Tao Te Ching Verse 59: Widening the Channel

The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living

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Tao Te Ching Verse 59

translated by Herman Ould
In the ruling of men and the serving of Heaven nothing equals moderation.
For moderations leads to foresight in conserving;
Foresight in conserving leads to the storing of treasures of power.
The strength of one who has stored such treasures of power cannot be overcome.
As nothing can overcome it, its potency is boundless.
Because its potency is boundless,
Its possessors can attain sovereignty over the whole kingdom.
And if, having attained sovereignty, he returns to the Mother,
He will endure long.
For by striking deep roots he will be building on firm foundations,
And through contemplation he will repose in the Eternal Tao.
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Widening the Channel
What do we mean by Widening the Channel and how does that have anything to do with moderation? Well, for me, I kind of had this sense that when I open myself to the Tao, I receive its gifts - or I’ve got immortality. Or I become the Tao and am therefore One with everything. We’ve considered these themes before throughout our journey together.

I guess being sparing with things allows that space within me to open up to allow the Tao to enter. So if I practice staying in the middle, I’ve got the power and sense of Infinity at my back!

If I’m not thinking about yesterday, not thinking about tomorrow, but thinking about things now.

If I’m not overindulging and not under indulging, then I’m just participating in what’s going on.

If I’m not trying too hard, not trying halfheartedly, but just trying, I’m on the quickest way to doing.

Let’s take a look at our actions in the past few moments or days. Have our actions been desire focused? Have they been excessive? Have they been inadequate?

How about our words? Have we used our speech to make ourselves look better than we think we are? Have we been verbose when simpler language would have gotten the job done just as well? Have we used our words to heal? Have we used our words to hurt?

Now let’s look at our thoughts. What have we been thinking about? My brain usually has from 7-10 things it’s cycling through over and over. In paying attention to my thoughts, have I been taking them too seriously? Have I been neglecting some thoughts because I feel uncomfortable when I think them? Do I indulge in other thoughts when I feel good, powerful, or even angry when I think them? Do I try to think not at all? Do I try to think more?

Now. we’ve allowed some awareness into our consciousness about where we might be missing the mark. The next step is to ask the Tao to help us be willing to move into the center. It’s my experience that when this is the case, there are no more bad things or good things - there are just things. There aren’t any good lessons or bad lessons - there are just lessons.

When we practice this verse by looking for external as well as internal ways to get better at moderating things, we create the space inside us that allows the Tao to operate from within. When we have infinity at our backs, there is limitless assistance and presence on which we can draw. We may use this for our own growth or we may use it to help others, provided we remain in a genuine place of humility.

Thank you for helping me to explore and practice moderation today.