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Each week we address one chapter of the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.
Chapter 74
When the people are not afraid of death, wherefore frighten them with death?
Were the people always afraid of death, and were I able to arrest and put to
death those who innovate, then who would dare? There is a regular executioner
whose charge it is to kill. To kill on behalf of the executioner is what is
described as chopping wood on behalf of the master carpenter. In chopping wood
on behalf of the master carpenter, there are few who escape hurting their own
hands instead. -
[Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. While making it more tedious to read,
the Tao Te Ching is best pondered in the context of the whole.In a way this chapter says to me, 'mind your own business' and to the end of your days you will not meet with danger. It is interesting how tempted we are to meddle in other people's lives when we have so much left undone in our own affairs, speech, quality of mind, action and so on.
I don't bemoan this any longer now that I view most everything I observe as a symptom of Something. So what causes us to chop wood on behalf of the master carpenter? I suspect the social instinct drives this, at least when we are poking our nose into other people's affairs and giving advice.
Heck, that's what drives me to post here. So, let's look at me, why don't we. Voicing my observations re-enforces them emotionally within me. (So, if I really knew, perhaps I would not speak?) Thus, by 'helping' others - whether in a humble way or evangelically pushing an agenda - I am doing so to make (or feel I am making) headway in my own life. I mean, if I get my neighbor to clean up his yard at least somebody's yard is being tended to, even if it isn't mine.
How, in approaching life this way, can we frequently hurt our own hands? If one is constantly concerned about others, how can one ever return to one's roots [where in] one's action will lead to impartiality. But of course, impartiality isn't attractive if we are on a crusade. I began to find it impossible to chop wood on behalf of the master carpenter as I began to see how I was hurting my own hands instead. The moral of this being that once we become truly aware of the trade-offs, 'right' action follows effortlessly and naturally. We need do nothing at all.
Here is how the Chinese characters literally put this chapter. It matches the translations well. Although, here I can more easily read into it that Nature is the master craftsman and killer.
people no respect death,
useless use death to dread.
if enable people always respect death, and become astonished,
we catch and kill, who dare.
always have killer kill.
man on behalf killer kill, call on behalf master craftsman.
man on behalf master craftsman, rare have no hurt his hands. -
I always these days can make use of when the Tao Te Ching talks about turning back is the method the way uses. (I can't remember the exact wording.) Anyway, when my desires are going strong in terms of thinking other people should be doing whatever I think is right, I definitely end up chopping my own hands. When I can turn back to the mystery, away from my pointed desires, I'm much more likely to be compassionate about the other person's actions. It also helps if the turning back takes me to a place where I can be more self-honest about my own "failings". With compassion, I can see that I'm just human, difficulties crop up. Just as they do for everyone else.
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