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Tranquility (www.taoteching.org) Ch. 37 - a commentary

The Way takes no action, but leaves nothing undone.
When you accept this
The world will flourish,
In harmony with nature.
Nature does not possess desire;
Without desire, the heart becomes quiet;
In this manner the whole world is made tranquil.

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Is this a contradiction? Takes no action, yet leaves nothing undone? I think over this for sometime. I still have my doubt on my interpretation. But why be "right" when I can do what I want to do.

In the corporate world, I notice a lot of "make work". The concept of being busy means that one is working to impress the boss remains a culture; albeit a self-deceiving one at best. I interpret this chapter as not doing unimportant or non-impactful things as the principle of work. The Way takes no action on many wasteful tasks. Instead, the Way concentrates on tasks that affect the environmental sustainability and ensure that nature will continue to provide for many generations to come. The tasks of importance are environmentally friendly. It is being against wastefulness and duplications that will destroy our world.

Nature does not possess desire to be important and successful. It is amoral. It does not judge. Similarly, if a man does not desire, his heart is quiet and at peace. When he is at peace, he does not seek quarrel with those around him, by provoking others with his views and his self-importance. By doing the right thing for the world, he makes the world a better place to live in. He is at peace, and so is the world.

The lesson is to concentrate our efforts in making this world a better place. Forget about self-aggrandisement and the desire to be powerful. Have no desire, as nature is, and you will find peace with nature. Listen to the flow of water, the songs of the birds and the rustling of leaves. It is peaceful. So peaceful.

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