Q: May I have a basic principle of guidance for avoiding problems with relatives?
The Taoist's Answer: Take precautions before the evil appears; regulate things before disorder has begun.
Q: How does an understanding of cosmic principles, like those taught by the mystics, help us in our human affairs?
A: He who knows the Tao is sure to be well acquainted with the principles that appear in the procedures of things. Acquainted with those principles, he is sure to understand how to regulate his actions in all kinds of circumstances. Having that understanding, he will not allow things to injure him.
Q: I am especially interested in understanding how inward victory expands itself to outward triumph. May I have a thought on this?
A: If you are inwardly free from fighting no one will be able to fight with you.
Q: I have heard the teaching about artificiality being the enemy of freedom. Will you please explain it?
A: Horses and oxen have four feet. That is natural. Place a halter on the head of a horse, or a rope through the nose of an ox. This is unnatural.
Q: Is there a way to maintain peace of mind in spite of exterior changes and disappointments?
A: Resign yourself to the sequence of things, forgetting the changes of life, and you shall enter into the pure, the divine, the One.
Q: That resembles the New Testament idea that we must first lose ourselves in order to find ourselves. It seems paradoxical.
The Taoist's Answer: The truest sayings are paradoxical.
Q: Will you please supply an example of a practical esoteric truth which needs our sincere study in order to make its value our own value?
A: Without going out of doors, one may know the whole world; without looking out of the window, one may see the way of heaven. The further one travels, the less one may know. Thus it is that without moving you may know; without looking you may see; without doing you shall succeed
Q: But this seems to call for immense wisdom. The only thing I know is that I do not know!
A: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Q: Is it true that human beings actually live, work, play, marry, pass laws, fight wars -- all in a state of psychic sleep?
A: While they dream, they do not know that they are dreaming.
Q: Can you provide an example of how a free and spontaneous mind rolls forward?
A: Perfect kindness acts without thinking of kindness.
Q: If I were to follow the example of men who have achieved steadfast confidence, what would I do?
A: Use the light that is in you to recover your natural clearness of sight.
Q: It is only a small stream of insight at the present time, but I do see the absolute necessity for building my life upon spiritual and psychological foundations.
A: To see small beginnings is clearness of sight.
Q: By what method does a mystic master keep himself in strong and spontaneous activity? The sage attends to the inner, and not to the outer.
-- Lao-Tse
A: The sage attends to the inner, and not to the outer.
Q: I am puzzled by the esoteric teaching about inaction. The mystics state that the right kind of inaction is authentic action which transforms everything into its naturally healthy condition. But how can doing nothing produce something?
A: Who is there who can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will gradually clear itself?
Q: In other words, self-change makes everything else all right?
A: The partial becomes whole, the crooked becomes straight, the empty becomes full, the worn out becomes new.
Who is there who can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will gradually clear itself?
-- Lao-Tse
Q: I have the bad habit of trying to force people and events to conform to my personal wishes, which usually backfires against me. What esoteric lesson can help me blend with events, instead of fighting them?
A: Leave all things to take their natural course, and do not interfere.
Q: I still do not see how anything real can be achieved without effort?
A: It is the Way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it knows how to overcome; not to speak, and yet it knows how to win a response.
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