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Zhuangzi Chapter 3: Opinions on Nurturing Life


	Translated by Nina Correa There are limits in our lives, but there are no limits to knowledge. Using what's limited to try to catch up with what's unlimited can only bring trouble. Someone who already thinks they're knowledgeable is really in trouble. Acting with kindness doesn't necessarily bring warm responses. Acting badly doesn't necessarily bring punishment. If you sort through for the strongest points fate has provided to you and set your course by them, then your body can be protected, your life can be perfected, your loved ones can be supported, and you can live out your natural life span. Cook Ding was cutting up an ox for Lord Wen Hui (Kind Gentle Official). With his hands in place, his shoulders hunched, his foot thrust forward, and his knee bent - every slice of meat fell in front of him as his knife seemed to hum a melody. With a steady rhythm, it didn't miss a beat. It was equal to the dancing performed to the music of "The Mulberry Grove," and as skillful as the musicians playing "The Jing Shou." Lord Wen Hui said: "Oh, excellent! How did you come up with such a perfect technique?" Cook Ding set down his knife and replied: "Your servant is fond of Dao, which advances techniques. At the time when I first began as a butcher, all I could see was a whole ox. Three years later, I no longer saw the ox as a whole. Nowadays, I sense with my spirit instead of looking with my eye. My brain knows when to stop and let my spirit take over. Following the natural grain, noting the large gaps between the cartilage and observing the huge hollows - they already provide me with a map. When I come upon places where muscle and bone connect, that's the only time I need to be forceful! A good cook changes his knife every year because he cuts. An ordinary cook changes his knife every month because he hacks. I've had my knife for nineteen years, and I've butchered over a thousand oxen. It's as sharp now as it was when it was first honed. Each section of the ox has a gap, and the edge of my knife is narrower than that opening. Those are the gaps where I thrust my narrow blade. So wide are those places where I place my knife that there's lots of leeway. That's why I've had this knife for nineteen years and it's still like new. Nevertheless, every time I come to a dense spot, I look for its difficulties. I proceed with caution and keep my guard up, considering when I should stop and when I should move slowly. I move the knife just a little bit and that part is quickly separated, like a clump of dirt shifting on the ground. Then I lift up my knife and stand up straight, pausing to look at at all my work until I'm satisfied with it. Then I properly clean my knife and stow it away." Lord Wen Hui said: "Excellent! What I've gotten from your words is how to nourish life." When Gong Wen Xuan (Official Concealed Chariot) saw the Teacher of the Right, he was startled and said: "Who is that guy? Why is he so removed from the rest of us? Is he more related to the heavens, or is he more related to people?" "To the heavens, not to people. The life the heavens has given him is what makes him appear so isolated. Most people try to act in ways that bring them approval from other people. He prefers to have understanding of the heavens, not of people. "A marsh pheasant will take ten steps to get one peck of food; a hundred steps to get one drink of water. It wouldn't stay in a cage if it was given unlimited amounts of food and water. If it was treated like a god or a king, that would be bad for it." When Lao Dan (Lao Zi) died, Qin Shi mourned for him by uttering three howls and leaving. A disciple asked: "Weren't you a friend of the Master?" "Yes, I was." "If that's so, then can you really be comfortable mourning in this way?" "Yes, I can. At first I thought of him as a man, but now I don't. When I went in to mourn, there were a lot of old people crying - as though they were crying for the loss of their own children. A few of them cried as though they were crying for the loss of their own mothers. Each of them, therefore, who came to assemble here wanted not to be alone while saying their words; not to be alone while crying their tears. By trying to escape their many natural emotions, they've forgotten they can endure their suffering. The ancients called this trying to escape natural torment. When it was appropriate for him to come, the Master took that opportunity. When it was appropriate for him to leave, the Master submitted. By peacefully accepting the opportunity and later comfortably submitting, sorrow and happiness don't enter the picture. In ancient times this was called dismissing the ruler from his earthly responsibilities." If you keep pointing at stuff you'll become like firewood. 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