Tao Te Ching - Book 1 V14-15

Tao Te Ching said to be written by Lao Tzu, an older contemporary of Confucius. Allow the words to be felt by your Heart as it has a broader understanding of Energy. Take your time to listen, ponder, and process. Enjoy.

Transcript

Tao Te Ching,

Book 1,

Verse 14.

What cannot be seen is called evanescent.

What cannot be heard is called rarified.

What cannot be touched is called minute.

These three cannot be fathomed.

And so they are confused and looked upon as one.

Its upper part is not dazzling.

Its lower part is not obscure.

Dimly visible.

It cannot be named.

And returns to that which is without substance.

This is called the shape that has no shape.

The image that is without substance.

This is called indistinct and shadowy.

Go up to it and you will not see its head.

Follow behind it and you will not see its rear.

Hold fast to the way of antiquity.

In order to keep in control the realm of today,

The ability to know the beginning of antiquity is called the thread running through the way.

Verse 15,

Of old,

He who was well versed in the way was minutely subtle,

Mysteriously comprehending,

And too profound to be known.

It is because he could not be known that he can only be given a makeshift description.

Tentative as if fording a river in winter.

Hesitant as if in fear of his neighbours.

Normal like a guest,

Falling apart like thawing ice.

Thick like the uncarved block.

Vacant like a valley.

Murky like muddy water.

Who can be muddy and yet settling,

Slowly becoming limpid?

Who can be at rest and yet stirring,

Slowly come to life?

He who holds fast to this way,

Desires not to be full.

It is because he is not full,

That he can be worn and yet newly made.