The Path of Harmonious Living

Lao-tzu presents a figure who embodies a life in perfect sync with the natural order. This master does not seek to conquer nature but instead flows with it. By surrendering to the Tao and relinquishing all judgments, concepts, and desires, a person cultivates genuine compassion. Ultimately, they come to a humbling realization: “I am the Tao, the Truth, the Life.”

— Stephen Mitchell, Tao Te Ching, Foreword

This brief exploration is merely my interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, shaped by nearly 25 years of practicing Zen Buddhism and studying the text almost daily. The straightforward wisdom of the Tao Te Ching resonates with me as an individual from the Wyandotte Nation Tribe and a seeker of spiritual truths.

Here are the opening lines of this timeless work:

Tao Te Ching, Verse 1

The Tao that can be articulated is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

The Nameless is the origin of heaven and earth.

The Named is the mother of all things.

By being desireless, one can perceive the mystery.

By being desirous, one can witness the manifestations.

These two arise from the same source but are known by different names;

this is called darkness.

Darkness within darkness.

The gateway to all mysteries.

— Tao Te Ching, Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English Translation

Experiencing the Unknown

Our knowledge is limited—we can quantify stars and galaxies and measure vast distances, yet we remain unable to answer life's most profound questions.

Did my existence begin with my birth, or was I here before? What becomes of my consciousness or soul after death? Will I vanish as suddenly as I came?

The truth is, I do not know.

Many philosophical traditions suggest there exists an ultimate source that underpins everything. This source might be akin to Brahman in Hinduism, Dharmakaya in Buddhism, or the Tao in Taoism. However, as per the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, this great mystery remains beyond our comprehension.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

The Flying Trapeze Dream

At age five, I frequently dreamed of standing on a high platform, where trapeze artists would leap into the abyss. Surrounded by darkness, I felt my heart racing, knowing I had to jump but paralyzed by fear.

There was never a resolution to this dream; I always woke up, still five years old and suffering from measles. Was it a memory from a past life or merely a fever dream? I do not know, but its impact lingers.

The Profound Mystery of Life

Our existence—birth and death—encompasses great mysteries. First, there was the ineffable Tao, the root of all creation, followed by the myriad manifestations: galaxies, trees, creatures, and even the smallest life forms. Yet, the Tao resides within each of these.

Nothing exists apart from the Tao.

Though I identify as Gary, a Caucasian Native American, husband, father, brother, grandfather, writer, and human being, as Walt Whitman eloquently expressed, “I contain multitudes.”

Caught up in my human experiences, I often lose sight of the larger mystery.

Recognizing the Mystery

By being desireless, one can perceive the mystery.

By being desirous, one can witness the manifestations.

We can awaken to our true identity through age-old practices such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, or prayer. These methods help quiet the mind, allowing us to dwell in the present moment, where desires gradually lose their urgency.

Learning to Embrace Paradox

Lao-tzu teaches that relinquishing the desire to understand the mystery can reveal it. Wanting and allowing may seem opposite, yet they are interconnected.

Consider planting a garden; you eagerly await the taste of your homegrown tomatoes. The key is allowing them to grow naturally.

Similarly, if you struggle to fall asleep, the only path to rest is to surrender to it. You cannot force sleep.

To perceive the Tao's mystery, you must release the need to see it. By doing so, you may discover your boundless nature.

“I am large... I contain multitudes.”

— Walt Whitman, Song Of Myself

An Infinite Mystery

The insights from the Tao Te Ching shape my humble perspective on the great mystery. The universe eludes our understanding; any statements we make about it will fall short. Estimates suggest there could be two trillion galaxies, with our Milky Way alone containing between 100 and 400 billion stars.

In truth, we know very little.

The universe that can be named is not the infinite cosmos.

The nameless is the great mystery.

The named is the source of our material reality.

When we let go of our desires, we begin to glimpse the mystery. There exists wisdom beyond scientific understanding, wisdom unearthed by a few sages like the Buddha and Lao-tzu thousands of years ago.

Instead of looking outward into the cosmos, we should explore within. We are not just individuals; we are stars, galaxies, and the universe itself.

Now, we can take a moment, close our eyes, and start this inward journey.

Darkness within darkness.

The gateway to all mystery.

Gary

July 2022

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