The Tao never does anything
yet through it
all things are done.
If powerful men and women could center themselves in it,
the whole world would be transformed
by itself,
in its natural rhythms.
People would be content
with their simple, everyday lives,
in harmony, and free of desire.
When there is no desire,
all things are at peace.
-#37. Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell Translation
———
A superior person cares for the well-being of all
things.
She does this by accepting responsibility for the energy
she manifests, both actively and in the subtle realm.
Looking at a tree, she sees not an isolated event but
root, leaves, trunk, water, soil and sun: each event
related to the others, and “tree” arising out of their relatedness.
Looking at herself or another, she sees the same thing.
Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and
birds:
These are active images of the subtle energies that flow
from the stars throughout the universe. Meeting
and combining with each other and the elements of
the earth, they give rise to all living things.
The superior person understands this, and understands
that her own energies play a part in it.
Understanding these things, she respects the earth as
her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living
things as her brothers and sisters.
Caring for them, she knows that she cares for herself.
Giving to them, she knows that she gives to herself.
At peace with them, she is always at peace with herself.
-#37. Hua Hu Ching, translated by Brian Walker