Chapter 34

Chapter 34

The great Tao flows unobstructed in every direction.
All things rely on it to conceive and be born,
and it does not deny even the smallest of creation.
When it has accomplished great wonders,
it does not claim them for itself.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn’t seek to master the smallest creature.
Since it is without wants and desires,
it can be considered humble.
All of creation seeks it for refuge
yet it does not seek to master or control.
Because it does not seek greatness;
it is able to accomplish truly great things.

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Although we are in the dark regarding the identity of the above-described tao, I can safely argue that one facet of this tao may be a life force of each individual creature enabling its vitality. Even in the direst living conditions extremely deep in the ocean, marine scientists say there are forms of life that live on without any aid of sun lights.

This is indeed one of the marvels of nature. However, the above chapter only delineates a positive side of the tao. The tao can be very scary and threatening and kill you. What about small cancerous tumor cells in our body? They often drive us to death. In order to fully understand tao, you must also see the other grim side of it. Make sure you don’t fail to remember that in an early chapter of the tao te ching, Lao Tzu argues that the heaven is not benign and treats humans like some straw dogs.