Lao Tzu ~ The Highest Teachings ~Taoism

Why scurry about searching for the truth? It vibrates in everything and every not thing. Right off the tip of your nose can you be still and see it in the mountain, the pine tree, yourself? Don't imagine you will discover it by accumulating more knowledge. Knowledge creates doubt and doubt makes you ravenous for more knowledge. You can't get full eating this way. The wise person dines on something more subtle. They eat the understanding that the named was born from the unnamed. That all being flows from non-being. That the describable world emanates from an indescribable source. They find the subtle truth inside their own self and become completely content. So who can be completely still and watch the chess game of the world? The foolish are always making impulsive moves. But the wise know that victory and defeat are decided by something more subtle. They see something perfect exists before any move is made. This subtle perfection deteriorates when artificial action is taken. So be content. Be content not to disturb the peace. Remain quiet. Discover a harmony in your own being. Embrace it wholeheartedly. If you can do this, you will gain everything and the world will become healthy again. If you cannot, you will be lost in the shadows forever. The Tao does not come and go. It is always present everywhere. Just like the sky. If your mind is clouded, you won't see it. But that does not mean it is not there. All misery is created by the activity of the mind. Can you let go of words and ideas? Attitudes and expectations? If so, then you will see the truth is always available. Always responsive. Words can never convey the beauty of a tree. To understand it, you must see it with your own eyes. Language cannot capture the melody of a song. To understand it, you must hear it with your own ears. So it is with the Tao. The only way to understand it is to directly experience it. The subtle truth of the universe is unsayable and unthinkable. Therefore the highest teachings are wordless. My own words are not the medicine, but a prescription. Not the destination, but a map to help you reach it. When you get there, quiet your mind and close your mouth. Don't analyze the Tao. Strive instead to live it silently, undividedly, with your whole harmonious being.