If some are thought of as beautiful
Some appear ugly
If some are considered good
Some seem bad
Existence and vacuum are born
out of one another
Tall and short are formed
due to each other
Highs and lows depend
On each other
Before and after follow
one another
So, the wise man remains as he is
But does everything
While staying silent
Teaches everything
Things float like flood
He lets them come
When they disappear
He lets them go
He has everything
But he does not think he owns
He does karma
But does not seek anything
When the work is over
He forgets it
So it remains forever
This is the second poem from Tao Te Ching. In this, Lao Tzu shows us the dual nature and impermanence of the world. If something is defined, an exact opposite idea of it appears right by its side. Therefore, he asks us to stay out of dual nature and remain in one’s own original state.
A Jnani continues to do karma. But he does not show interest in it. He remains a witness to the natural Karmic happenings. As he does not undergo passion, he can do karma well. As he does not seek result, he does not think too much about the work done.
This poem appears like a complete copy of the ideas mentioned in Bhagavad Gita, related to Karma yoga and the balanced state of mind of a Karma Yogi. Despite the similarities, the subject matter is of very high Advaita philosophy.
People who observe life very closely will understand the truth behind this teaching. This is not idealism, it is practical philosophy, Anushtana Vedanta. However, it is difficult to understand and more difficult to practice. What has been described in this poem is not the state of a seeker on the path, but of a realized master. The aforementioned way of doing karma, is not something that can be tried willingly; it happens without any effort. This kind of Akarma (Inaction) can be seen very clearly throughout Lao Tzu’s philosophy.
All rights reserved. This article has been translated by Ranganath D, which was originally posted in teluguyogi.net on April 21, 2009. The content or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher.