返步

Return to Simplicity

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

"While we find body, mind and soul are phases of the experiences of an individual in materiality, these are but the manners through which the real ego or I Am manifests."   ECRL 1648-1

道德經第二十八章

知其雄, 守其雌, 為天下谿.

為天下谿, 常德不離, 復歸於嬰兒.

知其白守其黑, 為天下式.

為天下式, 常德不忒, 復歸於無極. 

知其榮, 守其辱, 為天下谷. 

為天下谷, 常德乃足, 復歸於樸. 

樸散則為器.

聖人用之, 則為官長.

故大制不割.

कृष्ण राधा Kṛṣṇa Rādhā, Eternal Dance

राधा कृष्ण Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa are the primaeval forms of God and his pleasure potency (ह्लादिनी शक्ति Hladini Shakti)

Dàodé jīng Chapter 28

Know the masculine; cleave to the feminine.
Be the valley for the world.
To be the valley for the world,
➥ do not swerve from your innate nature
➥ and return to the state of infancy.
Know the bright; keep to the dull.
Be a guide for the world.
To be a guide for the world,
➥ follow your innate nature without changing
➥ and return to the pre-conceptual.
Understand glory; keep to humility.
Be the valley for the world.
Innate nature completed, return to original uniqueness.

When original uniqueness is divided,
It then becomes the instrumentalities.
The Sage employs them,
They then become the officers.

Thus, subtle governance shapes not."

— Translated by 鄭文慶 Cheng Man-Ch'ing and Tam Gibbs, 1981

"Knowing the excitement of proactivity, you settle for quietude.

Everyone will converge to you like water flowing towards the valley.

Thus, you are like the valley to the world.

Holding fast to the "absolute virtue" (Dao),

You try to return to the pristine innocence of an infant.

You know the benefit of the limelight, but choose to be anonymous.

You set this example for others to follow.

Holding fast to the "absolute virtue" unerringly,

You hope to return to the path of Dao.

Knowing the lure of fame and glory, you choose humility instead.

By your taking a low profile, everyone converges to you like water flowing towards the ravine.

Thus, you are the ravine to the world.

The "absolute virtue" is bountiful.

Finally, it returns to the naturalness of raw timber.

The natural block once carved becomes useful utensils.

The sage utilises them as leaders.

The system set up by the sage should cause no harm."

— Translated by Han Hiong Tan, Chapter 28 

"Celui qui connaît sa force et garde la faiblesse est la vallée de l'empire c'est-à-dire le centre où accourt tout l'empire.

S'il est la vallée de l'empire, la vertu constante ne l'abandonnera pas; il reviendra à l'état d'enfant.

Celui qui connaît ses lumières et garde les ténèbres, est le modèle de l'empire.

S'il est le modèle de l'empire, la vertu constante ne faillira pas en lui, et il reviendra au comble de la pureté.

Celui qui connaît sa gloire et garde l'ignominie est aussi la vallée de l'empire.

S'il est la vallée de l'empire, sa vertu constante atteindra la perfection et il reviendra à la simplicité parfaite au Tao.

Quand la simplicité parfaite le Tao s'est répandue, elle a formé les êtres.

Lorsque le saint homme est élevé aux emplois, il devient le chef des magistrats.

Il gouverne grandement et ne blesse personne."

— Translated by  Stanislas Julien, 1842, Chapter 28