I love this chapter describing the ancient Masters of the Tao. The descriptions in all three of the versions I am reading make them sound (to me) like a cross of Jedi, Mother Nature, the Buddha, and a tiny bit of Catwoman thrown in. All-knowing, cautious, fluid, patient, open, unpretentious.
Image by chuck herrera from Pixabay
I think they must’ve taken the wait and see approach to life. Staying open, adjusting course when needed, doing the next right thing. Careful in their actions and keeping a clear and open mind, they were able to see that next right course. Never over-reaching and knowing what was enough.
This speaks to me, from the Mitchell version:
“Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?”
I would have to say for myself that I have a lot of work to do on that. But it sounds like a pretty cool way of being in the world.
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