This Week's Quotation:
Tao gives birth to One,
One gives birth to Two,
The Two gives birth to Three,
The Three gives birth to all things.
~ Lao Tzu
Tao Gives Birth to One
Author, Becoming a Sun
Sunrise Ranch Spiritual Director
I imagine that when Lao Tzu was alive some 2,500 years ago, "all things" seemed less complex and massive than they do today. The human population has gone from .1 billion to 7.8 billion from then to now. And it is ready to triple in my lifetime. With that has come a massive physical expansion of human culture.
More recently, we are filling the data banks of the world, now totaling 59 zettabytes. (I know, what are those? One sextillion bytes!) And then there are the myriad sources of media.
That's a lot of things!
It is interesting how truths can become even more true over the ages. Or really, just more relevant. All the things happening in our world come at us at a dizzying pace. And with so many contradictions within them that it seems almost impossible to know what is really happening. Or where it is all going.
Tao gives birth to One. This ancient wisdom speaks to my heart.
Can I please find the one thing that is happening in all things? Can I please find the common thread? The source of it all? Perhaps first of all in myself? And then explore all things from there?
Thank you, Lao Tzu. The truth you spoke reaches us today.
Mindful Explorations
Try this as you go through the coming week. Notice when complexity confronts you. And when it does, take time to pause. Tune into the Tao—the great silence within you. Feel its vast simplicity. Drink in its peace. Then, one by one, look to the many things of your world with that peace.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
2 Responses
I really resonate with this message. I trust in Life ore than ever, and out of deeper stillness find ways that the Love that I am may manifest the fitting truth in each succeeding moment, always fresh and new. Thank you.
Just before reading this post, I read a post somewhere else by someone complaining deeply about having to adjust to a new normal – we are in a time where we, by necessity, are completely responsible for finding our own internal balance – isn’t that truly wonderful – to see so clearly that balance can only come from the inside out…..and then have the ways to fulfill that need….