The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you
-Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Verse 8
In the three or four times that I’ve listened to Wayne Dyer’s translation of the Tao Te Ching, this eighth verse has always been the one that really resonated with me. What I love about this verse is that it really is about life and the divine order in which things occur. One of the other things that I’ve drawn from this verse is that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing, experiencing exactly what you need to be experiencing at this moment in your life. Jesus Jones was spot on when he said “Right Here right now, there is no other place I want to be. Right here Right now, watching the world wake up from history.”
As I paddled out into the water the other day for what would by the end of that day be upwards of 300 hours of surfing time over the last month and a half, I started to question what the hell the point was to this endless summer of surfing and unemployment. Then I thought about that eighth verse. I realized after two years of grad school, 7 years of working, and somewhat bad health this kind of nourishment is exactly what I needed to experience this summer. The level of energy and vitality that i’ve developed will actually be beneficial in my career. My time in the water has allowed me to start rebuilding a circle of friends after all of mine have moved away. The majority of the ideas for my blog posts have formulated while I’ve been in the water, so I really am experiencing exactly what I need to. It’s also give me an opportunity be really happy, without needing very much, which is the whole point of enlightenment.
The divine order in which things occur is naturally challenging for us to find peace with because we all have a tendency to fall victim to the comparative and competitive disadvantage. I’ve grown up in a community where overachievers are not an outlier, but rather commonplace. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers,ivy-league schools, and anything else that falls along those lines are the norm. Most of my friends are quite far along in their careers, my sister is in medical school, and yet I always keep in mind that it’s not a race, and if it is, the finish line is the day you die. So, there is really no point to being in such a damn hurry. Slow down, be present, be patient, and enjoy the ride. Eventually it’ll take you exactly where you are supposed to go.
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Profoundly inspiring post.
I need to remember this, any time I fall in the trap of comparing and competing!
Well done!
My first visit here and I was so pleased at what I found. The Tao does guide us home in peaceful, affirming ways. May we all ride the waves of life with grace and ease…and especially without comparing or judging our ride–or the rides of others. Blessings to you! Lovely post!