The Tao Te Ching was written over 2500 years ago in China, by Lao-tzu. The work is timeless and covers so many of the topics we face each day. He writes about the Law Of Attraction, but does not call it that. It is a lesson in harmony. Harmony with nature, man, and himself. He knows he is all those things and lives his truth, united with his Source. He is unencumbered by any concept of sin, and doesn’t see evil as a force to resist, but simply an opaqueness, a state of self absorption which is in disharmony with the universal process of unity.

I picked one of his thoughts about government and man for this article, to bring awareness of how things can be solved by looking within, forgiving ourselves, in order to live in harmony with all life. Lao-tzu is speaking to us now, with words that were written in Chinese so many years ago:

“When a country obtains great power, it becomes like the sea: all streams run downward into it. The more powerful it grows the greater the need for humility. Humility means trusting the Tao, thus never needing to be defensive.

A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.
If a nation is centered in the Tao, if it nourishes its own people and doesn’t meddle in the affairs of others, it will be a light to all nations in the world.”

Lao-tzu uses the word Tao, to mean the way, the light, your truth, the higher self. It can be called by many names, as we all know, but it is what you believe in, innately. I believe we can live as Lao-tzu suggests, if we believe we can.

Hal Manogue is a poet and author of Short Sleeves A Book For Friends. Insightful thoughts for the 21st century. Hal’s 2006 collection and 2007 collection are available in bookstores and online. Visit Hal’s website: http://www.shortsleeves.net or blog: http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/ for more information about his work and life. Download a copy of the new E-Book,”Unite To Write” a collection of articles written by writers around the globe, that will inspire and fill you with useful information. It’s value is priceless. It’s Hal’s gift to you.