The Flow of the Tao
If you want to pour tea into a cup,
it must be barren and dry first.
If you want to fill your mind with knowledge,
it must be empty and cleansed.
You can absorb the wisdom,
it surrounds this world,
but do not stuff information into your mind.
The Tao circulates around you,
do not reach out and grasp it.
Let it flow into your mind,
and lighten your burden.
The Tao is not meant to be given to you.
The Tao is not something you try to earn.
The Tao just is.
Let go of the petty squabbles of the world.
Let go of your emotions.
Let go of your knowledge.
Let the Tao flow in.
Good understanding of non-attachment and wu-wei. I like that you talk about the importance of emptiness and how it works in Nature, being the receptacle for all things. Instead of clinging to things, we should just go with the Way—good poem.
ReplyDeleteNice job tackling such an advanced concept–wisdom–and relating it to the Tao! I love how well this flows; especially the tea metaphor at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI like how you perfectly described the meaning of "the way". The contradictions your poem makes about being empty in order to be fulfilled show your understanding of the Tao poems.
ReplyDeleteI am honestly confused on what this poem is about so good job. Usually the poems I don't understand are really good so your poem must be really good. But overall, But nice job on the way you worded things and how you did your sentences. It really made me slow down and thank about the poem and it has a nice flow to it.
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