道常無名 Succession 道 常 無 名 Unconceived/Inconceivable Principal Constance Wednesday, December 15, 2021

"While each soul seeks to manifest in a material world, the purpose, the idea—the ideal is that all work in unison for the good of all."   ECRL 3976-23

Mirror Scrying

《道德經第三十二章》

道常無名。

樸雖小，¹天下莫能臣也。

侯王若能守之，萬物將自賓。

天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。

始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦將知止，知止所以不殆。

譬道之在天下，猶川谷之與江海。

1. 樸雖小， : Inserted. 本章王弼注多言「樸」，據河上公《注》本、馬王堆《老子乙》增。

Dao De Jing Chapter Thirty-two — C. Ganson

32

Dao is absolute, nameless.

A piece of wood, uncarved, natural,

cannot be used by anyone.

The leaders who can be as genuine and natural as this,

gain the respect of the people.

The heavens and the earth join and gentle rains fall,

beyond anyone's command, to everyone equally.

When civilization grew, names began.

With names, one should know where to stop.

Whoever knows this has security.

In the world, Dao is like rain

that falls into the rivers

and thence to the open sea.

Dao De Jing Chapter Thirty-two — James Legge

(The Dao with no name)

The Dao, considered unchanging, has no name.

Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.

Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.

As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risks of failure and error.

The relation of the Dao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

Dao De Jing Chapter Thirty-two — Arthur Waley

32

Dao is eternal, but has no fame (name);

The Uncarved Block, though seemingly of small account,

Is greater than anything that is under the heaven.

If kings and barons would but possess themselves of it,

The ten thousand creatures would flock to do them homage;

Heaven-and-earth would conspire

To send Sweet Dew,

Without law or compulsion, men would dwell in harmony.

Once the block is carved, there will be names,

And so soon as there are names,

Know that it is time to stop.

Only by knowing when it is time to stop can danger be avoided.

To Dao, all under heaven will come

As streams and torrents flow into a great river or sea.