Daodejing Chapter 15 breakdown: subtle and mysterious
Chapter 15 of the Daodejing harkens back to a distant golden age with a lyrical yet cryptic portrait of ancient Daoist sages roaming the earth. The sages are neither virtuous rulers nor heroic warriors. They are so “subtle and mysterious” that they remain quietly in the background until the appropriate time for action arrives.
“Cautious as if crossing a winter stream,” and “open like a valley,” they are deeply connected to nature and embody the qualities that you need to model in pursuit of the Dao.
Section 1
Daoist sages of old were,
Subtle and mysterious,
Dark and perceptive,
Too deep to be known.
Since they could not be known,
I will do my best to describe
How they appeared.
The chapter begins by describing the ancient Daoist sages as subtle, mysterious, dark, perceptive, and deep, reflecting the unknown and ungraspable nature of the Dao itself. The sages, like the Dao, are beyond easy comprehension and cannot be understood through conventional means. The best the author can do is describe what they looked like.
Section 2
Cautious as if crossing a winter stream,
Wary as if fearful of their neighbours,
Dignified like a guest,
Yielding like a melting block of ice,
Simple like an uncarved block of wood,
Open like a valley,
Murky like muddy water.
The text uses a series of vivid metaphors to depict the approach the sages took to life. They were ever watchful, thorough, respectful, and thoughtful in how they engaged with the world, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and awareness in every action.
The sages are likened to a melting block of ice and an uncarved block of wood, reflecting their flexibility, adaptability, and potential. Being open like a valley indicates a huge capacity for receptiveness and humility, as well as a willingness to explore new experiences and ideas.
In contrast, their murkiness shows an inscrutable side that reflects their reluctance to display their own thoughts and emotions and a preference to stay in the shadows practicing wuwei, or effortless action, well away from the colour and noise of daily life.
Section 3
Able to remain still
As the muddy water
Settles and clears.
Able to stay calm
As the moment of action
Gradually approaches.
For all their outer murkiness, the sages possessed the composure to remain clear-minded while others rushed to judgment and the patience to wait for clarity and understanding to emerge from the confusion and complexity before springing into action. Their serenity before the critical moment indicates a state of preparedness coupled with restraint. It underlines the importance of being in harmony with the natural timing of events, acting only when it is truly appropriate.
Section 4
Those who follow the Dao
Do not seek fullness.
Because they remain unfilled,
They are hidden and incomplete.
The final lines of the chapter point out that followers of the Dao do not seek fullness but remain empty like the Dao itself (see Daodejing Chapter 4). They embrace imperfection and incompleteness, recognizing that there is always more to learn and understand. They are on a continuous journey of growth and self-cultivation without any attachment to a final state of being complete.
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