Dao De Jing 40 – Dao moves in reverse direction
The Dao moves in reverse direction; and runs through those humble.
-> Ordinary people invest their energy in their “self”, which claim credits from reality about what is happening. The process reverses when we surrender attachment to our selves, and align our live to the universal Dao. When this process starts, Dao starts to move and run in our live.
Things born out of manifest, manifest born out of unmanifest.
-> From unconscious arises consciousness (the waking up of the “self”), from consciousness arises the perception of the entire world.
Discussion of Ch40:
When we align our intention to Dao or to Truth, the entire universe starts to guide us towards it. The less we are addicted to our selves, the more humble we are, and better the Dao can run through us.
As we start to pay attention to our “self”, we begin to see the nature of it, including how it arises, and how it relates to the perceptive world. Then we are in position to continue its dominance or to reverse the process through surrender.
Bilingual text of Ch40: https://www.lisiming.net/ddj34-52/
How does the surrendering of the self apply to Confucius’s ‘he who exercises government’?
The Master said, “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.”
Is it possible to hold such a position and to truly surrender one’s self?
This a question about surrender.
One needs not neglect the duty of the self, just the claiming credit part of it.
When you eat, do you need someone to report the event “i am eating”?
When you work, do you need someone to report the event “i am working”?
When exercising government with virtue, do you need someone to report that “i am exercising the government with virtue”?
When you see this, there is no contradiction between living, and surrendering.
Play your part, and surrender the rest.
How does practicing non-self reconcile with putting our intent into great achievements. In other words, if we want to achieve greatness at something, we need to put our intent there and work towards it. How can we do and surrender our sense of self?
If the goal is achievement, dedicate your work to something bigger than your own “self”. e.g. for highest good of the family, the country, the world, all. Than the intention becomes purer and bigger, which leads to greatness.
If the goal is peace, you surrender too your desire to achieve greatness, you follow your inspirations and the universal guidance. If the universe wants your product to be great, let it be. If the universe want your product to be normal, let it be. You do your part to the best of your ability and intention, and leave the rest.
Thank you Derek, that makes total sense… let it be 😉
I have additional questions regarding the “Master-Student” relationship. Students is training under two Zen Masters. One humble and approachable and one who is arrogant, rude and dictatorial. When the arrogant masters speaks, he is condenscending and hard. He says that students will find out the true meaning of his lessons in time… He traumatizes students with his tone, his put downs and shakes the students’commitment to their training. Is this a combat training strategy? Or is the Rude Master cought in his ouwn ego? Is the student supposed to let it be and continue training without taking the attacks personally? The Humble Master listens to the outrageous attacks and does not interfere. What is his role in the lesson? Curious to hear what you think? <3
If i were the student, i will ask what the universe what me to do, or to be. If the universe want me to continue, i continue; if the universe want me leave, i leave. Similar applies to the other two. Ask and follow.
Is it a hypothetical scenario? If so, let go too of the temptation to indulge in one’s hypothetical. They are constructions from the self to keep the itself entertained and spotlighted as the center of the scene. One better off focus on what is real, such as study, real thinking, work, practice, life, instead of on mental speculations.
The situation is real. It is the first time I get to work with the highest master in the organization in which I train, and he gave me a lecture about my husband’s training that I thought was out of place… He tone and demeanor were surprising for such an “evloved” individual”. So, I am thinking and trying to understand it from various perspectives… But you are right, I will meditate – ask and follow – and have additional conversations with the Master and see where the universe takes me. I will keep you posted ;)) Thanks Derek <3