Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5 "Hold to the Center" (守中章)
Translation and annotation by Derek Lin

Thoughts inspired by Chapter 5:

Heaven and Earth
• Contemplate this possibility: What if you do not, in fact, have a special relationship with any deity?
• What if, when bad things happen, it’s only because you have failed… not because you are being punished?

Straw Dogs
• Contemplate yourself as a straw dog in a ritual, so you will only be around for a limited time.
• What is the purpose of your ritual? Is it a celebration of life? Is it an expression of gratitude? Is it an affirmation of your intention going forward? All of the above?

The text:

1 - 天地不仁 - Heaven and Earth are impartial
2 - 以萬物為芻狗 - They regard myriad things as straw dogs
3 - 聖人不仁 - The sages are impartial
4 - 以百姓為芻狗 - They regard people as straw dogs
5 - 天地之間 - The space between Heaven and Earth
6 - 其猶橐籥乎 - Is it not like a bellows?
7 - 虛而不屈 - Empty, and yet never exhausted
8 - 動而愈出 - It moves, and produces more
9 - 多言數窮 - Too many words hasten failure
10 - 不如守中 - Cannot compare to keeping to the void
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