The foolish expend a great deal of time and energy

Here are some of Lao Tzu’s most significant teachings according to Derek Lin and his translation of the Tao te Ching:

• Non-contention– Lao Tzu contended that violence controlled, or otherwise, can only cause negative consequences. The Tao ideal is to solve problems peacefully.
• Non-action– The foolish expend a great deal of time and energy trying to do everything and end up achieving nothing. Conversely, those who are truly wise appear to do very little, yet they achieve whatever they want. This seemingly magical circumstance is possible when one is in tune with the Tao and acts without attachments.
• Non-intention– We often perform virtuous deeds hoping to garner praise or recognition, however, this is not virtue at all. True virtue occurs when actions flow forth naturally and without conscious effort or thought.
• Simplicity– The basis for our reality and existence is fundamental and uncomplicated. We humans create a lot of trouble for ourselves by making everything more complex than it needs to be. If we learn to simplify our lives, we can experience profound satisfaction that is infinitely more meaningful than the rewards of the material world.
• Wisdom– While logic has application in human affairs, it isn’t everything. There are limits to what we can understand through rationality and reasoning. To transcend those limits, we must connect fully to our intuition. That is the key to insight as opposed to knowledge and the difference between living the Tao and reading about it.
• Humility– The more you learn, the more you realize how much more there is to learn. This realization invariably makes you humble. On the other hand, arrogance and egotism come from ignorance, that is, knowing a little and assuming you know a lot.
• Duality– Lao Tzu pointed out that every quality possesses meaning only by the existence of its opposite. Something can only be big if there is something else that is small by comparison. “Good” exists in the world so long as “evil” exists as well. One cannot do without the other.
• Courtesy: EssentialLifeSkills.net By Z. Hereford

Full article in Ayurved Sutra Vol. 07 Issue 03

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