SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Tag: dao

  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 71

    The Sage, while inwardly enlightened, outwardly embodies simplicity and humility, appearing more “ignorant” than others. Conversely, many who lack true knowledge pretentiously posture as erudite scholars, deluding themselves into believing they surpass others in wisdom.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 70

    Chapter 70 addresses the paradox of the Dao’s simplicity and humanity’s failure to embody it. Laozi laments that while the Dao is profoundly accessible, people remain distracted by superficial desires and intellectual complexities.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 69

    Chapter 69 employs military metaphors to unveil the Daoist philosophy of ‘retreating to advance’ and ‘softness overcoming hardness’. Lao Tzu first references ancient military wisdom: ‘I dare not take the initiative but prefer to respond; I dare not advance an inch but prefer to withdraw a foot’. This emphasizes avoiding provocation, resisting rash aggression, and instead retreating strategically to observe the situation, gather strength, and act with hidden intent. Actions remain concealed, leaving no trace for the enemy to follow—appearing as non-action, yet embodying the stratagem of ‘formlessness conquering form’ .

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 68

    Chapter 68 teaches that victory without battle is the highest art. By embodying the Tao’s rhythm—acting early, yielding strategically, and striking with precision—we transform conflict into harmony, achieving lasting success through effortless alignment.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 67

    The Dao, due to its all-encompassing and formless nature, cannot be grasped through the perception of concrete forms. We learn to cultivate the Dao by emulating the sages. The sages’ treasures for realizing the Dao are ‌compassion‌, ‌frugality‌, and ‌humility‌ (‘daring not to put oneself ahead of the world’).

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 66

    Chapter 66 explores the paradox of leadership through the metaphor of rivers and oceans, emphasizing humility, selflessness, and the power of “remaining below”. Lao Tzu argues that true authority arises not from dominance or self-promotion but from serving others and embracing a lowly position. This chapter crystallizes the Taoist ideal of leading through non-contention and aligning with the natural flow of the Tao.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 65

    Many readers misinterpret this chapter. By interpreting the text literally, they assume the Dao De Jing advocates a “policy of keeping people ignorant” to serve ruling powers and better control the populace.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 64

    Chapter 64 emphasizes preventive action, alignment with natural cycles, and the wisdom of addressing problems before they arise.

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  • Dao De Jing – Chapter 62

    This chapter centers on the Dao as the origin of all things and a universal law, emphasizing its all-encompassing inclusivity and redemptive power transcending moral binaries. Both the virtuous (those aligned with the Dao) and the non-virtuous (those yet to awaken to it) can benefit from the Tao’s grace. Laozi rejects using moral standards to exclude others, advocating instead for transforming the unawakened through gracious words and noble deeds. This reflects the Tao’s boundless compassion and salvific function. By embodying the Tao, one achieves self-cultivation and avoids grave missteps.

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