Simplicity – Daoism

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.

Next: Contentment

Simplicity helps one be in harmony with the Way. It frees one from desires, reduces stress, and helps with grounding.

Balance

The Way is simple yet nothing is above it. If one allows simplicity into their life then everything gets taken care of and they reach balance.

“The Dao is nameless and unchanging. Although it appears insignificant, nothing in the world can contain it. If a ruler abides by its principles, then her people will willingly follow. Heaven would then reign on earth, like sweet rain falling on paradise. People would have no need for laws, because the law would be written on their hearts.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 32

Desires

The sage embraces simplicity because it gets them closer to the Way. They are not distracted by desires and know when they have had enough.

“There is no greater transgression than condoning people’s selfish desires, no greater disaster than being discontent, and no greater retribution than for greed. Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 46

“Therefore the Master lets things take their course and thus never fails. She doesn’t hold on to things and never loses them.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 64

By limiting desire they reduce unneeded stress.

“Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves. These three are superficial and aren’t enough to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also: Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 19

In this way simplicity leads to both calm and grounding.

“If selfish desires were to arise after their transformation, I would erase them with the power of the Uncarved Block. By the power of the Uncarved Block, future generations would lose their selfish desires. By losing their selfish desires, the world would naturally settle into peace.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 37

Child Like

Simplicity allows one to return to a child like state.

“If you embrace the world, the Dao will never leave you and you become as a little child.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 28

“Can you focus your life-breath until you become supple as a newborn child? While you cleanse your inner vision will you be found without fault?”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 10

“One who is filled with the Dao is like a newborn child.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 55

Then they can reach their full potential like uncarved wood.

“If you embrace the world with compassion, then your virtue will return you to the uncarved block.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 28

“Whole as an uncarved block of wood.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 15

Without simplicity one’s essence is divided and their energy is weakened.

“The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 28

“The Dao works to use the excess, and gives to that which is depleted.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 77

Avoid Excess

The sage prioritizes their well being and sees all else as excess.

“Which is more important, your honor or your life?Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person? Which is more destructive, success or failure?Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss. Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 44

“To wear fancy clothes and ornaments, to have your fill of food and drink and to waste all of your money buying possessions is called the crime of excess. Oh, how these things go against the way of the Dao!”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 53

They know they can’t conquer the world so they don’t bother trying. They avoid extravagance.

“Do you want to rule the world and control it? I don’t think it can ever be done. The world is a sacred vessel and it can not be controlled. You will only make it worse if you try. It may slip through your fingers and disappear…The Master accepts things as they are, and out of compassion avoids extravagance, excess and the extremes.”

Dao De Jing 29

“The Master desires no possessions. Since the things she does are for the people, she has more than she needs.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 81

Complexity

The world includes so much complexity with numerous rules and reams of knowledge. Everything has been labeled and categorized. The sage knows it is best to avoid complexity and protects themself by doing so.

“Naming is a necessity for order, but naming can not order all things. Naming often makes things impersonal, so we should know when naming should end. Knowing when to stop naming, you can avoid the pitfall it brings. 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

There are so many things to see, sounds to hear, and flavors to taste. One can become overwhelmed and distracted by the pursuit of pleasure.

“Five colors blind the eye. Five notes deafen the ear. Five flavors make the palate go stale. Too much activity deranges the mind. Too much wealth causes crime. The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees. She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 12

Daily Decrease

The sage doesn’t increase their knowledge or possessions but decreases them every day.

“One who seeks knowledge learns something new every day. One who seeks the Dao unlearns something new every day.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 48

They return to a simpler time.

“Let people enjoy the simple technologies, let them enjoy their food, let them make their own clothes, let them be content with their own homes, and delight in the customs that they cherish.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 80

Summary

The sage embraces simplicity because it helps them be in harmony with the Way. By limiting their desires they reduce their stress, find calm, and stay grounded. They return to a child like state like an uncarved wood where their essence is whole. The sage prioritizes their well being and avoid excess. They know that all things take care of themself. The sage decreases complexity every day and returns to a simpler time.

“There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility…With moderation, you will be able to give to others.”

Dao De Jing, Chapter 67

Resource:

Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.

Next: Emptiness