Nature helps one stay calm, grounded, and in harmony with the Way. The sage looks to it to find examples of how to live their life.
The Way
The Way has created all of nature including the earth and heavens.
“It may be regarded as the Mother of the universe…Humanity follows the earth. Earth follows Heaven. Heaven follows the Dao. The Dao follows only itself.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 25
It unifies the lowest valleys all the way up to the heavens and animates plants, animals, and insects.
“The masters of old attained unity with the Dao. Heaven attained unity and became pure. The earth attained unity and found peace. The spirits attained unity so they could minister. The valleys attained unity that they might be full. Humanity attained unity that they might flourish.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 39
The Way created the one which multiplied and eventually evolved into all of nature.
“The Dao gave birth to One. The One gave birth to Two. The Two gave birth to Three. The Three gave birth to all of creation.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
Humility
Even though all things depend on the Way, it doesn’t demand obedience or honor. It is always low and humble.
“The great Dao flows unobstructed in every direction. All things rely on it to conceive and be born, and it does not deny even the smallest of creation. When it has accomplished great wonders, it does not claim them for itself.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 34
The Way provides food, shelter, and clothing, yet has no desire of its own. Even though it is great it can be called small.
“It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn’t seek to master the smallest creature. Since it is without wants and desires, it can be considered humble.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 34
Water
Water in all its forms is an essential part of nature and provides one of the best examples on how to live according to the Way. It sustains all yet flows to lower ground. The sage acts like water showing compassion, humility, and yielding to others.
“The supreme good is like water, which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it. It gathers in unpopular places. Thus it is like the Dao.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 8
The Way is like the stream feeding the sea. It gives nature life, energy, and strength.
“All things end in the Dao just as the small streams and the largest rivers flow through valleys to the sea.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 32
Balance
The sage recognizes that they are a part of nature and should live in harmony with it. Spending time outdoors helps one become grounded, calm, and feel interconnected.
“The Dao gives birth to all of creation. The virtue of Dao in nature nurtures them, and their families give them their form. Their environment then shapes them into completion. That is why every creature honors the Dao and its virtue.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 51
Summary
The Way created the rich diversity in nature and unifies all things. It humbly provides food, shelter, and clothing, yet has no desires of its own. Water provides one of the best examples on being compassionate, humble, and yielding. The sage spends time outdoors to help them become grounded, calm, and in harmony with the Way.
Resource:
Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.
