I describe the ancient masters of the way with reluctance.
Lao Tzu on the Ancient Masters of the Way
The ancient masters of the Way
aimed at the indiscernible
and penetrated the dark
you would never know them
I describe them with reluctance
they were careful as if crossing a river in winter
cautious as if worried about neighbors
reserved like guests
ephemeral like melting ice
simple like uncarved wood
open like a valley
and murky like puddles
but a puddle becomes clear
when it’s still
and stillness becomes alive when it’s roused
those who treasure this Way
don’t try to be seen
full not trying to be seen
they can hide and stay hidden.
Ts’ao Tao-Ch’ung (Sung Dynasty nun 960-1278) comments:
Although the ancient masters lived in the world, no one thought they were special.
- Lao Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, translated by Red Pine
. . .
The ancient masters of the Way
Lived in ways, places
That allowed them to nurture their
Relationship with their inner world.
If I made my relationship with my inner world
The priority
What in my life would change?
. . .
The excerpt above is from my book, now out of print, Wild Waters and the Tao. Occasional used copies come up. Work is underway on a new edition to be published some time in 2026.
