Te Wednesday

11/23/2011

As it acts in the world, the Tao
is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
It adjusts excess and deficiency
so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much
and gives to what isn’t enough.

Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who don’t have enough
and give to those who have far too much.

The Master can keep giving
because there is no end to her wealth.
She acts without expectation,
succeeds without taking credit,
And doesn’t think that she is better
than anyone else. Tao verse 77

granny j link

11/23/2011 02:31:30

Laura I really look forward to Tao Te Wednesdays. There's a lot of truth here.

Laura Novak

11/23/2011 05:13:22

Thank you, Granny J. I agree. It was difficult to choose today's verse but I decided on this one because of its relationship to current events. Especially the second to last paragraph where "she" talks about taking from those who don't have enough and giving to those who have too much. There's a lot of that going on right now.

granny j link

11/23/2011 07:44:21

Yes that was also what I thought. "She" is pretty smart.

Sherryn

11/23/2011 12:49:10

Beautiful and timeless truth. The gentle bowing reminds me of nature, a tree would never reach it's full potential if it didn't gently give and take to the forces of the wind. Yes, "She is wise". Thank You for these Tao Te posts, they're gifts that help us put things in perspective.

Off Topic, Laura, I'd like to extend to you, your family, and readers, a peaceful and meaning filled Thanksgiving.

phantomimic link

11/23/2011 12:51:01

Beautiful thoughts to achieve a delicate balance. Too much or too little is always bad.

11/23/2011 20:27:17

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Viola-Alex

11/23/2011 22:32:09

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to Laura for the thoughts she brings-- with a haunting, new song from Leonard Cohen, which suits this world and time. .

"Show Me The Way"
http://tinyurl.com/846t6du

Laura Novak

11/24/2011 01:23:08

I want to say that I am thankful for all of you. You are among the most intelligent people I've ever "met" and I enjoy spending time with all of you on my blog.

I wish each and every one of you a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving.

I know that one of the things I am thankful for is that I don't have to think about food, ever. Or if I do, it's thinking about what strikes my fancy. Food is in abundance in my life. As is heat, comfort, clean water, and gasoline for my car. I can feed my child and get him medical help when he needs it. I don't covet material possessions, but I also don't wonder what it's like to feel full. We usually take this for granted, but I try to remember every day that I don't ever go hungry or thirsty as much of our planet's population does.

So, I'll get off my soap box now. But these thoughts are important to me. Again, I am grateful for this day and all that I have - and all that I am able to provide my family.

And the Tao helps me remember to strive for balance as much as I can.

Best wishes to all for a joyous day.

FrostyAK

11/24/2011 04:19:45

Not to be a wet blanket on TG day, but what happens when man bends that bow beyond any possibility of balance?

Wishing that all the inhabitants of planet earth have an abundant day... and an abundant life.

Ottoline

11/24/2011 04:59:45

As a Happy Thanksgiving wish to a fine group of great commenters here (who I treasure!), I have put this little reminder about the Palin Baby Hoax into the comments in The New Yorker, at the end of the nice piece about the recent Romney lie in his first tv ad (I see they do not believe in paragraphs at TNYer):

http://tinyurl.com/7qs4n62

Hope it gives you a smile. My $5 12-pound turkey from the local Safeway is smelling great in the oven; it's drizzling here; I have the first fire of the season going (with wood I cut to size when my trees were trimmed). I am thinking about thankfulness. I hope you are all well.

Jo link

11/25/2011 09:11:54

Great job Ottoline! I like your comment a lot. It definitely made me smile.

SunnyVee

11/27/2011 10:01:31

Hello all & (belated) Happy Thanksgiving !
I have been offline, and elsewhere, for a while...but HAVE TO say thanks for the Tao Te Wednesdays !!!

and ditto on the flippin' intelligent commenters here - you always stretch me and keep me learning new things !!

Finally...if anyone saw 60 minutes tonight...wow. "one-in-four American kids" now below poverty level and/or homeless? How fortunate I am to have my couch and computer !!

Peace. xoxo

SunnyVee

11/27/2011 10:06:04

PS. Go, Ottoline !! You rock :)

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