Getting Past Perfectionism: My Contemplation of Verse 45 of the Tao Te Ching

Dr. Dyer's book is Change your Thoughts--Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

Today, I am focusing on verse 45 of the Tao Te Ching:

The greatest perfection seems imperfect,

and yet its use is inexhaustible.

The greatest fullness seems empty,

and yet its use is endless.

Great straightness seems twisted.

Great intelligence seems stupid.

Great eloquence seems awkward.

Great truth seems false.

Great discussion seems silent.

Activity conquers cold;

inactivity conquers heat.

Stillness and tranquility set things in order

in the universe.

By now, I am a little more than halfway into all of the verses of the Tao Te Ching.  In the time I've read these verses, I have seen comparison and contrasts between ideas.  This verse speaks on the topic of perfection versus imperfection.  When we want to understand something, it helps to see the opposites of concepts.  When we think of a cup being empty, we often look at it in negative terms.

This verse is asking us to look at the empty cup in a positive light.  What if the empty cup is ready to be filled?  That's a different way to look at the empty cup in our lives.  When we, as empty vessels, cry out to God, it is an opportunity for God to fill us with His provisions.

I can see that some Christians would see me as doing something counterintuitive by turning to the Tao Te Ching ( a Chinese wisdom book) to understand God.  Just bear with me.  I feel that God is revealing Himself to me with different terminology.  I have been gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for who He is.  He is so willing to help me understand Him because that is my deepest desire at this point.

Imagine a time when you were extremely cold.  How did you conquer it?  Did you run around and notice your body break out in sweat?  How about when extremely heated?  Did you remain still and notice that the sweating slowed down?

I think that in order to bring about a desired effect, we must contemplate what we need to do.  If the same behavior keeps bringing about the same negative affects, then something needs to change.  How about holding our tongues when someone heats us up with their words and/or deeds?  How about speaking up when we usually keep quiet?  If we change our response to the universe around us, we stand the chance to experience peace and a stillness to counteract the chaos that is often foisted upon us.

Thanks for reading today's post.  

I appreciate it very much.  

I've got some questions for you: Are you looking for imperfections in everything and everyone?  Are you willing to change your outlook on life?  Do you want to experience peace in the midst of chaos?  I pray that we all would seek the greatness in the seemingly negative circumstances of our lives.  I pray that we would ask God for His help to experience a deep, loving, and mutually beneficial relationship with Him.

May God bless you, my beloveds, with His wisdom and peace, in Jesus' name.  Amen!

This has been an entry for Wisdom Wednesdays.

I am currently drawing inspiration from Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's book and the 81 verses of the Chinese wisdom book the Tao Te Ching.