If powerful men and women could center
themselves in it, the whole world would be
transformed by itself, in it's natural rythms.
People would be content with their simple,
everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire.
Where there is no desire, all things are at peace.
Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will
avoid them except in the direst necessity and,
if compelled, will use them only with the utmost
restraint. Peace is the highest value.
If the peace has been shattered, how can he be
content? His enemies are not demons, but human
beings like himself. He doesn't whish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory. How could he rejoice
in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?
What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man's job?
If you don't understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
It is the great secret.
There was something formless and perfect before
the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary.
Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the Mother of the universe. For lack of a better
name, I call it Tao.(words, and the spirit of the words)
Do you have the patience to wait till the mud
settles and the water is clear? Can you remain
unmoving till the right action arises by itself?
What does it mean that success is as dangerous
as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down
it, your position is shaky. When you stand with your
two feet on the ground, you will always keep
your balance.
Colors blind the eye...Sounds defend the ear.
Flavors numb the taste...Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart.
The Master observes the world
but trust his inner vision.
The Tao is called the great mother: empty yet
inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds.
It is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.
The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal?
It was never born; thus it can never die.
Why is it infinite? It has no desire for itself;
thus it is present for all beings.
When man interferes with the Toa, the sky becomes
filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium
crumbles, creatures become extinct.
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on mony,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.
The great way is easy, yet people prefer
the side paths. Be aware when things are
out of balance. Stay centered within
the Tao.
When rich speculaters prosper
while farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant
and irresponsible while the poor
have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not the keeping with Tao.
My teachings are easy to understand
and easy to put into practice.
Yet your intellect will never grasp them,
and if you try to practice them, you'll fail.
My teachings are older than the world.
How can you grasp their meaning?
If you want to know me,
look inside your heart.
