There is a beginning to the world, it is the mother of the world.

-> There is also the mother of our self.

As one knows the mother, one knows the son; as one knows the son and abides with its mother, one lasts even when one lost (the body).

->  Consciousness can exist without the perception of the body, the body cannot be aware of itself without consciousness.  Therefore, consciousness is the mother, body is the son.  By knowing this relationship between consciousness and body, and realizing the consciousness within, one lasts despite of physical change.

Fill the hole, shut the door, and you will have no trouble.

-> holes and doors of the self.  When there are holes not filled, there is place for self to come in; when there are doors opened, there are places one’s attention could leak.

Open the hole, entertain its desire, and you will be troubled beyond saving.

-> When we attached to and endulged with our self, we are entangled with the temporary and is troubled.  On the other hand,  when attachments are surrendered and transcended, there will be no one let alone trouble to be saved.

To be able to see the self’s limitation is wise, to be able to abide in softness is strong.

-> Greatness arises from humility, strength arises from knowing one’s weakness, strength manifested out from understanding the duality of hard and softness.

Utilize one’s outer brightness, and return to one’s inner light, and there will be no hazard to oneself;

-> Directly one’s attention from perception to one’s innate reality, there is life beyond physical death.

this is called abiding in the everlasting.

* * *

Discussion of Chapter 52:

Laozi use the term mother and son to describe the relationship between consciousness and the physical body.  By surrendering our attachments and aversions, we are shutting doors and filling holes to our self, and the temporary perception of the world.  By accepting, surrendering and transcending our self, we realize our innate reality of the motherly consciousness, and therefore is beyond the trouble and suffering of the world.

Bilingual version of Ch52: https://www.lisiming.net/ddj34-52/