The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom: Chapter 36 to Chapter 40
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Laozi’s Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching), as the earliest philosophical work in China, shines with the light of wisdom and has become a gem in the treasury of human intellect. However, this profound work, with its simple words yet deep meanings, often leaves readers feeling perplexed. For many, understanding the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) is a gradual journey of exploration.
To bring the wisdom of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) closer to more people, I have divided the original content into 81 chapters and created 81 vivid and natural stories. Through a combination of text and illustrations, these stories further showcase the profound and concise ideas within the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching). It is my hope that this approachable method will help readers connect with its teachings on a deeper level.
For example, the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) states: “The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete with them.” This short statement reflects the nature of the Tao and its superior virtue. In the story The Secret of the Stream, a small stream, with its humble and generous attitude, silently nourishes the earth and helps the villagers without complaint. An elder in the village explains that the stream remains quiet because it understands humility and avoids contention. A clever boy learns the wisdom of “non-contention” from the stream and begins to treat others with tolerance, living in harmony with his friends and earning their affection. Ultimately, the entire village, inspired by the stream, understands the truth of “The highest good is like water”: helping others, remaining humble, avoiding conflict, and living a better life.
Each chapter presents a fundamental idea of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) through a short story, demonstrating how its principles can be applied in daily life. It is my hope that readers, while savoring the stories, can awaken to the wisdom of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) and embark on a meaningful journey of enlightenment.
Modern life is characterized by a fast pace, heavy work pressures, and various anxieties. Through the small stories inspired by the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching), one can gain wisdom, achieve inner peace, and find enduring joy.
Let us illuminate our lives with the light of Taoist virtue through these stories, allowing the natural principles of the Dao(Tao) and traditional philosophy to shine brightly in the glow of our times.
Meng Zhaoliang
Beijing, December 30, 2024
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 36 — Softness and Weakness Overcome Hardness and Strength
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“When you want to shrink something, you must first stretch it; when you want to weaken something, you must first strengthen it; when you want to destroy something, you must first build it; when you want to seize something, you must first give it.
This is called the subtle illumination. Softness and weakness overcome hardness and strength.
Fish cannot leave the deep waters, and the country’s most valuable weapons should not be shown to others.”
1. “When you want to shrink something, you must first stretch it.”
Explanation: If you want to pull something back, you must first let it expand.
Example: One day, Xiaoming was blowing up a balloon. He noticed that if the balloon was really inflated, the air inside would come out easily. But if the balloon was too small, the air didn’t easily escape. This symbolizes that sometimes letting go or allowing things to develop will help you regain control more effectively.
2. “When you want to weaken something, you must first strengthen it.”
Explanation: If you want to weaken someone or something, you must first make it stronger.
Example: There was a big child in the village named Xiaozhuang, who had a lot of strength and often bullied others. Later, the village leader asked him to carry stones every day. Xiaozhuang became even stronger, but he was so tired every day that he no longer had the energy to bully others. This shows that giving him appropriate “strength” actually helped him calm down.
3. “When you want to destroy something, you must first build it.”
Explanation: If you want something to stop, you must first push it vigorously.
Example: At a village competition, a group of children liked to shout and make noise. Instead of stopping them, the teacher encouraged them to shout even louder. After a while, they grew tired and stopped on their own. This shows that sometimes pushing something to the extreme will make it resolve on its own.
4. “When you want to take something, you must first give it.”
Explanation: If you want to take something, you must first give it.
Example: There was a child who liked to grab toys. Xiaoming decided to teach him to share, so he first gave him his own toy. The child felt embarrassed and later returned the toy to Xiaoming. By “giving,” Xiaoming actually achieved “getting.”
5. “This is called subtle illumination.”
Explanation: These principles seem profound, but they are full of wisdom.
Example: A small river flows quietly, but it knows where to go, helping everything grow. Its wisdom lies in its quiet, far-reaching influence.
6. “Softness and weakness overcome hardness and strength.”
Explanation: Soft things can often overcome hard things.
Example: Raindrops seem soft, but they can erode hard rocks. The wind is invisible and intangible, yet it can knock down large trees. This shows that softness is not weakness, but a different kind of power.
7. “Fish cannot leave the deep waters, and the country’s most valuable weapons should not be shown to others.”
Explanation: Fish cannot survive outside deep water, and valuable things should not be casually displayed.
Example: There was a large pond in the village, and the fish could not live outside the water. The village leader kept his family’s sword hidden, never showing it off, because the more important something is, the more carefully it should be protected.
Short Story: The Wise Village Leader and the Village Secrets
Story 1: Zhang and Xi’s Kites
The children in the village were flying kites. Xiaoming’s kite flew higher and higher, while Xiaoqiang’s kite wouldn’t rise. Xiaoqiang, frustrated, grabbed Xiaoming’s kite, but the string broke, and the kite drifted away.
The village leader came over and said, “Xiaoqiang, if you want the kite back, you can’t pull it hard. Instead, let it fly higher first, and then slowly reel it in, and it will come back naturally.” Xiaoqiang skeptically tried it, and it worked! He understood that sometimes to get something back, you have to let it expand first.
Story 2: Who is Stronger?
Two kids, Xiaozhuang and Xiaowen, were wrestling. Xiaozhuang, who was very strong, always won. But the village leader had Xiaozhuang carry water and chop firewood every day, saying, “Let’s see if you can still win when you’re this strong.” Xiaozhuang became so tired that he no longer had the energy to wrestle, and Xiaowen, using the time to learn new wrestling techniques, eventually beat him.
The village leader smiled and said, “Sometimes, to weaken someone, you must first make them stronger. When they reach their limit, they will discover their weaknesses.”
Story 3: Let Everyone Stop
One day, the village market was very noisy, but a few vendors were arguing loudly, making everyone annoyed. The village leader didn’t stop them but said, “If you want to argue, go ahead and argue.” After a while, they were too tired to continue, and everyone quieted down.
The village leader told the onlookers, “If you want the arguing to stop, let them argue until they’re exhausted. When they reach their limit, they will stop on their own.”
Story 4: The Secret of the Treasure
In the village, there was a well with very sweet water, which everyone cherished. One day, an outsider heard about it and came to try to claim the water. The village leader gave him a bucket of water and said, “Drink up, we have plenty.” The outsider tasted it, but it was just ordinary water, so he lost interest and left.
The village leader told the villagers, “Important things should be kept discreet. When others want them, give them a little, and they will no longer fight for it.”
Final Teaching
That evening, the village leader gathered everyone and said, “Did you notice? All the problems in the village were solved. These principles are like water. Water is soft, but it can erode rock. It always flows downward but nourishes everything. Fish cannot live without water, and people must learn to hide their treasures, not showing them off easily. This is true wisdom.”
The villagers, enlightened, learned to solve problems with wisdom and gentleness, just like their leader.
Moral of the Story:
The story teaches children the principle of “softness overcoming hardness.” Truly wise people know how to use wisdom, not brute force. Whether dealing with problems or protecting what is important, one should be like water — soft yet powerful.
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 37 — Governing through Non-Action
Original Text from Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“The Dao(Tao) is always without action, yet nothing is left undone.
If kings and lords are able to hold to it, all things will transform by themselves.
When transformation occurs and desire arises, I will calm it with the nameless simplicity.
The nameless simplicity, when used, will not bring desires.
Not desiring leads to stillness, and the world will naturally find its balance.”
1. “The Dao(Tao) is always without action, yet nothing is left undone.”
Explanation: The Dao(Tao) (the natural law) itself does not need to force anything, yet nothing is left undone.
Example: The river flows quietly every day, seemingly doing nothing, yet it nourishes the plants on both banks, making the trees grow tall and the flowers bloom brightly. It doesn’t deliberately water them, but everything is naturally accomplished because of its existence.
2. “If kings and lords are able to hold to it, all things will transform by themselves.”
Explanation: If kings and rulers can follow this principle of “governing through non-action,” the people will naturally become harmonious and simple.
Example: The village head is wise; he never issues commands but instead gives the villagers the freedom to act. The villagers plant crops, repair roads, and build bridges on their own, and everything runs smoothly. If the village head were to force everyone to do things, it would tire and upset the people.
3. “When transformation occurs and desire arises, I will calm it with the nameless simplicity.”
Explanation: If things begin to become complex or overly desirous, I will guide them back to simplicity with the “nameless simplicity” (the natural, unadorned law).
Example: One day, the children in the village began to argue over toys. The village head took out a simple piece of wood and asked, “Who wants this wood?” None of the children wanted it. The village head smiled and said, “Actually, this wood can be made into any toy; it is the most useful.” The children realized and stopped arguing, starting to craft toys from the wood themselves.
4. “The nameless simplicity, when used, will not bring desires.”
Explanation: If people maintain simplicity and modesty in their hearts, they will not have excessive desires.
Example: A child liked asking for candy all the time, but then his mother told him, “Eating too many sweets is bad for your teeth; how about eating some fresh fruit instead?” The child tried the fruit and found it even better than candy, so he no longer always craved sweets. When the heart is simple, there are fewer desires.
5. “Not desiring leads to stillness, and the world will naturally find its balance.”
Explanation: If people can remain without excessive desires and keep their hearts quiet, the world will naturally find its balance.
Example: The village has a large pond, and the water is very calm. The village head told the children, “If the water is disturbed, the fish will be frightened; but if the water remains calm, the fish will naturally return.” The children sat quietly by the edge of the pond, and eventually, the fish came back. Through “stillness,” everything became harmonious.
Story: The Village Head’s Magical Method
Long ago, there was a beautiful village. The villagers were hardworking and kind, but sometimes small disagreements would arise, causing unrest. The village head was a wise and kind elderly man who never issued loud commands but always managed to restore peace in the village. Everyone believed the village head had a kind of magical “power.”
The Village’s Order One day, the village’s farmland began to dry up due to lack of rain. Many villagers came to the village head, saying, “Village head, our crops will wither! Please help!” The village head smiled and said, “Don’t worry, go check if the river water is flowing too quickly.” The villagers went to check and found that the water in the canals was flowing too fast, taking most of the water elsewhere. So they built a small dam with stones to slow down the flow, and soon the fields began to absorb water again, and the crops revived. The villagers exclaimed, “The village head didn’t do anything, but his words helped us solve the problem!”
The Children’s Quarrel One day, a few children started fighting over a beautiful kite. Each of them wanted it, but none would give in, and their argument grew fiercer. The village head walked over and asked, “What do you think is the most special part of this kite?” The children eagerly answered, “Its beautiful color!” “It flies the highest!” The village head nodded, then took a simple piece of wood and said, “This wood has no color, but if each of you decorates it, it can become even more beautiful than the kite.” The children listened, set aside the kite, and began decorating the wood together. Eventually, they made a bigger kite, and everyone happily played together.
The Quiet Pond The village had a pond that was usually very calm, and people liked to chat and fish by its edge. One day, a few outsiders came to the village, intending to catch all the fish from the pond and sell them. The villagers were upset and went to tell the village head. He said, “Don’t worry, we’ll let the pond protect itself.” The village head took everyone to the pond, picked up a branch, and stirred the water, making it muddy and turbid. The outsiders saw this and noticed that all the fish had hidden, so they couldn’t catch any. Thinking the pond was useless, they left. The village head smiled and said to the villagers, “The pond is most beautiful when it is still, but sometimes it will use ‘turbidity’ to protect itself.”
The Village’s Transformation Over time, the villagers learned the village head’s “magic”: many things do not need to be rushed or interfered with; just stick to simple principles, and everything will naturally improve. The villagers became more peaceful, the children more united, and the village became even more harmonious and beautiful.
Moral:
This story teaches us that, like the village head, often we do not need to rush to change or intervene in everything. If we can keep our hearts peaceful and simple, things will naturally improve. When facing problems, we should solve them with wisdom and patience, and everything will return to harmony.
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 38: The Relationship Between Virtue and the Tao
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“Higher Virtue Does Not Have Virtue, This Is Why It Has Virtue; Lower Virtue Does Not Lose Virtue, This Is Why It Has No Virtue.
Higher Virtue Acts Without Action, While Lower Virtue Requires Action.
The Highest Benevolence Acts Without Expectation, The Highest Righteousness Acts With Purpose.
When Ritual Becomes Forced and There Is No Response, It Leads to Conflict.
Therefore, After Losing the Dao(Tao), Virtue Comes; After Losing Virtue, Benevolence Comes; After Losing Benevolence, Righteousness Comes; After Losing Righteousness, Ritual Comes.
Ritual Is the Weakening of Loyalty and Trust, and the Beginning of Disorder.
Excessive Knowledge is the Ornament of the Dao(Tao) and the Beginning of Foolishness.
Thus, the True Person Dwells in What is Substantial and Does Not Pursue the Superficial.
Therefore, Let Go of What is Superficial and Choose What is Truly Valuable.”
1. “Higher Virtue Does Not Have Virtue, This Is Why It Has Virtue; Lower Virtue Does Not Lose Virtue, This Is Why It Has No Virtue.”
Explanation: The highest virtue (higher virtue) is natural and effortless, not feeling like it is doing virtuous acts, which is why it is true virtue. Lower virtue (lower virtue) is the result of trying to maintain one’s “virtue,” and therefore it is not true virtue.
Example: Xiao Ming leaves his leftover food for the birds every day. He never thinks of it as a “good deed,” he just believes the birds need food. Neighbor A Qiang, however, feeds the birds and then loudly tells others, “Look! I did a good deed!” The children prefer Xiao Ming because his actions are natural, while A Qiang’s seem a bit forced.
2. “Higher Virtue Acts Without Action, While Lower Virtue Requires Action.”
Explanation: The highest virtue is in accordance with nature and does not deliberately take any action. Lower virtue, however, requires intentional actions to be considered virtuous.
Example: When a classmate falls, Xiao Hong naturally runs over to help without thinking much. But Xiao Qiang, seeing others helping, feels that he also has to “do a good deed” and intentionally helps a classmate who just crouched down. Xiao Hong’s behavior is true “acting without acting.”
3. “The Highest Benevolence Acts Without Expectation, The Highest Righteousness Acts With Purpose.”
Explanation: A benevolent person (one who is kind) does good deeds but does not feel like they are doing something great. A righteous person, on the other hand, feels that they are doing what is “right.”
Example: A child sees an elderly lady crossing the street and silently helps her without thinking of it as something special. Another child helps the elderly lady and proudly says, “I’m doing a good deed! I’m better than others!” The first child is an example of benevolence, while the second child is an example of righteousness.
4. “When Ritual Becomes Forced and There Is No Response, It Leads to Conflict.”
Explanation: If rituals become forced and others do not cooperate, it will lead to contradictions and conflicts.
Example: A group of children is playing a game, and A Qiang insists that everyone must follow his rules. No one listens, so he angrily waves his arm and shouts, “You all don’t know the rules!” As a result, no one wants to play with him anymore. This is an example of conflict arising from forced ritual.
5. “Therefore, After Losing the Dao(Tao), Virtue Comes; After Losing Virtue, Benevolence Comes; After Losing Benevolence, Righteousness Comes; After Losing Righteousness, Ritual Comes.”
Explanation: When the Dao(Tao) (natural law) is lost, virtue follows; when virtue is lost, benevolence follows; when benevolence is lost, righteousness follows; and when righteousness is lost, ritual comes.
Example: In a family, if everyone naturally cares for each other, there will be harmony (the Dao(Tao)). If they start to demand “you need to be good to me,” they will need “virtue” to maintain it. If they become more indifferent, only surface-level “benevolence” remains, and eventually, there might be no sincerity left, only polite exchanges (ritual).
6. “Ritual Is the Weakening of Loyalty and Trust, and the Beginning of Disorder.”
Explanation: Ritual is the sign of weakening loyalty and trust, and also the beginning of disorder.
Example: The villagers once trusted each other deeply, and the neighborhood was harmonious. But later, everyone became more polite, using courteous words to hide their true feelings. Gradually, they no longer trusted each other, and the relationships became cold and complicated.
7. “Excessive Knowledge is the Ornament of the Dao(Tao) and the Beginning of Foolishness.”
Explanation: Those who are overly smart and pursue superficial “wisdom” have strayed from the true essence of the Dao(Tao) and become foolish.
Example: A student likes to show off how much knowledge he has learned, but when asked how he can use that knowledge to help others, he cannot answer. Although he seems smart, he lacks true wisdom.
8. “Thus, the True Person Dwells in What is Substantial and Does Not Pursue the Superficial.”
Explanation: A truly wise person focuses on the substance and depth of things, rather than chasing after superficial appearances.
Example: Xiao Li likes to eat fruit. She does not pick the most beautiful fruit but chooses the one that is fully ripe and tastes the best. She knows that the “inner quality” of the fruit is more important than its appearance.
9. “Therefore, Let Go of What is Superficial and Choose What is Truly Valuable.”
Explanation: We should abandon superficial and shallow things and choose what is truly valuable.
Example: If you have to choose a toy, would you pick one that is very pretty but breaks easily, or one that is simple but can be played with for a long time? A wise child would choose the latter because it is more “substantial.”
Short Story: Wisdom Transmission in a Village
In a small village at the foot of a mountain, the villagers lived harmoniously, helping each other without keeping track of who gave more or less. If someone had extra vegetables, they would give them to their neighbors. When someone was in need, the villagers would naturally extend a hand. No one thought they were doing anything extraordinary. This was the “Dao(Tao)” of the village, and everything flowed naturally.
Losing the Dao(Tao) and Then Virtue
One day, a scholar from outside the village arrived and saw how the villagers helped each other. He said, “What you are doing is wrong! You should follow virtue and keep records of ‘good deeds’ — every time someone helps, they should be noted!”
The villagers thought it made sense, so they began to keep track of their help. Over time, however, some people began to wonder, “How many ‘good deeds’ can I add to my record?” Slowly, the village lost its initial simplicity and naturalness.
Losing Virtue and Then Benevolence
Later, some people started doing “good deeds” just to add to their record, without truly caring about others. The village head then suggested, “We need to be more ‘benevolent’; not only do the deed, but also show more kindness.”
However, the villagers began to pretend to be kind in front of others while harboring small complaints behind their backs. Although “benevolence” was promoted, the village lost some sincerity.
Losing Benevolence and Then Righteousness
Then, the village introduced some “rules”: everyone had to help at least once a week and follow the “good person ranking.” Helping others became a “task” rather than something done willingly, and the villagers began to feel more uncomfortable.
Losing Righteousness and Then Ritual
The village then had more and more rules, even dictating: “Bow to the village head when you see him!” “You cannot refuse others directly!” But the villagers’ hearts grew more distant. One day, a villager couldn’t take it anymore and said, “Head, your rules are too much, we can’t breathe!” The village head angrily shouted, “Anyone who does not follow the rules must leave the village!” The village descended into chaos.
Small Intelligence and Great Wisdom
One day, a young man arrived in the village and saw these problems. He told the villagers, “Do you know? These rules and false rituals are just ‘shallow’ things. What truly brings harmony is sincerity and naturalness from the heart. We should abandon these complex rules and return to a life of mutual help and natural flow.”
The villagers suddenly understood, discarded the records and rules, and returned to their old ways of helping each other naturally. The village returned to peace.
Story Summary:
1. Higher Virtue Does Not Have Virtue: The village’s initial way of life was “higher virtue,” where everyone helped each other naturally, and no one sought to show off.
2. Lower Virtue Does Not Lose Virtue: Later, with the introduction of “good deeds records,” helping others became a “deliberate act,” losing its original beauty.
3. Let Go of the Shallow and Choose the Substantial: The villagers eventually understood that the superficial rules (thin) were less important than sincere hearts (thick).
Moral for Children: Through this story, you will realize that true beauty in life flows naturally. There is no need to deliberately prove yourself; instead, it’s about returning to true sincerity from the heart!
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 39: The Way of Attaining Oneness
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“In ancient times, those who attained the One,
Heaven attained the One, and thus it was clear.
The Earth attained the One, and thus it was peaceful.
The Spirit attained the One, and thus it was effective.
The Valleys attained the One, and thus they were full.
All things attained the One, and thus they lived.
The rulers and kings attained the One, and thus they ruled the world with integrity.
Their method was as follows:
Heaven, without its clarity, would soon break apart.
The Earth, without its peace, would soon collapse.
The Spirit, without its effectiveness, would soon cease.
The Valleys, without their fullness, would soon dry up.
All things, without their life force, would soon perish.
Rulers and kings, without their greatness, would soon fall.
Therefore, the noble holds the lowly as their foundation,
And the high takes the low as its basis.
Thus, rulers and kings consider themselves as isolated, humble, and incomplete.
Is this not based on the lowly?
Is this not the truth?
Therefore, they strive to keep the cart without a cart.
They do not desire the luster of jade or the roughness of stone.”
1. “In ancient times, those who attained the One,
Heaven attained the One, and thus it was clear.
The Earth attained the One, and thus it was peaceful.
The Spirit attained the One, and thus it was effective.
The Valleys attained the One, and thus they were full.
All things attained the One, and thus they lived.
The rulers and kings attained the One, and thus they ruled the world with integrity.”
Explanation:
In ancient times, the harmony and prosperity of all things were a result of maintaining their true nature and essence. This balance leads to flourishing and stability, both in nature and governance.
Example: Like in a family, when everyone does their part — parents care for the home, children focus on their studies — the family remains harmonious.
2. “Their method was as follows:
Heaven, without its clarity, would soon break apart.
The Earth, without its peace, would soon collapse.
The Spirit, without its effectiveness, would soon cease.
The Valleys, without their fullness, would soon dry up.
All things, without their life force, would soon perish.
Rulers and kings, without their greatness, would soon fall.”
Explanation:
If anything loses its core principles, trouble follows. This illustrates how essential balance and harmony are for everything to function properly.
Example: Just like if a student doesn’t pay attention in class, they will not learn and may fail their exams.
3. “Therefore, the noble holds the lowly as their foundation,
And the high takes the low as its basis.”
Explanation:
High status or noble things must have a humble foundation. Even those in high positions should maintain humility.
Example: Like a tall tree that relies on its roots, which are unseen but vital for stability.
4. “Thus, rulers and kings consider themselves as isolated, humble, and incomplete.
Is this not based on the lowly?
Is this not the truth?”
Explanation:
Rulers practiced humility, acknowledging their reliance on the people.
Example: Like a teacher who constantly reminds students, “There is always more to learn,” encouraging humility.
5. “Therefore, they strive to keep the cart without a cart.
They do not desire the luster of jade or the roughness of stone.”
Explanation:
Excessive desire for things that are not essential can lead to dissatisfaction. It is better to focus on what truly matters.
Example: Just like studying, if you focus on mastering one thing well instead of spreading yourself too thin, you will be more successful. Similarly, clothes are best when they are comfortable, not overly extravagant.
Story: The Prince and the Wisdom of Oneness
Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom, there was a young prince named Xiao Ming. He was about to become king, but he was confused about how to ensure the prosperity of his country and the happiness of his people.
One day, the prince dreamed of an old man with a white beard.
The old man took him to a magical place, where the sky was clear, the land was peaceful, the river valley was full, and countless trees and animals were thriving. The old man said, “All of this exists because they have attained ‘the One.’”
The prince asked, “What is ‘the One’?”
The old man patiently explained:
- “Heaven attains clarity, so it remains clear.” (Example: If the sky is polluted, acid rain will fall, and crops will not grow.)
- “The Earth attains peace, so it remains stable.” (Example: Earthquakes cause homelessness, but stable earth provides safety.)
- “The Valleys attain fullness, so they are fertile.” (Example: If rivers dry up, crops die, and people starve.)
- “All things attain life, so the world is vibrant.” (Example: If ants don’t build nests or bees don’t gather nectar, many plants won’t grow.)
- “Rulers attain integrity, so they govern the world well.” (Example: If a king only seeks pleasure, the people will revolt, and the country will be in turmoil.)
The prince asked, “What happens if ‘the One’ is lost?”
The old man sighed and showed the prince a vision: The sky was covered in smoke, the valley was dry, the land cracked, the trees withered, animals scattered, and the king sat on a luxurious throne, while the people looked sad. The old man said, “This is the consequence of losing ‘the One.’”
The prince asked, “What should I do?”
The old man pointed to a tall tree, “Look at this tree! It is tall, but its roots are deeply embedded in the ground. Without its roots, it would fall. As a king, you must be like this tree, humble and grounded, seeing the people as your roots to remain stable.”
The old man then picked up a rough stone and a smooth jade stone, saying, “Do not pursue extravagance. Like this stone, be simple and practical, and the people will trust you.”
When the prince woke up, he was determined to be a humble king. He respected the laws of nature and cared for the people’s needs. As a result, the people loved him, and the country became more prosperous.
Conclusion:
This story teaches us that only through humility and following the natural and societal laws can we ensure a harmonious and beautiful life.
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 40: The Movement and Use of the Dao
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“Reversal is the movement of the Dao;
Weakness is the function of the Dao.
All things in the world arise from being,
and being arises from non-being.”
1. “Reversal is the movement of the Dao.”
Explanation: Everything in the world moves and changes in cycles and opposites. For instance, when something reaches an extreme, it starts moving in the opposite direction. This is the natural law.
Example: In the cycle of the seasons, when spring comes, the weather warms up; then summer arrives with the hottest temperatures, followed by autumn when it cools down, and winter becomes cold. This cycle repeats itself, just like how “heat reaches its peak and then gradually turns to cold.” This is the manifestation of “reversal.”
2. “Weakness is the function of the Dao.”
Explanation: Things that appear soft or weak often have great utility. This is a natural wisdom: being gentle or weak is not a flaw, but a form of strength.
Example: Water seems soft and easily parted when you touch it, yet it can wear down stones and carve mountains over time. This shows that, although water is soft, it has the power to change the world, demonstrating the principle of “weakness as the function of the Dao.”
3. “All things in the world arise from being,
and being arises from non-being.”
Explanation: Everything in the world arises from “being,” yet “being” itself arises from “non-being.” “Being” refers to tangible things we can see or touch, like trees, houses, and bags, while “non-being” refers to things we cannot see, such as air, space, or thoughts. Though “non-being” is invisible, it is crucial; without it, “being” wouldn’t exist.
Example: A cup’s “being” is its physical shape, but it can only hold water because of the “space” (non-being) inside. Without this empty space, the cup would be useless. Similarly, a seed (being) grows into a tree, but its life force (non-being) is invisible and essential for it to sprout and grow. This illustrates that the unseen “non-being” is more important than the visible “being.”
Short Story: The Wisdom of Wind and Water
Once upon a time, in a magical valley, lived the wind spirit and the water spirit. They were good friends and often discussed the mysteries of nature. One day, they began talking about their own powers.
Wind Spirit’s Discovery: Reversal is the Movement of the Dao
The wind spirit said, “I can bend trees and lift kites into the sky, but I’ve noticed a strange pattern in my power. When I blow too hard, trees fall and kites are blown away. But when I stop, everything returns to calm.”
The water spirit laughed and said, “This is ‘reversal is the movement of the Dao’! When you blow too forcefully, things move in the opposite direction. If you are gentler, the kite can fly higher and the trees will stay healthy.”
The wind spirit thought for a moment and nodded, “I see! Moderation is the best form of power.”
Water Spirit’s Secret: Weakness is the Function of the Dao
The water spirit said, “Though I’m not as strong as the wind, I’ve discovered that softness is my secret weapon. Even the hardest rocks are slowly worn down by me to form paths. Water, though soft, holds great power.”
The wind spirit asked in amazement, “How do you do that?”
The water spirit replied, “This is ‘weakness is the function of the Dao.’ Things that seem weak don’t directly show their strength, but with persistence, they can achieve great things.”
The Mystery of All Things: From Being Comes Non-Being
The wind spirit thought for a moment and asked, “We spirits help all things grow, but where do things come from?”
The water spirit took the wind spirit to a field and pointed to a small seed sprouting. “Look, this seed (being) will grow into a big tree, but its life force (non-being) is invisible and gives it the power to sprout and grow. Without this ‘non-being,’ there would be no ‘being.’”
The wind spirit suddenly understood, “I see! The walls of a house are ‘being,’ but without the space inside (non-being), no one can live in it. A cup is ‘being,’ but without the empty space inside (non-being), it can’t hold water.”
Conclusion: The Wisdom of Wind and Water
The wind spirit and water spirit understood a profound truth: everything in the world changes, “reversal is the movement of the Dao”; softness is not weakness, “weakness is the function of the Dao”; all things come from non-being, “all things arise from being, and being arises from non-being.” They decided to use this wisdom to make their valley a better place.
From then on, the wind became gentler, the water flowed more smoothly, and the plants and animals in the valley flourished. Everyone admired the wisdom of wind and water, which brought vitality to the valley!
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
