The 24th Verse seems direct and straightforward, yet different than those before.
-The emphasis is on what we must be aware of and uproot in ourselves.
Showing off, boasting, bragging and self-righteousness ultimately cause pain and should be no more part of who we are than a tumor.
Lao Tzu continues with his attention to the natural cycles of life as he begins by pointing out the behaviors of a child, that are limiting in an adult.
- Attempting to seem more than he is he stands on tiptoe and takes long steps.
-The result is imbalance and limitation.
Self-righteous behavior can be seen in the drama of complaining and blaming.
This poem by Hafiz illustrates his point:
-”Even after all this time
The sun is like the Tao at work, all giving but never needing anything like accolades as do those that show off, brag or boast..
Be a giver rather than a taker, providing for others asking nothing in return.
To walk the path of the Tao, free of ego driven desires to be recognized:
Change your life by consciously choosing
To be in a state of gratitude.
Do the Tao Now
Do something expressing your kindness to someone who will be totally surprised by your actions, express your appreciation or love in an e mail call a grandparent or send flowers to someone who’s alone, possibly even a stranger.
25th Verse
There was something formless and perfect
Before the universe was born.
It is serene, empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.
I call it great,
Heaven is great,
Earth is great,
People are great.
Thus, to know humanity,
understand earth.
To know earth,
Understand heaven.
To know heaven,
Understand the Way.
To know the Way,
Understand the great within yourself.
Living from Greatness
This verse tells the story of something formless and perfect that existed before the beginning.
-Some call this Ein Sof.
The verse is a directive to all of us to understand the great within ourselves.
-To do this he suggests we examine ideas inconsistent with this idea.
Lillian Smith in The Journey describes this idea of greatness in us as “…a need to be related to something bigger than ourselves, something more alive, older, & not yet born that will endure through time.
From an inner perspective of greatness - only greatness can come to you.
-From a perspective of inferiority, you attract only what aligns with those beliefs.
To be conscious of your greatness, meet it in meditative moments of gratitude.
You are not the body you occupy, which is temporary.
Look for beliefs that contradict your status of greatness.
Don’t think average thoughts about yourself to protect yourself from disappointment,
Don’t validate beliefs about yourself learned in childhood situations.
You are good enough to withstand disappointments and pain that afflict life on this planet.
Know - I get what I think about whether I want it or not.
Live the ultimate paradox: You can be greatness and be nobody at all, simultaneously..
Do the Tao Now
I came from greatness. I musts be like what I came from. I will never abandon my belief in my greatness and the greatness of others.