{"id":2912,"date":"2022-08-30T21:10:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-31T04:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/socaltaichi.com\/?p=2912"},"modified":"2025-01-28T17:31:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T01:31:43","slug":"daoist-daily-diary-august-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socaltaichi.com\/?p=2912","title":{"rendered":"Daoist Daily Diary, August, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

08\/31\/2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

We end the month of August with the last part of Chapter 52 and perhaps the most important quote in the Tao Te Ching.<\/p>\n

“To see the subtle is called enlightenment.
\nTo hold fast to the gentle is called having strength.
\nUse the light.
\nReturn to enlightenment.
\nBring not misfortune upon yourself.
\nThis is known as following the constant Truth.” – Tao Te Ching, Chapter 52, Part 3<\/p>\n

Commentary
\nHow can we seek the Truth within us? Lao Tzu tells us:<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see the subtle is called enlightenment.<\/p>\n

We should see the subtlety in us. By being silent in meditation, we feel the subtlety within. Our mind will calm down, not agitated. To see the subtlety, which is the light within us, i.e., the Truth, the light is the wisdom, the clear mind with simplicity, like the sun. When the sun comes, all darkness disappears. All religions tell us that the Truth is the light. We all need the light for our survival. Without light, people will become blind in darkness. Then Lao Tzu says:<\/p>\n

\u201cTo hold fast to the gentle is called having strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the gentleness within us once our mind turns silent and our breath slows down. This is also the strength within us which can last long. To be gentle and mild all the time within us, even when we are doing work, we can maintain the silence in us. This silence is the long-lasting force for us to see the light, and to be careful and alert, thus Lao Tzu explains in another Chapter:<\/p>\n

\u201cRare words are natural.
\nStrong wind cannot last all morning.
\nSudden downpour cannot last all day.
\nWho makes this so?
\nThe Heaven and the Earth.
\nEven the Heaven and the Earth cannot be long-lasting.
\nHow can human be?
\n(Chapter 23)<\/p>\n

Then Lao Tzu tells us in the concluding verses:<\/p>\n

\u201cUse the light.
\nReturn to enlightenment.
\nBring not misfortune upon yourself.
\nThis is known as following the constant Truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lao Tzu tells us that the Truth is \u201cconstant\u201d which is immutable and eternal. Keep the constancy in us which is the Truth. We will not move up and down, swaying left and right without stability. Our gravity is the constancy in our mind holding fast to the Truth. We only follow the one basic principle inherent within us. This basic principle is the light, the One, without second or many. We use our light to return to the Truth, then we will be enlightened. To be enlightened by the Truth, we will not have any misfortune in life. This is the marvel of the Truth.
\n– Commentary by Nirguna, Chor-lok Lam<\/p>\n

So, there is no better way to conclude Chapter 52 and one’s practice by keeping the constancy in us which is the truth and following that one basic principle inherent within us, which the light. Enjoy your practice, folks.<\/p>\n