Re: Not-doing LO1128

Tobin Quereau (quereau@austin.cc.tx.us)
Tue, 9 May 1995 10:54:03 -0500 (CDT)

Replying to LO1109 --

At the risk of muddying the waters even further with "translated"
material from the Tao Te Ching, I am reminded of another verse by the
thread of comments on "not-doing".

Verse Fifteen

The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding, like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.

Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.

Lao Tsu, Sixth Century, B.C.
Translation by Guia-fu Feng, 1972

I see this list as a marvelous pool of information and insight. It is a
delight to watch and learn as it settles its way toward clarity. Would Lao
Tsu qualify as one of our earliest learning organization practitioners???

Tobin Quereau
Austin Community College
Austin, TX
quereau@austin.cc.tx.us