Tao Te Ching 22
If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.
The Master, by residing in the Tao,
sets an example for all beings.
Because he doesn't display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind,
everything he does succeeds.
When the ancient Masters said,
"If you want to be given everything,
give everything up,"
they weren't using empty phrases.
Only in being lived by the Tao
can you be truly yourself.
--Lao Tzu
translation Stephen Mitchell
Wild Currents 
Very deep.
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This book became my bible during my late husband’s battle with cancer. It’s deep; but also very grounding. It has helped me through some very difficult times.
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I sensed it’s depth from what you shared.
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If we could only remember these words when we get up off the cushion.
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I keep the book out with on the table with my journal so I can reach for it easily. It’s the kind of book you can open to any page and there will be the wisdom/lesson that I need in that moment.
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I love the spiritual soundness of this quote, the inherent contradiction that leads to truth, the acceptance of what is that mights what might be possible. My favorite Zen saying is, “I met someone who said, “You must change.” And I didn’t change. I met another who said, “I accept you for who you are.” And I changed. There is amazing peace in acceptance of who we are in all our imperfection and brokenness. Thank you for this lovely message.
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…sorry, errant proofreading! That should have been the acceptance of what is that allows what might be possible…brain freeze I guess 🙂
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Love the Zen quote — the reality of it is borne out by the presence of my service dog. She is all about acceptance. She accepts me as I am and helps me accept the world as it is; that has helped me change better than any therapy ever has. Therapy helped me understand what kind of change is possible. The dog helps me manifest the changes.
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Absolutely agree! The best therapists are those who provide guidance plus acceptance, those who understand that it is the person themselves who has to be in charge of their lives and their choices. Unfortunately, not all therapists are good ones….and dogs are probably unsurpassed at love and acceptance, at least all of mine have been….great post!
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