Tao Te Ching – Chapter 22

Over the past few years I have been studying the Law of Attraction, and during that time there has been a particular book/teaching that has cropped up now and again called the Tao Te Ching. I wanted to read it and there were many recommendations to which one to read as there have been many various versions published. I decided to wait and I knew that the right copy would find me when I was ready, and it did a couple of weeks ago. I would like to share part of these works so here is the first installment.

Chapter 22

If you want to become whole,
first let yourself become broken.
If you want to become straight,
first let yourself become twisted.
If you want to become full,
first let yourself become empty.
If you want to become new,
first let yourself become old.
Those whoes desires are few get them,
thoses whoes desires are great go astray.

For this reason the Master embraces the Tao,
as an example for the world to follow.
Because she isn’t self-centred,
people can see the light in her.
Because she does not boast herself,
she becomes a shining example.
Because she does not glorify herself,
she becomes a person of merit.
Because she wants nothing from the world,
the world cannot overcome her.

When the ancient Masters said,
“if you want to become whole,
then first let yourself be broken,”
they weren’t using empty words.
All who do this will be made complete.