Chapter 34: The Great Dao Flows Everywhere (第34章：任成)

大道氾兮，其可左右。
萬物恃之以生而弗辭，功成而不名有。
衣養萬物而弗為主，常無欲，可名於小；
萬物歸焉而不知主，可名為大。
以其終不自為大，故能成其大。
☸

Translation

The great Dao flows everywhere, to the left and to the right.
The ten thousand things depend on it for life, and it does not refuse them.
When its work is done, it does not claim credit.
It clothes and nourishes the ten thousand things, but does not act as their master.

Always without desire, it can be called "Small."
The ten thousand things return to it, yet it does not act as their master; it can be called "Great."

Because it never seeks to be Great, its greatness is achieved.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

The name Liuren (六壬) itself contains the idea of "Ren" (壬), which is the Yang Water that flows everywhere. This chapter describes the Inclusivity of our path. The Dao "does not refuse" (弗辭) anyone who seeks its aid with a sincere heart.

A practitioner must emulate the "Smallness" of the Dao. By being "without desire" (無欲) and not seeking to be a "Master" over others, the practitioner becomes a clear vessel for the Great Dao. The more "small" (humble) the practitioner becomes, the "greater" the spiritual power that can flow through them.

In our rituals, we "clothe and nourish" the people (through protection and healing), but we do not "claim credit" (不名有). This ensures that the magic remains pure and that we do not fall into the trap of spiritual pride.

← Chapter 33
Back to Daodejing Index
Chapter 35 →