If charioted upon Tao and floating far above mortality, this would not be so.

Excerpt

"I rest," replied Chuang Tzŭ with a smile, "halfway between the two. In that position, appearing to be what I am not, it is impossible to avoid the troubles of mortality; though, if charioted upon Tao and floating far above mortality, this would not be so. No praise, no blame; both great and small; changing with the change of time, but ever without special effort; both above and below; making for harmony with surroundings; reaching creation's First Cause; swaying all things and swayed by none;—how then shall such troubles come? This was the method of Shên Nung and Huang Ti.

Source Chuang Tzu, chapter 20, §1 · 📖 Read the full passage

✨ To meditate on today

According to Chuang Tzu, neither usefulness nor uselessness is a sure protection: what frees us is to know the Principle, the Way from which all things proceed, and to remain flexible, without depending on praise or blame. Today, when someone congratulates or criticizes you, take one breath, receive the words without clinging to them, and adapt to the situation calmly.

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