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
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
1 comment:
So this is the first post. I started off with Chapter 38 by random selection; there's a lot of background to put into this first comment. Still, no regrets! It's a very virtuous start.
"Ancient child" is a term frequently used throughout the work. Apparently that's what "Lao-tzu" means, roughly translated. It refers not only to the man himself, but also to himself as a concept--"ancient child" is a reference to basically anybody who is willing to learn the ways of the path.
I think the overall message of the ancient child's question is intriguing. It is most likely a question regarding something Lao-tzu wrote in an earlier chapter, about how to "listen to one's soul," and now his response is to "act with authentic benevolence."
This brings to mind the sociological concept of the "Looking-Glass Self," one which I have been very interested in studying for some time. In the "Looking-Glass Self," a concept first postulated by Charles Horton Cooley, one's identity (aka one's sense of themselves) is gained through interaction with others. This is kind of a stretch, I realize, but at least worth mentioning. I doubt Lao-tzu had much inspiration over Dr. Cooley's work...
The virtues within this chapter are very strong, and hold great meaning for me. It says everything I believe in terms of Valentine's Day or Christmas; that of "if the action really means something, then do it. otherwise, why do it?" Sure, it's sweet to do something for somebody, but doesn't it seem sweeter when the person isn't expecting you to do it? Can't gifts given on non-special occasions be just as good, if not better, than those given on special occasions? That's true authenticity!
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