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Translation and Commentary by Nina


	Dao De Jing Chapter 37 Dao doesn't ever interfere. If people who had power over others could maintain that attitude, then all living things would transform by themselves. They'd transform, and as desires arose they'd begin to suppress them due to some unknown sense of simplicity within. So, they'd also begin to be satisfied with what they had. Being satisfied with what they had, a sense of calmness would engulf them and all living things would become settled within themselves. Commentary: 37 ~ Change occurs naturally - without interfering -Dao doesn't ever interfere. We all get tempted at times to try to "fix" other people. It's easy to look around and see so many people following what we think are disastrous paths - swallowed by the monster of greed, jealousy, addiction or any number of other "woes." When we hear of the idea that Dao doesn't interfere, it might sound strange - most of us were raised to believe in a stern yet forgiving God who's trying to redeem us from the evil lurking within our souls and encourages us to go out and "save" others as well. If Dao doesn't interfere (and neither do we), how would it be possible for the world to ever become peaceful? -If people who had power over others could maintain that attitude, then all living things would transform by themselves. -They'd transform, and as desires arose they'd begin to suppress them due to some unknown sense of simplicity within. When people are placed in positions of authority, they come up with all sorts of ideas and methods for making others do what they think is appropriate. However, they don't realize they're causing more turmoil for people by making demands on them to follow mandates they don't understand or feel in their hearts. If the people who had power over others could refrain from interfering in people's lives, that would take a big burden off everyone. If people weren't forced to act in certain ways to conform with society, they'd lose the desire to rebel against authority and become more comfortable with who they naturally are. If they were content with who they were, they'd find most of their desires just simply drifted away. -So, they'd also begin to be satisfied with what they had. -Being satisfied with what they had, a sense of calmness would engulf them and all living things would become settled within themselves. Imagine how satisfied and calm you'd be if there was nothing you had to do except be yourself. All of a sudden, there'd be nothing else you needed to acquire to make yourself appear to be something you're not. We all have everything we need to enjoy life. When people are satisfied with themselves and their own accomplishments, why would anyone feel inadequate? Dao Is Open Site Map \| BY: Nina \| Guodian Laozi \| DDJ Concordance \| Comparisons \| From the DIO Forum \| BY: Bao Pu \| By: Joshua \| \| 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 \|