Here’s how it appears in the final edition of my intuitive Tao Te Ching called Tao for Now. This is the final verse of the section called Tao.
PSEUDO-CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Governing Peace
Wisdom, never inactive, doesn’t act either.
Everything gets done.
If sovereignty would follow Wisdom,
everything would evolve naturally.
Natural evolution will create a desire to act.
Simple Practice will temper desire.
Practice enhances silence.
Silence mitigates desire.
The world governs itself into peace.
I didn’t set out to create a translation of the venerable Tao Te Ching. Or, maybe I did have it in mind but for Someday … not the day I started it. I thought it was too “advanced” for me to attempt it.
Oops! The best-laid plans of mice and scholars …
The word I chose to translate the untranslatable word Tao is Wisdom—for now. I’m pretty sure that if I wait ten years and undertake a new translation that I’ll choose another one. Who knows? Maybe peace?
You see, that was the seminal realization I had in doing this project. It doesn’t matter what word I chose. I could have chosen any of what I call “the intangibles.” Freedom, Truth, Beauty, Justice, Honor, Love, and yes, Peace.
Rewrite this verse with me, Beloved.
Peace, never inactive, doesn’t act either.
Everything gets done.
If sovereignty would follow Peace,
everything would evolve naturally.
Natural evolution will create a desire to act.
Simple Practice will temper desire.
Practice enhances silence.
Silence mitigates desire.
The world governs itself into peace.
See what I mean?
The ancient Chinese character that depicts Tao is a human whose head and heart are going in the same direction. My friend, replace Tao with whatever word makes your head and your heart go in the same direction, and carry on.
P. S. If you would like a free copy of my intuitive translation, Tao for Now, send me an email. susan@susancorso.com
By Susan Corso | For spiritual nourishment, please visit www.susancorso.com.
Photo: Pare Nararro via www.sxc.hu/perena
