Embodying the Tao

Chinese bone oracle script for "de" or virtue. From the 2nd millennium BCE.

A companion piece to Finding the Tao Within

People who embody the Tao are called by different names in different translations of the Tao Te Ching - sages, masters, holy men, wise men (though the original text doesn't distinguish gender). And these are the people we are called on to emulate. Throughout the text, their virtues are listed and praised.

What follows is my attempt to create a complete and yet succinct list of the characteristics of those who embody the Tao. I suppose I do so in hopes that in remembering to practice these virtues I too might come to embody the Tao, even if only for small moments here and there.

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Contentment

Those who embody the Tao

• Practice contentment; they are free from desire and unaffected by temptations and distraction. They accept what arises and are content and accepting of themselves
• Do not strive and do not seek success
• Let go of plans and concepts; they do not set goals
• Do not chase after what is difficult to obtain
• Do not wish to stand out but prefer to blend in
• And they are accepting of death​​

Wu-wei (non-doing)

Those who embody the Tao

• Practice not-doing; they are unmoving and do not seek
• Act without action; work without effort; teach without words
• Let actions come spontaneously
• Have learned to stop thinking and stop learning; they do not look to others to tell them what to value
• Practice non-interference and do not meddle; they stay uninvolved

Detachment

Those who embody the Tao

• Are detached from their actions
• Don’t try to control things or impose their will on others
• Have no expectations; they act without agenda
• Do not cling to the outcome of their work
• Don’t shy away from something because they may have to give up comfort, because they are not attached to comfort.

Simplicity

Those who embody the Tao

• Practice simplicity; they conserve time and energy
• Practice moderation; they eliminate extremes and avoid complexity
• Focus on basic needs and live simply
• Stay composed; they don’t become restless; they don’t rush or scurry
• Do only what needs to be done, and they ask for nothing in return

Non-competitiveness

Those who embody the Tao

• Manage the ego
• Are humble and selfless
• Are unconcerned about ego-gratification; they don’t seek approval or become arrogant or self-satisfied
• Are not greedy
• Do not try to put themselves ahead or above anyone
• Do not seek faults in others
• Don’t compare or compete; they do not rejoice or gloat in defeating an enemy

Silence, solitude, peace

Those who embody the Tao

• Practice quietude; they do not talk more than is necessary
• Practice serenity and tranquility
• Value peace
• Embrace solitude

Impartiality & Compassion

Those who embody the Tao

• Are kind
• Are impartial they treat everyone and everything as equally valuable; they don’t close their minds with judgments
• Practice compassion, even toward the ignorant, the bad, or an enemy; they care for all things and people; they are available to all people
• Are tolerant and amused

Integrity

Those who embody the Tao

• Are forthright; they do not use cunning or contrivance
• Have integrity; they are genuine and incorruptible
• Are dignified and courteous; they respect themselves and others
• Don’t practice superficial virtues to look good to others
• Abide in the depth of substance, in what is real
• Are aware when things are out of balance; they assess situations without becoming part of them
• Maintain awareness of what is essential, the heart of each matter; they are able to read situations and respond appropriately without ever leaving their calm center
• Are circumspect and serious when it is called for
• Do not forget their humanness
• Understand the whole and view the parts with compassion
• Admit to faults and to not knowing; they know that they do not know
• Are careful and alert; they are as careful at the end as at the beginning
• Fulfill obligations and correct their mistakes

Patience and acceptance

Those who embody the Tao

• Are patient; they allow things to unfold, to take their natural course, to come and go; they have faith in the way things are
• Keep their hearts open
• Trust their inner vision; they remain open so they can listen to their intuition
• Are loose and fluid; they are receptive, supple, yielding, weak, bending, flexible
• Do not become defensive
• Embrace paradox; they understand they must let go to receive; be weak to find strength; be soft to endure; They recognize that the Tao/true virtue may appear otherwise from outside: great integrity can appear like disgrace; perfection can seem flawed; fullness can seem empty