Lao Tzu: English Translations III

LAO TZU ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS III The Valley Spirit by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The valley Spirit never runs dry, the river to whom all waters run: the Spirit of our Primal Mother. Deeply rooting Heaven and Earth, to most eyes a delicate veil dimly seen, yet a never-failing Fountainhead. Adhere to the Feminine by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Know the masculine but adhere to the feminine and be a valley to the sphere. For if you’re a valley constant virtue won’t desert you and you’ll return to the innocence of infancy. Know the bright but stick to the shadows and be an example for the realm. For if you’re an example for the realm, constant virtue will accompany you and you’ll return to the Infinite. Know the glorious but adhere to the humble and be a valley to the Sphere. For if you’re a valley, your constant virtue will be complete and you’ll return to the uncarved block the great Cutter does not cut away. The World-Mother by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Something formed out of chaos, born before heaven and earth, inexpressible and void, is never renewed, yet continues forever without failing: the World-Mother. I don’t know her name, so I call her the Way. Earth reflects the heavens; the heavens reflect the Way; the Way reflects all that is. The Wisdom of Contraries by Lao Tzu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch It’s easy to control something at rest; easy to handle the undeveloped; easy to shatter the brittle; easy to disperse the minute; easy to deal with things before they get out of hand; easy to manage affairs before they escalate. A tree as wide as a man’s arms sprang from a tiny seed. A nine-story tower rose from rock piles. A journey of ten thousand leagues begins with a single step. Whoever meddles begets ruin. Whoever grasps soon lets go. The wise understand the advantages of non-action; They lose nothing by not grasping and clinging, while foolish people in their enterprises often fail on the brink of success. Be mindful from beginning to end if you want to avoid failure. The wise desire to be desireless; they place no value on what is unavailable. They learn how to live without learning, yet correct the errors of scholars. They advise conformity to nature and avoid rash actions. Keywords/Tags: Lao Tzu, English Translation, Chinese, valley, world, Mother, virtue, way, wise, wisdom, heaven, earth, water, waters, women