A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 31

The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation; also known as the Universal Unit of Consciousness. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 31st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from Jonathan Star's verbatim translation.

Verse 31

Even the finest instruments of war cannot bring good fortune;

All units of consciousness  seem to detest them.

Therefore, one who is aligned with the Universal UC avoids them.

Consciousness prefers the passive, the weak--the "feminine."

War gives preference to the active, the strong, the "masculine."

Instruments of war are the least fortunate of all tools, in opposition to the instruments preferred by the indwelling Lord--the Universal UC.

They should only be used when unavoidably compelled.

Detached restraint is the best policy.

Even in victory there should be no boasting, but rather find beauty in the Universal UC.

Truly, those who find joy in killing others cannot expect to instantiate Heaven on earth!

Joyful events celebrate the feminine;

Sorrow and calamity prefer the masculine.

The second-in-command occupies the masculine position on the left,

The commander-in-chief takes  the place on the right, or feminine side--

An arrangement on par with a funeral rite.

Accordingly, killing others causes all UCs to weep with sorrow.

Victory in battle is, therefore, an opportunity for mourning, and should be treated as one.

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This verse is most obviously about how we should react to war and the slaughter of war. Simply put, killing an "enemy" is only a last resort, one absolutely compelled by circumstances. Even then, victory is never sweet, never an occasion for boasting or celebration. For, according to Verse 31, good cannot come from it. "Heaven on Earth" will not result from war--it's axiomatic.

Secondly, this verse talks a lot about left and right, feminine and masculine. These are references to Yin and Yang, not "women" and "men" per se.  Here's what it says about this polarity: consciousness requires a yin state of mind, whether it be your own personal unit of consciousness or the Universal Unit of Consciousness with which your personal UC longs to be united. To be or become conscious, one must cultivate and dwell in the passive, feminine, yin state; which is to say, "receptive." 

The rising yang is the white area on the left.
The sinking yin is the black area on the right.

War, conflict, and killing are evidence of passionate yang states--the masculine, "active" mode. Verse 31 is advancing the axiom that the mode of being required by war is antithetical to that required by consciousness. Lao Tzu equates beauty and joy with consciousness and being in alignment with the Universal UC. This is why he equates killing with sorrow--because to wield the sword, the gun, or the explosive vest is never the metaversal plan, or "will of God," and will never bring the desired joyful outcome.

Lastly, here's how I interpret the part about the second-in-command occupying the yang position and the commander occupying the yin position: when seeking enlightenment, or alignment with the Universal UC or God's will, your personal UC needs to hold the commander's position in your soul. If your UC is in control, rather than your "little me" mind or your emotional yang passions, you will be in the passive, yin state and able to channel the Universal UC. In that state, it is just fine for the passions and mind to be second-in-command; this is how it should be. When those roles are reversed, as they are for most people whose theatre of action is in the material world, their yang state precludes the receptivity required for enlightenment. Therefore, when, with full consciousness of the tragic consequences, the UC must preside over war, this is an occasion for mourning, as if presiding over a funeral.

Tao te Ching--Verse 62

The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation; also known as the Universal Unit of Consciousness. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 62nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from Jonathan Star's verbatim translation.

Pure Consciousness is Ground, from "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Universal Unit of Consciousness, creation's primordial fractal, from "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Verse 62

Pure Conciousness is the single source that flows through all creation.

Enlightened UCs treasure their connection to the Universal UC.

Even those who have lost awareness of this connection are guaranteed protection.

Pleasing words can be bought and sold;

Good deeds earn the respect of others.

Is this any reason to abandon those who have lost their way?

Therefore, when UCs gain enlightenment and become Children of Heaven, and the three ministers are acknowledged,

Rather than clutching priceless gems to the heart and the teams of four horses that follow,

It is better to sit calmly and advance the gift of consciousness.

This is the reason why the ancients treasured the Universal UC--this is why!

Did they not say that those who seek, receive?

That those who have lost their way shall be forgiven?

Therefore, creation holds consciousness most dear.

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The "Simple Explanation" generally chooses the most meta or universally applicable words for its translation of the Tao te Ching. I try to keep the interpretations usable for all units of consciousness, not just humans. This why we say "UCs" when talking about "people," because we may be talking about the consciousness of a single-celled organism or a quark or a flower--"consciousness is consciousness." Rather than translating "sage" or "good man" I choose to say "Enlightened UC," because we may be talking about a Godly rock or mouse as easily as a human.  Likewise, I don't like to say "bad man," but rather "those who have lost awareness," or "those who have lost their way." This is because no matter the scale of fractal replication or hierarchical level of complexity, we are all identical Units of Conciousness, differing only in the layers of accretion that clothe us. Hence, "There but for the grace of God go I." "I" am no different from "you," from a skin cell, from a planet--we are all fractal replications of the original Unit of Consciousness.

Verse 62 appears to be aimed at those UCs who have gained enlightenment, or realization of their status as fractal replications of the Universal Unit of Consciousness. If you are in touch with your UC, if you are seeking metaversal guidance in all that you do, then don't clutch worldly treasures or the approbation of others to your heart, for you may as well be tied to a team of four horses! Rather, sit quietly and lose your egoic self in pure consciousness. 

And let it be known, this verse further admonishes, that heaven smiles on the wicked as well as the just. The Universal UC enfolds, nourishes, and protects all of creation, even those who have lost their way. Therefore, it is the job of enlightened UCs to forgive others, even as the Universal UC forgives. Verse 62 tells us that good words and good deeds are, indeed, pleasing and we respect those that perform them, but this is not what the Universal UC is seeking from us.

The Universal UC is all and only about unity through consciousness.

Depiction of a meditating person "in phase" with their UC.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 51

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 51st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 51

The Metaverse gives life to all things;

the Universal UC nourishes and protects them.

Every one of them materializes the form that best suits their nature, 

and challenging circumstances bring them to maturity and perfection.

Because of this, there is not a single UC that does not worship the Metaverse and treasure the Universal UC.

The Metaverse, honored.

The Universal UC, held dear. Truly, without it being demanded.
Yet constantly they come, each UC of its own accord.

This is why the Metaverse gives life to all things.

The Universal UC nourishes and protects them. 

Raises and ripens them,

nurtures them and educates them.

Shelters them. 

Matures them.

Sustains them and breaks them down.

Gives birth and yet does not claim possession of them.

Helps without expecting payment in return.

Fosters growth yet does not exercise authority.

Called secret, profound, obscure, mysterious, this Universal UC.

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The translation above is based upon the cosmology explored in the Simple Explanation. Star's verbatim translation of "te" is "virtue" or "power." I have translated "te" as "principles of perfection" and "vitality," known as "chit" and "ananda" in Yogic philosophy. In identifying "te" as the Universal UC, I had the womb-like toroidal shape of the Universal UC in mind. Here we can see the undifferentiated unity of the metaverse separated out from the womb of creation where all things become manifest.

from the Simple Explanation article "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Notice that all things arise from this male/female creation principle, where the metaverse (male) supplies the spark of consciousness and organizational principles and the universal UC (female) contains, sustains, and nurtures the offspring.

Furthermore, Verse 51 makes clear that all things are "alive," not only the life forms we recognize. This is why the Simple Explanation treats every thing equally. Every thing is a fractal replication of the original Unit of Consciousness--the Universal UC. Therefore, every thing is an equally conscious being--a UC. The Simple Explanation suggests that what distinguishes one UC from another is its particular expression, which includes such variables as its material localization in time and space (i.e. point of view), its hierarchical organizational level, and its unique meme bundle and karmic record.

from the Simple Explanation article Nested Hierarchies

The depiction of the Divine given in Verse 51 is lovely. Far from being any kind of tyrant forcing mishaps and unfair destinies upon its unwilling subjects, this is a generational force that includes both male and female archetypes, providing every sort of nurturing care to its offspring. Despite its ability to command honor, respect, and devotion as the Great Creator and Sustainer, all UCs are free to honor their Creator spontaneously, in their own way, and free to construct their own destinies.

Process Note: Interpreting the Tao Te Ching

Reading sacred texts often leaves one puzzled. This puzzlement arises two ways--either the reader is not sufficiently spiritually evolved just yet to understand the writing, or the translator has not quite understood the text and translated it erroneously.

Every morning, prior to meditating, my husband and I sit together and read aloud from a variety of sacred manuscripts. These manuscripts always include three different versions of the Tao Te Ching. It is interesting to see how the different translators interpret Lao Tsu so differently.

Oftentimes, some lines in a verse will not make sense to me as translated. Looking to a different translation often clears up the confusion. Now that I have my hands on "The Definitive Edition" of the Tao Te Ching translated by Jonathan Star, I can look up the original pictograms and the multiplicity of possible meanings, and then write out for myself a translation that makes sense to me. I have been progressing thusly through the Tao Te Ching for several years now.

Since coming up with the "Simple Explanation of Absolutely Everything" a year ago, the Tao Te Ching has become much less mysterious to me. This explanatory power proves to me the spiritual utility of the Simple Explanation's cosmological model.

 Here's how I go about translating the Tao Te Ching:  

For every verse in the Tao Te Ching, Star's Verbatim Translation provides the Chinese character, the number of the character's radical, an English transliteration of the character using the Wade-Giles system, and most importantly for my purposes, a list of English equivalents for each character.

So, for example, the first character of Verse 21, k'ung, is translated as "Vast/all-embracing/high[est]/ great/grand/empty/ >surname of Confucius: K'ung Fu Tzu". The second character of Verse 21 is te, "Te/virtue/power }}highest virtue/a man of great virtue/"the natural expression of Power"(Wing)"

Reading the entire stanza of 8 characters for context helped me to choose "Highest virtue" as the Simple Explanation's translation. I used this process for all 71 characters of Verse 21 to come up with the Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching, Verse 21.

Here's a picture of two pages of Verse 27 from the verbatim section:



if you click on the image, you can make it bigger

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 21

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good.

Here is the 21st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 21

Highest virtue arises through total alignment with the originating source of consciousness.

How to become one with this elusive source? By disregarding everything else.

Oh, so elusive! So very indistinct!

Yet within its dimensionless center, dimensions form.

So uncertain! So intangible!

Yet its middle contains the latent substance of all things.

So profound! Such a mystery!

Housed deep within that mysterious middle--the seed of life is consciousness itself.

The life force within is self-evident. Thus, life itself provides trustworthy evidence of the originating source.

From the first moment until now, the manifestations of consciousness remain ever the same. Thus do we all bear witness to the Creator, the Originator.

This is accordingly how I know the ways of every thing and the origin of all things: by observing what is within me.



For further contemplation, I recommend "A Simple Fractal Model of the Conscious Universe," elsewhere in this blog.

See the Ball, Move the Ball

Here's a meme share coined by Wayne Dyer in his commentary on the Tao Te Ching, Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

See the ball, move the ball.

In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball. There is no need to personify an enemy; there is no need to manufacture violent emotions. Simply see the ball; move the ball.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 68

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 68th verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 68

The most skillful military leader is neither violent nor aggressive;

The most skillful soldier never acts out of anger.

The best way to win a battle is to avoid confrontation.

The best way to get the job done is to make sure that others’ needs are met.

This ancient principle is known as “living in harmony” with your fellows.

Living in harmony brings out the best in others.

When you live in perfect harmony with others, you live in perfect harmony with the metaverse.

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In this verse, Lao Tzu describes the metaversal principle of Harmonious Cooperation thusly: all Units of Consciousness have their jobs to do, and the most efficient way for us all to get our jobs done is through cooperation, not competition. Even Generals and soldiers, whose very jobs seem defined by combative non-cooperation, are most successful when they fight not out of anger or violent intent, but dispassionately, solely to "get the job done."

Wayne Dyer says of competition in his commentary on the Tao entitled Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao :
“…cooperate with your opponents by wanting them to play at a high level—the best they’re capable of. Shift your focus from being upset or self-reproaching to the task at hand. See the ball, move the ball, or remain upright and balanced in a martial-arts contest. When anger isn’t a component, your game will go to a new level… So change your thinking about competing to cooperating in all areas of your life, including your work.” p. 324
I like Dyer's meme: "See the ball, move the ball." In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball.

Begging the question: In this game of life, how do you know if the ball needs moving? You will find yourself there and aware in some situation; you will see a ball that needs moving; you will be in an excellent position to move the ball; therefore, it is quite likely your job is to move the ball. That's all. Your primary job is not to harm or crush any other in order to move that ball. If the Universe has some need for the ball to move, it will be moved. The Universe has arranged circumstances to put you there to move the ball. If someone else winds up doing the job instead of you, that's great, too. It doesn't really matter who in particular gets the job done, as long as it gets done. In this manner, we not only cooperate with one another, but we cooperate with the Universe, and the metaversal principles it embodies.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching, verses 4 and 48

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen.

The TaoTe Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here are two more verses informed by this simple explanation:

Verse 4, the Mitchell translation 

The Tao is like a well: used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities.
It is hidden but always present.

I don’t know who gave birth to it. It is older than God.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 4:

The information and principles of organization streaming into our universe arise from an infinite source..

The eternal void is the resting state of the metaverse—pure consciousness without pattern or form but filled with limitless potential.

The metaverse cannot be seen or measured, but it surrounds and informs our universe.

The metaverse is not the same as God—it existed prior to God’s first thought.

Verse 48, the Mitchell translation

In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way. It can’t be gained by interfering.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 48:

People believe that the more they know, the better off they and the world will be. However, academic study leads to the acquisition of academic memes, which tend to obscure best solutions. When we drop memes rather than add them, we allow transcendent patterns of organization and information to work through us.
When we make plans and do work according to our limited vision and personal desires, we strain to get things right. Acting only when truly inspired, the metaverse works through us.
When a UC does nothing of its own accord, the metaverse can do exactly what needs to be done.
Best results arise from inspired action. “Letting go and letting God” allows the metaverse to use us in the most efficient manner for the greatest good.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 1

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen.The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the first verse of the Tao Te Ching, informed by this simple explanation:

Verse 1, the Mitchell translation                                                             
The tao that can be told                                                
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

The unnamable is the eternally real.

Naming is the origin of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 1
The information and principles of organization imagined in ideal form in the metaverse are more perfect and complete than we can ever articulate.

Pure conscious awareness without time and space exists outside our universe.

Abstract thought on the part of pure consciousness defined creation prior to the Big Bang. In our universe, we are only able to recognize objects and concepts we have named.

When we set down our meme bundles we are freed from personal preference. In that clear state we may perceive the workings of the universal model and our role in it. Remaining attached to our memes obscures the inflowing metaversal patterns and keeps us tethered to our familiar material and relational patterns.

Pure, undifferentiated consciousness dwells in the unformed darkness of the metaverse. The thought patterns that produce light and matter arise out of the metaverse, but the manifestations of these patterns takes place within our universe. The portal into our universe is the gateway to all understanding.


Tao te Ching, Lao Tzu: An Illustrated Journey. Translated by Stephen Mitchell, Harper Collins:New York, 1999.