Introduction

As I read the editions of Effortless Nature side by side, I saw that the oldest version (Mawangdui B) differs greatly from the more common, newer WangBi version. I did some research, happened to be rereading Confucius, and discovered that this is likely the result of Confucian/Daoist mish-mashing that happened later!

From a Confucian worldview, “perfected giving accords with heaven,” an overly literal translation of the same line in the older text, is essentially their definition of benevolence. Yet, within the context of Lao Zi’s thought, an entirely different meaning was intended.

Translation

The highest virtues are like Water.
Water’s virtue is to benefit all things,
not strive against them.
It rests in places people consider foul.
Thus, it is like the Dao.

Live in humility.
Deepen the heart-mind.
Provide what is needed.
Speak the truth.
Rule yourself with reason.
Serve according to ability.
Act following divine timing.

Only through harmony is one blameless.

Commentary

The highest virtues are like Water.
Water’s virtue is to benefit all things,
not strive against them.

Water is likely the most used metaphor in Weaving the Way. If, by some chance, it isn’t, then it is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and notable.

For those who want to keep track, this is the second, but first truly explicit, use of water imagery.

While humans can sometimes call it a “destructive” force, water itself never seeks retribution. Water is simply a force of nature following its nature. Water’s presence is life; water’s absence is death. Water nourishes indiscriminately. It doesn’t choose to be drunk by a tree and not by a lion. Rain doesn’t care if it falls on the ocean or in a desert.

It rests in places people consider foul.
Thus it is like the Dao.

Water’s lack of discrimination further represents how the Dao includes everything. Including everything is notable because it is very counter-cultural. It is so counter-cultural that many people think that to accord with the Way is self-defeating or even plain stupid. This was true in ancient China, and it’s true today. The humble are less likely to receive fame and accolades than those who loudly proclaim their accomplishments. One who quietly and efficiently navigates changes is far less exciting to be around than the dramatic. Generosity is insane when worthiness and wealth are synonymous.

The teaching here is that the “high road” is found in “low places.” Sometimes, what weaving the Way calls for is muddy and hard from our ordinary perspective because it seems as though it would yield far fewer short-term personal rewards. However, this way of life produces what matters: long-lasting peace and well-being for ourselves while we positively impact the world around us. As we attune to the flow of natural law, it becomes harder not to live this way.

Next, the verse steps us through exactly what it means, or, at least, as exactly as three-character phrases can be.

Live in humility.

I feel this is an all-encompassing attitude. It’s about humility permeating every aspect of life. Humility in relationships with others. Humility concerning our material possessions. Humility in relation to ourselves. Humility in relationship to the universe, the Dao, or whatever spiritual orientation we take.

Attempting to capture what humility looks like warrants an entire treatise. We will explore humility in more depth throughout this text. For a starter, humility is knowing one’s weaknesses and not boasting about one’s strengths. It is not gloating over our successes, but adequately acknowledging the support received from all avenues.

Deepen the heart-mind.

The heart-mind is the term I like to represent the concept represented by 心, which has definitions of

heart
mind
thought; idea
intention
center; core

Cultivate the heart-mind’s virtue, explore its depth, and realize it as a stable, fearless, unbreakable source. Discovering the profundity of the heart-mind in its natural state is the purpose of seated meditation practices. Maintaining an ever-present awareness of the heart-mind’s infinite capacity and clarity in daily life is the purpose of Weaving the Virtuous Way.

Provide what is needed.

This phrase literally translates to “Give like Heaven.” The notion is that the Wise can discern what a person or situation needs. Neither giving so much that it can’t support itself nor so little that it fails to thrive. The underlying component of this statement is the spirit we embody. Giving what is needed out of duty, obligation, or for personal gain is not enough. Like water, we are to provide nourishment freely. Such generosity is the true, spiritual expression of our oneness.

Speak the truth.

Radical honesty is a universal spiritual truth. In all my studies and experiences, I have not encountered a tradition, ancient or new age, that says, “Be sure to lie.” If you happen to know one, please leave me a comment.

Despite that, radical honesty is a rare quality. People are naturally inclined to alter, withhold, misrepresent, and reframe the truth in ways that provide a personal benefit. There is much money made by cleverly framing the “truth” about a product or experience. Even just the simple pain of telling a loved one a “white lie” to save yourself the discomfort of their discomfort is a dangerous and slippery slope.

Balancing the commitment to “do no harm” with radical honesty is a deep contemplation that I would encourage everyone to spend time with.

Rule yourself with reason.

Some use this line to justify the Dao De Jing as a text on leadership, a notion that I’m inclined to contribute to syncretism with Confucian ideals. The exact three-character phrase can be read as “The highest virtue of Governance is Social stability.”

Based on the broader context of Daoist thought, understanding “govern/rule” in relation to oneself is much more coherent. The same character that carries connotations of “social stability” also means “to treat, cure,” and “to regulate, to discipline, to research.” I’m choosing to be a little liberal in my translation by using “reason.” Reason is our faculty to apply common sense and intellect to our purpose, doing what is necessary through careful deliberation—determining a treatment for something through self-regulation, discipline, and thorough contemplation.

Cultivating the capacity to regulate our strong emotions and impulsivity through intellect is a common theme in meditative living. Ruling oneself with reason is a natural product of the body, heart, and mind’s cooperation.

Do according to ability.

This points to self-knowledge. Do what you can and know your limits. It is easy to misinterpret the spirit of this as giving up on self-improvement. I do not believe that’s what can be intended here since constant change and evolution are central characteristics of the Dao. By extension, we must acknowledge that our “ability” is constantly changing. What we choose to engage in must be responsive to this.

Doing according to ability cuts both ways. It’s not always about doing more, improving, and taking on more significant challenges. Acknowledging when we are “too full” and holding boundaries are cherished ideals because of their difficulty. It requires excellent honesty, reason, depth, and humility.

Act following divine timing.

Sensitivity to the “right place, right time” for a specific activity is a beneficial skill. We all remember moments of doing something at the wrong time and how poorly that can go. Similarly, we all considered “waiting for the right time” to face a problematic situation or begin a new project. “Act following divine timing” further builds off the previous concepts.

Only through harmony is one blameless.

How much is our mental and emotional stability compromised when we discover that we have been arrogant, deceitful, incompetent, insensitive, irrational, or stingy?

Harmonizing each of these aspects of our lives with their virtuous quality is the path to blamelessness. Being blameless frees one from self-doubt, self-recrimination, costly hesitation, anxiety, depression, and other psycho-spiritual maladies.

Find peace by allowing the natural way of life, heart-mind, generosity, speech, self-regulation, responsibilities, and action to flow through you.