The Dao Is Open website is devoted to the cultivation of Dao (Tao) and De (Te), as exemplified in the works of Laozi (Lao Tzu) and Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu).


Return Home	Laozi's Dao De Jing	Your Dao De Jing	Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)	Links	Meditation	Dao (Tao) is Open Forum	Book List	Other Stuff

Translation and Commentary by Nina


	Dao De Jing Chapter 34 Dao drifts about aimlessly! It willingly goes to the left or to the right. It is fully satisfied with a successful event, but isn't willing to have a title. All living things depend on it, but it's not willing to act as their master. Consequently, it is always without desires. It is only willing to accept a title that is insignificant. All living things depend on it, but it's not willing to act as their master. It is only willing to accept destiny as greatness. It's natural for a wise person to have the ability to accomplish great success. Simply because she doesn't act in a grand manner. Therefore, she has the ability to achieve great success. Commentary: 34 ~ Evaluating Success -Dao drifts about aimlessly! -It willingly goes to the left or to the right. -It is fully satisfied with a successful event, but isn't willing to have a title. Using Dao as an exemplar of life, we're told that it moves without a purposeful direction. It seems to drift with the wind, following whatever course presents itself. Without any effort, success is achieved simply because it doesn't try to force itself. Since success is natural rather than forced, there's no need to claim credit for doing an outstanding job. We all have natural talents that seem to require no effort. Some people can play music by ear; some know exactly what ingredients to use in cooking; some can add up a column of figures easily. When you accomplish a task that seems hard to others, but just comes naturally for you, is there any reason to accept kudos for it? -All living things depend on it, but it's not willing to act as their master. -Consequently, it is always without desires. -It is only willing to accept a title that is insignificant. Other people might come to you asking for assistance with jobs that they can't accomplish as easily as you. When you help them does that make you any more significant than they are? Do you hold your abilities over them like a form of control, or expect something in return from them? There will probably come a time when you need their help with something that's difficult for you as well. Would you like it if they acted superior? You see, there's no reason to have those kinds of desires. If someone thanks you for helping them, make it seem like an insignificant event. All you're doing is using your own natural abilities - there's no cause for praise. -All living things depend on it, but it's not willing to act as their master. -It is only willing to accept destiny as greatness. What is it that gives you the ability to breeze through something that would be difficult for another person? Do you use your own special gifts as a way to manipulate others? Many people do just that - charging exorbitant amounts of money for their abilities. Maybe it's only the luck of the draw that gave you those natural talents. -It's natural for a wise person to have the ability to accomplish great success. -Simply because she doesn't act in a grand manner. -Therefore, she has the ability to achieve great success. A person who realizes and nourishes their own talents will always be successful. Preparing a tasty meal, fixing a broken clock, playing a tune on the piano, planting a garden - whatever it is that you do with ease and comfort turns out successfully. You may not be a gourmet chef, a master carpenter, a concert pianist, or grow prize-winning roses - but as long as you don't claim to be greater than you actually are, your own success at what you do can still be great. There's no need to make comparisons with other's abilities or accomplishments to be successful. Dao Is Open Site Map \| BY: Nina \| Guodian Laozi \| DDJ Concordance \| Comparisons \| From the DIO Forum \| BY: Bao Pu \| By: Joshua \| Who was Laozi \| \| Return Home \| Laozi's Dao De Jing \| Your Dao De Jing \| Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) \| Links \| Meditation \| Dao (Tao) is Open Forum \| Book List \| Other Stuff \|