The book Zhuangzi is an essential text in Daoism. Chapter Twenty Six, External Things, rejects the human values of wealth, power, excess, and fame.
“[In man,] virtue spills over into a concern for fame, and a concern for fame spills over into a love of show. Schemes are laid in time of crisis; wisdom is born from contention; obstinacy comes from sticking to a position; government affairs are arranged for the convenience of the mob.”
Wealth
The sage rejects things that humanity values such as wealth. They see that external things do not bring happiness. Instead they focus on the internal and reaching a state of emptiness.
“External things cannot be counted on.”
“His mind is as though trussed and suspended between heaven and earth, bewildered and lost in delusion. Profit and loss rub against each other and light the countless fires that burn up the inner harmony of the mass of men.”
Power
The sage rejects power and leadership. They are content with their daily life.
“Now if you shoulder your pole and line, march to the ditches and gullies, and watch for minnows and perch, then you’ll have a hard time ever landing a big fish. If you parade your little theories and fish for the post of district magistrate, you will be far from the Great Understanding.”
Excess
The sage rejects accumulating possessions and excess. They live life sticking to the necessities.
“I heard someone calling me on the road. I turned around and saw that there was a perch in the carriage rut. I said to him, ‘Come, perch—what are you doing here?’ He replied, ‘I am a Wave Official of the Eastern Sea. Couldn’t you give me a dipperful of water so I can stay alive?’ I said to him, ‘Why, of course. I’m just about to start south to visit the kings of Wu and Yue. I’ll change the course of the West River and send it in yourdirection. Will that be all right?’ The perch flushed with anger and said, ‘I’ve lost my element! I have nowhere to go! If you can get me a dipper of water, I’ll be able to stay alive. But if you give me an answer like that, then you’d best look for me in the dried fish store!”
Fame
The sage rejects fame and does not value reputation. They remain humble and do not assume that they know what is right. They always reflect before taking action which makes success much more likely.
“These are the actions, the ‘progress’ of mediocre men—men who pull one another around with fame, drag one another into secret schemes, join together to praise Yao and condemn Jie, when the best thing would be to forget them both and put a stop to praise! The sage is hesitant and reluctant to begin an affair, and so he always ends in success. But what good are these actions of yours? They end in nothing but a boast!”
Knowledge
The sage knows the limit of human knowledge and does not feel the need to accumulate it. Instead they work towards emptiness and the unity of all things.
“So it is that knowledge has its limitations, and the sacred has that which it can do nothing about. Even the most perfect wisdom can be outwitted by ten thousand schemers. Fish do not [know enough to] fear a net but only to fear pelicans. Discard little wisdom, and great wisdom will become clear.”
Emptiness
The state of emptiness is seeing the connection of all things. The sage stays focused on the Way.
“Heaven opens up the passages and supplies them day and night without stop. But man, on the contrary, blocks up the holes. The cavity of the body is a many-storied vault; the mind has its Heavenly wanderings.“
This allows the sage to live in the world without becoming encumbered by it. The sage goes with the flow and does not force action. They accept the world for what it is.
“Only the Perfect Man can wander in the world without taking sides, can follow along with men without losing himself.”
“Therefore I say, the Perfect Man is never a stickler in his actions.“
In emptiness there is no agitation, trouble, or worry.
“Stillness and silence can benefit the ailing, massage can give relief to the aged, and rest and quiet can put a stop to agitation. But these are remedies that the troubled and weary man has recourse to. The man who is at ease does not need them and has never bothered to ask about them.”
In emptiness, one forgets skills, techniques, and human knowledge.
“The fish trap exists because of the fish; once you’ve gotten the fish, you can forget the trap. The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit; once you’ve gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning; once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a word with him?”
Conclusion
The sage rejects the human values of wealth, power, excess, and fame. They see that these external things do not bring happiness. They work towards emptiness and the connection of all things. This allows them to live the world without being bothered by it. They only act if necessary and after much reflection.
Resource
Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu, Burton Watson, translator. Columbia University Press, 1968. A good and classic translation of Chuang Tzu.
The book Zhuangzi is an essential text in Daoism. Chapter Nineteen, Mastering Life, focuses on how to live in the world.
Acceptance
The sage accepts life for what it is. They do not worry about what they can not change.
“He who has mastered the true nature of life does not labor over what life cannot do. He who has mastered the true nature of fate does not labor over what knowledge cannot change.”
They accept their lack of control. They accept that they did not choose when they were born or predict when they will die.
“The coming of life cannot be fended off; its departure cannot be stopped.”
They are grateful for their health and any positive things in their life.
“You’ve managed to keep your body in one piece; you have all the ordinary nine openings; you haven’t been struck down midway by blindness or deafness, lameness or deformity—compared with a lot of people, you’re a lucky man.”
Happiness
The sage rejects what is normally valuable to humanity. They do not pursue money, power, or fame. Instead they live a simple life and pursue what nourishes them.
“Once long ago a bird alighted in the suburbs of the Lu capital. The ruler of Lu was delighted with it, had a Tailao sacrifice prepared for it to feast on, and the Nine Shao music performed for its enjoyment. But the bird immediately began to look unhappy and dazed and did not dare to eat or drink. This is what is called trying to nourish a bird with what would nourish you.”
The sage realizes that possessions don’t bring happiness.
“He who wants to nourish his body must, first of all, turn to things. And yet it is possible to have more than enough things and for the body still to go un-nourished.”
Separatness
The sage sets themselves apart from the world which conserves their strength.
“If you abandon the affairs of the world, your body will be without toil. If you forget life, your vitality will be unimpaired.”
This also gets them closer to the Dao.
“By abandoning the world, he can be without entanglements. Being without entanglements, he can be upright and calm. Being upright and calm, he can be born again with others. Being born again, he can come close [to the Way].”
Harmony
The sage finds a balance between separating themselves from the world and being a part of it.
“In Lu there was Shan Bao—he lived among the cliffs, drank only water, and didn’t go after gain like other people. Unfortunately, he met a hungry tiger who killed him and ate him up. Then there was Zhang Yi—there wasn’t one of the great families and fancy mansions that he didn’t rush off to visit. He went along like that for forty years, and then he developed an internal fever, fell ill, and died. Shan Bao looked after what was on the inside and the tiger ate up his outside. Zhang Yi looked after what was on the outside and the sickness attacked him from the inside. Both these men failed to give a lash to the stragglers.”
Harm
Nothing harms the sage if they don’t perceive events as negative. They simply accept the flow of life as it comes.
“When a drunken man falls from a carriage, though the carriage may be going very fast, he won’t be killed. He didn’t know he was riding, and he doesn’t know he has fallen out.”
“The sage hides himself in Heaven—hence there is nothing that can do him harm.”
Present Moment
The sage gets the most out of the present moment by focusing on what is in front of them.
“When Confucius was on his way to Chu, he passed through a forest where he saw a hunchback catching cicadas with a sticky pole as easily as though he were grabbing them with his hand.”
“I’m aware of nothing but cicada wings. Not wavering, not tipping, not letting any of the other ten thousand things take the place of those cicada wings—how can I help but succeed?”
By being in the moment, one can complete challenging tasks and physical feats.
“May I ask if you have some special way of staying afloat in the water? I have no way. I began with what I was used to, grew up with my nature, and let things come to completion with fate. I go under with the swirls and come out with the eddies, following along the way the water goes and never thinking about myself. That’s how I can stay afloat.”
They do not allow stress to affect them even when the stakes are high.
“When you’re betting for tiles in an archery contest, you shoot with skill. And when you’re betting for real gold, you’re a nervous wreck. Your skill is the same in all three cases—but because one prize means more to you than another, you let outside considerations weigh on your mind. He who looks too hard at the outside gets clumsy on the inside.”
The sage focuses their concentration on the task at hand.
“My skill is concentrated, and all outside distractions fade away. After that, I go into the mountain forest and examine the Heavenly nature of the trees. If I find one of superlative form and I can see a bell stand there, I put my hand to the job of carving; if not, I let it go. This way I am simply matching up ‘Heaven’ with ‘Heaven.”
This allows them to be in a state of effortless action or Wu Wei. Things get done easily and without planning.
“Artisan Chui could draw as true as a compass or a T square because his fingers changed along with things and he didn’t let his mind get in the way. Therefore his Spirit Tower remained unified and unobstructed. You forget your feet when the shoes are comfortable. You forget your waist when the belt is comfortable. Understanding forgets right and wrong when the mind is comfortable.”
The key is to not get overwhelmed. Instead act as if it is perfectly normal.
“If a man can swim under water, he may never have seen a boat before, and still he’ll know how to handle it—that’s because he sees the water as so much dry land and regards the capsizing of a boat as he would the overturning of a cart.”
Conclusion
The sage accepts life for what it is and accept their lack of control. They are grateful for the positive aspects of their life and rejects money, possessions, power, and fame. They live a simple life and pursue what nourishes them.
The sage finds balance between separating themselves from the world and being a part of it. They get the most out of the present moment by focusing on the task at hand. This allows them to be in a state of effortless action.
Resource
Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu, Burton Watson, translator. Columbia University Press, 1968. A good and classic translation of Chuang Tzu.
The book Zhuangzi is an essential text in Daoism. Chapter Eighteen, Supreme Happiness, centers on the question of what do humans value? Can money buy happiness? What must a person do to be happy?
Happiness
This chapter begins with the essential question, “Can one be happy in life?”
“Is there such a thing as supreme happiness in the world, or isn’t there? Is there some way to keep yourself alive, or isn’t there? What to do, what to rely on, what to avoid, what to stick by, what to follow, what to leave alone, what to find happiness in, what to hate?”
Human Values
Humanity values wealth, reputation, power, and long life. Many find happiness in fashionable clothes, rich food, leisure activities, music, and beauty. Humanity doesn’t value poverty, a short life, or a hectic lifestyle.
“This is what the world honors: wealth, eminence, long life, a good name. This is what the world finds happiness in: a life of ease, rich food, fine clothes, beautiful sights, sweet sounds. This is what it looks down on: poverty, meanness, an early death, a bad name. This is what it finds bitter: a life that knows no rest, a mouth that gets no rich food, no fine clothes for the body, no beautiful sights for the eye, no sweet sounds for the ear.”
Wealthy
The wealthy rush around all day accumulating wealth. They engage in complex business dealings, long term planning, and questionable schemes. They accumulate more wealth than they could possibly use in their lifetime. They worry if they are making the right decisions.
“People who are rich wear themselves out rushing around on business, piling up more wealth than they could ever use — this is a superficial way to treat the body. People who are eminent spend night and day scheming and wondering whether they are doing right — this is a shoddy way to treat the body.”
Wealth does not bring one true happiness. The rich are too rushed and can’t slow down to enjoy the moment. They are constantly worrying about protecting their possessions. They convince themselves that money will make them happy.
“What ordinary people do and what they find happiness in — I don’t know whether or not such happiness is, in the end, really happiness. I look at what ordinary people find happiness in, what they all make a mad dash for, racing around as though they couldn’t stop — they all say they’re happy with it.”
True Happiness
The sage does not accumulate possessions. They find true happiness in the state of Wu Wei or effortless action. They follow the natural contours of life and do not force anything. They only take action after much reflection and when it seems natural in the moment. This state of “inaction” brings peace and clarity and helps determine what is right and wrong. It feels as if things get done all by themselves and everything that needs to gets done gets done.
“I take inaction to be true happiness, but ordinary people think it is a bitter thing. I say: the highest happiness has no happiness, the highest praise has no praise. The world can’t decide what is right and what is wrong. And yet inaction can decide this. The highest happiness, keeping alive—only inaction gets you close to this! Let me try putting it this way. The inaction of Heaven is its purity, the inaction of earth is its peace. So the two inactions combine, and all things are transformed and brought to birth.”
“So I say, Heaven and earth do nothing, and there is nothing that is not done.”
Life and Death
The sage keeps life and death in proper perspective. They mourn the loss of a loved one, but also realize that life and death are part of nature. There was a time before birth and having a body or spirit. One is born, grows, and finally dies. This is the progression of things.
“When she first died, do you think I didn’t grieve like anyone else? But I looked back to her beginning and the time before she was born. Not only the time before she was born, but the time before she had a body. Not only the time before she had a body, but the time before she had a spirit. In the midst of the jumble of wonder and mystery, a change took place and she had a spirit. Another change and she had a body. Another change and she was born. Now there’s been another change and she’s dead. It’s just like the progression of the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. Now she’s going to lie down peacefully in a vast room. If I were to follow after her bawling and sobbing, it would show that I don’t understand anything about fate. So I stopped.”
In fact the dead would not choose to be alive again because they wouldn’t give up the peacefulness of death for the troubles of life.
“‘If I got the Arbiter of Fate to give you a body again, make you some bones and flesh, return you to your parents and family and your old home and friends, you would want that, wouldn’t you?” The skull frowned severely, wrinkling up its brow. ‘Why would I throw away more happiness than that of a king on a throne and take on the troubles of a human being again?’”
People have different Needs
A sage knows that people have different needs. A bird travels in a flock, likes the forest, eats fish, and hates human noise. Fish swim in the water and eat insects. Humans aren’t birds or fish so they have different needs than them.
“If you want to nourish a bird with what nourishes a bird, then you should let it roost in the deep forest, play among the banks and islands, float on the rivers and lakes, eat mudfish and minnows, follow the rest of the flock in flight and rest, and live in any way it chooses. A bird hates to hear even the sound of human voices, much less all that hubbub and to-do.”
“Fish live in water and thrive, but if men tried to live in water, they would die. Creatures differ because they have different likes and dislikes. Therefore the former sages never required the same ability from all creatures or made them all do the same thing.”
Individuals have different needs due to their biology, environment, and life experiences. A seed grows differently in water, on the bank of a stream, or on the side of a slope.
“The seeds of things have mysterious workings. In the water, they become Break Vine; on the edges of the water, they become Frog’s Robe. If they sprout on the slopes, they become Hill Slippers.“
Interconnectedness
The sage knows that all living things are connected. Roots of a plant need rich soil to grow. Worms eat its roots while butterflies eat its leaves. Birds eat butterflies and animals eat plants. Humans eat all of these but eventually pass away and return to the soil.
The roots of Crow’s Feet turn into maggots, and their leaves turn into butterflies. Before long, the butterflies are transformed and turn into insects that live under the stove; they look like snakes, and their name is Qutuo. After a thousand days, the Qutuo insects become birds called Dried Leftover Bones.
Jiuyou bugs are born from Mourui bugs, and Mourui bugs are born from Rot Grubs, and Rot Grubs are born from Sheep’s Groom. Sheep’s Groom couples with bamboo that has not sprouted for a long while and produces Green Peace plants. Green Peace plants produce leopards, and leopards produce horses, and horses produce men. Men in time return again to the mysterious workings. So all creatures come out of the mysterious workings and go back into them again.”
Conclusion
What is happiness? Humanity values wealth, reputation, and power. However, these things do not guarantee happiness and can actually prevent it. Wealth brings a hectic life and worry about protecting possessions. The sage finds happiness in the state of Wu Wei or effortless action. They only take action after much reflection when it seems natural in the moment. The sage keeps life and death in proper perspective and realize that they are part of nature. Individuals have different needs due to their biology, but are still connected as part of nature.
Resource
Complete Works Of Chuang Tzu, Burton Watson, translator. Columbia University Press, 1968. A good and classic translation of Chuang Tzu.
The book Zhuangzi is an essential text in Daoism. Chapter Seventeen, Fit for Emperors and Kings, describes having an expansive perspective on life and seeing the unity of all things. The sage seeks emptiness and sees that there is truly no division between life and death, right and wrong, or past and present. This chapter differs significantly from the inner chapters because it focuses on one long conversation between the Yellow River and the North Sea.
Pride
During the Autumn floods, streams poured into the Yellow River making it overflow its banks. The Lord of the River was full of pride at how powerful he had become. However, when he made it to the North Sea he became humbled by its vastness.
“The time of the autumn floods came, and the hundred streams poured into the Yellow River. Its racing current swelled to such proportions that, looking from bank to bank or island to island, it was impossible to distinguish a horse from a cow. Then the Lord of the River! was beside himself with joy, believing that all the beauty in the world belonged to him alone. Following the current, he journeyed east until at last he reached the North Sea.”
Perspective
Ruo of the North Sea was so vast that it gave the Yellow River a more expansive perspective. He realized that he had been so vain. This is a common occurrence with many not seeing the big picture. A frog in the well can’t understand the ocean. An insect in the summer has no conception of winter. A scholar locked into their own beliefs can’t understand the Way.
“Ruo of the North Sea said, ‘You can’t discuss the ocean with a well frog—he’s limited by the space he lives in. You can’t discuss ice with a summer insect—he’s bound to a single season. You can’t discuss the Way with a cramped scholar—he’s shackled by his doctrines. Now you have come out beyond your banks and borders and have seen the great sea—so you realize your own pettiness.’”
Large v. Small
This expanded perspective also means that size doesn’t matter. A small amount of time is just as important as a large. A near place as important as a far place. Short as meaningful as long.
“Therefore great wisdom observes both far and near, and for that reason, it recognizes small without considering it paltry, recognizes large without considering it unwieldy, for it knows that there is no end to the weighing of things.”
Past v. Present
With this expanded perspective, one realizes that there is no division between past and present. Time is connected and flows on unceasingly.
“It has a clear understanding of past and present, and for that reason, it spends a long time without finding it tedious, a short time without fretting at its shortness, for it knows that time has no end.”
Life and Death
Because time always continues, death need not be feared. The time a person is alive does not compare to the time before they were born.
“Calculate the time he is alive, and it cannot compare with the time before he was born. Yet the time before he was born. Yet man takes something so small and tries to exhaust the dimensions of something so large!”
Life has a natural rhythm in which all things progress. They are born, grow, decay, and finally die.
“The Way is without beginning or end, but things have their life and death—you cannot rely on their fulfillment. One moment empty, the next moment full—you cannot depend on their form. The years cannot be held off; time cannot be stopped. Decay, growth, fullness, and emptiness end and then begin again. It is thus that we must describe the plan of the Great Meaning and discuss the principles of the ten thousand things.”
Right v. Wrong
One with proper perspective realizes that both right and wrong are subjective and vary from society to society. What is considered right in one culture is wrong in another.
“He knows that no line can be drawn between right and wrong, no border can be fixed between great and small.“
“From the point of view of preference, if we regard a thing as right because there is a certain right to it, then among the ten thousand things there are none that are not right. If we regard a thing as wrong because there is a certain wrong to it, then among the ten thousand things there are none that are not wrong.“
Usefulness
Expanding perspective helps the sage understand that nothing is truly useless. Usefulness depends on the point of view of the individual.
“From the point of view of function, if we regard a thing as useful because there is a certain usefulness to it, then among all the ten thousand things there are none that are not useful. If we regard a thing as useless because there is a certain uselessness to it, then among the ten thousand things there are none that are not useless.”
Usefulness also depends on the specific circumstances of the situation. Somethings will work in certain situations but not others. A beam can be used to break a wooden door, but not to plug up a small hole.
“A beam or pillar can be used to batter down a city wall, but it is no good for stopping up a little hole—this refers to a difference in function. Thoroughbreds like Qiji and Hualiu could gallop a thousand li in one day, but when it came to catching rats, they were no match for the wildcat or the weasel—this refers to a difference in skill. The horned owl catches fleas at night and can spot the tip of a hair, but when daylight comes, no matter how wide it opens its eyes, it cannot see a mound or a hill—this refers to a difference in nature. ”
All beings have different needs. The frog is happy in a small well while the great turtle is happiest in the wide sea.
“What fun I have! I come out and hop around the railing of the well, or I go back in and take a rest in the wall where a tile has fallen out. When I dive into the water, I let it hold me up under the armpits and support my chin, and when I slip about in the mud, I bury my feet in it and let it come up over my ankles. I look around at the mosquito larvae and the crabs and tadpoles, and I see that none of them can match me. To have complete command of the water of one whole valley and to monopolize all the joys of a caved-in well—this is the best there is! Why don’t you come some time and see for yourself?“
“But before the great turtle of the Eastern Sea had even gotten his left foot in the well, his right knee was already wedged fast. He backed out and withdrew a little, and then began to describe the sea. ‘A distance of a thousand li cannot indicate its greatness; a depth of a thousand fathoms cannot express how deep it is.”
The sage realizes that all act according to their nature. The millipede moves with ten thousand legs while the snake moves using its backbone. The wind moves without any physical form.
“’Now how in the world do you manage to work all those ten thousand legs of yours?’ The millipede said, ‘You don’t understand. Haven’t you ever watched a man spit? He just gives a hawk and out it.’”
“The snake said, ‘It’s just the heavenly mechanism moving me along—how can I change the way I am? What would I do with legs if I had them?’”
“The snake said to the wind, ‘I move my backbone and ribs and manage to get along, though I still have some kind of body. But now you come whirling up from the North Sea and go whirling off to the South Sea, and you don’t seem to have any body.”
Harmony
If one has an expansive perspective they see the connection of all things. The sage seeks harmony and balance. They do not harm others, yet don’t flaunt their pacifism. They do not seek profit but don’t condemn others for doing so. They do not accumulate possessions, yet don’t brag about their un-attachment. They do not ask for help, but don’t tout their self sufficiency. They do not seek fame, but do not judge others that do. They live simply with what has been given to them.
“Therefore the Great Man in his actions will not harm others, but he makes no show of benevolence or charity. He will not move for the sake of profit, but he does not despise the porter at the gate. He will not wrangle for goods or wealth, but he makes no show of refusing or relinquishing them. He will not enlist the help of others in his work, but he makes no show of being self-supporting, and he does not despise the greedy and base.“
In a state of harmony one can tell the difference between safety and danger. One can accept both fortune and misfortune. In this way the sage does not allow negative circumstances to harm them because they don’t see them as negative. They are simply part of the up and downs of life.
“He who understands the Way is certain to have command of basic principles. He who has command of basic principles is certain to know how to deal with circumstances. And he who knows how to deal with circumstances will not allow things to do him harm. When a man has perfect virtue, fire cannot burn him, water cannot drown him, cold and heat cannot afflict him, birds and beasts cannot injure him. I do not say that he makes light of these things. I mean that he distinguishes between safety and danger, contents himself with fortune or misfortune, and is cautious in his comings and goings. Therefore nothing can harm him.“
Nature v. Humanity
The sage follows the way of nature and not the way of humanity. Nature gives us life, physical form, and a set of skills and limitations. Humanity gives us culture and rules.
“’What do you mean by the Heavenly and the human?’” Ruo of the North Sea said, ‘Horses and oxen have four feet—this is what I mean by the Heavenly. Putting a halter on the horse’s head, piercing the ox’s nose—this is what I mean by the human.’”
The sage does not allow human values such as fame and desire to keep one away from following their own nature.
“So I say: do not let what is human wipe out what is Heavenly; do not let what is purposeful wipe out what is fated; do not let [the desire for] gain lead you after fame. Be cautious, guard it, and do not lose it—this is what I mean by returning to the True.”
Success Depends on Circumstances
The sage recognizes that circumstances play an oversized role in success or failure. Often one has to be at the right time and place to be successful.
“For a long time I have tried to stay out of the way of hardship. That I have not managed to escape it is due to fate. For a long time I have tried to achieve success. That I have not been able to do so is due to the times. It is time and circumstance that make it so.”
“My fate has been decided for me.”
Refuse Responsibility
The sage is not interested in power or leadership. They refuse such roles and stick to the way of nature.
“Once, when Zhuangzi was fishing in the Pu River, the king of Chu sent two officials to go and announce to him: ‘I would like to trouble you with the administration of myrealm.’ Zhuangzi held on to the fishing pole and, without turning his head, said, ‘I have heard that there is a sacred tortoise in Chu that has been dead for three thousand years. The king keeps it wrapped in cloth and boxed, and stores it in the ancestral temple. Now would this tortoise rather be dead and have its bones left behind and honored? Or would it rather be alive and dragging its tail in the mud?’ ‘I would rather be alive and dragging its tail in the mud,’ said the two officials. Zhuangzi said, “Go away! I’ll drag my tail in the mud!”
Conclusion
The sage seeks an expanded perspective viewing the unity of all things. There is no real division between large and small, past and present, right and wrong, or life and death. Life simply follows the rhythm of birth, aging, and death. Nothing is truly useless. All beings have different needs according to their nature. The sage seeks harmony and follows the way of nature and not the way of humanity which includes power, pride, and fame.
Master Zhuang is the second most influential writer in Daoism and the book Zhuangzi was named after him. Chapter Seven is Fit for Emperors and Kings and describes what leadership should look like.
Manipulation
Some leaders try to convince others to join them by being kind, making friends, and building relationships. The sage makes no effort to convince others. They simply exist in the moment and accept life as it is.
“Youyu was no match for the clansman Tai. The clansman Youyu still held on to benevolence and worked to win men over. He won men over all right, but he never got out into [the realm of] ‘notman.’ The clansman Tai, now—he lay down peaceful and easy; he woke up wide-eyed and blank. Sometimes he thought he was a horse; sometimes he thought he was a cow. His understanding was truly trustworthy; his virtue was perfectly true. He never entered [the realm of] ‘nonman.”
Rules
Most leaders create rules and regulations for their followers to ensure proper behavior. The sage resists making rules, but ensures they are correct before they act. Even then, they still only act in a limited way to create space for others to live.
“When the sage governs, does he govern what is on the outside? He makes sure of himself first, and then he acts. He makes absolutely certain that things can do what they are supposed to do, that is all.”
Freedom
Many leaders lord it over others. The sage goes along with life and doesn’t allow their personal views to affect others. They influence others but don’t let people depend on them. They give others freedom to live their life.
“Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views—then the world will be governed.”
Do Nothing At All
The sage does not try to move quickly or gain strength. They do not strive or study. It seems as if they do nothing at all, yet everything gets accomplished. They are not arrogant. They do not seek fame, plan, scheme, or seek out wisdom. They are content with what they have.
“Lao Dan said, “The government of the enlightened king? His achievements blanket the world but appear not to be his own doing. His transforming influence touches the ten thousand things, but the people do not depend on him. With him there is no promotion or praise—he lets everything find its own enjoyment. He takes his stand on what cannot be fathomed and wanders where there is nothing at all.”
Emptiness
The sage is connected to the earth. They are calm, still, and reflective. They are of this world yet aware of all existence. They adapt to the situation and seek balance. They are empty and do not get entangled. They do not try to understand the external world but attempt to become empty inwardly.
“Just now I appeared to him with the Pattern of Earth—still and silent, nothing moving, nothing standing up.Just now I appeared to him as Heaven and Earth—no name or substance to it, but still the workings, coming up from the heels.Just now I appeared to him as the Great Vastness Where Nothing Wins Out. Where the swirling waves! gather, there is an abyss.Just now I appeared to him as Not Yet Emerged from My Source. I came at him empty, wriggling and turning, not knowing anything about ‘who’ or ‘what,’ now dipping and bending, now flowing in waves.”
Conclusion
The sage does not try to convince others to their cause. They exist in the moment. They do not create rules for others to follow but only take limited action. They positively influence others but never manipulate them. The give others the space to be themselves. The sage does not strive yet accomplishes everything that is needed. The sage works towards emptiness. They are calm, reflective, and do not get entangled. They are a mirror reflecting things around them.
“Do not be an embodier for fame; do not be a storehouse of schemes; do not be an undertaker of projects; do not be a proprietor of wisdom. Embody to the fullest what has no end and wander where there is no trail. Hold on to all that you have received from Heaven, but do not think you have gotten anything. Be empty, that is all. The Perfect Man uses his mind like a mirror—going after nothing, welcoming nothing, responding but not storing. Therefore he can win out over things and not hurt himself. ”
Master Zhuang is the second most influential writer in Daoism and the book Zhuangzi was named after him. Chapter Six is The Great and Vulnerable Teacher and describes how the sage becomes one with the Dao. Other terms for the sage are the perfect man, holy man, and true man.
Description of the Way
The Dao is the way of the universe. It is formless, invisible, and the root of all things. It was from before creation and gave form to creation. It has always been here but is not considered old.
“Before Heaven and earth existed, it was there, firm from ancient times. It gave spirituality to the spirits and to God; it gave birth to Heaven and to earth. It was born before Heaven and earth, and yet you cannot say it has been there for long; it is earlier than the earliest time, and yet you cannot call it old.”
Emptiness
The sage becomes one with the Dao when they achieve an empty state. In this state, they are part of the world but also withdrawn.
“He was vast in his emptiness but not ostentatious. Tolerant he seemed to be part of the world; towering alone, he could be checked by nothing; withdrawn, he seemed to prefer to cut himself off; bemused, he forgot what he was going to say.”
To reach emptiness, one must be willing to let go of the cares of the world, possessions, and life itself.
“So I began explaining and kept at him for three days and after that he was able to put the world outside himself. When he had put the world outside himself, I kept at him for seven days more, and after that he was able to put things outside himself. When he had put things outside himself, I kept at him for nine days more, and after that he was able to put life outside himself.“
When the sage reaches this state, past and future fade away. They are in the present moment and are unconcerned about life or death. They are simply living in the moment.
“After he had managed to see his own aloneness, he could do away with past and present, and after he had done away with past and present, he was able to enter where there is no life and no death.”
The Only Constancy is Change
The sage accepts that change is the only constancy of life. Major changes include birth, growth, aging, and death.
“But if you were to hide the world in the world, so that nothing could get away, this would be the final reality of the constancy of things. You have had the audacity to take on human form, and you are delighted. But the human form has ten thousand changes that never come to an end.“
“In the process of change, he has become a thing [among other things], and he is merely waiting for some other change that he doesn’t yet know about. Moreover, when he is changing, how does he know that he really is changing? And when he is not changing, how does he know that he hasn’t already changed?”
The sage is willing to accept any change including an early death or a long life.
“He delights in early death; he delights in old age; he delights in the beginning; he delights in the end.“
The sage makes no plans. They accept gain or loss, and live with no regrets. They find contentment in small things and do not let loss affect them.
“The True Man of ancient times did not rebel against want, did not grow proud in plenty, and did not plan his affairs. A man like this could commit an error and not regret it, could meet with success and not make a show.”
The Sage is unconcerned with success or failure and sees them both as fate.
“I was pondering what it is that has brought me to this extremity, but I couldn’t find the answer. My father and mother surely wouldn’t wish this poverty on me. Heaven covers all without partiality; earth bears up all without partiality—heaven and earth surely wouldn’t single me out to make me poor. I try to discover who is doing it, but I can’t get the answer. Still, here I am—at the very extreme. It must be fate.”
Life and Death
The sage doesn’t waste energy on trying to figure out why they are alive or when they will die. They remain calm in the face of adversity.
“Mengsun doesn’t know why he lives and doesn’t know why he dies. He doesn’t know why he should go ahead; he doesn’t know why he should fall behind.”
When Master Yu suffered illness he held no resentment. He knew that his life would eventually end and he would return to the Dao.
“If the process continues, perhaps in time he’ll transform my left arm into a rooster. In that case I’ll keep watch during the night. Or perhaps in time he’ll transform my right arm into a cross-bow pellet, and I’ll shoot down an owl for roasting. Or perhaps in time he’ll transform my buttocks into cartwheels. Then, with my spirit for a horse, I’ll climb up and go for a ride. What need will I ever have for a carriage again?”
The sage is content with the time they have to live. By being content emotions such as happiness and joy can not affect you.
“I received life because the time had come; I will lose it because the order of things passes on. Be content with this time and dwell in this order, and then neither sorrow nor joy can touch you.”
“They look on life as a swelling tumor, a protruding wen, and on death as the draining of a sore or the bursting of a boil. To men such as these, how could there be any question of putting life first or death last?”
The Non-Sage
It is helpful to contrast the sage with the non-sage. The non-sage gets lost in the passion of their daily life. They strive to succeed, become wealthy, or get fame. They are always busy and plan out their days to ensure success.
“Deep in their passions and desires, they are shallow in the workings of Heaven.“
“Therefore he who delights in bringing success to things is not a sage; he who has affections is not benevolent; he who looks for the right time is not a worthy man; he who cannot encompass both profit and loss is not a gentleman; he who thinks of conduct and fame and misleads himself is not a man of breeding.”
Conclusion
A person can be compared to a piece of metal being cast by a smith. The metal can not demand to be made into a sword or other object but must accept their fate according to the wishes of the smith. In the same way, the sage accepts the changes in their life. They do not allow events such as success, failure, illness, health, a long life, or a short life to affect them.
“When a skilled smith is casting metal, if the metal should leap up and say, ‘I insist on being made into a Moye! He would surely regard it as very inauspicious metal indeed.”
“Now, having had the audacity to take on human form once, if I should say, ‘I don’t want to be anything but a man! Nothing but a man!’ the Creator would surely regard me as a most inauspicious sort of person. So now I think of heaven and earth as a great furnace, and the Creator as a skilled smith. Where could he send me that would not be all right? I will go off to sleep peacefully, and then with a start, I will wake up.”
Master Zhuang is the second most influential writer in Daoism (Taoism) and the book Zhuangzi was named after him. Chapter Five is The Sign of Virtue Complete and describes what a sage looks like who is in a state of virtue.
Interconnectedness
One enters this state when they shift their perspective to be in harmony with the Dao.
“Men do not mirror themselves in running water—they mirror themselves in still water. Only what is still can still the stillness of other things.”
“ Massive and great, he perfects his Heaven alone.”
They can be in harmony by viewing all of creation as interconnected. The Dao becomes a guide and one sees the unity of all things.
“But if you look at them from the point of view of their sameness, then the ten thousand things all are one. A man like this doesn’t know what his ears or eyes should approve—he lets his mind play in the harmony of virtue.“
Admit Faults
Those approaching virtue admit to their faults and do not make excuses for their past behavior. They do not care for fame or reputation.
“People who excuse their faults and claim they didn’t deserve to be punished—there are lots of them. But those who don’t excuse their faults and who admit they didn’t deserve to be spared—they are few.To know what you can’t do anything about and to be content with it as you would with fate—only a man of virtue can do that.”
In the Moment
They are focused on the moment and do not allow joy or sorrow to affect them. They simply let things be as they are.
“When I talk about having no feelings, I mean that a man doesn’t allow likes or dislikes to get in and do him harm. He just lets things be the way they are and doesn’t try to help life along.”
They make no plans and do not allow loss to affect them. They do not care for profit, but only are concerned with being in harmony with the Dao.
“The sage hatches no schemes, so what use has he for knowledge? He does no carving, so what use has he for glue? He suffers no loss, so what use has he for favors? He hawks no goods, so what use has he for peddling? These four are called Heavenly Gruel.”
The Body
If someone has virtue the body is unimportant. It does not matter if someone is ugly, poor, or powerless. A man of virtue named Ai Taituo was considered ugly and was not powerful or wealthy. However, women wanted to be near him and the rich wanted him to run their estates.
“Therefore, if virtue is preeminent, the body will be forgotten. But when men do not forget what can be forgotten but forget what cannot be forgotten—that may be called true forgetting.“
Physical disabilities or limitations are unimportant. The body is simply seen as a dwelling.
“As for things, he sees them as one and does not see their loss. He regards the loss of a foot as a lump of earth thrown away.”
Life and Death
In this state one is unconcerned about life and death or the events of the day. The world could come to an end and it would not affect them.
“Life and death are great affairs, and yet they are no change to him. Though heaven and earth flop over and fall down, it is no loss to him. He sees clearly into what has no falsehood and does not shift with things. He takes it as fate that things should change, and he holds fast to the source.”
They do not fear death but see life and death as part of the Dao. Wang Tai was in virtue and many wanted to be his disciples. It didn’t matter that he had been a criminal or that he didn’t formally teach.
“Why don’t you just make him see that life and death are the same story, that acceptable and unacceptable are on a single string? Wouldn’t it be good to free him from his handcuffs and fetters?”
Conclusion
The Sage is one who is in a state of virtue. One enters this state when they are in harmony with the Dao and view all of creation as interconnected. They can admit their faults and do not care for fame or wealth. They live in the moment and do not allow sorrow to affect them. It doesn’t matter if the person is ugly, poor, or without power. They are not concerned with death and see the body as a dwelling.
“Life, death, preservation, loss, failure, success, poverty, riches, worthiness, unworthiness, slander, fame, hunger, thirst, cold, heat—these are the alternations of the world, the workings of fate. Day and night they change place before us, and wisdom cannot spy out their source. Therefore, they should not be enough to destroy your harmony.”
Master Zhuang is the second most influential writer in Daoism (Taoism) and the book Zhuangzi was named after him. Chapter Four is In the World of Men and teaches how to reform someone without virtue.
Reforming One without Virtue
The Zhuangzi used historical figures such as Confucius to teach about the Dao. Yan Hui asked Confucius for permission to go to Wei to reform a violent ruler. Confucius advised against going, warning that he likely would be killed.
“if you do not understand men’s minds but instead appear before a tyrant and force him to listen to sermons on benevolence and righteousness, measures and standards —this is simply using other men’s bad points to parade your own excellence. You will be called a plaguer of others. He who plagues others will be plagued in turn. You will probably be plagued by this man.”
If he was fortunate enough not to be executed, he would probably still fail. Rulers are experts at bringing others to their side and can convince others to support them. Besides, one should be sure they have virtue in themselves before you try to reform others.
“Keep your advice to yourself! Kings and dukes always lord it over others and fight to win the argument. You will find your eyes growing dazed, your color changing, your mouth working to invent excuses, your attitude becoming more and more humble, until in your mind you end by supporting him. This is to pile fire on fire, to add water to water, and is called ‘increasing the excessive’.”
Yan Hui asked if he could reform the ruler by being resolute. Confucius responded that the ruler may make outward signs of reform but would never truly do so.
“He will stick fast to his position and never be converted. Though he may make outward signs of agreement, inwardly he will not give it a thought!”
Not giving up easily, Yan Hui suggested outwardly agreeing with the ruler but remaining inwardly resolute. He could quote the words of historical teachers. Confucius responded, that he may avoid punishment, but would still not convert the tyrant.
“You will probably get off without incurring any blame, yes. But that will be as far as it goes. How do you think you can actually convert him?”
The Daoist Approach
The Daoist approach to reform others is to be resolute inwardly and follow your own way. Don’t be motivated by fame or look for personal gain. Forget ego and be in a state of emptiness. Give the person advice only if they are willing to listen, otherwise remain silent.
“You may go and play in his bird cage but never be moved by fame. If he listens, then sing; if not, keep still. Have no gate, no opening, but make oneness your house and live with what cannot be avoided. Then you will be close to success.”
Yan He wanted to reform the prince of Wei. Ju Boyu advised him to support the prince’s actions outwardly, but to be careful not to get drawn into his actions so much as be condemned by others.
“If he wants to be a child, be a child with him. If he wants to follow erratic ways, follow erratic ways with him. If he wants to be reckless, be reckless with him. Understand him thoroughly, and lead him to the point where he is without fault”
The Ambassador
Ambassador Zigao of She asked Confucius for advice on his upcoming mission. Confucius reminded Zigao of the two great decrees: the duty to parents and to the nation. However, the greatest virtue is not to allow outside factors to affect your personal way and accept that there are things that you can not change.
“To serve your ruler and be content to do anything for him—this is the peak of loyalty. And to serve your own mind so that sadness or joy does not sway or move it; to understand what you can do nothing about and to be content with it as with fate—this is the perfection of virtue.“
Confucius went on to give advice on being a messenger. A messenger feels pressure to please both sides by exaggerating the positives. Exaggeration is irresponsible and reduces credibility. Inaccurate words can put the messenger in danger.
“’Transmit the established facts; do not transmit words of exaggeration.’ If you do that, you will probably come out all right.”
The messenger should never go beyond their orders or press too hard for agreement. A lasting agreement takes time and a bad agreement is hard to change. One should accept what you can’t change and focus on your own personal way.
“Do not deviate from your orders; do not press for completion.’ To go beyond the limit is excess; to deviate from orders or press for completion is a dangerous thing. A good completion takes a long time; a bad completion cannot be changed later. Can you afford to be careless?”
“Just go along with things and let your mind move freely. Resign yourself to what cannot be avoided and nourish what is within you—this is best.”
Usefulness
Trees feature prominently in Daoist thought. The carpenter Shi went to Qui and saw an enormous oak tree with its lowest branches 80 feet off the ground. He called the tree worthless because it could not be used for timber, boats, or doors. Shi had a dream where the Oak tree visited saying it was not useless because it sheltered hundreds of people. Besides, “useful” trees do not get to live out their normal lifespan because they are cut down prematurely.
“Their utility makes life miserable for them, and so they don’t get to finish out the years Heaven gave them but are cut off in mid-journey.”
In a similar episode, Ziqi of Nanbo saw a large tree in which thousands of horses could take shelter. Even though its gnarled and pitted limbs made it “useless” as timber, it was used by Holy Men for gatherings.
“It turns out to be a completely unusable tree,” said Ziqi, “and so it has been able to grow this big. Aha!—it is this unusableness that the Holy Man makes use of!”
A disabled man named Shu had a twisted body and could not stand straight. He survived by washing other people’s clothes and getting handouts. In-spite of his physical disabilities he got by and lived out his normal years. He avoided conscription by the army and his physical disability paled in comparison to a disability of virtue.
“With a crippled body, he’s still able to look after himself and finish out the years Heaven gave him. How much better, then, if he had crippled virtue!”
Finally, Jie Yu was called the madman of Chu because he would cry out in public that the past was gone and the future would never arrive. The sage succeeds with the Dao and simply survives without it. No one can truly know the usefulness of something.
“When Confucius visited Chu, Jie Yu, the madman of Chu, wandered by his gate crying, “Phoenix, phoenix, how has virtue failed! The future you cannot wait for; the past you cannot pursue. When the world has the Way, the sage succeeds; when the world is without the Way, the sage survives.”
“All men know the use of the useful, but nobody knows the use of the useless!”
Conclusion
Trying to reform others can be dangerous and lead to failure. One must be sure in their own virtue before reforming others. The best approach is to be inwardly resolute and following your own personal way. Don’t be motivated by fame and only give advice if the other person is willing to listen.
A messenger should never exaggerate or press for an agreement. Twisted trees may appear useless but often have an unforeseen purpose living out its normal years. Twisted virtue is much worse than having a twisted body.
Master Zhuang is the second most influential writer in Daoism (Taoism) and the book Zhuangzi was named after him. Chapter Three is entitled The Secret of Caring for Life and describes how best to live in the world. This is a very short chapter but has three important parables.
Knowledge v. Lifespan
The sage acknowledges that they have a limited lifespan and can’t possibly know everything. One should never believe they have all the answers and are always right. Instead, remain grounded, avoid fame, and try not to break the law. Take care of your family and be content with the life that you have.
“Your life has a limit but knowledge has none. If you use what is limited to pursue what has no limit, you will be in danger. If you understand this and still strive for knowledge, you will be in danger for certain! If you do good, stay away from fame. If you do evil, stay away from punishments. Follow the middle; go by what is constant, and you can stay in one piece, keep yourself alive, look after your parents, and live out your years.”
Parable of the Butcher
The parable of the butcher provides a valuable lesson on completing tasks. In the parable a butcher carved up oxen year after year without ever dulling his knife because he was always in the flow. When attempting a new task, one is often clumsy and hyper-focused. They perceive the task using their eyes and try to figure out how to do it. When the task is especially difficult they will size up the challenge, work carefully, and go slow.
“However, whenever I come to a complicated place, I size up the difficulties, tell myself to watch out and be careful, keep my eyes on what I’m doing, work very slowly, and move the knife with the greatest subtlety, until — flop! the whole thing comes apart like a clod of earth crumbling to the ground. I stand there holding the knife and look all around ”
The sage completes tasks by entering a state of Wu Wei or “effortless action.” This goes beyond being skillful or perceiving with the eyes. Instead it uses intuition to go along with the natural contours of the task. The person no longer does an action, but the action does itself.
“What I care about is the Way, which goes beyond skill. When I first began cutting up oxen, all I could see was the ox itself. After three years I no longer saw the whole ox. And now — now I go at it by spirit and don’t look with my eyes. Perception and understanding have come to a stop and spirit moves where it wants. I go along with the natural makeup, strike in the big hollows, guide the knife through the big openings, and follow things as they are. So I never touch the smallest ligament or tendon, much less a main joint.”
Parable of the Commander
The parable of the commander teaches a lesson on freedom of choice. In the story a military commander has been punished by having one of his foots amputated. He was asked if this was done by man or heaven. He answers that it was done by heaven. Taoism teaches that people are not happy unless they have freedom of choice. However, the sage recognizes that choices often have severe consequences. The commander’s poor choices led to his punishment.
“It was Heaven, not man,” said the commander. “When Heaven gave me life, it saw to it that I would be one-footed. Men’s looks are given to them. So I know this was the work of Heaven and not of man. The swamp pheasant has to walk ten paces for one peck and a hundred paces for one drink, but it doesn’t want to be kept in a cage. Though you treat it like a king, its spirit won’t be content.”
Parable of the Mourner
The parable of the mourner illustrates the natural progression of life. In it a person mourned a friend by yelling three times and then leaving. Others asked if the mourner should have done more for such a close friend? Shouldn’t he participate in the traditional mourning rituals? The mourner answered no because the sage recognizes that death is simply a part of the natural pattern of the Dao. People are born, grow, decay, and then die. One should be content with their lifetime and accept this pattern without grief.
“Your master happened to come because it was his time, and he happened to leave because things follow along. If you are content with the time and willing to follow along, then grief and joy have no Way to enter in. In the old days, this was called being freed from the bonds of God.
Conclusion
The secret of caring for life is to realize that you will never have complete knowledge and it is foolish to believe otherwise. One should stay centered, be constant, focus on family, and be content with what you have. It is natural for people to want to make their own choices even when those choices lead to severe consequences. The pattern of the Dao includes birth and death and one should accept this in order to be content.
The Yin Yang symbol is well know in popular culture and can be found on all sorts of items from t-shirts to tattoos. While it is an essential part of Daoism (Taoism), it is often misunderstood. Many see Yin Yang as opposites like cold v. hot or good v. evil, but this is too simple a concept.
Complimentary Forces
Yin Yang do not so much oppose each other as they compliment one another. Yin is needed for Yang to exist. Without ugliness there can be no beauty. Without sour there can be no sweet. They shape each other and define each other.
“When everyone in the world see beauty, Then ugly exists. When everyone sees good, Then Bad exists. Therefore: What is and what is not create each other. Tall and short shape each other. High and low rest on each other.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 2
Taking this even further creation and non-creation need each other. Creation comes from nothing and nothing comes from creation. Another way to say this is that being comes from non-being and non-being comes from being.
“All things in the world are born out of being. Being is born out of non-being.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 40
Constant Change
The interaction between Yin and Yang creates constant change making each moment unique. They create harmony by blending together. Some days its hotter, other days colder. Some days you are more social and other days more reserved.
“All things carry yin and embrace yang. They reach harmony by blending with the vital breath.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
Yielding
Although there is a time and place for assertive action, the Dao teaches that it is also necessary to yield. The Dao does not contend, but still achieves. It is laid back, but still plans. The concept of Wu Wei, or effortless action, illustrates this concept. One should go with the flow of life and act only when it is effortless and compliments the Dao.
“Heaven’s way does not contend, yet it certainly triumphs. It does not speak, yet it certainly answers. It does not summon, yet things come by themselves. It seems to be at rest, yet it certainly has a plan.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 73
Lessons for Government
Nations should also abide by the Dao. Laozi (Lao Tzu) taught that nations should follow Wu Wei and be willing to yield to one another. Larger nations should not dominate smaller ones, because this leads to push back and conflict. Larger nations should be willing to yield and accommodate smaller ones to create positive and long lasting relationships.
“If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by a great country. So, some who yield become conquerors, and some who yield get conquered.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 61
Lessons for the Individual
The constant change of Yin and Yang has important implications for the individual. It is foolish to think that life will always remain the same. Yin and Yang are constantly interacting creating change. The individual should assume that change is constant and develop a flexible attitude staying in the moment and reacting accordingly.
“People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff. All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry. So, the hard and stiff are death’s companions. The soft and weak are life’s companions.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 76
A person should be willing to embrace both Yin and Yang. Sometimes they should be outgoing while other time more reserved and contemplative. They should embrace both the masculine and feminine.
“Knowing the manly, but clinging to the womanly. Knowing the you become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, eternal virtue will never desert you, and you become like a little child anew.”
Daoism 