World Peace version
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1.1 The infinity that can be conceived is not the everlasting
Infinity. The infinity that can be described is not the perpetual
Infinity.
1.2 The inconceivable indescribable is the essence of the all
encompassing Infinite. Conceiving and describing applies only to
the manifestations of Infinity.
1.3 Free from distinctions, experience the oneness of Infinity.
Focus on distinctions and see only the manifestations of
Infinity.
1.4 Yet distinction and non-distinction are one within Infinity.
1.5 Potential within potential is the essence of Infinity.
#
2.1 Only when one distinguishes beauty does one create the
unattractive.
2.2 Only when one distinguishes good does one create evil.
2.3 Also by distinction, Tangible and intangible create each
other, Difficult and easy define each other, Long and short
measure each other,
2.4 High and low determine each other, Sound and silence echo
each other, Beginning and end follow each other.
2.5 Therefore, the sage goes about living in the oneness of all
things, teaching without speaking,
2.6 accepting and dismissing all things with indifference,
creating without attachment, working without credit. Acts and
deeds are completed and forgotten.
2.7 Because the sage is at one with Infinity, she is immortal.
#
3.1 Exalting people creates the desire in others to be exalted
and therefore creates tension.
3.2 Overvaluing goods creates the desire for ownership and
therefore creates the temptation to steal.
3.3 When people do not distinguish things as valuable, they
remain focused on the oneness of all things and do not become
confused in the material world.
3.4 Therefore, harmonious leaders empty the people's minds but
nourish their bodies. They undermine desires and improve
endurance.
3.5 They keep the people focused on their oneness with Infinity
and free them from attachments to materialthings. They redirect
the energies of those who would manipulate others.
3.6 If you remember your oneness with Infinity, and flow with
life by refusing to distinguish good and bad, you will flow in
the peace and harmony that is the essence of Infinity.
#
4.1 Infinity is an empty vessel enveloping all manifestations,
yet it can never be filled.
4.2 It is the potential of all things tangible and intangible.
4.3 It blunts the sharp and hones the blunt, unravels knots and
binds all things, dulls the glare and shines the mundane,
manifests the dust and clears the air.
4.4 It is the essence of all things. No one can comprehend its
origin.
4.5 It is older than the concept of God.
#
5.1 Heaven and earth are indifferent. All creatures are
considered straw dogs; not distinguished, not judged.
5.2 The sage is indifferent. All people are one; not
distinguished, not judged.
5.3 Infinity is like a bellows, empty yet encompassing the
potential of all things.
5.4 Words are straw in the wind. The more one talks, the less one
says. Keep focused on Infinity. Remain centered in the oneness of
all things. In time all potentials manifest.
#
6.1 The manifestations of Infinity never cease manifesting.
Infinity is the primal creator, the oneness of male and female.
6.2 Infinity is the gate though which heaven and earth
manifested.
6.3 It is invisible to the senses, yet totally permeates all
things. It is inexhaustible and eternally available for any
purpose.
#
7.1 Heaven and earth will pass away but Infinity endures forever.
7.2 It had no beginning and so It can never end. It is the
inexhaustible essence of all things.
7.3 Because the sage remains behind in her oneness with all
things, she anticipates all manifestations.
7.4 Being at one with Infinity, she is indifferent.
7.5 Because she does not distinguish herself from other beings,
she is completely fulfille
#
8.1 Water is like Infinity, it gives itself to all things without
distinction or judgment and settles into the lowest places
without deliberation.
8.2 In dwelling, live in harmony with the land. In meditation,
remember your oneness with the Infinite. In dealing with others,
do not judge. In communicating, relate the truth.
8.2 In governing, be fair. In daily life, be in harmony with all
things and at peace with all people. In action, be mindful that
there is a time and a season for all things.
8.3 Avoid judging and its legacy contention and flow in the peace
and harmony of the oneness of humanity.
#
9.1 Fill anything to the brim and the contents will spill out.
9.2 Hone a sharpened blade and it will become blunt.
9.3 Accumulate great wealth, but be aware that you cannot keep
it.
9.4
9.5 When a task is complete, move on. Change is the harmony of
Infinity.
#
10.1 Manifesting body, mind and spirit, can you stay centered in
the oneness of Infinity?
10.2 Fully manifesting and remaining flexible, can you experience
all manifestations as a newborn baby?
10.3 Can you maintain the Infinite vision of oneness by ignoring
distinctions.
10.4 Remaining centered in oneness and leading others, can you
avoid manifesting arrogance?
10.5 Entering and exiting the gates of manifestations, can you
harmonize with Infinity?
10.6 Realizing your oneness with Infinity, can you flow in
harmony with It by indifferently allowing things to come and go?
10.7 Can you create and sustain things, and yet remain unattached
to them? Can you work in harmony with all things, without
desiring acknowledgment for your deeds? Exemplifying oneness,
flowing in peace and harmony, not distinguishing, not judging, is
the nature of Infinity.
#
11.1 Thirty spokes converge on the wheel's hub. But the center
hole which receives the axle makes it useful.
11.2 Clay is shaped into a pot. But the inner space which
receives whatever one puts into it makes it useful.
11.3 Wood is cut and joined to build a house. But the windows and
doors which allow things to enter and leave make it useful.
11.4 The potential utility resides in the tangible. But true
usefulness is a manifestation of the intangible.
#
12.1 The oneness of the five colors blind the eyes. The oneness
of the five tones deafens the ears. The oneness of the five
flavors dull the tongue.
12.2 Racing ahead of change and pursuing the illusion of reality
promotes confusion.
12.3 Therefore, the sage is in harmony with what she is and does
not distinguish what she sees. She chooses oneness and
distinguishes nothing.
#
13.1 Accept disgrace indifferently. Acknowledge misfortune as one
of the human conditions.
13.2 What does it mean to "accept disgrace
indifferently"? Honor and disgrace are one in the Infinite.
Only by making distinctions does one manifest disgrace. Refusing
to make distinctions merges honor and disgrace into the oneness
of circumstances which creates harmony.
13.3 What is meant by "acknowledging misfortune as one of
the human conditions"? The body is a manifestation of
Infinity and the body is subject to being affected by the other
manifestations of Infinity. Misfortune is one of those other
manifestations. However, as with disgrace, refusing to
distinguish misfortune and fortune creates indifference which
keeps one focused on the oneness of Infinity and creates peace in
the self.
13.4 Stay centered in your oneness with Infinity and you can be
entrusted with leadership. See the world as yourself and you will
care for all things.
#
14.1 Look and see the manifestations of the Infinite but not its
essence. Listen and hear the manifestations of the Infinite but
not its essence. Reach out and touch the manifestations of the
Infinite but not its essence.
14.2 These three are one in their inability to relate the essence
of Infinity.
14.3 Above it is not light. Below it is not dark. It is neither
light nor dark. Infinity is the potential manifestation of all
things and the essence into which all manifestations
disintegrate. Yet it is inconceivable and indescribable;
intangible but the essence of all manifestations.
14.4 You cannot confront what has no head and you cannot follow
what has no tail.
14.5 Remember your oneness, flow in the peace and harmony of
Infinity, live in the now, changing and flowing with change.
There was no beginning. This is the mystery of Infinity.
#
15.1 Those who live in oneness manifest the Infinite in simple
ways. Their awareness is the awareness of Infinity.
15.2 Their knowing cannot be described but only experienced. All
that can be described is their acts and their appearance and the
perception of them. They are; alert when crossing unfamiliar
space, cautious in hostile lands, humble as a guest,
15.3 indifferently transforming as melting ice, possessing the
infinite potential of an unremarkable piece of uncarved wood,
mysterious as an unexplored valley, perplexing as muddy water
15.4 Can you see the calm in turbulent waters; the clarity in
murky water? Can you allow the tides of Infinite change to move
you from stillness to motion and action to inaction; experiencing
but not contemplating the change?
15.5 Those who live in oneness do not seek fullness because at
every moment they are aware of their infinite fullness and the
infinite pregnancy of all things. They are aware of their
infinite potential within which the limitations of fullness
resides.
#
16.1 Contemplate Infinity and become peaceful as the mind becomes
lost.
16.2 The self perceives the never ending manifestations of the
potential of Infinity as well as the disintegration of all those
manifestations. Within Infinity all things manifest and
disintegrate. Disintegration is a returning to the Infinite
potential.
16.3 Disintegration is the destiny of all manifestations.
Manifesting is the nature of Infinity. Change is the Infinite
constant.
16.4 Acknowledging change is the key to understanding the harmony
of never ending change. Acknowledging change within the Infinite
potential of which every creature is a manifestation, unique, yet
bound to all things in disintegration, gives one a perspective
regarding life. Possessing perspective, one becomes impartial,
openhearted, tolerant, compassionate and indifferent to judging
others. These are foundations of harmony.
16.5 The manifestation of the body disintegrates but Infinity can
never disintegrate into itself. There is nothing to fear.
#
17.1 The best leaders are in harmony with their followers. The
next best are those who are respected. Then comes those who are
feared. The worst are those who are despised.
17.2 If one perceives others as untrustworthy, then that will be
the experience that one acknowledges. The selective
acknowledgment of untrustworthiness verifies one's perception of
the untrustworthiness of others.
17.3 When the leaders are in harmony with their followers, few
laws are necessary and all tasks are accomplished with ease. The
followers, not perceiving the administration of leadership,
marvel at the manifestationsof harmony and experience a sense of
self worth.
#
18.1 When the oneness of Infinity is forgotten, judgment appears
and people are distinguished as good and righteous.
18.2 When the illusion of knowledge and understanding appear, the
physical reality has been confused with Infinity.
18.3 When there is no peace and harmony within the family, a
facade of devotion and obedience is perceived.
18.4 When a nation manifests great change, patriots step forward
to attempt to resurrect the past.
#
19.1 Quit distinguishing the wise and their wisdom, the saints
and their holiness, and the people will be a hundred times better
off.
19.2 Quit distinguishing morality, righteousness and benevolence
and humanity will stay centered in its oneness.
19.3 Abandon the pursuit of commercial profit and the number of
thieves and robbers will be greatly reduced.
19.4 These are just three impediments to peace and harmony and
abandoning them is not enough.
19.5 Peace and harmony reside in the simplicity of an uncarved
piece of wood. Quit distinguishing the self and reside in
oneness. Curb your desires and aspirations and experience the
peace and harmony of simplicity.
#
20.1 Give up the pursuit of knowledge and live in peace and
harmony. Without knowledge there is no difference between good
and evil.
20.2 Is it necessary to learn to fear what others perceive should
be feared? Nonsense!
20.3 Other people are excited, joyous and festive as if enjoying
a holiday. I alone am indifferent, without emotion or expression;
like a baby before it has learned to smile.
20.4 Others have things they feel they need. I alone own nothing.
I am like a fool unfettered by knowledge.
20.5 Other people are intelligent. I alone am ignorant. Others
are shrewd and cunning. I alone am untouched and moronic. I
aimlessly drift on the great tides of the endless seas at the
mercy of the indifferent winds.
20.6 Others have direction, goals and purposes. I alone flow
within the harmony of Infinity. I am different from others. I
reside in the peace and harmony of the Infinite oneness of all
things.
#
21.1 To attain peace and harmony, stay focused on the oneness of
Infinit
21.2 Infinity is the intangible potential of all things;
intangible yet manifesting all images, intangible yet manifesting
all substance. Within the Infinite void resides the Infinite
potential of all things. All tangible things are a manifestation
of the Infinite essenc
21.3 From the present, forever into the past, forever into the
future, Infinity is the homogenous essence. The potential of all
things forever manifest and forever disintegrate within the
Infinit
21.4 How can I know the manifestations of Infinity? Because I am
at one with Infinit
#
22.1 If you accept all things by refusing to distinguish good and
bad, you overcome the confusion of the physical reality and live
in harmony with the Infinite manifestations. If you bend as you
are impacted by manifestations, your path of peace and harmony
will remain straight and true. If you empty your mind of
knowledge, you will fill with the experience of oneness with the
Infinite. All manifestations constantly disintegrate and
remanifest. As your body wears out, your spirit is reborn.
Possess little in goods and thoughts and maintain your vision of
oneness with Infinity. Possess much and become lost in the
confusion that the physical reality is the true realit
22.2 Therefore, remain focused on the oneness of Infinity and
become a beacon for all beings.
22.3 Do not distinguish the self and manifest the oneness of
Infinity for all to see. Do not assert the self and others will
follow. Do not bolster the self and other will give their
respect. Do not allow the self to brag and others will bestow
their praise.
22.4 Do not allow the self to be quarrelsome and experience peace
with all being
22.5 Is not it true that if you accept all things by refusing to
distinguish good and bad, you overcome the confusion of the
physical reality and live in harmony with the Infinite
manifestations? Flow with the peace and harmony of the oneness of
Infinity and experience immortality.
#
23.1 To seldom speak is the essence of simplicity. The winds do
not last all morning. The rain does not last all day. The earth
that manifests the winds and the rain is itself a manifestation
of change. All things change, nothing is eternal but chang
23.2 All the manifestations of humanity are fleeting as is the
entire physical universe.
23.3 Keep your focus on the oneness of Infinity, manifesting the
potential of all things and disintegrating all the
manifestations. Flow in the peace and harmony of eternal change.
Focus on goodness and virtue and you lose sight of the oneness of
all people. Focus on failure and your life becomes failure. Focus
on peace and harmony, the essence of Infinity, and experience
peace and harmony.
23.4 Embrace change and live in peace. Embrace the experience of
the moment, refuse to distinguish good and bad, happy and sad,
difficult and easy. What you distinguish comes to you for a time.
When it comes embrace it and when it leaves let it go. This is
living within the oneness of the Infinite. This is the key to
peace and harmony
23.5
#
24.1 Stand on your toes and you will not maintain your balance.
Run and you will have to rest. Keep a harmonious pace and you can
circumnavigate the earth
24.2 Draw attention to yourself and others may consider you a
fool. Become self-righteous and others will avoid you.
24.3 Boasting impresses no one. Brag and you may be put to the te
24.4 Within the oneness of Infinity, all these are delusions of
the physical world. They do not bring peace and harmony. Be at
one with Infinity and keep these in perspective. They are
transient excesses in a transient universe
#
25.1 Before the physical universe existed, the potential of all
things permeated time and space. It was silent and empty, loud
and pregnant. Solitary in its oneness, crowded in its potential,
static and dynamic, hot and cold, light and dark. The potential
of all things, for lack of another name, I call it Infinity. It
permeates all things and non-things. It manifests realities and
disintegrates those realities. All things are birthed from it and
all things return to it
25.2 Infinity is marvelous
25.3
25.4 The physical universe is marvelous. The earth is marvelous.
Human beings are marvelous. These are the four realities
25.5 Human beings are a manifestation of the earth; the earth, a
manifestation of the physical universe; the physical universe, a
manifestation of Infinity; Infinity, the potential of all things
#
26.1 Infinity is the source of all physical manifestations. The
Infinite stillness is the creator of the churning universe
26.2 The sage travels all day over the land and sea but does not
lose sight of Infinity. Though the manifestations of the earth
are wondrous and beautiful, she remains indifferent because she
remains centered in the Infinite oneness
26.3 The leader of multitudes cannot afford to lose her
perspective. Indulging in the physical manifestations results in
a loss of focus on the Infinite.
26.4 To be caught up in distinguishing things, narrows the
leader's perspective to that of her followe
#
27.1 A proficient traveler leaves no evidence of his journey. A
proficient speaker is impeccable in hispresentation. A proficient
accountant needs no tally sheet.
27.2 A functional door has no lock but can only opened by the
owner. A perfect binding has no knots yet only the binder can
loosen it
27.3 The sage is the light of all human beings and rejects no
one. She efficiently uses all things and discards nothing. This
is called manifesting Infinity
27.4 What is a sage but a guide to peace and harmony? What is a
materialistic traveler but the sage's focus
27.5 For the student not to value the teacher or the teacher not
to love the student or for the followers not to acknowledge the
leader or the leader not to care for the followers, is the cause
of great confusion. This is a key to peace and harmony, teachers
and leaders remind others of who they are and their oneness with
Infinity
#
28.1 Integrate the male and the female and travel the peaceful
path of oneness. Be at one with Infinity. Being at one with
Infinity, do not become confused in distinctions of male and
female. Experience the onenessas an undistinguishing child
28.2 See the white and the black as one. Be a guiding light to
the world. As a guiding light to the world, standing firm in the
truth of oneness, mirror Infinity for all to see. Remember that
honor and humility are one. Be a vessel of Infinity
28.3 As a vessel of Infinity, be a resource to all beings. Become
as a piece of uncarved wood; available for any purpose
28.4 When a piece of wood is carved, it becomes useful. When the
sage flows in oneness, he becomes useful as king. Therefore, the
sage is careful in using what he needs but avoiding kingship
#
29.1 Do you think you can control the world? I do not believe it
can be done
29.2 The world is a manifestation of change and cannot be
controlled. If you try to control it, you will end up deceiving
yourself. If you treat it like an object, it will overwhelm you
29.3 The world is a manifestation of change; sometimes ahead,
sometimes behind, sometimes dynamic, sometimes static, sometimes
vigorous, sometimes feeble, sometimes manifesting, sometimes
disintegrating.
29.4 Therefore, refuse to distinguish excesses and extremes. See
only oneness. Flow with Infinity and exist in peace and harmony
#
30.1 Whenever you have an opportunity to advise a leader
regarding Infinity, advise her not to use force to try to gain
control of the world. Why? Because force attracts resistance and
the greater the force the greater the resistance
30.2 Briars grow where armies have been and hard times are the
legacy of a great war
30.3 Conclude hostilities as soon as possible and do not continue
to use excessive force after victory.
30.4 Fulfill your purpose but never glory in inhumane acts.
Fulfill your purpose but never boast of bloodletting. Fulfill
your purpose but never take pride in killing. Fulfill your
purpose but avoid violence
30.5 Fulfill your purpose by flowing within the oneness of
Infinity. The use of force dissipates life. Force is not the way
of peace and harmony. That which goes against peace and harmony
is short lived
#
31.1 Weapons of war are instruments of death. All people fear
them. Therefore, all men of peace avoid them. The sage prefers
Infinity. The man of war prefers the earth.
31.2 In time of celebration the left is the dominant position; In
times of grief the right. During wartime the general always
stands on the left and the king on the right.
31.4 Weapons are instruments of death and the tools of a warrior.
The sage avoids them at all cost; and sometimes prefers death
rather than touching them. Peace and harmony are the sage's
reality. She considers victory to be the bastard child of war.
31.5 If you revel in victory, then you sanction war and the
killing of human beings. If you accept killing, you have
forgotten your oneness with all beings.
31.6 If even one person is killed in war, it is cause for great
grief and mourning. Victory is simply the maker of widows and
orphans.
32.4 When the whole is distinguished into parts, and parts into
more parts and more parts into even more parts a myriad names are
required. There are already too many distinctions and names. The
naming of things focuses on the manifestations of Infinity and
too much distinguishing can result in one becoming confused in
the manifestations and oblivious to the oneness of all things.
#
32.1 Infinity can never be defined in words. Smaller than an
atom, greater than forever, it can never be comprehended.
32.2 If kings would stay centered in the Infinite,they would not
try to control the uncontrollable;
32.3 Heaven and earth would be seen as a manifestation of the
oneness of Infinity, as harmonious as dew accumulating on the
ground. The people would recognize Infinity manifesting in their
king and all things would be in harmony
32.5 Refuse to distinguish the components of the whole. See the
oneness of Infinity, and see the earth as a manifestation
disintegrating back into Infinity.
#
33.1 Knowing others is impossible. Knowing one's self requires
only a remembering of one's unity with all things.
33.2 Conquering others requires force. Conquering one's self
requires letting go.
33.3
33.4 He who understands his oneness with Infinity resides in
peace. Living one day at a time is the essence of harmony. One
who lives in harmony endures. Passing through death's door is
immortality.
#
34.1 Infinity permeates everything in every direction; to the
left as well as to the right.
34.2 It is the potential of all things, and the manifestation of
all things. Its total essence resides in all things. It has no
purpose. It is complete in its indifference. It manifests and
disintegrates all things forever. It sustains all things, yet it
is the god of no thing.
34.3 It has no purpose. It is Infinitely insignificant.
34.4 All manifestations after a time disintegrate back into It,
yet It is the god of no thing. It permeates everything and so
there is nothing outside its realm.
34.5 It cannot appear great because it is at one with everything
#
35.1 All beings are drawn to those who stay centered in their
oneness with Infinity because they flow in peace and harmony.
35.2 The manifestations of music and delicious foodcatch the
attention of those passing by.
35.3 But the essence of Infinity goes unnoticed. It makes no
sound and has no flavor and yet It is the inexhaustible source of
the manifestations of all sounds and all flavors.
#
36.1 All manifestations that expand will eventually shrink. All
manifestations that strengthen will eventually weaken. All
manifestations that are lifted up will eventually be cast down.
Nothing can be received unless it is given.
36.2 This is called distinguishing the oneness of Infinity. Soft
and weak forever disintegrate the hard and strong. Hard and
strong forever disintegrate the soft and weak. This is called the
nature of Infinity.
36.3 Fish are at one with water; undistinguished by Infinity. A
nation and its weapons cannot be distinguished.
#
37.1 Infinity is the essence of all things. Without intention, It
manifests all things.
37.2 If leaders and kings remain focused on the oneness of
Infinity, nations will flow in peace and harmony. If leaders and
kings are compelled to act, they should focus on Infinity and
refuse to manifest desire.
37.3 If there is no desire for action, the world would flow in
the peace and harmony of the oneness of Infinity.
#
38.1 A good person is not focused on her goodness because she is
centered in oneness. A confused person is focused on goodness and
consequently has difficulty obtaining it.
38.2 A person centered in oneness flows with life and appears to
do nothing; yet because she is in harmony with the oneness of
Infinity she leaves nothing undone. A confused person is focused
on achievements and consequently never truly achieves anything.
38.3 A caring person is caring all the time and therefore leaves
nothing unnurtured. When the righteous person does something, he
leaves things in turmoil. When a person of great discipline does
something and others do not follow, he attempts to force them to
conform to his perception of reality.
38.4 When the oneness of humanity is forgotten a distinction is
made between good and evil. Focusing on goodness leads one down
the path of self-righteousness which separates a person from
others. Self-righteousness leads to justice and since justice is
as arbitrary as goodness and righteousness, it degenerates into a
facade of justice or ritual.
38.5 Ritual is the backbone of religion and religion is the
harbinger of judgment and judgment is the backbone of conflict
38.6 Therefore, a centered person dwells upon the oneness of
Infinity and not on distinguishing which leads to confusion; on
the plant and not on the flower. A centered person embraces
oneness and rejects distinctions.
#
39.1 All things are at one with Infinity. When humanity is
centered in this oneness: the sky remains clear and beautiful,
the earth remains pure and sustains life, the spirit of humanity
is in harmony,
39.2 the valley is the source of abundance, all creatures
reproduce, regenerate and replenish the earth, leaders and kings
are in harmony and nations are at peace.
39.3 When humanity focuses on the manifestations of Infinity,
distinguishes and judges all things and thereby forgets the
oneness of Infinity: the sky becomes cloudy with pollution, the
earth becomes a cesspool unable to easily neutralize the many
poisons, the spirit of humanity becomes confused and accepts
conflict as the nature of humanity,
39.4 the valley no longer produces abundanceand what it does
produce is tainted. Leaders and kings take their nations to war
in order to control the untainted lands, creatures no longer
reproduce, species die out and parts of the earth, unattended by
the myriad creatures, no longer regenerate or replenish
themselves, the people of all nations live in conflict, fear,
hunger and depression.
39.5 Therefore, never forget that oneness is the essence of
harmony; the simple is the way of peace. Leaders and kings
consider themselves, alone, ridiculed and misunderstood when they
forget their oneness with Infinity. In confusion, they inevitably
lead their nations to war.
39.6 In order to maintain peace and harmony in the land, they
must flow in the peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.
39.7 Too much success is a sign that one has begun to focus on
manifestations and not on Infinity, the essence of all
manifestations.
39.8 Do not distinguish precious jade. Remain centered in the
peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.
#
40.1 Manifesting and disintegrating is the activity of Infinity.
Yielding to manifestations, yielding todisintegration is the
nature of peace and harmony.
40.2 Things are manifested from the tangible. The tangible is
manifested from the intangible.
#
41.1 When a person seeking peace and harmony discovers the
oneness of Infinity, she embraces it completely. When the average
person remembers the oneness of Infinity, he has a hard time
maintaining it.
41.2 When a confused person is confronted with the oneness of
Infinity, he laughs loudly. If he did not laugh, his confusion
would not be so obvious
41.3 The oneness of Infinity is beyond distinctions and is always
present. That is why things seem confusing to those who
acknowledge distinctions.
41.4 The light merges into darkness. Forward looks similar to
backward. The easy path manifests difficulty. Virtue seems
hollow. Purity becomes an illusion. The static is dynamic.
Strength degenerates into weakness. Truth has no foundation. The
great square has no corners. A circle is a series of points.
Great music seems like the wind. Images have no shape
41.5 The oneness of Infinity permeates all things and merges them
together. Infinity manifests all things to completion and
disintegrates all manifestations forever.
#
42.1#
Infinity is oneness. Infinity is the potential of all things. All
things are one with Infinity. Distinguishing creates the two
42.2 All things can be distinguished as yin and yang. The harmony
of oneness is achieved by not distinguishing.
42.3 Human beings hate being alone, ridiculed, and misunderstood.
Yet this is how leaders and kings perceive themselves when they
forget their oneness with Infinity
42.4 One achieves peace by ignoring distinctions and becomes
confused by endless judgments and distinctions.
42.5 Others teach; "A violent man will reap a violent
death." I teach; "All men will die." This is the
simplicity of Infinity.
#
43.1#
The softest manifestation in the Infinite overcomes the hardest
manifestation in the Infinite. The intangible permeates the
tangible. Non-action incorporates action
43.2 Teaching by living, working without laboring is comprehended
by only a few.
#
44.1#
Your name or your self: which is more important? Your self or
your possessions: which are more valuable? Gain or loss: which is
more destructive to peace and harmony
44.2 He who values his name separates from the oneness of
humanity and experiences suffering. Accumulating always creates
confusion. A man in harmony does not distinguish gain or loss.
44.3 A man who refuses to judge or make distinctions will never
become lost or confused. He will experience peace and harmony
within the oneness of Infinity
#
45.1 Great accomplishments seem incomplete yet their legacy is
long lived. Great abundance seems insignificant but it is
inexhaustible. A beam of light is just a wave.
45.2 Great skill seems easy. Great eloquence seems boring.
45.3 Motion generates heat. Stillness manifests the cold. Peace
and harmony are the nature of Infinity
#
46.1#
When the world remembers its oneness, horses plow the fields.
When the world focuses on the manifestations of Infinity,
distinctions, judgment and war replace peace and harmony.
46.2 There is no greater confusion than desire; no greater burden
than discontent. Nothing is as unfortunate as seeing one's self
as separate from others. Peace and harmony come from the
realization that what one has is enough.
46.3 Because you are at one with Infinity
#
47.1 you can experience the world without leaving your home.
Without looking out the window you can see the manifestations of
Infinity. The further you carry your distinctions and your
judgments, the more confused and lost you become.
47.2 Thus the sage experiences all things without traveling;
without looking she sees Infinity. She works without laboring
#
48.1 In the pursuit of knowledge, at every moment something is
distinguished.In the pursuit of peace and harmony, at every
moment something is merged. Less and less is desired until one is
flowing in peace and harmony. When one is flowing in peace and
harmony all things are accomplished.
48.2 The world flows in peace and harmony when all things are
allowed to manifest and to disintegrate
48.3 Peace and harmony are sacrificed by manipulation.
#
49.1#
The sage has no mind of her own. She is at one with all of
humanity
49.2 Give to those who are considered good. Give to those who are
considered bad. This is true oneness
49.3 Trust those who are trustworthy. Trust those who are not
trustworthy. This is also true oneness
49.4 The sage is peaceful and harmonious; but to the world she
seems indifferent. The world pays attention to her and listens to
her even though she resembles a child.
#
50.1#
From birth to death
50.2 Three in ten are manifesting life, Three in ten are
disintegrating into death, and three in ten are between,
manifesting life and disintegrating into death. Why? Because the
vast majority of humanity distinguishes life and death.
50.3 The person who is at one with all things can go anywhere
without fear of vicious animals or dangerous persons
50.4 Why? Because she is at one with the wild animals, they
perceive her as themselves. Because she is at one with dangerous
persons, they fear her.
#
51.1 The potential of Infinity manifests all things.
Manifestations are nourished by oneness, created with matter,
affected by events. Therefore, those who maintain peace and
harmony acknowledge Infinity and remember their oneness, not
because it is demanded, but because it is the essence of all
things.
51.2 Infinity manifests all things, rears them, nurtures them,
clothes them, feeds them, protects them, and comforts them.
51.3 Infinity manifests all things without possessing them;shows
them the way without interfering, assists them without taking
credit. This is the nature of Infinity.
#
52.1 Infinity is the mother of all things.
52.2 Remembering Infinity, one knows the nature of children.
Knowing the nature of the children keeps one focused on the
oneness of Infinity. Remembering your oneness with Infinity and
the immortality of Infinity overcomes the fear of death.
52.3 Contemplate Infinity, accept all things without distinctions
and judgments, and life will be peaceful and harmonious.
52.4 Think about reality, distinguish and judge all things, and
life degenerates into confusion.
52.5 Seeing differences is called distinguishing. Remaining
indifferent manifests peace and harmony
52.6 Understanding the nature of oneness focuses one on Infinity
and away from the confusion of misfortune. This is called abiding
in the constant.
#
53.1 If I possess just a bit of insight, I will remember my
oneness with Infinity, and I will only be concerned that I may
become confused with distinctions and judgment.
53.2 The path of Infinity is easy and peaceful. But the majority
of people cannot help becoming confused in the manifestations of
the Infinite.
53.3 When rulers and leaders are confused in pomp and
circumstance, the fields are overgrown with weeds and the
granaries are empty.
53.4 When leaders and rulers wear extravagant clothing and
manipulate the law while attending endless banquets and
accumulating wealth for the sake of wealth, they are confused and
behave like bandits and thieves. This is not the path of peace
and harmony.
#
54.1 The essence of Infinity can be ignored but never uprooted.
If it is acknowledged, it cannot be lost and it will manifest
peace and harmony from parents to children forever.
54.2 Acknowledge it in yourself and peace and harmony will become
real. Acknowledge it in your family and peace and harmony will
grow. Acknowledge it in your town and peace and harmony will
influence your teachers. Acknowledge it in your nation and peace
and harmony will displace war.Acknowledge it in the universe and
peace and harmony will be everywhere.
54.3 Therefore, see others as yourself, see other families as
your family, see other towns as your town, see other nations as
your nation, see the universe as a manifestation of the Infinite.
54.4 How do I know this is the way things are? Because I am at
one with Infinity.
#
55.1 A person who flows in peace and harmony is like a newborn
baby. Poisonous insects and reptiles do not sting or bite it.
Wild animals do not stalk it. Raptors do not attack it. Its bones
are soft and it muscles are weak yet its grip is secure.
55.2 It is not aware of male and female yet its genitals are
aroused.
55.3 Its oneness is perfect. It screams all day without becoming
hoarse. This is the perfection of harmony.
55.4 Knowing harmony is acknowledging the oneness of Infinity.
Knowing the oneness of Infinity is the experience of peace.
Manipulating one's life force results in confusion. Controlling
the breath interrupts the harmony of the body. Increasing the
natural pace of life creates exhaustion and is therefore not the
path of harmony.
55.5 Anything that remains out of harmony is short lived.
#
56.1 Those who know have no need to speak. Those who speak are
searching for peace and harmony.
56.2 Do not speak. Ignore your senses. Blunt your sharpness.
Unravel your knots. Dim your light. Become one with all things.
This is the primal essence.
56.3 Those who flow in the peace and harmony of Infinity make no
distinctions. They are therefore indifferent to friend and foe,
to good and bad, to honor and infamy. This is the natural state
of human beings.
#
57.1 Govern a nation with fairness. In war do the unexpected.
Lead the nation by becoming one with it. Why do I say this?
Because:
57.2 The more rules and regulations, the more oppressed the
citizens. The more energy used to develop weapons, the more
tension in the land.
57.3 The more clever and manipulative the leaders become, the
more agitated and unpredictable the population.The more religious
morals and restrictions, the more depression and self-hatred
manifests.
57.4 Therefore, when the ruler is at one with the population she
says: I take no action and the citizens govern themselves. I flow
in peace and harmony and the people follow in my footsteps.
57.5 I refuse to manipulate and control and the population
becomes predictable. I ignore religion and tolerance replaces
judgment.
#
58.1 When the country is ruled with indifference, the people flow
in peace and harmony. When the country is ruled with purpose, the
people become tense and circumvent the law.
58.2 When distinctions are made, good fortune is the harbinger of
disaster and adversity is the foundation of prosperity.
58.3 The only known is change and the limits of change are
unpredictable. Because everything changes, nothing seems real.
The reliable becomes questionable and the questionable becomes
familiar. The confusion created by distinctions is ever present.
58.4 Therefore the sage is: upright but not judgmental, to the
point but not arrogant, straightforward but not offensive, is a
light but not blinding.
#
59.1 In leading people and manifesting Infinity, there is nothing
as essential as indifference.
59.2 Refusing to distinguish the self is the crucial requirement
of indifference. Indifference is the product of maintaining one's
focus on the oneness of all things. If you are at one with
Infinity and the potential of all things, then you have no
limitations. If one has no limitations, she is qualified to rule
the world.
59.3 If she is at one with the world, and consequently
indifferent, she will endure.
59.4 This is the manifestation of deep roots and a firm
foundation, a oneness with Infinity, immortality and perfect
vision.
#
60.1 Ruling a country is like cooking a small fish. If you forget
your oneness with the fish, you become confused in what you are
doing.
60.2 See the world as one with Infinity and evil will be
impotent.
60.3 Not that evil does not exist, but because it is not
distinguishedpeople harmonize with it. If all of humanity is in
harmony with the oneness of Infinity, not only will evil not
confuse the people, the sage himself will not confuse the people.
60.4 They will not confuse each other and the oneness in each
will harmonize both.
#
61.1#
The great nation is like the ocean, at one with Infinity, it
receives all waters in peace and harmony. The female integrates
the male by residing in peace and harmony
61.2 Therefore, if the great nation does not distinguish the
small nation as separate from itself, it will integrate the
smaller nation into its oneness. If a small nation does not
distinguish itself as different from from the great nation, it
will incorporate the peace and harmony of the great nation.
61.3 A great nation conquers by being a reservoir of peace and
harmony. A small nation conquers by becoming one with the great
nation.
61.4 The great state is a reservoir of peace and harmony for
smaller states.Small states seek the peace and harmony of the
great state.
61.5 Both get what they want; oneness. It is natural for the
great nation to be receptive to the smaller nation.
#
62.1 Infinity is the potential of all things; the source of all
manifestations. It is the treasure of peaceful people and the
hiding place of the bad
62.2 Flattery can purchase advancement. Good deeds can obtain
admiration. If a man is bad, do not distinguish his badness. See
his oneness with humanity.
62.3 Therefore, when the king is crowned and the state officials
are sworn in, do not send them gifts of jade dishes or a team of
four horses. Instead flow in peace and harmony and remind them of
their oneness with humanity.
62.4 Why does everyone flow in peace and harmony when they
acknowledge the oneness of Infinity? Because their needs are met
and their mistakes are not distinguished. This is the gift of
Infinity.
#
63.1 Practice flowing in peace and harmony.Work without laboring.
Savor the tasteless.
63.2 Enlarge the small. Multiply the few. Mitigate bitterness
with kindness.
63.3 Accomplish difficult endeavors by a series of easy tasks.
Accomplish great deeds by persisting in mundane acts.
63.4 When one flows in peace and harmony and perceives the
oneness in all things: difficulties are easily overcome and great
accomplishments are seen as a compilation of a lifetime of
insignificant days..
63.5 The sage never tries to achieve greatness. She flows in
peace and harmony and at the end of her days comprehends her
legacy.
63.6 Cursory promises are generally unreliable. Neglecting basics
fosters difficulties.
63.7 The sage considers the potential difficulty in all things
and circumvents them by flowing in peace and harmony.
#
64.1 Peace and harmony are easy to perpetuate. Situations are
easy to deal with before they manifest. The brittle is easily
cracked. The small is easy to broadcast.
64.2 Flow in peace and harmony and problems do not manifest.
Focus on the oneness of all things and avoid confusion.
64.3 The greatest tree manifests from an unremarkable shoot. A
multilevel building begins with the laying of a single brick. A
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
64.4 He who attempts to control his life becomes confused.
Attempt to grasp a thing and it disappears. The sage flows in
peace and harmony and so is not confused. She attaches herself to
nothing and consequently her vision remains clear.
64.5 Confused people usually quit just short of success.
Therefore, see experiences asthe oneness of life from beginning
to end and it will be impossible to fail.
64.6 The sage is indifferent to desire: she does not accumulate
possessions, she is unemotional regarding ideas, she focuses
people on their oneness, she, by example, illuminates the path to
peace and harmony but does not impose her will or foist her views
on others.
#
65.1 From time immemorial the sage has not tried to teach oneness
but has embedded peace and harmony in the openness of a simple
life.
65.2 Why is it so hard to rule? Because people are at one with
their leaders. Leaders who use cleverness are confronted with
more cleverness.Cleverness only manifests confusion. Those who
flow in the peace and harmony of oneness lead without attempting
cleverness and are a blessing to everyone.
65.3 These too are distinctions, cleverness and non-action.
Realizing these two are distinctions focuses one on the oneness
of Infinity and away from confusion.
65.4 Staying centered in the oneness that permeates Infinity
manifests peace and harmony.
#
66.1 Why are the great oceans the rulers of all rivers? Because
they occupy a lower space. Therefore, their humility lifts them
up.
66.2 If the sage is to manifest peace she must be humble in her
speech. If she is to lead others she must follow them in harmony.
66.3 When the sage leads, the people do not feel enslaved. When
she stands above them, they feel at one with her. Because she is
in harmony with others, they support her and never consider her a
burden.
66.4 She is not confused. Therefore, she does not contend with
others and they do not contend with her.
#
67.1 Everyone says that Infinity is great but beyond
comprehension because it is intangible. Since it is intangible,
it seems non-existent. However, if it were not intangible it
would have disintegrated before the world was born.
67.2 Three things create peace and harmony. The first is a lack
of distinctions. The second is simplicity. The third is oneness.
67.3 With a lack of distinction, I can accept all things. With
simplicity, I do not become confused with desire. With oneness, I
can be at peace and in harmony with all things.
67.4 In the world people always make distinctions between good
and bad and become confused in judgment; desire possessions and
become confused in wealth; forget their oneness and live in
tension and conflict.
67.5 Refuse to make distinctions and refuse to pass judgment and
war and defense succumb to peace and harmony.
#
68.1 A warrior in harmony is not contemptuous of life. A prize
fighter in harmony is not angry.
68.2 A winner in harmony understands the oneness of winning and
losing. An employer in harmony is at one with his employees.
68.3 This is called non-distinction and indifference. It is known
as being at peace and in harmony with others. It is the
manifestation of the ultimate peace and harmony of Infinity.
#
69.1 There is a saying among generals, It is better not to begin
the battle but to wait for the other side to begin. It is better
to retreat a foot rather than advance an inch.
69.2 This is called advancing while appearing to retreat,
preparing to fight by concealing your power, winning the battle
without engaging the enemy, and brandishing non-existent weapons.
69.3 There is nothing worse than distinguishing others as
enemies. By distinguishing others as enemies, I lose sight of my
oneness and become confused in conflict and war.
69.4 So when war seems imminent, the victor refuses to embrace
killing.
#
70.1 My words are easy to understand and easy to put into
practice, but unfortunately few people understand them or try to
live by them.
70.2 My thoughts have always existed,but since people are
confused, they do not embrace them. Because people do not
understand me, they are confused in conflict and war rather than
living in peace and harmony. Those that acknowledge their oneness
with Infinity are few. Those that call me crazy are applauded by
others that are confused.
70.3 Therefore, the sage is modest in her apparel, but carries
the priceless jewel of peace and harmony in her heart.
#
71.1 Acknowledging oneness manifests peace. Acknowledging
distinctions manifests confusion. If one is in harmony with
disharmony, then one is at peace.
71.2 The sage is at peace because she is not confused with the
distinctions of harmony and disharmony. The sage is at one with
Infinity.
#
72.1 When people are not in awe of the Infinite, they are
overwhelmed by confusion.
72.2 Do not violate another's space. Do not interfere with
another's livelihood. If you do not violate their space or
interfere with their livelihood, they will not separate
themselves from you.
72.3 The sage acknowledges herself but does not distinguish
herself from others. She lives her reality but does not try to
foist it on others. She makes her choices but is indifferent and
unattached and therefore lives in peace and harmony.
#
73.1 A distinguishing man in his righteousness is prepared to
kill or be killed in the name of righteousness. A
non-distinguishing woman is indifferent and refuses to even
consider killing.
73.2 Both types of people occupy the world forever. They are one
and undistinguished by Infinity.
73.3 Infinity does not contend but through oneness overcomes all
things. It does not speak but is the answer to all questions. It
does not summons but all things are attracted to it. It makes no
plans and has no goals but all things are manifested by it.
73.4 The net of Infinity is all encompassing. The mesh is large
yet nothing slips through.
#
74.1 When people are at one with Infinity, they have no fear of
death and so they are indifferent to threats.
74.2 When people are confused with the distinction of life and
death, they fear death. If death is the penalty for breaking the
law, the vast majority will be law abiding.
74.3 There are always official executioners and they are at one
with killing. If you try to take their place, it is the same as
trying to cut wood in place of the master carpenter. If you try
to take the master carpenter's place, you will only succeed in
cutting your hands.
#
75.1 When the people of a nation are starving and without the
basic necessities, it is because taxes are excessive.
75.2 When the people of a nation are rebellious, it is because
the laws are out of harmony with the population.
75.3 When the leaders of a nation are oppressive in their
confusion, the people remember their oneness and become
indifferent to death. Those who remember the oneness of Infinity
are indifferent to life and death and consequently live in
peaceand harmony.
#
76.1 The human body is born soft and supple; after death it is
hard and stiff.
76.2 Plants and trees are pliant and limber when they sprout,
after death they are inflexible and rigid.
76.3 Therefore, hard and inflexible are characteristics of death.
Pliant and flexible are characteristics of life.
76.4 Thus, an army that is inflexible will be conquered and a
tree that does not yield to the wind will snap.
76.5 The hard and inflexible will succumb. The pliant and
flexible will endure.
#
77.1 The harmony of Infinity functions like a bow and its string.
The upper part bends down, the lower part raises up. If the
string is too long, it is made shorter; too short and it is
lengthened.
77.2 The nature of Infinity is balance, excess gravitates to what
is lacking. The tendency of people is toward confusion because
those who have much take from those who have little.
77.3 Those who are at one with Infinity and live in peace and
harmony are not confused.They do not accumulate what they do not
need and are like a reservoir to those who are impoverished.
77.4 The sage lives in harmony giving without expecting,
completing her tasks with indifference, and maintaining a oneness
with all things.
#
78.1 Nothing in the world is more submissive and yielding than
water. Yet nothing can equal it in cutting the inflexible and
eroding the hard.
78.2 The weak can subdue the strong and the flexible outlasts the
rigid. This is common knowledge, yet only a very few can practice
it.
78.3 Therefore, the sages say; She who is at one with the
disgrace of a nation is worthy to be queen. He who is at one with
the misfortunes of nations is worthy to be king of kings. The
truth frequently seems paradoxical.
#
79.1 Conflict almost always leaves some resentment regardless of
the nature of a peaceful resolution. How does one achieve peace
and harmony?
79.2 The sage fulfills her commitments but does not demand others
to fulfill theirs. Those who are confused demand others to
fulfill their commitments but are unconcerned with fulfilling
their own.
79.3 Infinity is indifferent. It is at one with all people.
79.4 Infinity is indifferent. It is at one with all people.
#
80.1 A peaceful nation has few people and flows in harmony and
oneness. They have weapons of war but they have no inclination to
use them. They are indifferent to death and indifferent to living
elsewhere.
80.2 They have boats and carriages but seldom use them. They have
weapons of war but no one displays them.
80.3 They live a simple life: their food is nourishing, their
clothes are adequate, their dwellings are secure. They are at
peace and in harmony with all things.
80.4 Even though they live within sight of a neighboring nation
and hear the sounds of dogs and children, they grow old and
perish without ever desiring to go there.
#
81.1 Truthful words are seldom passionate. Passionate words are
seldom truthful.
81.2 Peaceful men do not quarrel. Those who quarrel are confused.
81.3 He who is at one with all things knows Infinity. He who has
knowledge is always confused.
81.4 The sage is never confused by accumulating. The more he does
for others, the more he flows in harmony. The more he gives to
others, the more he experiences peace.
81.5 Infinity manifests, nourishes and disintegrates forever. The
sage flows in the peace and harmony of oneness with all things.