The ancient masters of the Way
aimed at the indiscernible
and penetrated the dark
aimed at the indiscernible
and penetrated the dark
you would never know them
I describe them with reluctance
they were careful as if crossing a river in winter
cautious as if worried about neighbors
reserved like guests
ephemeral like melting ice
simple like uncarved wood
open like a valley
and murky like puddles
but a puddle becomes clear
when it's still
and stillness becomes alive when it's roused
I describe them with reluctance
they were careful as if crossing a river in winter
cautious as if worried about neighbors
reserved like guests
ephemeral like melting ice
simple like uncarved wood
open like a valley
and murky like puddles
but a puddle becomes clear
when it's still
and stillness becomes alive when it's roused
those who treasure this Way
don't try to be seen
by not trying to be seen
they can hide and stay hidden
don't try to be seen
by not trying to be seen
they can hide and stay hidden
Ts'ao Tao-chung (Taoist nun, Sung Dynasty, 960-1278) commented, “Although the ancient masters lived in the world, no one thought they were special.”
Wang Chen (T'ang dynasty military general, 809) commented, “Those who treasure the Way fit in without making a show and stay forever hidden. Hence, they don't leave any tracks.”
~ These excerpts are from The Tao Te Ching, as translated by Red Pine
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