Digital art created using 2 CC licence images by rjayar + WikiImages on Pixabay
pregnant with infinite light
births all and nothing.
Chapter four of the Tao Te Ching points to the infinite, the indescribable interplay between everything and nothing - two opposites siting in balance.
I find this chapter in particular to be a powerful catalyst to stop thought.
The way is empty, yet use will not drain it.
Deep, it is like the ancestor of the myriad creatures.
Chptr 4, Tao Te Ching D.C. Lau’s Translation
In pointing to the great dichotomy of infinity - the empty way that can't be drained - these echoes of the infinite Tao plunge me into no thought, and something emerges from that cessation of thought.
In this case the Haiku above emerged "darkly visible, it only seems as if it were there". Like it was in that place of silence, just waiting for me to switch off the internal dialogue and witness its form.
The first two lines of chapter four of the Tao Te Ching reflects profoundly on the nature of the universe. For me it echoes the dance of infinite patterns of creation, an empty yet limitless supply of universal creativity that explodes in a thousand universes of "myriad creatures".
I suppose for those of a religious lean it would be the reflection of the face of god, the great interplay of opposing forces that come to balance. I see no point in arguing a distinction, the infinite is what it is regardless of labels.
Blunt the sharpness;
Untangle the knots;
Soften the glare;
Let your wheels move only along old ruts.
Chptr 4, Tao Te Ching D.C. Lau’s Translation
In the second part of the opening lines of chapter four this truth is expressed as a series of metaphors focused on both the physical and mental. To "blunt the sharpness", "untangle the knots" and "let your wheels move only along old ruts" in all aspects of life promotes a kind of frictionless way of being.
It becomes increasingly easy to access the limitless, abundant peace that abides when following the path of least resistance. This applies to both the external and internal worlds.
Darkly visible, it only seems as if it were there.
I know not whose son it is.
It images the forefather of God.
Chptr 4, Tao Te Ching D.C. Lau’s Translation
I know that the wellspring of creativity, on a personal level, is a reflection of the paradox of the infinite pointed to in the Tao Te Ching. All of my best writing comes from a place of silence in that initial spark of inspiration that drives my best work.
Just as a dancer weaves their most expressive dance instinctually.
A musician inspires tears in the listener from a place of great stillness.
The Tao echoes the eternal symphony of the infinite universe.
The way is both empty yet limitless.
Thanks for reading 🌿
This is the 4th in an on-going series of poetry/spirituality posts reflecting on the chapters of the Tao Te Ching, as translated by D.C. Lau. Each post will include a Haiku and blog exploring my interpretation of the Tao.
The image used in this post is creative commons license, linked to credit beneath the picture. If you have enjoyed this Haiku, please check out my other work on my homepage @raj808.
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