Daoism teaches that life is constantly changing and no two moments are exactly the same. The best way to live is to adapt to these changes by using the virtue of flexibility. This mindset helps one stay in the moment, make important long term decisions, and adapt to sudden change.
The Way
The Way is the ultimate example of flexibility. It includes both existence and non-existence. It has shape while at the same time is without form.
“Unending, unnameable, it returns to nothingness. Formless forms, and imageless images, subtle, beyond all understanding.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 14
It is cautious and yielding.
“They were careful as someone crossing a frozen stream in winter. Alert as if surrounded on all sides by the enemy. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 15
Water
Consider the flexible nature of water. Although it is soft it suffers no harm when struck. It can be peaceful, choppy, or crash as a wave. Water adjusts to its environment and flows around obstacles.
“Water is the softest and most yielding substance. Yet nothing is better than water, for overcoming the hard and rigid, because nothing can compete with it.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 78
Bamboo
Flexibility represents life while rigidness represents death. The mighty oak tree appears strong but refuses to bend in the storm. The bamboo appears weak but bends with the wind and survives.
“The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry. Those who are stiff and rigid are the disciple of death. Those who are soft and yielding are the disciples of life.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 74
The sage knows that what has deep roots will survive.
“That which is well built will never be torn down. That which is well latched can not slip away. Those who do things well will be honored from generation to generation.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 54
Passive Energy
The sage is flexible because they embrace passive energy. Like a mother they care for others but don’t need to dominate.
“Can you love people and lead them without forcing your will on them? When Heaven gives and takes away can you be content with the outcome? When you understand all things can you step back from your own understanding?Giving birth and nourishing, making without possessing, expecting nothing in return. To grow, yet not to control: This is the mysterious virtue.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 10
They are reflective and yielding.
“The female overcomes the male by the power of her position. Her tranquility gives rise to her humility.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 61
They are always ready to retreat.
“It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 69
Force
The sage does not need to be forceful because they know that gain can come from loss.
“In losing, much is gained, and in gaining, much is lost. What others teach I too will teach: ‘The strong and violent will not die a natural death.'”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
They never need to argue.
“Wise men don’t need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 81
They don’t contend yet still finds success.
“The Dao of the universe does not compete, yet wins.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 73
Moderation
Flexibility helps the sage find balance in their own life. They recognize that some things need to be reduced while others expanded. Some situations require strength while others weakness.
“If you want something to return to the source, you must first allow it to spread out. If you want something to weaken, you must first allow it to become strong. If you want something to be removed, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to possess something, you must first give it away. This is called the subtle understanding of how things are meant to be. The soft and pliable overcomes the hard and inflexible.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 36
Summary
The sage uses the virtue of flexibility and lives in the moment. Like water they adjust to their environment and move around obstacles. They follow the nature of bamboo and yield in the face of adversity. The sage doesn’t hesitate to be passive and reflective. They know that gain comes from loss and never feel the need to contend. Flexibility helps one find balance in their own life.
Resource:
Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.
