---

Introduction

This verse is a shining example that the dominance of wuwei (non-action, non-doing, (y)in-action) as the defining characteristic of Daoism is off. 

Here, we have a verse titled “Cultivate Integrity.” It specifically addresses the “becoming” part of the process and makes clear that both “being” and “becoming” are critical. 

In context, we see that first, we must learn how to “be.” That’s no small feat, but having done so, we can witness how things “become.” Understanding the process, we become responsible for cultivating the integrity of our Being (Dao) and Becoming (De).

Translation

Dao creates it; De nurtures it.
Matter forms it; Reason matures it.

This is why all that is,
  venerates Dao and cherishes De.

Dao is venerated,
  De is adored,
Because they are not controlled–
  eternally natural.

Dao creates it.

De nurtures it, raises it,
  ripens it, completes it,
  destroys it, fosters it,
Repeats it. 

Create and do not possess.
Use and do not exploit.
Lead and do not rule.

This is called “profound integrity.”

Commentary

Dao creates it; De nurtures it.
Matter forms it; reason matures it. 

There are a lot of “its” in here. What is “it.” “It” is anything that emerges from Dao’s undifferentiated, pure potential. 

One way to think of Dao is as pure yin force, the absolute stillness of the mind before it splits into subject and object. De is the yang force responsible for movement and creating a “witness” and “something to be witnessed.” 

“Matter forming it” points us back to the non-dual frame. The idea of the observer effect is a pretty good analog for non-dualism. There is something “out there” to observe that generates a specific observation, but the observer’s presence impacts the thing that is observed just as much as the thing observed impacts the observer. 

In other words, things that “aren’t me” are going on, and those things follow specific rules. However, when “I” and “it” come into contact, a “we” space is created that isn’t purely “I” or “it.” 

“Reason matures it” points to how the human faculties of meaning-making take that I-it-we and turn it into something useful. Or, at least, a guess at what we might find helpful about the I-it-we situation based on a whole bunch of usually unconscious parameters that primarily have to do with staying alive. 

This is why all that is,
  venerates Dao and cherishes De.

“All that is” is a consequence of the interplay of yin and yang. Nothing would exist without these two forces operating in the heart of a singularity. As we’ve seen repeatedly, no aspect of Weaving the Way biases Dao or De over the other, just as a weaver could not make fabric without warp (lengthwise threads) and woof (crosswise threads). 

Dao is venerated,
  De is adored,
Because they are not controlled–
  eternally natural. 

The typical human mode of operation is to rant, rave, and resist. However, the more deeply we practice, the more attuned we are to the process of being (Dao) and becoming (De); the less we do that. Instead, we recognize the dynamic interplay at work in the flow of things and venerate/adore the beauty of its bafflingly balanced process. 

Dao creates it.

De nurtures it, raises it,
  ripens it, completes it,
  destroys it, fosters it,
Repeats it.  

This section explicitly points to Dao as being and De as cyclical becoming. In the “macro” sense, there isn’t much else to say. 

This is also a good time to remember that this text also speaks to the “micro” and provides explicit meditation instructions. I encourage those of you engaging in energetic meditations to watch for these processes in your experience because feeling each stage offers meaningful insight. 

Create and do not possess.

We can model ourselves off of fruit trees. They spend massive amounts of energy growing fruit, but they survive by giving their fruit away. The apple tree doesn’t scream to the deer, “Hey, that’s mine!” It is grateful that the deer come and make its apples theirs. By nourishing them, its seeds spread, and more apples are created. 

We live in a world where ownership rights are critical, making creating without possessing rather challenging. The key is recognizing that the rules “out there” do not have to dictate my beliefs “in here.” I believe this text is far more concerned with our inner experience than it is in making a political, social, or economic statement. 

Use and do not exploit. 

The original text reads something like, “Use and do not presume (you are correct).” I believe the term “exploit” better captures the intention of the line: use the resources available to you with respect. 

In the precepts of Hollow Bones Zen, Act Generously is defined as:

I act with generosity and open-handedness. I receive only that which is freely given to me. I remember that clinging and attachment are the root of suffering. 

Hollow bones zen precepts

The practice of receiving only that which is freely given– allowing things to come and go without clinging and attachment– is a profound application of “use and do not exploit.” 

Lead and do not rule.

Verse 17 comes to mind immediately with this line. However, this principle has shown up in many of the verses so far. Summing it all up right now, I’d simply say:

Take care of your own business. Be awesome. Do you. Cultivate the skills you need to live your purpose. Trust the process and recognize that your only agency lies within yourself. 

This is called “profound integrity.”