The Wisdom of Spontaneous Happening: Living the Way of Tao
The core of Taoist philosophy, as interpreted through the teachings of Lao Tzu, centers on a singular, profound realization: everything happens on its own. From the rising of the sun to the beating of our hearts, the processes of life do not require our intervention to exist. Yet, the greatest human tragedy is our insistence on becoming the "doer" of these spontaneous events.
The Illusion of the Doer
Lao Tzu suggests that a wise person allows all things to rise without turning away, giving them life without taking possession. We often believe we are the masters of our actions, much like the youth in the Chinese folktale who stands by the ocean at night, shouting at the waves to rise and then believing they obey his command. In reality, the waves—and the events of our lives—behave according to their own nature.
True ignorance lies in the claim of "doership." Even the act of renunciation can be a trap; if we believe we can "leave" or "give up" something, we are still operating under the delusion that we were the ones "doing" it in the first place. The wise person does not fight their nature (Swabhava). They eat when hungry and sleep when tired, acting as a witness to these processes rather than their controller.
Ownership: The Root of Suffering
One of the most transformative insights in these sources is that ownership is the foundation of hell. Whether it is a husband’s claim over a wife, a parent’s over a child, or a guru’s over a disciple, the moment we establish "malkiyat" (ownership), we invite rebellion and suffering.
The wise person provides life and love but refuses to occupy the seat of the master. They understand that:
• Expectation leads to pain: If you claim a right to a return for your love, you will suffer if it isn't returned.
• Freedom brings joy: By not claiming credit, the wise person is never deprived of it.
• Possession invites loss: You can only be robbed or cheated if you first believe you "own" something.
The Power of Non-Claiming
Lao Tzu observes that because the wise do not claim credit, the credit can never be taken away from them. This is illustrated through the example of Jesus Christ. His greatest "miracle" was not walking on water, but his silent, ordinary death on the cross. By refusing to prove his divinity through a display of power, he demonstrated a claim so authentic and deep that it required no validation from others. He lived the principle that those who are "poor in spirit" or "humble" are the true inheritors of the kingdom.
Relaxation vs. Effort
In our modern world, we are taught that achievement requires intense effort and tension. However, the sources suggest that the most profound discoveries happen in moments of total relaxation, not struggle. Scientific breakthroughs, like those of Newton or Madame Curie, often occurred when the mind was at rest.
New educational experiments in Scandinavia and Russia (such as hypnopedia) support this "Laootsian" view: children learn significantly faster when they are relaxed and receptive rather than tense and forced to concentrate. Effort often acts as a barrier to true understanding.
The Choice: Flowing vs. Rowing
There are two paths to reaching the ultimate truth:
1. The Path of Effort: You row and swim with all your might until you are so exhausted that you finally let go and realize there is no "shore" to reach—the ocean itself is the destination.
2. The Path of Tao: You realize immediately that you are already in the ocean and simply choose to flow with the current.
Lao Tzu invites us to stop fighting the "swabhava" (nature) of things. By dropping the desire to be a master, a winner, or a doer, we find that everything we were seeking was already ours. As the fukir Takuan said, there is no special "practice" other than sleeping when tired and eating when hungry; in this total acceptance, suffering disappears.
To live without claiming, to act without possessing, and to flow without resisting—this is the path to eternal bliss.