Striving for Peace: My Contemplation of Verse 30 of the Tao Te Ching

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

Today, I delve into verse 30 of the Tao Te Ching, specifically these portions:

One who would guide a leader of men in the uses of life

will warn him against the use of arms for conquest.

Weapons often turn upon the wielder...

you must rather regret that you had not been 

able to prevent the war...

You must never think of conquering others by force.

Whatever strains with force

will soon decay.

It is not attuned to the Way.

Not being attuned to the Way,

its end comes all too soon.

It is easy to think that one can force another to do something.  Using violence, either in verbal or physical terms, seems like the best idea against violent people.  Unfortunately, it backfires.  Dr. Dyer explains that the children of those who fought in wars often retaliate.  Their sense of revenge can be quite strong.

There are many terrible consequences to war.  One is the famine.  Just think of how the surface of the ground turns out after a war occurs.  The earth is not useable.  The people in that area suffer in poverty.

This verse of the Tao Te Ching asks us to choose peace over exerting force, or power, on an enemy.  War doesn't bring about anything positive.  Only abhorrence and narrow-mindedness result from war.  People end up with emotional problems, too.

Instead we should strive for peace.  We should be peacemakers as God prefers.  Collaboration is to be sought.  We should prefer it to rivalry.  The Tao, or the Way, provides for us so we should share resources and show love to one another.  We must strive to be kind and loving to each other because we share the same Source, God.

Also, if anyone profits through war, one should not brag about it.  One should instead make amends for that.  After all, love covers a multitude of sins.  Instead of automatically using force, we should concentrate on not lashing out on anyone.  The reality is that our weapons can be used against us.

I pray that we all strive for peace in our lives.  Just imagine how much our lives will the better for it.

Thanks for reading today's post.  

I appreciate it.

How about it, my friends?  Are you striving for peace?  Or are you abusing those around you?  Aren't you afraid that your weapons can be used against you?  I pray we all seek peace.  War always brings about negative consequences, which are contrary to God's wishes.

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.