Tao Te Ching – Transcript and Audio Timings

00:00:02,560 –> 00:00:04,879
one

the tao that can be told is not the eternal dao
the name that can be named is not the eternal name

the unnamable is the eternally real
naming is the origin of all particular things

free from desire you realize the mystery
caught in desire you see only the manifestations

yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source
this source is called darkness
darkness within darkness
the gateway to all understanding

00:01:14,960 –> 00:01:17,280
two

when people see some things as beautiful
other things become ugly

when people see some things as good
other things become bad

being and non-being create each other
difficult and easy support each other
long and short define each other
high and low depend on each other
before and after follow each other

therefore the master acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything

things arise and she lets them come
things disappear and she lets them go

she has but doesn’t possess
acts but doesn’t expect

when her work is done she forgets it
that is why it lasts forever

00:02:40,560 –> 00:02:42,879
three

if you over esteem great men people become powerless
if you overvalue possessions people begin to steal

the master leads by emptying people’s minds
and filling their cores by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve

he helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire
and creates confusion in those who think that they know

practice not doing and everything will fall into place

00:03:31,760 –> 00:03:34,000
four

the Tao is like a well
used but never used up

it is like the eternal void
filled with infinite possibilities

it is hidden but always present
i don’t know who gave birth to it

it is older than god [concepts of, whatever faith and name is applied here]

 

00:04:04,080 –> 00:04:06,480
five

the dow doesn’t take sides
it gives birth to both good and evil

the master doesn’t take sides
she welcomes both saints and sinners

the dow is like a bellows
it is empty yet infinitely capable

the more you use it
the more it produces

the more you talk of it
the less you understand

hold on to the center

00:04:47,440 –> 00:04:49,759
six

the dow 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

00:05:13,360 –> 00:05:15,680
seven

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 desires for itself
thus it is present for all beings

the master stays behind
that is why she is ahead

she is detached from all things
that is why she is one with them

because she has let go of herself
she is perfectly fulfilled

00:06:09,280 –> 00:06:11,600
eight

the supreme good is like water
which nourishes all things without trying to

it is content with the low places that people disdain
thus it is like the dao

in dwelling live close to the ground
in thinking keep to this simple

in conflict be fair and generous

in governing don’t try to control

in work do what you enjoy

in family life be completely present

when you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete
everybody will respect you

00:07:21,599 –> 00:07:23,919
nine

fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill

keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt

chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench

care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner

do your work then step back
the only path to serenity

00:08:11,120 –> 00:08:13,840
10

can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness

can you let your body become supple as a newborn child’s

can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light

can you love people and lead them without imposing your will

can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course

can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things

giving birth and nourishing
having without possessing
acting with no expectations
leading and not trying to control
this is the supreme virtue

00:09:28,720 –> 00:09:31,200
11

we join spokes together in a wheel
but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move

we shape clay into a pot but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want

we hammer wood for a house but it is the inner space that makes it livable

we work with being but non-being is what we use

00:10:14,880 –> 00:10:17,880
12

colors blind the eye
sounds deafen the ear
flavors numb the taste
thoughts weaken the mind
desires wither the heart

the master observes the world
but trusts his inner vision

he allows things to come and go
his heart is open as the sky

00:11:01,120 –> 00:11:03,680
13

success is as dangerous as failure

hope is as hollow as fear

what does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure
whether you go up the ladder or down it
your position is shaking
when you stand with your two feet on the ground
you will always keep your balance

what does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear
hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self
when we don’t see the self as self what do we have to fear
see the world as yourself
have faith in the way things are
love the world as yourself
then you can care for all things

 

00:12:18,880 –> 00:12:21,440
14

look and it can’t be seen
listen and it can’t be heard
reach and it can’t be grasped

above it isn’t bright
below it isn’t dark

seamless
unnamable
it returns to the realm of nothing
form that includes all forms
image without an image
subtle beyond all conception

approach it and there is no beginning
follow it and there is no end

you can’t know it but you can be it
at ease in your own life

just realize where you come from
this is the essence of wisdom

 

00:13:51,360 –> 00:13:54,000
15

the ancient masters were profound and subtle
their wisdom was unfathomable
there is no way to describe it
all we can describe is their appearance
they were careful as someone crossing an iced over a stream
alert as a warrior in enemy territory
courteous as a guest
fluid is melting ice
shapeable as a block of wood
receptive as a valley
clear as a glass of water

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

can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself

the master doesn’t seek fulfillment
not seeking
not expecting
she is present
and can welcome all things

00:15:13,519 –> 00:15:16,079
16

empty your mind of all thoughts
let your heart be at peace
watch the turmoil of beings but contemplate their return

each separate being in the universe returns to the common source
returning to the source is serenity
if you don’t realize the source you stumble in confusion and sorrow
when you realize where you come from you naturally become tolerant disinterested, amused, kind-hearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king

immersed in the wonder of the dao you can deal with whatever life brings you
and when death comes you are ready

00:16:32,720 –> 00:16:35,720
17

when the master governs the people are hardly aware that he exists
next best is a leader who is loved
next one who is feared
the worst is one who is despised

if you don’t trust the people you make them untrustworthy

the master doesn’t talk he acts
when his work is done the people say amazing we did it all by ourselves

00:17:27,760 –> 00:17:30,240
18

when the great tao is forgotten, goodness and piety appear
when the body’s intelligence declines, cleverness and knowledge step forth
when there is no peace in the family, filial piety begins
when the country falls into chaos, patriotism is born

00:18:10,000 –> 00:18:12,559
19

throw away holiness and wisdom and people will be a hundred times happier
throw away morality and justice and people will do the right thing
throw away industry and profit and there won’t be any thieves

if these three aren’t enough just stay at the center of the circle and let all things take their course

00:18:56,720 –> 00:18:59,120
20

stop thinking and end your problems
what difference between yes and no
what difference between success and failure
must you value what others value
avoid what others avoid
how ridiculous

other people are excited as though they were at a parade
i alone don’t care
i alone am expressionless
like an infant before it can smile

other people have what they need
i alone possess nothing

i alone drift about like someone without a home

i am like an idiot my mind is so empty

other people are bright
i alone am dark

other people are sharp
i alone am dull

other people have a purpose
i alone don’t know

i drift like a wave on the ocean
i blow as aimless as the wind

i am different from ordinary people
i drink from the great mother’s breasts

00:21:01,600 –> 00:21:04,159
21

the master keeps her mind always at one with the Tao
that is what gives her her radiance

the Tao is ungraspable
how can her mind be at one with it
because she doesn’t cling to ideas

the Tao is dark and unfathomable
how can it make her radiant
because she lets it

since before time and space were
the Tao is
it is beyond is and is not

how do i know this is true
i look inside myself and see

00:22:14,159 –> 00:22:16,799
22

if you want to become whole, let yourself be partial
if you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked
if you want to become full, let yourself be empty
if you want to be reborn, let yourself die
if you want to be given everything, give everything up

the master, by residing in the Tao, sets an example for all beings
because he doesn’t display himself, people can see his light
because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words
because he doesn’t know who he is, people recognize themselves in him
because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds

and the ancient masters said, if you want to be given everything
give everything up
they weren’t using empty phrases
only in being lived BY the god [allowing you to be, The ___]

00:24:10,320 –> 00:24:13,039
23

express yourself completely, then keep quiet
be like the forces of nature
when it blows, there is only wind
when it rains, there is only rain
when the clouds pass, the sun shines through

if you open yourself to the Tao
you are at one with the tao and you can
embody it completely

if you open yourself to insight
you are at one with insight
and you can use it completely

if you open yourself to loss
you are at one with loss
and you can accept it, completely

open yourself to the Tao
then trust your natural responses
and everything will fall into place

00:25:31,200 –> 00:25:33,919
24.

he who stands on tiptoe, doesn’t stand firm
he who rushes ahead, doesn’t go far
he who tries to shine, dims his own light
he who defines himself, can’t know who he really is
he who has power over others, can’t empower himself
he who clings to his work, will create nothing that endures

if you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go

00:26:32,960 –> 00:26:35,679
25

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 the Tao

it flows through all things, inside and outside
and returns to the origin of all things

the Tao is great
the universe is great
earth is great
man is great

these are the four great powers

man follows the earth [when wise and in Relationship AWE]
earth follows the universe
the universe follows the Tao
the Tao follows only itself

00:28:25,039 –> 00:28:27,840
26.

the heavy is the root of the light
the unmoved is the source of all movement
thus the master travels all day without leaving home
however splendid the views she stays serenely in herself

why should the lord of the country foot about like a fool
if you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root
if you let restlessness move you, you lose touch with who you are

00:29:28,480 –> 00:29:31,120
27

a good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent upon arriving
a good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants
a good scientist has freed himself of concepts, and keeps his mind open to what is

thus the master is available to all people, and doesn’t reject anyone
he is ready to use all situations and doesn’t waste anything
this is called embodying the light

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

00:31:00,880 –> 00:31:03,880
28.

know the male, yet keep to the female
receive the world in your arms
if you receive the world, the Tao will never leave you, and you will be like a little child

know the white, yet keep to the black

be a pattern for the world
if you are a pattern for the world
the Tao will be strong inside you, and there will be nothing you can’t do

know the personal, yet keep to the impersonal

accept the world as it is
if you accept the world, the tao will be luminous inside you
and you will return to your primal self

the world is formed from the void, like utensils from a block of wood
the master knows the utensils, yet keeps to the block
thus she can use all things

00:32:34,720 –> 00:32:37,440
29.

do you want to improve the world
i don’t think it can be done

the world is sacred
it can’t be improved
if you tamper with it, you’ll ruin [your ConCeption of] it

if you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it

there is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind
a time for being in motion, a time for being at rest
a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted
a time for being safe, a time for being in danger

the master sees things as they are, without trying to control them
she lets them go their own way and resides at the center of the circle

00:34:09,839 –> 00:34:12,159
30

whoever relies on the tao in governing men, doesn’t try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms
for every force, there is a counter force
violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself

the master does his job and then stops
he understands that the universe is forever out of control [not controlable]
and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao

because he believes in himself, he doesn’t try to convince others
because he is content with himself, he doesn’t need others approval
because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him

00:35:31,040 –> 00:35:33,599
31

weapons are the tools of violence, all decent men detest them
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 his 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 wish them harm, nor does he rejoice in victory
how could he rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men [That’s all You!]

he enters the battle gravely with sorrow and with great compassion
as if he were attending a funeral

00:36:53,680 –> 00:36:56,320
32

the Tao can’t be perceived, smaller than an electron
it contains uncountable galaxies

if powerful men and women, could remain centered in the Tao
all things would be in harmony [would Understand, honor, and Flow with/through, all ‘other’, as inherently One Symbiotic relationship]
the world would become a paradise
all people would be at peace
and the law would be written in their hearts

when you have names and forms
know that they are provisional

when you have institutions
where their functions should end
knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger

all things end [and begin from] in the Tao
as rivers flow into the sea [and receive their replenishment from their salty origin]

00:38:14,720 –> 00:38:17,720
33

knowing others is intelligence
knowing yourself is true wisdom
mastering others, is strength
mastering yourself, is true power

if you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich
if you stay in the center and embrace death with your whole heart, you will endure forever

00:39:02,079 –> 00:39:04,720
34

the great Tao flows everywhere
all things are born from it yet it doesn’t create them

it pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim
it nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn’t hold on to them

since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts
it can be called humble
since all things vanish into it and it alone endures
it can be called great

it isn’t aware of its greatness, thus it is truly great

00:40:04,880 –> 00:40:07,680
35.

she who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without [false sense of] danger

she perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain
because she has found peace in her heart

music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy
but words that point to the Tao, seem monotonousand without flavor

when you look for it, there is nothing to see
when you listen for it, there is nothing to hear
when you use, it it is inexhaustible

00:41:11,200 –> 00:41:14,000
36.

if you want to shrink something
you must first allow it to expand

if you want to get rid of something
you must first allow it to flourish

if you want to take something
you must first allow it to be given

this is called the subtle perception of the way things are

the soft overcomes the hard
the slow overcomes the fast

let yOUR inner/macro workings remain a mystery
this is called the subtle perception of the way things are

let yOUR inner/macro workings remain a mystery
just show people the results

00:42:38,640 –> 00:42:41,280
37

the Tao never does anything
yet through it all things are done

if powerful men and women could center themselves in it
the whole world would be transformed by itself in its natural rhythms

people would be content with their simple everyday lives
in harmony and free of desire

when there is no desire
all “things” are at peace

00:43:25,680 –> 00:43:28,240
38

the master doesn’t try to be powerful
thus he is truly powerful

the ordinary man keeps reaching for power
thus he never has enough

the master does nothing, yet he leaves nothing undone
the ordinary man is always doing things, yet many more are left to be done
the kind man does something, yet something remains undone
the just man does something, and leaves many things to be done
the moral man does something, and when no one responds he rolls up his sleeves and uses force

when the tao is lost, there is goodness
when goodness is lost, there is morality
when morality is lost, there is ritual
ritual is the husk of true faith, the beginning of chaos

therefore the master concerns himself with the depths and not the surface
with the fruit and not the flower
he has no will of his own
he dwells in reality and lets all illusions go

00:45:28,560 –> 00:45:31,560
39.

in harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious
the earth is solid and full
all creatures flourish together, content with the way they are
endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed

when man interferes with the Tao
the sky becomes filthy
the earth becomes depleted
the equilibrium crumbles
creatures become extinct

the master views the parts with compassion
because he understands the whole
his constant practice, his humility
he doesn’t glitter like a jewel, but lets himself be shaped by the Tao
as rugged and common as a stone

00:46:55,520 –> 00:46:57,839
40.

return is the movement of the tao
yielding, is the way of the tao

all things are born of being
being is born of non-being

when a superior man hears of the Tao, he immediately begins to embody it
when an average man hears of the Tao, he half believes it, half doubts it
when a foolish man hears of the Tao he laughs out loud
if he didn’t laugh, it wouldn’t be the Tao

thus it is said
the path into the light, seems dark
the path forward, seems to go back
the direct path seems long
true power seems weak
true purity seems tarnished
true steadfastness seems changeable
true clarity seems obscure
the greatest art seems unsophisticated
the greatest love seems indifferent
the greatest wisdom seems childish

the Tao is nowhere to be found, yet it nourishes and completes all things

00:49:20,880 –> 00:49:23,440
42

the Tao gives birth to one
one gives birth to two
two gives birth to three
three gives birth to all “things”

all things have their backs to the female, and stand facing the male
when male and female combine, all things achieve harmony

ordinary men hate solitude, but the master makes use of it
embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe

the gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world
that which has no substance enters where there is no space
this shows the value of non-action
teaching without words
performing without actions
that is the master’s way

00:51:06,800 –> 00:51:09,800
44.

fame or integrity, which is more important?
money or happiness, which is more valuable
success or failure, which is more destructive

if you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled
if your happiness depends on money, 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

00:52:06,800 –> 00:52:09,440
45

true perfection seems imperfect
yet it is perfectly itself

true fullness seems empty
yet it is fully present

true straightness seems crooked
true wisdom seems foolish
true art seems artless

the master allows things to happen
she shapes events as they come
she steps out of the way

when a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors
when a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities

there is no greater illusion than fear
no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself
no greater misfortune than having an enemy
whoever can see through all fear will always be safe

00:53:59,040 –> 00:54:01,680
47

without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world
without looking out your window you can see the essence of the Tao

the more you know the less you understand

the master arrives without leaving
sees the light without looking (eye-less crescent affirmation of inward composition)
achieves without doing a thing

00:54:46,160 –> 00:54:48,799
48

in the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added
in the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped

less and less do you need to force “things [in Events]”
until finally you arrive at non-action

when nothing is done, nothing is left undone

true mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way
it can’t be gained by interfering

00:55:38,640 –> 00:55:41,200
49

the master has no mind of her own
she works with the MIND of the people

she is good to people who are good
she’s also good to people who aren’t good

this is true goodness

she trusts people who are trustworthy
she also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy

this is true trust

the master’s mind is like space
people don’t understand her
they look to her and wait
she treats them like her own children

00:56:41,839 –> 00:56:44,839
50.

the master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings
he knows that he is going to die and he has nothing left to hold on to
no illusions in his mind
no resistances in his body

he doesn’t think about his actions, they flow from the core of his being
he holds nothing back from life, therefore he is ready for death
as a man is ready for sleep after a good day’s work

00:57:33,280 –> 00:57:35,839
51

every being in the universe is an expression of the tao
it springs into existence, unconscious (inhrently aware of symbiotic relationship to ALL manifesting), perfect, free
takes on a physical body
lets circumstances complete it
that is why every being
spontaneously honors the Tao

tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them
cares for them
comforts them
protects them
takes them back to itself
creating without possessing
acting without expecting
guiding

without interfering
that is why love of the Tao is in the very nature of things

00:58:48,240 –> 00:58:51,240
52

in the beginning was the Tao
all things issue from it
all things return to it

to find the origin
trace back the manifestations
when you recognize the children and find the mother
you will be free of sorrow

if you close your mind in judgments and traffic with desires your heart will be troubled
if you keep your mind from judging and aren’t led by the senses your heart will find peace

seeing into darkness is clarity
knowing how to yield is strength
use your own light and return to the source of light
this is called practicing eternity

01:00:20,799 –> 01:00:23,520
53

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 speculators 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 in keeping with the Tao

01:01:15,520 –> 01:01:18,240
54

whoever ‘IS’ her name will be held in honor from generation to generation

let the Tao be present in your life and you will become genuine
let it be present in your family and your family will flourish
let it be present in your country and your country will be an example to all countries in the world
let it be present in the universe and the universe will sing

how do i know this is true
by looking inside myself

01:02:31,599 –> 01:02:34,599
55

he who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child
its bones are soft, its muscles are weak
but its grip is powerful
it doesn’t know about the union of male and female, yet its penis can stand erect

so intense is its vital power it can scream its head off all day
yet it never becomes hoarse
so complete is its harmony

the master’s power is like this

he lets all things come and go, effortlessly
without desire, he never expects results
thus he is neverdisappointed
thus his spirit never grows old

01:03:55,520 –> 01:03:58,520
56.

those who know, don’t talk
those who talk, don’t know
close your mouth
block off your senses
blunt your sharpness
untie your knots
soften your glare
settle your dust

this is the primal identity

be like the Tao
it can’t be approached or withdrawn from
benefited or harmed
honored or brought into disgrace
it gives itself up continually, that is why it endures

01:05:05,119 –> 01:05:08,119
57

if you want to be a great leader
you must learn to follow the tao
stop trying to control
let go of fixed plans and concepts and the world will govern itself

the more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be
the more weapons you have, the less secure people will be
the more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be

therefore the master says
i let go of the law and people become honest
i let go of economics and people become prosperous
i let go of religion and people become serene
i let go of all desire for the common good and the good becomes common as grass

01:06:37,200 –> 01:06:39,839
58

if a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest
if a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty

when the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals the lower the results
try to make people happy and you lay the groundwork for misery
try to make people moral and you lay the groundwork for vice

thus the master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will
she is pointed but doesn’t pierce
forward but supple
radiant but easy on the eyes

01:07:55,119 –> 01:07:57,839
59

for governing a country well, there is nothing better than moderation
the mark of a moderate man, is his freedom from his own ideas
tolerant like the sky, all pervading like sunlight
firm like a mountain
supple like a tree in the wind

he has no destination in view and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way
nothing is impossible for him, because he has let go
he can care for the people’s welfare as a mother cares for her child

01:08:56,239 –> 01:08:58,719
60

governing a large country is like frying a small fish
you spoil it with too much poking

center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power
not that it isn’t there, but you’ll be able to step out of its way
give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself

01:09:36,319 –> 01:09:38,960
61

when a country obtains great power, it becomes like the sea
all streams run downward into it
the more powerful it grows, the greater the need for humility
humility means trusting the Tao, thus never needing to be defensive

a great nation is like a great man
when he makes a mistake, he realizes it
having realized it, he admits it
having admitted it, he corrects it

he considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers
he thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts

if a nation is centered in the Tao it nourishes its own people and doesn’t meddle in the affairs of others
it will be a light to all nations in the world

01:11:17,679 –> 01:11:20,320
62

the Tao is the center of the universe
the good man’s treasure
the bad man’s refuge

honors can be bought with fine words
respect can be one with good deeds
but the tao is beyond all value and no one can achieve it

thus when a new leader is chosen
don’t offer to help him with your wealth or your expertise
offer instead to teach him about the Tao

why did the ancient masters esteem the Tao
because being one with the Tao
when you seek, you find, and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven
that is why everybody loves it

01:12:33,840 –> 01:12:36,840
63.

act without doing
work without effort
think of the small as large
and the few as many
confront the difficult while it is still easy
accomplish the great task by a series of small acts

the master never reaches for the great, thus she achieves greatness
when she runs into a difficulty she stops and gives herself to it
she doesn’t cling to her own comfort, thus problems are no problem for her

01:13:38,640 –> 01:13:41,440
64.

what is rooted is easy to nourish
what is recent is easy to correct
what is brittle is easy to break
what is small is easy to scatter

prevent trouble before it arises
put things in order before they adhere

the giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout
the journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet

rushing into action you fail
trying to grasp things you lose them

forcing a project to completion you ruin what was almost ripe

therefore the master takes action by letting things take their course
he remains as calm at the end as at the beginning
he has nothing thus has nothing to lose

what he desires, is non-desire
what he learns, is to unlearn

he simply reminds people of who they have always been
he cares about nothing but the tao
thus he can care for all things [manifesting]

01:15:51,040 –> 01:15:53,840
65

the ancient masters didn’t try to educate the people
but kindly taught them to [admit, say I do] not know

when they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide
when they know that they don’t know, people can find their own way

if you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich
the simplest pattern is the clearest

content with an ordinary life
you can show all people the way back to their own true nature

01:16:51,360 –> 01:16:54,159
66

all streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are
humility gives it its power

if you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them
if you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them

the master is above the people and no one feels oppressed
she goes ahead of the people and no one feels manipulated
the whole world is grateful to her, because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her

01:17:56,880 –> 01:17:59,840
67

some say that my teaching is nonsense
others call it lofty but impractical
but to those who have looked inside themselves
this nonsense makes perfect sense
and to those who put it into practice
this loftiness has roots that go deep

i have just three things to teach, simplicity, patience, compassion
these three are your greatest treasures

simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being
patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are
compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world

01:19:23,760 –> 01:19:26,400
68

the best athlete wants his opponent at his best
the best general enters the mind of his enemy
the best businessman serves the communal good
the best leader follows the will of the people
all of them embody the virtue of non-competition
not that they don’t love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play
in this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao

01:20:20,239 –> 01:20:22,960
69

the generals have a saying
rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see
rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard
this is called going forward without advancing
pushing back without [being defensive] using weapons

there’s no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy
underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil [just contrary to this-you on a continuum of all]

thus you destroy your three treasures [#67] and become an enemy yourself

when two great forces oppose each other the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield

01:21:32,960 –> 01:21:35,440
70

my teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice
yet your intellect will never grasp them [only your Intuitive Heart can]
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

01:22:16,480 –> 01:22:19,120
71

not knowing is true knowledge
presuming to know is a disease

first realize that you are sick
then you can move toward health

the master is her own physician
she has healed herself of all knowing

thus she is truly whole

01:23:00,000 –> 01:23:02,800
72

when they lose their sense of awe, people turn to religion
when they no longer trust themselves, they begin to depend upon authority

therefore the master steps back, so that people won’t be confused
he teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn

01:23:40,639 –> 01:23:43,360
73

the Tao is always at ease