Poem Number 13 speaks of ruling the people and how the realm should be maintained to continue peace and prosperity. To learn more about this illuminating work and to buy an autographed copy visit: http://the-living-tao.weebly.com
Poem Number Thirteen
“Only he should rule who understands all people are the same. Only he should rule who loves all men as himself. Only he should rule who understands the unity of separateness. Bestowed with pride, he falls from Heaven’s grace. From disgrace, he arises owning nothing but himself. Owning nothing, he gives with an open heart. To be in favor and to be in disgrace are the same. To fall from favor and be lifted from disgrace are the same. A man who sees the difference sees the same thing. He who does not see the same thing is confused by both wishing to be availed of only favor. Expecting the bounty of the universe to not show him special favor, his special favor is himself.”
Commentary
The egotism involved with ascent through arrogance, conceit, and false pride is such that guard must be taken against its expression. The more you practice to become a perfect example of all, the easier is the acceptance of the Divine Beauty of all life. When loss of position comes, it is difficult for the man who thinks his rank was granted by himself to reassert his position in the world. Seeing rank as an extension of his own mind, he understands that there is never anything to lose because there was never anything to be gained. He is at peace with himself and walks in harmony with every man. He uses the value of his rank to become more valuable to the Spirit of the Thing Itself.
The wise man gives with an open heart knowing that all is granted from heaven as a special gift that he desires to experience. Should he lose his composure about such things he will quickly fall into the depths of terror brought about by his own thinking that he is all that matters. Lifting himself from his morass of negativity, he sees the specialness of nothing except himself and he is able to guide himself and to guard his domain without effort.
Being a man of wisdom, he sees being special as holding nothing of merit and does not become vulnerable. He understands that he can be trusted. Even though his rank and authority are treated as extensions of his own soul, he can walk in peace knowing that the hideous weight of responsibility is governed only by heaven, and that his acknowledgement of It is what protects the realm of his mind. His burden to himself vanishes and he lives in joy.
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