Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Tao Te Ching 74

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you aren’t afraid of dying, there is nothing you can’t achieve.

Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter’s place. When you handle the master carpenter’s tools, chances are that you’ll cut yourself.
_______________________________________________________

All accumulation ends in dispersion; all meetings end in separation; all birth ends in death. All things are impermanent and subject to change at every moment. All attempts to grasp and hold on to something – anything – will be in vain, because that thing – all things – will change and become something different in due course. Attachments are futile, so it is wisdom not to try.

Christians will appreciate the reference to the master carpenter, even if some of them don’t appreciate the danger in trying to use his tools. His greatest tool was his word. Presuming to speak the word of the master carpenter, in his name or on his behalf, is a very risky undertaking, lest those words be spoken in vain. The cut inflicted by the negligent use of that tool can be severe.

1 Comments:

At 7/14/2008 12:59 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not there yet. Still holding on; still afraid.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home