Tao Te Ching: Chapter #15

15

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.

The Master had a profound understanding of reality down to its deepest level, the Tao.

Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.

Because the Masters embody the Tao, they observe the world but trust their inner vision (Chapter 12); their wisdom itself cannot be captured, neither by words nor by ordinary human intellect. The only thing that we can describe is how it appears. And how does it appear?

They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.

The Masters are fully aware of the fragility and potential danger in every situation due to respect for reality and an understanding of consequences.

Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.

The Masters are absolutely present and vigilant.

Courteous as a guest.

The Masters are respectful, non-imposing, and humble (Chapter 5).

Fluid as melting ice.

The Masters are embracing change.

Shapable as a block of wood.

The Masters are ready to be shaped by the flow of life.

Receptive as a valley.

The valley is, by definition, the lowest geographical point between mountains (I needed to check it). This signifies humility, openness, and receptivity. By being empty and low, the Master can contain and nurture all things.

Clear as a glass of water.

The Masters are pure of mind.

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?

"To fully grasp reality, you must be calm. You must let the mud that muddies the water settle—and this cannot happen if you hop endlessly from one place to another, if you fill every free minute with one activity after another just to avoid the risk of having to spend even a single moment alone with your thoughts". From Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday.

Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

Can you refrain from the ego-driven impulse to force a solution and allow the appropriate, effortless action to spontaneously arise from clarity? (Wu Wei)

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.

They have abandoned the constant cycle of desire and gratification; they don't chase external validation, satisfaction or success.

Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.

The Masters neither seek nor expect. They are free from the ego; this non-attachment is the source of their freedom.



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