Lin declares both Heaven and Earth everlasting (i.e. lasting forever or a very long time) while Dyer uses the term “eternal” to describe Heaven (i.e. without beginning or end) and the term “endure” to describe Earth (i.e. suffer, something painful or difficult, patiently).

Is there significance to these differences in terms? Eternal and everlasting connote the ethereal while endure inspires mortal fortitude. Although Dyer uses the word endure, it is Lin who emphasizes emulation by suggesting we discard selfish desires and self-centeredness and, instead, mirror Heaven and Earth functionally and somehow our service to others leads to longevity.

Both Lin and Dyer suggest that sages putting themselves last results in their coming in first. But, without reasoning, this seems to be merely an inspiration to an aspiration. Again, Dyer uses the term endure, which is, I think, the most important concept in this verse. Through prolonged and persevering purity, good things shall come. But when we pursue good things only, our motives are corrupt, and our ends fail to be satisfactory.  Not very sagely.

Again, Lin’s commentary infuses his gossamer translation with linguistic tangibles.  Using terms such as genuine, inspire, humility, memories and reverence – Lin fleshes out the sentiments the vague exhortation – to place oneself last in order to elevate oneself to first. Such a sagely practice surely elevates one above a community largely concerned and consumed by achievement and goals.  

The final lines of each translation both address selflessness. Lin refers to achievement and goals. Dyer talks of needs and fulfillment. Lin’s terms strike me as artificial, manmade; while Dyer’s touching terms connect more viscerally. However, Lin’s commentary on his translation again bring the verse to life. Noting that the translation is a paradox, he emphasizes that the sacrifice referred to means ego, not physical body. He does this by underscoring being a good example, contenting with the humble and remaining unknown. When words become knowledge and knowledge becomes a living example, a life becomes eternal through intangible values. Miraculous in this day, indeed.

The idea that I can approach my interactions involving other people fair mindedly becomes more challenging when put in the context of real life. If we have a contemplative setting where both minds are at peace, responses can be well measured and deliberate. However, as one wends his way on a dark highway in a treacherous storm while foolishly trying to talk to a loved one in deep crisis about the right path, right words can hardly be found. No doubt practice makes perfect, but the environment of practice hardly resembles the imperfect situations we find ourselves in, let alone the asymmetric and mottled souls we encounter, flee, or create. With this in mind, what aspect of your experience should you incorporate into “a short sentence to silently reminds you to approach situations with an unbiased attitude”? Rather than Dyer’s rhyming “Guide or help me right now, Tao”, I prefer “Guide me to a future, without suture”. Preventing judgement from surfacing, in the present, is certainly worthy. Anticipating and reckoning with the tomorrow’s approaching turgid tides involving others deserves honorable mention.

I desire to be a part of something, but I care not to be favored within that something. My level of knowledge, maturity, genuine beliefs and thoughtful, substantive conclusions deserve fair consideration even though they differ from leadership or accepted thinking.  I wish not to be favored over another because of artificial valuations but rather to be valued for my gratitude, contribution, and commitment. My importance should be for those intangibles which can be built on and trusted not the whim of personal prejudice or immediate gain. However, I wish to be excluded if what I honestly bring forth falls in disfavor to the fluctuating pursuits of an immature spirit in a yet unformed character.  

Heaven and Earth are impartial

And regard myriad things as straw dogs

The sages are impartial

And regard people as straw dogs

The first section of this verse makes me think of my white dog. At times, she seems to be the princess of evil: attacking my livestock, finding escapes from my secure fence, looking for ways to make my life miserable. However, when I settle and watch, I realize evil is a formation in my mind, a straw dog. My flesh and bone dog has needs and desires which I can only imagine and these urges have nothing to do with evil or destructiveness or me.

When I empty my mind of conclusions.  When I allow my eyes to observe. When I let nature take its course.  I can know more about the mind of another…even a dog. Rather than securing each breach in my fence AFTER it has occurred, I watch and determine if a pattern is occurring, if my dog is seeking the path of least resistance, if the increasing desire to escape will come back down to, decrease back to a tolerable level, to a level that doesn’t lead to a dead dog on the side of the road.

The space between Heaven and Earth

Is it not like a bellows?

Empty, and yet never exhausted

It moves, and produces more

Section two takes my breath away. The image of a bellows inhaling nothing, producing nothing, converting nothing into everything. This idea of physical nothing producing physical everything takes me to my thoughts of what a human should do for fellow humans. Act in good faith. It takes nothing. Listen to what is being said to you. It takes a hollow minute. Admit when you are wrong. It takes an empty ego. How better to repair your soul and enhance your standing with another.

Too many words hasten failure

Cannot compare to keeping quiet

Final section. My dog, though she doesn’t know it, benefits from my caring enough to watch her, to understand her, and thereby love her. My companions in life, though they do not always notice, get more than nothing from me when those nothings are good faith, listening, and humility. All of these nothings hold value where too many words have failed. The treasure of quiet, though less than a straw dog, produces more than tangible treasure. Fills the emptiness of desire. Lasts and fulfills in each one’s eternity of want.