Dear Wisdom,
Please help us to better grasp the meaning of one of the oldest and most revered books on earth, the Tao te Ching: “ After settling a great dispute, some resentment is sure to remain. Being content with what you have is always best in the end. The Sage always assumes the debt as if holding the left side of the contract. He gives and gives, and wants nothing in return. One with true virtue always seeks a way to give. One who lacks true virtue always seeks a way to get. To the giver comes the fullness of life, to the taker just an empty hand. Through the Tao of heaven has no favorites, it always sides with one who has a pure heart.”
Verse 79
Please explain. We see life in America today as one of survival. We do not see the pure heart winning in any particular arena. Please help to make us pure of heart. Thank YOU!
Care to comment, Wisdom?
Answer
This passage is talking about true contentment.
Some assume that must mean one shouldn’t have goals, for if a person is content, there would be no drive to strive for greater success.
There is a fine balance between the content and wanting more.
Some people are never content.
They seek a goal and unless it is possessed, there is something better that catches their eye and it is craved.
There is no enjoyment of what was gained.
There becomes a lust for more.
One sees this in society today.
The newest technology of a computer is going to be released soon in a store.
People have camped out in front of store doors to be the first to process the item.
The pleasure never lasts.
They have created a vacuum for their happiness.
*So as soon as a desire is possessed, the “hole” within is emptied and needs to be filled again.
*When one realizes this hole will never be satisfied with anything but Tao or God, they seek the universes Source to fill the void.
With God, the emptiness is filled to overflowing. There is understanding that they have plenty to share and won’t run out.
The earth’s wealth does not satisfy the void created by God.
*If a person wants to be truly content, they find the treasure within.
Thank you so much, Wisdom, with joy.
You are welcome, “little cork”.
A cork bob’s on the surface of the water and one can try and press it under the water, but the cork will pop back up.
You can be like a cork and God is your water.
No matter how much life presses you down, know God will always lift you up.
The cork doesn’t have to use force to rise to the surface.
The Divine Lord lifts you up.
Just put your trust in the current of joy which is the Source of all Life and nothing can keep you down.
