Chapter Thirty-Eight

the ancient child asks
how do you turn around and listen to your soul

by selflessly acting with
the power of authentic benevolence

you can not plan to do good works
good works can only be done naturally

a person who plans to be good
will have no power
and will not be authentic

the difference between authentic and inauthentic
is the benevolent power of your soul

an authentic man never acts
an authentic man has no hidden agenda
an authentic man seeks no rewards for his deeds

an inauthentic man tries too hard
an inauthentic man has ulterior motives
an inauthentic man constantly thinks of rewards

authenticity can not be willed or proscribed
authenticity can not be planned or enforced

false manners are a sham

morality worn like a coat gives rise to shallowness
that casts a shadow
over everyone

rules and propriety arise from this darkness
constricting the hearts and minds of humanity
forcing their souls
to a hiding place

life becomes chaotic

great men lecture you on your faults
complicating simple things
until
they are barely recognizable

and you don't know which way to turn

but the authentic man
allows his soul to take the lead of his life
holds firmly to his inner truth
gently grasping the seed of life

So, here we are.

Let not your heart-mind be troubled
Simply
Flow into the Tao.
Taoist Master John Bright-Fey

I've begun to study the mysterious Tao Te Ching recently, and would like to include some reflections on its passages. This may turn into open discussion, if any would like to post.

I'm beginning with this passage because that is how Bright-Fey does in his translation of the text. His translation of the Tao Te Ching, as I understand, is more authentic because of his close connection with the original order of Taoism, descended from Lao-tzu himself, and is written in what he terms the "secret oral tradition" of the T'ien-shih sect of Taoism.

Let's embark, shall we?