A Taoist Reminder to Trust and to Let Go
Two days ago, I sat in the garden and opened up the Tao Te Ching.
I love to read it from time to time for inspiration and wisdom, and because it always pulls me back to the present moment.
The chapter I opened it up to was Chapter 16, the only one I’ve apparently folded in the corner.
Full text is also included at the bottom of this page
The Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese text, likely written around 300 BCE.
It’s said to be written by Lao Tzu (which actually means ‘old man’ or ‘old master’) but it may be a collection of different Taoist sayings, rather than the work of a single person.
Its central teaching is the ‘Tao’, or the Way or Path. This is a nameless and undefinable concept, and it’s the ultimate reality behind everything. The Tao is all there is, has been and ever will be.
Although, it ‘technically’ then cannot be described through words, the Tao Te Ching is an attempt to do this through its 81 chapters.
The chapter that I opened to, Chapter 16, serves as a reminder to let go. To trust, surrender and remember we’re not in ultimate control. (Thank god! ;))
At least, that’s how I read it and this line especially stood out to me:
‘… And of the ten thousand things none but can be worked on by you.’
I think we can always do with this reminder to trust and to let go.
I recommend reading the chapter without much analysing or over-thinking, simply allowing the words to inspire a feeling and an inner knowing.
~~~
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16
Push far enough towards the Void,
Hold fast enough to Quietness,
And of the ten thousand things none but can be worked on by you.
I have beheld them, whither they go back.
See, all things howsoever they flourish
Return to the root from which they grew.
This return to the root is called Quietness;
Quietness is called submission to Fate;
What has submitted to Fate has become part of the always so.
To know the always-so is to be Illumined;
Not to know it, means to go blindly to disaster.
He who knows the always-so has room in him for everything;
He who has room in him for everything is without prejudice.
To be without prejudice is to be kingly;
To be kingly is to be of heaven;
To be of heaven is to be in Tao.
Tao is forever and he that possess it,
Though his body ceases, is not destroyed.
Translation by Arthur Waley.
