keep to the black,
and be the pattern of the world.
To be the pattern of the world is
to move constantly in the path of virtue
without erring a single step,
and to return again to the infinite.
One who understands splendor
while holding to humility
acts in accord with eternal power.
To be the fountain of the world is
to live the abundant life of virtue.
When the unformed is formed into objects,
its original qualities are lost.
If you preserve your original qualities,
you can govern anything.
Truly, the best governor governs least.
Living Virtuously
In this verse, the word virtue is synonymous with “nature” or “the Tao.” By being one with nature, the sage is in concert with the Tao and is a virtuous person in daily life. Here, Lao-tzu speaks about your personal path, and also a Tao-oriented way of governing others. These others could be your family members, fellow employees, business associates, friends, and even the entire process of government if you’re in a political position. In fact, much of the Tao Te Ching is focused on teaching all of us how to create an administration that is in accord with these highest principles of the Tao. It is my most fervent intention to spread these teachings throughout the world in such a way as to facilitate a transformation of all those who call themselves “leaders” and are destined for, or presently in, positions of power.
Every person has the inherent capacity to spark massive changes that can lead to the tranquility, harmony, and peace that are our heritage. Lao-tzu calls this preserving our “original qualities.” Such qualities require the least amount of government, so it seems natural to see that we rule best by allowing our Tao nature, which rules the least, to flourish!
Living virtuously is what you do when you’re permitting the Tao to guide you. The advice Lao-tzu gives for doing this is contained in four distinct images in this verse:
1. “Be a valley under heaven” is number one. Let the river of life flow through you. As a valley beneath heaven, you’re a fertile place of grace where everything is received and allowed. You might see it as the lowest area in the spectrum of the 10,000 things, or as the point where you can see all things flowing above you. In this place of humility, the constant virtue of the Tao will never fade away. For me, this means living from radical humility. So get down (if you can) to the eye level of a small child. Looking up, see if “original qualities” are more visible. Be like the valley under heaven, ready to embrace and tend the seeds that blow your way.
2. “Be the pattern of the world” is the second image that invites you to live virtuously. See nature unspoiled by culture, as in the perfection of the uncarved block of wood. The pattern of the world, untouched by humans, is a design of the Tao. So rather than insisting on changing or resisting, you’re encouraged to row your boat, and your life, gently down the stream. Trust the perfection of the Tao to take you merrily back to your perfect place of origination. Lao-tzu is basically saying to let go and let the Tao. Dismiss ego, which you’ve created, and allow yourself to be in the world by changing how you look at the world.
3. “[Act] in accord with eternal power” is the third image for living virtuously. Just contemplate for a moment the idea of a fountain of the world, which never fades, never ends, and is there beyond the comings and goings of the 10,000 things. This kind of power is the one to create and then retreat, to form and then to render formless. It is always there, an endless geyser gushing forth the abundant life of virtue.
You are in accord with eternal power when you suspend your ego and become conscious of the Tao flowing in this fountain of you. Picture yourself pouring forth, not from your ideas of self-importance and your need for external power over others, but from a ceaseless Source of good and virtue that’s in harmony with your infinite nature. Change the image of yourself to a being who’s in accord with eternal power, and the virtuous life you want to see will be visible.
4. “Preserve your original qualities” is the fourth image of living virtuously, and one that I happen to love. Your original qualities are those that were you before there was a you! This is what Jesus meant by “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). Imagine if you can what is meant by “before the world began.” The original qualities Lao-tzu speaks of are the love, kindness, and beauty that defined your essence before you were formed into a particle and then a human being. In other words, living virtuously has nothing to do with obeying laws, being a good citizen, or fulfilling some externally inspired idea of who you’re meant to become.
This insightful verse of the Tao Te Ching tells you how to live virtuously. Be a valley under heaven by being humble and allowing seeming opposites to flow through you. Be the pattern of the world by seeing the pattern of your world and living in harmony without imposing ego on others. In accord with eternal power, be a fountain of the planet by consciously pouring forth from the endless ocean of goodness and virtue that’s your birthright. Preserve your original qualities by reclaiming and reacquainting yourself with the Tao’s essence, which preceded your birth into form
