Simplicity Equals Freedom

Here’s a verse of the Tao Te Ching to read during The Great Pause. It gently reminds us that Everything we need is right where we are. “Keep it Simple”… because that is freedom!

Let every state be simple 

         like a small village with few people

There may be tools to speed things up

          ten or a hundred times

           yet no one will care to use them

There may be boats and carriages

           yet they will remain without riders

There may be armor and weaponry

          yet they will sit collecting dust

The people must take death seriously

         and not waste their lives in distant lands

Let them return

          to the knotting of cord

Let them enjoy their food

          and care for their clothing

Let them be content in their homes

          and joyful in the way they live

Neighboring villages are within sight of each other

Roosters and dogs can be heard in the distance

Should a man grow old and die

          without ever leaving his village

           let him feel as though there was nothing he missed

Translation by Jonathan Star