Yield To Be Whole "Tao Te Ching" Verse 22 for Artists

Verse 22*

Yield and remain whole
Bend and remain straight
Be low and become filled
Be worn out and become renewed
Have little and receive
Have much and be confused
Therefore the sages hold to the one as an example for the world
Without flaunting themselves – and so are seen clearly
Without presuming themselves – and so are distinguished
Without praising themselves – and so have merit
Without boasting about themselves – and so are lasting

Because they do not contend, the world cannot contend with them
What the ancients called "the one who yields and remains whole"
Were they speaking empty words?
Sincerity becoming whole, and returning to oneself

What are the qualities of the human being that will help them be whole, strong and connected to the universal..... to be one with the natural...the Tao.

Another reminder from Lao Tzu to let go of our selfish tendencies, tendencies that very often are influenced and encouraged by the “system” of modern living , although not very modern if applied to the people of 6^th century BC..... I guess to the tendencies of the human mind, when it cannot see beyond the self.

So what to be aware of in our creative lives to achieve the feeling of the unity with our authentic self? Lao Tzu's advice makes so much sense in theory. The practical application is the work...a very rewarding endeavour though. It is through this that we notice how are we controlling the events around us for our own "gain", that is how our mind is controlling us.

The questions to ask ourselves are;

1) How accepting we are of the other forms of expression?

2) How flexible are we to new ideas, direction?

3) Are we content with our work and the fruits it brings, or we are always hungry for more? 

4) Are we so busily promoting ourselves that we see no other?

…....Many more questions and yet again it comes to the same. We all know how to be authentic. Let me rephrase it, we all know how it feels to be authentic. It just feels so effortless, so right. All we have to do is to catch ourselves when we are feeling uneasy, and question as to what is it that we are resisting ....what is holding us from being One..... “returning to” ourselves?

* Translation by Derek Lin