Reader Request~Tao Teh Ching Chapter : Wu Wei

 

In the Traditional Tao Teh Ching Chapter 2 "Wu Wei (無為) " is first encountered. The Tao Teh Ching is a embedded loaded manual with many levels of meaning. Wu Wei is obviously a important topic to Lao Tsu to appear so early on his teaching in this writing. 

Wu Wei (pronounced "Woo Way" roughly) simply refers to on the basic level, not to act with impulsiveness, for one to follow a life path of acting without striving, leading and demonstrating without pushiness or ego, almost living ones life without no end or mind; or goal. Which leads back to controlling ones impulsiveness.

How does one achieve this? The practice of non conceptual meditation and practicing the art of Wuji Qigong for sure can help. Sifu Fong Ha use to explain Wuji cultivation as the "The fine art of doing nothing; & achieving everything"...which leads you to Wu Wei in action.

 

GWA     

Wu Wei is advised in Six Circumstances in the Tao Teh Ching

1. Avoiding Competition: "The Tao of the Sage is to act but not to compete with others" (Ch 81)

2. Avoiding Creating Hardship: "Those who avoid creating problems are clever & donot act" (Ch3)

3. Avoiding emphasis on One's Ability: "Acts but does not absorb credit" (Ch2)

4. Existing in accord with Tao of all things: "I follow "Wu Wei", and people
    transform themselves (Ch 57)

5. Following Nature: "The Tao always exist in "Wu Wei", but leaves nothing undone" (Ch 37)

6. Pro-activeness to anticipate dilemma's: "Act before the problem happens; manage before disorder arises" (Ch64)

The above is taught as follows "Wu Wei" has two meanings. One is the highest state of our mind, free from habitual patterns, free from desire and attachment. Two is is the quality of acting according to nature. The above illustrates six circumstances as advised by Lao Tsu in the Tao Teh Ching.

Taoist of China teach that wise people choose to follow Lao Tsu's method of the Path of Tao. Supporting and educating the common householder's by one's living example. People who follow "Wu Wei" essentially all anyone to live their lives as they see fit with unabridged freedom to grow and flourish. The Sage of the Tao holds nothing against anyone or anything from the smallest silk worm to the soaring Dragons of Heaven. People who cultivate their lives through "Wu Wei Tao" learn how to actualize all things to life, but does not hold to them as well. They follow a path of balance and non assuming action, which brings contentment and success with ease.

Notes: Chinese Spiritual Traditions emphasize "one culture three practice systems" meaning Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Common features among the three systems are as follows. Taoism Wu Wei encourages and permits everyone to follow their own true nature. Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen guides everyone to awaken to their own true face. Confucianism teaches no worshiping of gods, Gurus or my spirituality/religion. Therefore historically anyone or everyone could in Chinese culture can become a Master, Sage or God to the people who think they have  great merit or special skill in some cases.                           
 
         

Introduction to Wu Wei Chapter 2 Tao Teh Ching

 無爲 

Wu Wei

 天下皆知美之為美，斯惡已。皆知善之為善，斯不善已。故有無相生，難易相成，長短相較，高下相傾，音聲相和，前後相隨。是以聖人處無為之事，行不言之教；萬物作焉而不辭，生而不有。為而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。

。Under Heaven everyone knows that the capacity of the beautiful depends on the existence of ugly. Everyone knows the capacity of kindness to be kind depends on the existence of unkind.

。Existence and nothingness are mutually born, difficult and easy mutually complement each other, long and short mutually shape one another, tall and short mutually fill one another, sound and music mutually harmonize, before and after mutually follow one another; So there is balance.

 

。This is why the sage engages in "non-action" (wu wei無爲). He engages in teaching by not speaking. He achieves all things but undertakes nothing. He produces but has nothing. He acts but does not depend. He accomplishes meritorious acts but does not possess. Since he does not possess he is not lost.

Quick Notes: Wu Wei is taught throughout the Tao Te Ching in six chapters they are - chapters 2, 3, 37, 57, 64, 81.

Wu Wei: The foundational life code as taught by Lao Tsu. To live ones life without compulsive needs, wants or agendas. Dissolve neurosis of the self, desires and attachments-to live ones life in accord with nature and natural cycles.

September 27 2015 - October 27 2015 Powerful Portal & Moon Cultivation

Full Moon Cultivation

Today (September 27th, 2015) marks the "Full Moon"; which is now closest to Earth. We will all feel a strong magnetic pull actually for the next 30 days until October 27, 2015.  Ubiquitous in East Asian Traditions, millions practice the moon tradition each and every month. Although the next 30 days so are a great portal for Healing Treatments, Personal healing, and igniting change in ones life. This coincides with the nature of the energy of Year of the Ram as well. A time period to clean house, improve and move forward for a better quality of life.

Modern Astronomers call this a "Super Moon"; and  have geared up to witness this rare phenomenon, as a lunar eclipse. A super-moon occurs when the Moon is in the closest part of its orbit to Earth, meaning it appears larger in the sky. The eclipse - expected to make the Moon appear red in color - will be visible in North America, South America, West Africa and western Europe.

I read that Nasa claims a super-moon last coincided with a lunar eclipse in 1982 and is not expected to again until 2033. But the definition of a super-moon is debated among astronomers. Sky watchers in the western half of North America, the rest of Europe and Africa, the Middle East and South Asia will see a partial eclipse. From the UK, observers will see the Moon pass through the Earth's shadow in the early hours of Monday morning. In North and South America the eclipse will be seen on Sunday evening.

The most basic element of this practice is follow naturalness and position the body so the entire front of the body and palms align to the moon. This can be done in a seated or standing position.  If possible practice around trees water and away from distraction, technology.

GWA

Chuang Tsu: Abbreviated teaching on Music, Man & Nature

 

Perhaps you have heard the music of men,but not the music of Earth.

 You may have heard the music of Earth, but not the music of Heaven. 

The Universe has a cosmic breath its name is wind..

About Chuang Tsu:  The Taoist called Chuang Tsu, has been said to be born in BC369, during the Warring States - "7 Kingdoms" period. His birthplace was in An Hui Province Meng County China. According to oral traditions, it has been said that when he was young, he was Influenced by teachings of Tao. His early influences shaped his teachings into the Understanding of Flowing with the Tao. Chuang Tsu teachings lean towards the teachings Wu Wei Tao:

 "Not doing, hurting, harming to any form of living beings that's around oneself".  All things come to those whom are patient and positioned correctly.

Chuang Tsu came from humble beginnings born in a Poor Family. It has been said that in his youth he didn't have many opportunities. His life philosophy was one of "stay optimistic and open minded". Within time one will be able to gain whatever are necessary & good when the time was right. Chuang Tsu's world view enables one to learn more by positioning and non forcing, and "all things ciome to those whom wait". He believed that affluent people were blinded by Wealth, Fame & Me-ism. The patron saint for the down and trodden, whom lifts those up with virtue and a what works life philosophy. A message for modern times for many to build character, independence and life accordingly. There nothing wrong with having wealth; but mental balance and personal ethics out weighs the material that is for sure.   

Storys on Chuang Tsu circulate, by many Taoist Masters that when he was middle age, he started to travel around China to learn and discover more. It is unclear exactly what he studied or if he was just traveling about. Many of my teachers believe the inner chapters 1-7 accompanied by the meaning and practices associated with them are the only credible teachings of Master Chuang Tsu.

  
His life legacy is best experienced through the teaching of the inner chapters, The Chuang Tsu (1-7) when accompanied by a commentary style teaching in a small group. The inner chapters considered the core of Chuang Tsu's teachings - a personal meditation guide. The later or outer chapters are believed to be compiled by his followers and literally no tangible meditation techniques or heart centered teachings exist within this scholarly work. 

Never the less the core books all followers of early Tao are:

1."Chuang Tsu" inner chapters/outer chapters, 2. Tao Teh Ching, teaches one the three evolutions of Lao Tsu in his life 3.The teachings of Wen Shi attributed to Master Wen Shi - Lao Tsu's master student, which expand on the Tao teh Ching. 

All serious practitioners of Traditions of Tao practice, read & understand these core text. They are spiritual guides which follow nature and harmony as a guide. Teachings of the Tao-especially early Tao in history, focus on a personal spirituality, where its mainly "formless meditation" and natures teaches all. The wisdom of Lao Tsu , Wen Shi and Chuang Tsu, is although indispensable and really timeless considering how old these traditions are.  

  Chuang Tsu in a nutshell was a optimistic, open-mind & carefree non complicated kind of person. His teachings in modern world are preserved in story telling fashion likened to ans elder sitting across from you telling a wonderful story with the punch line at the end.

GWA

  

Seven Meanings of Tao?

Tao (道) is a term with many interpretations and possible meanings; there is no shortage for commentary's on it! Early on in my learning, I wrote a small article on Tao and gave it to my first teacher. He came back with "you failed double FF"; (ouch)..he said its impossible to define and too many words. Rewrite it and eliminate so many words. Having a bruised ego I asked which words should I eliminate (lol)?  

This whole exchange taught me a important lesson of imagery and symbolic meanings in Traditions of Tao. The paper finally came down to "Tao"=trick question; impossible to define. The lesson was seek in the Lao Tsu to full-fill youre quest for what Tao is.

 Lao Tsu defines what Tao is in his teachings in the Tao Teh Ching. In the Tao Teh Ching Chapters: 1,51,40,25,14,21,25. It also brings forth a concept of "The Way of Heaven". Over the next several weeks we will go through this topic "Tao".

Five Interpretations on Chapter 1 on tao:

 道可道，非常道。

 Tao ke tao, fei chang tao 。

  

• The tao which one can explain is not the unchanging tao*
• The tao that can be told is not the universal tao*
• The tao that can be told is not the absolute tao*
• The tao that can be spoken of is not the ineffable tao*
• The tao that can be defined is not the eternal tao*       

The meaning here is Truth, Eternity and Infinity. The theme of unchanging, universal, absolute, ineffable and eternal, and many other possible meanings elude to " 常 " Chang. The term chang is simply constancy; which is something that is faithful and dependable. Lao Tsu's insight here is that the tao is faithful, dependable and unwavering. It has always existed and always will; it is constant beyond change. Lao Tsu's world view is that Tao is central to his teaching; he uses it to establish a systematic "Way of Heaven". In the above cited chapters 1,51,40,25,14,21,25 - the seven meanings of tao are:

1.truth and eternity (chapter 1)  2. creator (Chapter 51)  3. power and potency (Chapter 40) 4. pervasiveness (Chapter 25)  5. principle (Chapter 14)  6.supreme standard (Chapter 21) 7. nature (25)

(1) Truth & Eternity: The Tao that can be told; is not the absolute Tao.

(2) Creator: Tao gives birth to all things; virtue rears them.

(3) Power and Potency: Returning is motion of the Tao

(4) Pervasiveness: Having substance but formed from chaos, it was born before heaven and earth. Silent and sparse, it stands alone and never changes. It is cyclic and never rest. It can act as mother of heaven and earth. I don't know it's name!.. but if I must find a word for it, I will call it "Tao". If  I must find a name for it, I will call it great.

(5) Principle: Hold fast to ancient tao, to handle today's affairs. Knowing the ancient beginnings is called the principle and law of Tao.

(6) Supreme Standard: The content of great virtue is only to follow tao.

(7) Nature: Tao follows Nature.              

GWA  

          

       

Contentment: Understanding Ourself is Insight

In the teachings of the Tao Teh Ching, contentment is a key goal to strive for. Lao Tsu describes it in several parts of the Tao Teh Ching as in chapter 33:

Many teachers call this the "Who are you", Understanding Yourself is Insight, Knowing oneself"; in actuality there are no chapter titles from the traditional Chinese text. It does help I believe for anyone to remember the teachings and the many layers that will follow each section.

Chapter33:

• If you understand others, you are clever. If you understand yourself, you are insightful. If you control others you are uncommonly forceful. If you harmonize yourself you have unusual inner strength. If you know when you have enough, you are flourishing with true wealth. If you have great follow through with your intentions to completion, you are unwavering.

 Lao Tsu's Chapter 33 is again teaching us about contentment. The guidance that could be applicable here as a suggestion is when "flowing in the way" of contentment and you are having a great period of success of harmonizing yourself, is to make note of these peaceful and tranquil moments that we are experiencing. When it's possible let it flow to others around us to have a positive influence as well.

We all need to realistic and understand that there will be adversity; there will be people and situations one needs to dissolve out of their life. This could because of a number of reasons.  By working diligently, we can prune these people, places or things out and clear the way for true contentment and progress. Aligning oneself with others that are like minded and have a energetic affinity to ourselves will aid much great progress as well.

This could be amplified by taking a class of some type of practice which you have a desire to do and making new friends and harnessing flourishing energy and happiness along the way. If taking classes is not for you; for whatever reason, then develop a simple centering meditation practice, where you can clear the space in yourself for more illumination to enter.

The Tao Teh Ching and teachings of Lao Tsu and other aspects center around the meditation practice. Try and practice this spiritual tradition when you are at your best or when demands are on a simmer in your busy day. Until next time, more lessons on contentment and Traditions of Natural Truths..

GWA