Paths of Stillness: Selections from the Taoist ‘Book of Lieh-Tzu,’ Part 1 of 2

Today, I am pleased to share selections from the “Book of Lieh-Tzu” by the Venerated Enlightened Master Lieh Tzu (vegetarian), translated by Lionel Giles.

BOOK 2 The Yellow Emperor

“The Yellow Emperor sat for fifteen years on the throne, and rejoiced that the Empire looked up to Him as its head. He was careful of His physical well-being, sought pleasures for His ears and eyes, and gratified His senses of smell and taste. Nevertheless, He grew melancholy in spirit, His complexion became sallow, and His sensations became dull and confused. Then, for a further period of fifteen years, He grieved that the Empire was in disorder; He summoned up all His intelligence, exhausted His resources of wisdom and strength in trying to rule the people. But, in spite of all, His face remained haggard and pale, and His sensations dull and confused. ‘The practice of enlightened virtue will not succeed in establishing good government, but only disorganize the spiritual faculties!’ Then the Yellow Emperor sighed heavily and said: ‘My fault is wanting of moderation. The misery I suffer comes from over-attention to my own self, and the troubles of the Empire from over-regulation in everything.’ Thereupon, He threw up all His schemes, abandoned His ancestral palace, dismissed His attendants, removed all the hanging bells, cut down the delicacies of His cuisine, and retired to live at leisure in private apartments attached to the Court. There He fasted in heart, and brought His body under control. Fasting in heart means freeing oneself from Earthly desires, after which, says the commentator, the body will naturally be under control. […]”

“Lieh Tzu said to him: ‘Why this incessant going and coming?’ Yin Shêng replied: ‘Some time ago, I sought instruction from You, Sir, but You would not tell me anything. That made me vexed with You. But now I have got rid of that feeling, and so I have come again.’ Lieh Tzu said: ‘Formerly, I used to think you were a man of penetration, and have you now fallen so low? Sit down, and I will tell you what I learned from my Master. After I had served Him, and enjoyed the friendship of Po Kao, for the space of three years, my mind did not venture to reflect on right and my wrong, my lips did not venture to speak of profit and loss. Then, for the first time, my Master bestowed one glance upon me--and that was all.”