Tao-Te-Ching 能为 (Outcomes of the Dao, s.10)
Please see the previous sections before reading this one:
https://sikh-translations.ghost.io/tag/tao-te-ching/
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Lao Tse Ji explains the benefits of spiritual life. Seeing the world as nondual (meaning not separated in reality), thinking about the True Stable Spiritual Existence (in order to become detached and at peace), removing our obstacles to see the Truth, living our lives without forcing things or people, and understanding how animals practice this detachment.
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ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ
载营魄抱一，能无离乎
When the physical (营 camps, barracks, representing the material) and subtle bodies (魄 soul) are seen (载 carried/抱 held) as One (一),
Can they not (能无) then be separated (离乎)?
(Note: all of these lines there is a question mark but it is not meant to ask a question like we do in English but meant to gather attention to a profound statement... so in this case, the statement is: They cannot then be separated but
to emphasize that, the first section confirms the answer to this question)
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We may refer to seeing separation as being a default state but this is a misperception that we are to snap out of. We may see the body to be separate, we may see other people to be separate. The initial solution for this is to look at the interactions which physically relate them to each other but it is not their interactions that merge them together. They are of the same Divine essence. This contemplation is not based on reverse engineering where we take each thing apart and realize it all comes back from the same place. This is recognition that Vaheguru is within each and every pore of the physical/gross body and also equally within the subtle body. There is no separation. Once someone realizes this, the light of spiritual wisdom begins to emerge from hiding:
ਸੂਖਮ ਅਸਥੂਲ ਸਗਲ ਭਗਵਾਨ ॥
Sookham Asthhool Sagal Bhagvaan
Both subtle and physical all are Vaheguru
ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਪਛਾਨ ॥੧੪॥
Nanak Gurmukh[i] Braham[u] Pachhaan
Guru Sahib: through facing (listening/paying attention to) Guru Sahib,
the non-dual Vaheguru is recognized
(Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Gauree, Ang 299)
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Bhai Gurdaas Ji tell us about the person who is able to take on this way of seeing the world:
ਸੂਖਮ ਅਸਥੂਲ ਮੂਲ ਏਕ ਹੀ ਅਨੇਕ ਮੇਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨਮੋ ਨਮੋ ਨਮੋ ਨਮ ਹੈ ॥੨੨॥
Sookham Asthhool Mool Ek Hee Anaek Maek Jeevan Mukath[i] Namo Namo Namo Nam Hai
The essence of both the subtle/hidden and physical world is One,
The One appears as many but is really Nondual,
Bowing down to, revering, ever bowing down to,
and ever revering the Liberated Being who realizes this.
(Bhai Gurdaas Ji’s Kabith)
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专气致柔，能婴儿乎
Concentrating (专 focussing, specializing) one’s energy (气 Qi is a specific understanding of energy) and devoting it to the subtle [state], One can be (能) like a baby (婴) [or a] child (儿乎)?
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Just like we watch a film and do not treat it as reality. The Saint does not treat the physical world as reality and so retracts from it while remaining within it. Their mind is at peace. What is the state of chaos? When multiple thoughts bounce around in the mind fighting for control. Our state of self-will puts us into chaos. The Saint's mind is like that of a baby. The baby does not have control, it is under the will of its surroundings. It does not concentrate on multiple things. It remains in a fun carefree bliss while under its Caregiver. Constantly retracting into the mind allows one to shine in the Light of the Divine. The mind is like a crystal that shines when it focuses on this Light:
ਜਗੁ ਸੁਪਨਾ ਬਾਜੀ ਬਨੀ ਖਿਨ ਮਹਿ ਖੇਲੁ ਖੇਲਾਇ ॥
Jag[u] Supnaa Baajee Banee Khin Mah[i] Khael[u] Khaelaae[i]
The World is like a play/movie within a dream...
A dream is over within a second.
ਸੰਜੋਗੀ ਮਿਲਿ ਏਕ ਸੇ ਵਿਜੋਗੀ ਉਠਿ ਜਾਇ ॥
Sa[n]jogee Mil[i] Ek Sae Vijogee Outt[i] Jaae[i]
There are those who connect with the One and
Others are still separated and leave still separated.
(Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj in Sri Raag, Ang 18)
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Maharaj shows us what mindset we should have in order to connect with Vaheguru and become aligned with the True Self:
ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Kah[u] Kabeer Bhagath[i] Kar[i] Paae[i]aa
Bhagat Kabeer Ji: by doing Bhagthi [worship], Vaheguru is attained.
ਭੋਲੇ ਭਾਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਰਘੁਰਾਇਆ ॥੪॥੬॥
Bholae Bhaae[i] Milae Ragh[u]raae[i]aa
Through Innocent Child-like Love, One can meet Vaheguru
(Bhagat Kabeer Ji in Raag Gauree, Ang 324)
涤除玄览，能无疵乎?
One will be able to see clearly (览) by cleaning (涤 washing) and then removing (除 getting rid of) the black (玄 bad qualities/ misperception), can (能) one not be free from (无 without) blemishes (疵乎+flaws/defects)?
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If one puts clouds in front of the Sun, the Sun does not lose its shine. The blemishes, bad qualities, or misperceptions are the clouds preventing one from seeing the Sun in all its shining glory. Removing the clouds will cause the Sun to be seen. Imagine if you were born on a cloudy day and there was cloud coverage for the rest of your life. Would you be able to understand the glory of the Sun? What is the nature of sins? They are not bad solely on the fact that society says so. Sins act as clouds that prevent us from seeing the Sun. They makes us stare at the ground. Instead one should be thinking about the Sun, waiting for the Sun by looking at the skies, removing the clouds, and then one day... the Sun will be seen.
ਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਜਨੁ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਆ ਅਗਿਆਨ ਅੰਧੇਰ ਬਿਨਾਸੁ ॥
Giaan A[n]jan[u] Gur[i] Dheeaa Agiaan A[n]dhhaer Binaas[u]
The Magical Mascara of Spiritual Wisdom has been given by Guru Sahib,
This erases the darkness of ignorance
ਹਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਭੇਟਿਆ ਨਾਨਕ ਮਨਿ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥
Har[i] Kirpaa Thae Sa[n]th Bhaetiaa Nanak Man[i] Pargaas[u]
Guru Sahib teaches us:
Through Vaheguru’s Blessing, have met the Saints,
and the mind is enlightened.
(Dhan Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Ji Maharaj in Sri Sukhmani Sahib)
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ਮਨਿ ਮੈਲੈ ਭਗਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਇ ॥
Man[i] Mailai Bhagath[i] n Hovaee Naam[u] na paae[i]aa Jaae[i]
The mind is dirty, worship is not happening, the Naam cannot be attained.
ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੈਲੇ ਮੈਲੇ ਮੁਏ ਜਾਸਨਿ ਪਤਿ ਗਵਾਇ ॥
Manmukh Mailae Mailae Mu-ae Jaasan[i] Path[i] Gavaae[i]
The dirty Manmukh dies in this blemished mindset,
They leave dishonoured...
(Dhan Dhan Guru Amardas Ji in Sri Raag, Ang 39)
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ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਸਾਚਾ ਏਕੁ ਤੂ ਹੋਰੁ ਮੈਲੁ ਭਰੀ ਸਭ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Nirmal[u] Saachaa Ek[u] Thoo Hor[u] Mail[u] Bharee Sabh Jaae[i]
The Blemishless-True One is You, any other thinking is dirty/blemished and will lead to coming back into reincarnation.
(Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji in Sri Raag, Ang 57)
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ਤਹ ਭਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਮਿਟਿਆ ਅੰਧਿਆਰਾ ਜਿਉ ਸੂਰਜ ਰੈਣਿ ਕਿਰਾਖੀ ॥
Thah Bheiaa Pragaas[u] Mitiaa A[n]dhhiaaraa Jio[u] Sooraj RaiN[i] Kiraakhee
The body is enlightened, the darkness has gone away,
when the Sun pushes the night away
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji in Sri Raag, Ang 87)
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ਆਫਤਾਬਿ ਹਸਤ ਪਿਨਹਾਂ ਜ਼ੇਰਿ ਅਬਰ
Aafthaab-i-Hasth Pinhaa[n] Zaer-i-Abar
The Sun-Vaheguru is hidden behind the clouds of the physical world
ਬਿਗੁਜ਼ਰ ਅਜ਼ ਅਬਰੋ ਨੁਮਾ ਰੁਖਿ ਹਮਚੂ ਬਦਰ ॥ ੫ ॥
Biguzar Az Abro numaa Rukh-i-Humchoo Badhar
Come out from the clouds and show me Your Face that looks like Full-Moon.
(Bhai Nand Laal Ji, Zindaginama)
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爱国治民，能无为乎
To love (爱) your country (国) as a ruler (治民),
can (能) you not practice wu-wei (无为)? (乎)
[not forcing them but rather practicing non-assertion]
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To think with love is to think with compassion. Those actions which are done in compassion lead to Dharam [righteousness]. As Maharaj tells us in Sri Japji Sahib:
ਧੌਲੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਦਇਆ ਕਾ ਪੂਤੁ ॥
Dhhaul Dhharam Dhae[i]aa Kaa Pooth[u]
Dharam [Righteousness] is the Bull [which holds up the world],
It is the child of Compassion (through compassion the world is in balance)
ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਥਾਪਿ ਰਖਿਆ ਜਿਨਿ ਸੂਤਿ ॥
Sa[n]thokh[u] Thhaap[i] Rakhiaa Jin[i] Sooth[i]
It establishes contentment that keeps everything strung together...
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Compulsion or force often happens in situations that lack compassion and ego prevails instead. The ego causes one to put their own preferences over someone else’s. Part of Vaheguru's Hukam is the 3-Gun (3-Aspect Universe)::
ਅਸੰਖ ਮੂਰਖ ਅੰਧ ਘੋਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Moorakh A[n]dhh Ghor
There are countless ignorant people, living in absolute darkness
ਅਸੰਖ ਚੋਰ ਹਰਾਮਖੋਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Chor Haraamkhor
There are countless thieves and sinners/misdoers.
ਅਸੰਖ ਅਮਰ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਹਿ ਜੋਰ ॥
Asa[n]kh Amar Kar[i] Jaah[i] Jor
There are countless strong people [authority/powerful] which apply their force against others
(Sri Japji Sahib)
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Guru Sahib tells us that there always will be countless people of Tamogun nature (selfish, animalistic) existing in this physical world. We cannot eradicate these practices but practicing compassion on an individual basis will allow us to benefit the world and stay in a peaceful state of mind. Coming to terms with this reality of creation, one can act in a state of mediation or facilitation but to force your control on others will cause you to suffer as well. The resistance between yourself and others, and the suffering you cause someone else to go through will only cloud your mind and future. The persistent duality only brings one further away from the Truth
天门开阖，能为雌乎
Opening (开) and Closing (阖) the Divine Gates (天门 Gates of the Heavens) in this way, one becomes (能) like a [Mother] bird (雌 female) in this way? (乎)
明白四达，能无知乎
To become (达 attain) like a bright (明) white (白) star (四 4 ~ 4 points/as in star),
Can (能) one appear to be unaware (无知 not know)?
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Interacting with the physical world like this will allow one to traverse between both physical and spiritual spheres so gracefully. A mother bird soars high in the sky while her children are separated from her. We do not question the bird’s parenting and realize the mother is bringing the children food. The mother is away from her children while still thinking about them in her mind. The same way we live in this world while our minds are in Divine Remembrance. In this way, one becomes a lighthouse of peace guiding those around them as well:
ਜੈਸੀ ਗਗਨਿ ਫਿਰੰਤੀ ਊਡਤੀ ਕਪਰੇ ਬਾਗੇ ਵਾਲੀ ॥
Jaisee Gagan[i] Phira[n]thee Oodathee Kaparae Baagae Vaalee
Just like the white bird flies around in the sky
ਓਹ ਰਾਖੈ ਚੀਤੁ ਪੀਛੈ ਬਿਚਿ ਬਚਰੇ ਨਿਤ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਸਾਰਿ ਸਮਾਲੀ ॥
Oh Raakhai Cheeth[u] Peechhai Bich[i] Bacharae nith Hirdhai Saar[i] Samaalee
It keeps its mind focussed on its chicks that it has left back at the nest,
It always keeps them in the heart and takes care of them in this way.
ਤਿਉ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਖ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਕੀ ਗੁਰੁਸਿਖ ਰਖੈ ਜੀਅ ਨਾਲੀ ॥੨॥
Thio[u] Sath[i]gur Sikh Preeth[i] Har[i] Har[i] Kee Gursikh Rakhai Jeea naalee
In this way, Guru Sahib loves their Sikh, and the Sikhs love Guru Sahib...
Maharaj is with the Sikh despite appearing far away.
(Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji in Raag Gaurree, Ang 168)
生之畜之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
It is like raising (生) livestock (畜), to foster (生) them but (而) not (不) exist (有) (meaning not being actively present all the time... feed them, shelter them, etc. without smothering them/over caring)
They exist (为) yet (而) if without (不 no, negative) reliance/mother (恃)
The Long/Constant (长) Reign is that of ruling without interference (不宰)
This is (是) said (谓) to be a profound (玄) virtue (德).
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This balanced relationship can be compared to that of a farmer. The farmer checks up on the livestock and provides their sustenance. The farmer’s success is built on their growth but there are other tasks at hand. So, the farmer does as much as they can without losing track of the job at hand. Livestock are raised quite well in this way:
ਜਿਉ ਗਾਈ ਕਉ ਗੋਇਲੀ ਰਾਖਹਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਰਾ ॥
Jio[u] Gaaee Ko[u] Goe[i]lee Raakhah[i] Kar[i] Saaraa
Just like the farmer takes care of all of the cows
ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਪਾਲਹਿ ਰਾਖਿ ਲੇਹਿ ਆਤਮ ਸੁਖੁ ਧਾਰਾ ॥੧॥
Ahinis[i] Paalah[i] Raakh[i] Laeh[i] Aatham Sukh[u] Dhhaaraa
Day and night we are cared for through the Aatmik-Peace running through us [via Vaheguru’s Consciousness]
(Dhan Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji in Raag Gaurree, Ang 228)
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Our minds can be fostered in this way. Not squandering more time than is necessary for worldly thoughts but enough to continue maintaining family and work responsibilities. Always remember the main task of human life.
Life is beautifully spent in this way without pride, ego and just basking in the Glory of the Sun.
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Please forgive any mistakes in commentary/translations. Please let daas know about any clarifications or suggestions.
Guru Panth Ka daas
~Aaeenaa
