Tao Te Ching 37

If powerful men and women could center themselves in the Tao, the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire.

When there is no desire, all things are at peace.
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All suffering comes from the desire for life to be other than it is at the moment. That is one of the most essential truths I’ve learned. When we’re suffering we want life to move outside its natural rhythms.

Pain and suffering are not the same. Pain is an objective reality; suffering is our subjective response to reality. We usually don’t choose our pain; we almost always choose our suffering. We may not see it that way; but that’s the way it is.

If we can just be with life as it is right now we will find a measure of contentment and harmony residing there, along with whatever it is that we desire to be other than it is. The harmony naturally embedded in simple, everyday life is always present.

Contentment awaits those who are aware of reality and accept it. Within that underlying stream of contentment and harmony is freedom from desire. “Where there is no desire, all things are at peace.” That is a profound statement; one that can be tested readily in our daily life.

The next time you feel the absence of peace ask yourself, “What do you desire right now?” There will be an answer; something will come quickly to mind. The next time you feel the presence of peace ask the same question. There will be no answer; because in the midst of peace we don’t desire anything else.