HIS NATURE SINKS TO ITS ROOT
Posted at 6:11, 26.10.2006
Chuang Tzu said:
HOW DOES THE TRUE MAN OF TAO
WALK THROUGH WALLS WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION
AND STAND IN FIRE WITHOUT BEING BURNT?
NOT BECAUSE OF CUNNING OR DARING,
NOT BECAUSE HE HAS LEARNED --
BUT BECAUSE HE HAS UNLEARNED.
HIS NATURE SINKS TO ITS ROOT IN THE ONE.
HIS VITALITY, HIS POWER,
HIDE IN SECRET TAO.
WHEN HE IS ALL ONE,
THERE IS NO FLAW IN HIM
BY WHICH A WEDGE CAN ENTER.
SO A DRUNKEN
IS BRUISED, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
HIS BONES ARE LIKE THE BONES OF OTHER MEN,
BUT HIS FALL IS DIFFERENT.
HIS SPIRIT IS ENTIRE.
HE IS NOT AWARE OF GETTING INTO A WAGON,
OR FALLING OUT OF ONE.
LIFE AND DEATH ARE NOTHING TO HIM.
HE KNOWS NO ALARM,
HE MEETS OBSTACLES WITHOUT THOUGHT, WITHOUT CARE,
AND TAKES THEM WITHOUT KNOWING THEY ARE THERE.
IF THERE IS SUCH SECURITY IN WINE,
HOW MUCH MORE IN TAO?
THE WISE MAN IS HIDDEN IN TAO,
NOTHING CAN TOUCH HIM.
HOW DOES THE TRUE MAN OF TAO -- WALK THROUGH WALLS WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION -- AND STAND IN FIRE WITHOUT BEING BURNT?
This is one of the most basic and secret teachings.
