Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.
Interpretation
Embrace inaction to find harmony and clarity in life.
This quote by Laozi suggests that by letting go of the constant need to control or force situations, one can achieve a natural flow in life. It emphasizes the importance of stillness and being present, allowing things to unfold as they are meant to without interference.
In practice
In a meditation workshop, the instructor quoted this to highlight the value of mindfulness.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.
Don't waste time trying to put in what was left out. Try to draw out what was left in.
You learn emotional experiences as much as you learn cognitive experiences, except that they are more unconscious. Sometimes one represses the cognitive component of it, but it's often more difficult to repress the emotional component.
Just because something didn't work out your way, or somebody disappointed you, that does not change who you are.
Understanding- -like civilization, happiness, music, science and a host of other great endeavors--is not a state of being, but a manner of traveling. This great road has no final destination. The journey itself is the reward.
You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideas come along, and I've had long dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I'll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing.
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