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Introduction

This verse is another one regularly translated as a vague philosophy of leadership and personal success. With all respect to the forebearers and scholars, I will (again) break sharply from that commentarial tradition. It’s pretty obviously a description of a meditative experience and an appeal to redouble our practice. 

You’ll notice very contemporary English in one line—this emerged from imagining someone speaking this text to another as instruction and is, perhaps surprisingly, very literal. In fact, this verse may be one of the most literally translated thus far. 

Translation

Established in the Great Appearance,
  Creation departs.

Departs and does not harm:
  extreme peace and calm.

Music and food
  make the guest pause.

Speaking of the Dao…
  Bland! Ugh, it has no flavor!

Watching it is not enough to see it.
Hearing it is not enough to listen to it.
Using it is not enough to finish it. 

Commentary 

Established in the Great Appearance,
  Creation departs. 

As mentioned in previous verses, in the deep meditation techniques of Daoism, like “sitting and forgetting,” the phenomenal world of sensory experience ceases to be perceived. In this liminal space of awareness without content, we most intimately connect with the force called Dao.

Departs and does not harm: 
  extreme peace and calm. 

Forgetting oneself can be very scary. Most meditators must approach the edge of these states many times before they can finally let go of the fear. The desire for union with the sublime must become more powerful than the terror of one’s ego dissolution. Therefore, most teaching systems include some sort of messaging like this:

“Don’t worry. You’ll be safe. You’ll be better than safe. You will experience the most profound bliss, freedom, and tranquility beyond imagination.”

Music and food
  make the guest pause.

The austere practices of Daoism (and most other East Asian traditions) are contrary to typical human desires. We met the “guest” in verse 32, pointing to the active, suffering-inducing, self-referencing ego structure, also known as the “monkey mind.” Yes, we can cause temporary joy and satisfaction. Yes, pursuing fine entertainment can bring relief from the world’s angst. Ultimately, these distractions fall short of the peace and fulfillment of meditative living. Even though it may seem “hard,” “strict,” and “boring,” meditative living is the only proven path to lasting well-being. 

Speaking of the Dao… 
  UGH! It’s so bland! 

I love this line. It brings it all around to something so human. The teacher is frustrated! The Text has droned on and on about this topic, making the same point repeatedly. The teacher seeks to instill a sincere desire, clear understanding, and strong inspiration for Weaving the Way. Yet it’s all so inadequate. All the beautiful words in the world are just a waste of time compared to Weaving the Way and flowing with the Dao for yourself.

It’s critical to read and study this topic with the attitude you would bring to reading a recipe book. You know reading recipes won’t satisfy your taste buds or hunger. Neither will it make you a good cook. However, if you want to satisfy your taste buds and hunger, and become a good cook, the recipe book is an invaluable asset. After the next triplet, I imagine everyone just shut up and got to their practice. 

Watching it is not enough to see it. 
Hearing it is not enough to listen to it. 
Using it is not enough to finish it. 

Watching someone else Weave isn’t the same as seeing how to Weave the Way for yourself. Likewise, hearing someone else talk about it is inadequate for opening your ears to its subtle whispers. You must get inside it and attune to how you already are precisely this.

Don’t worry about exhausting it or yourself. As Verse 4 taught: 

“The Dao flows from a bottomless vessel,
Throughout eternity, it cannot be depleted. 

So deep! 
It is the wellspring of all that is.”