#44 Freeing Your Soul from Attachments
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 44: Cultivate the mindset of letting go, embrace detachment on the path to true happiness, and endure life’s journey
Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.
This week, we're exploring Chapter 44 of the Tao Te Ching.
Positioned amid the clutter of commercial society, we are often drawn to materialism, possessions, and external validation.
It can also be challenging to balance external pursuits with inner fulfillment.
Nevertheless, we can draw wisdom from Lao Tzu to simplify our lives.
Let’s begin.
**44**
名與身孰親?
身與貨孰多?
得與亡孰病?
是故甚愛必大費,多藏必厚亡。
知足不辱,知止不殆,可以長久。
Border-crossing: English translations
#1 Lin Yutang’s version
Fame or one’s own self, which does one love more?
One’s own self or material goods, which has more worth?
Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil?
Therefore: he who loves most spends most,
He who hoards much loses much.
The contented man meets no disgrace;
Who knows when to stop runs into no danger —
He can long endure.
#2 Edmund Ryden’s version
Reputation or self: which is more desirable?
Self or possessions: which is more valuable?
Gain or loss: which is more a hindrance?
Wherefore,
Extreme love leads to great waste;
Much hoarding leads to much loss.
(Therefore,)
If you know what is enough you will not be shamed;
If you know when to stop, you will not perish.
It will be possible to last for long.1
#3 D. C. Lau’s version
Your name or your person,
Which is dearer?
Your person or your goods,
Which is worth more?
Gain or lose,
Which is a greater bane?
That is why excessive meanness
Is sure to lead to great expense;
Too much store
Is sure to end in immense loss.
Know contentment
And you will suffer no disgrace;
Know when to stop
And you will meet with no danger.
You can then endure.2
Deeper dive
Lao Tzu emphasizes the importance of contentment as a guiding principle for navigating the complexities of life.
It implies a commitment to simplicity, where we find solace in the unadorned beauty of existence.
In embracing simplicity, we acknowledge the transient nature of both joy and sorrow, recognizing that excessive pursuit of external validation can lead to fleeting gratification.
Indeed, while life may offer rewards and accolades, it also presents unexpected dangers and crises along the journey.
Focusing on simplicity urges us to cultivate a sense of detachment from the allure of fame, reputation, and possessions. It is a profound recognition of the inherent vanity within human nature that drives us into a relentless cycle of pursuing external rewards.
Yet, examining the illusory nature of such pursuits, we realize that true fulfillment lies in inner fulfillment rather than external acclaim.
Few possess the clarity to see through the entrapment of vanity, but those who do are liberated from its burdensome grip.
The sensual world, with its myriad temptations, constantly tests one's resolve on the path to contentment.
As Lao Tzu described the predicament of our situation, “The five colors blind the eyes of man; The five musical notes deafen the ears of man; The five flavors dull the taste of man; Horse-racing, hunting and chasing madden the minds of man”(See Chapter 12).
Yet, through disciplined practice and mindfulness, we can transcend these worldly enticements and find refuge in the simplicity of being.
Residing in contentment and simplicity does not mean forsaking persistent efforts in our daily lives. Instead, it is a shift in perspective that inspires us to pursue inner peace over excessive attachments and desires.
In this sense, He Shanggong’s (Approximately 200 BC - ?) comment on the statement —“Know when to stop, and you will meet with no danger”— can serve as a reminder for us to navigate life’s necessary entanglements. “Knowing when to stop will alleviate the burden of accumulating wealth and possessions on the body and mind. Calming one’s ears and eyes from disturbing sounds and colors can prevent one’s life from being endangered.”「知可止則止,財利不累於身心,聲色不亂與耳目,則終身不危殆也。」3
Ultimately, the path to contentment requires awareness and courage to confront the illusions of vanity and the temptations of the sensual world. Contentment is a state of being that radiates from within and helps us live in inner peace and lasting happiness.
Spiritual Taoism
In the constant changes of life, the moment will come when we must discern when to relinquish the burdens of possessions, entanglements, and relationships that no longer resonate with our being.
This pivotal realization signals a call to slow down, to pause amidst the cacophony of external pursuits, and to engage in a profound conversation with ourselves.
When our external pursuits and actions begin to disturb the tranquil waters of our souls, it is a clear signal that we have deviated from our course.
In these moments of inner unease and doubt, we begin reassessing our priorities, delve deep into our consciousness, and confront the reality of our existence.
In this process of soul-searching, we are compelled to ask ourselves a poignant question: If we were to face our final days in this ephemeral existence, what legacy do we wish to leave behind? This sobering inquiry serves as a compass guiding us toward a life of purpose and meaning.
A life driven by meaning is also defined by simplicity because we can cut off the clutter and get to the essentials.
To embrace the essence of things is to embark upon a journey of liberation, unfettered by the shackles of external validation and societal expectations.
It is a conscious choice to start anew, to strip away the layers of superficiality that obscure our true essence. In doing so, we distinguish between our internal desires and the disruptive influences of external forces. We recognize that many of our aspirations are projections foisted upon us by peer pressure and mass conformity.
At its core, zeroing in on simplicity and contentment is to confront the age-old dilemma: Do we follow our heart and intuition, or do we succumb to the prevalent pressure of societal expectations? It is a choice that reverberates with profound implications, for it is through this choice that we define the trajectory of our existence.
Through introspection, we discover the courage to let go of what no longer serves us and release the attachments that bind us to a superficial existence.
If we find inner fulfillment and a simple life matter more to us than the constant clamor of external validation and the burdensome and unsettling entanglements of fitting in, then all we need is a leap of faith.
In essence, the journey of a simple life is a voyage of inner transformation. It is a call to awaken us from the trappings of excessive focus on the external and embrace the richness of our authentic selves.
For in relinquishing the ephemeral attractions of the external world, we unearth the profound truth that true happiness can be found in spiritual tranquility and the boundless expanses of the human spirit.
Thank you for reading!
May you live in spiritual serenity.
Yuxuan
Daodejing, trans. Edmund Ryden. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 93.
Tao Te Ching, trans. D. C. Lau. (London: Penguin Classics, 1963), 51.
Wang Bi et al., Four Kinds of Laotse 老子四種 (Taipei: National Taiwan University Press, 2016), 132.
The idea of focusing inward and on cultivating peace, instead of seeking externals, is an important one to remember... for the longest time, I felt like the ability to do this was beyond me. But I eventually started making progress. I still have a lot to learn, and a lot to work on, but I'm seeing a path along which this can continue.
Outstanding. I am a student of Taoism. We should connect and compare notes. chocolatetaoist@substack.com