Lao Tzu & The Tao Te Ching - BEING ORDINARY & BALANCED
by Stanley Bronstein on September 5, 2008
Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching
Who Was Lao Tzu?
Lao Tzu was the founder of a major world religion known as Taoism. You can read more about Lao Tzu and Taoism by clicking the links above to wikipedia.
What Is The Tao Te Ching?
Tao Te Ching literally translates into the “Way To Heaven.”
Previous Postings On The Tao Te Ching?
While each one of these posts is designed to be read separately and independently of each other, it would be useful if you read the previous posts on The Tao Te Ching, all of which can be found by clicking here, if you have not already done so.
A Quote From The Tao Te Ching
It is because people say something are beautiful that the idea of ugliness exists.
It is because people say somethings are good that the idea of evil exists.
Being and non-being come out of each other. Difficult and easy are part of each other. Long and short define each other. High and low determine each other. Sharp and flat harmonize each other. Front and back follow each other.
Therefore the Wise One acts without doing, shows without saying, accepts without reservation, receives but doesn’t possess, raises but doesn’t own, guides but doesn’t depend, succeeds but isn’t proud.
And for this very reason, he is successful.
What Does This Quote Mean?
As in most all of the Chinese classics, we once again come across the theme of Balance.
Balance is decreasing what is excessive and increasing what is deficient.
Lao Tzu begins by pointing out that our world (our reality) is defined by its extremes.
There would be no concept of one end of the spectrum, were it not balanced out by the other.
As he says, high and low determine each other … front and back follow each other.
Once he makes his point about the world being defined by its extremes, he then suggests that you walk down the middle of the path.
The middle of the path is where balance lies.
If we are balanced; we will be happy. If we are balanced; we will be successful.
So, What Am I Suggesting
Don’t be high. Don’t be low. Just be ordinary and walk the middle of the path.
Don’t be up front, don’t be left behind. Just be ordinary and walk the middle of the path.
Don’t be difficult, don’t be each. Just be ordinary and walk the middle of the path.
Don’t go too far, don’t stop too short. Just be ordinary and walk the middle of the path.
Now here’s my point, IF YOU KEEP WALKING THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH, you will keep going and not be stopped short.
That is why you will be successful.
What Is Success?
Success is what YOU define it to be.
It is a measure of how well YOU achieve YOUR goals.
It is NOT what someone else defines it to be.
While interviewing people for my soon to be released third book Achievement IQ Moments, I met some incredibly successful people.
They were not always the most wealthy; nor were they always perceived by others as being the most successful.
BUT, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has successfully achieved their own goals. THEY ARE SECURE in the knowledge that they have done what THEY set out to do and that they have done it well. They are CONSCIOUS of their success and they APPRECIATE it every day.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with Lao Tzu here? Do you agree with me here?
Personally I agree with him “most of the time”, but I still think there are circumstances when one must (and should) violate the helpful precepts outlined above.
Recommended Reading
Laws of Positioning #4 - Position Yourself To Be Balanced
Laws of Positioning #14 - Position Yourself To Be Conscious
Laws of Positioning #44 - Position Yourself To Be Great
Laws of Positioning #45 - Position Yourself To Be Happy
Laws of Positioning #58 - Position Yourself To Be Joyful
Future Posts on the Tao Te Ching
In our next post of the Tao Te Ching, we will begin discussing Sitting Still waiting for things to happen.”
Until next time, take care, my dear friends.Mr. Achievement
Stanley F. Bronstein
Attorney & CPA
September 6th, 2008 at 3:43 am
It can be hard to let go of what you think others expect of you and move into what you know you need to do with your life. The Dao does help in remembering that truth though
September 6th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Katinka:
I learned (unfortunately through experience), a long time ago that I have to do what I think is right, and not necessarily what OTHERS think is right.
The funny part is that after several years of them telling me I’ve been wrong, things are shifting to the point where I’m proving myself right.
Take care my friend.
Stanley Bronstein
MrAchievement