Perfect Harmony by Dr. Andre Muhammad

For the individual who selects the Tao for direction, no harm comes. In life, there are a few people who seemingly can do no wrong. These are the individuals who seem to avoid sickness, poverty, and any other calamities. Perhaps these are the people who are firmly rooted in the Tao.

According to the 55th verse of the Tao Te Ching, this is referred to as "perfect harmony."
To know harmony is know that which is changeless. To know that which is changeless is to have insight. Things rooted in the Tao remain, as those things which are not grow and eventually wither away. Whatever opposes the Tao eventually soon ceases to be.

Peace and blessings!

The Tao and Virtue by Dr. Andre Muhammad

The person who is firmly rooted in the Tao cannot be uprooted. Whoever embraces the Tao will not fall away. As an individual, I must remember to cultivate the self so that virtue can be realized. I must remember to cultivate the family so that virtue overflows. I must remember to cultivate the community so that virtue increases exponentially. I must cultivate the state so that virtue abounds.

Peace and blessings!

Living Honorably with the Tao by Dr. Andre Muhammad

As humans, we know the that the Way (Tao) is best. It is a way of life which is smooth and straight. Unfortunately, some of us elect to contradict this manner of life and, as a result, these few choose devious paths. These devious paths manifest in a myriad of ways, including deceit and greed. Perhaps deceit is why our courts are so corrupt. Perhaps greed is why we have people attempting to acquire so much wealth that they do not know what to do with it. These are just a few examples of how the Way is not followed.

Peace and blessings!

52nd Verse of the Tao by Lao Tzu

In the beginning was the Tao.
All things issue from it;
all things return to it.

To find the origin,
trace back the manifestations.
When you recognize the children
and find the mother,
you will be free of sorrow.

If you close your mind in judgments
and traffic with desires,
your heart will be troubled.
If you keep your mind from judging
and aren't led by the senses,
your heart will find peace.

Seeing into darkness is clarity.
Knowing how to yield is strength.
Use your own light
and return to the source of light.
This is called practicing eternity.

Peace and blessings!

Verse 51 of the Tao by Lao Tzu

All things arise from Tao.
They are nourished by Virtue.
They are formed by matter.
They are shaped by environment.
Thus the ten thousand things all respect Tao and honor Virtue.
Respect of Tao and honor of Virtue are not demanded,
But they are in the nature of things.

Therefore all things arise from Tao.
By Virtue they are nourished,
Developed, cared for,
Sheltered, comforted,
Grown, and protected.
Creating without claiming,
Doing without taking credit,
Guiding without interfering,
This is Primal Virtue.

Peace and blessings!

Verse 50 of the Tao by Lao Tzu

Between birth and death,
Three in time are following life,
Three in ten are following death,
And men just passing from birth to death also number three in ten.
Why is this so?
Because they live their lives on the gross level.

He who knows how to live can walk abroad
Without fear of rhinocerous or tiger.
He will not be wounded in battle.
For in him rhinoceroses can find no place to thrust their horn,
Tigers can find no place to use their claws,
And weapons no place to pierce.
Why is this so? Because he has no place for death to enter.

The Nonjudgemental Type by Dr. Andre Muhammad

The sage has no predetermined mindset, and he/she is aware of the needs of others. The sage treats those who are kind with kindness, and he/she treats those who are unkind with kindness. The sage understands that kindness is the nature of humans.

The sage is faithful to both the faithful and unfaithful. The sage is one who sees and understands the connections of the things in the heavens and the earth. This individual is often well-liked, as people are often to drawn to him/her.

Peace and blessings!

Living by Decreasing by Dr. Andre Muhammad

According to verse 48, people demonstrate learning by a daily accumulation of information and/or things. The practice of the Tao involves just the opposite, as it concerns itself to a daily diminishing of this so-called information and/or things. More specifically, an individual should come to understand that he/she must reverse the idea of increasing as a means of showing mastery in this world. In fact, when an individual sees the importance of decreasing, he or she will experience a broader realization of completeness.

Peace and blessings!

Mind Travel by Dr. Andre Muhammad

For people who have developed insight, they have the potential to travel the globe without leaving their places of abode. They have the ability to glimpse into the heavens without even looking out the windows. Therefore, the sage knows without travelling, sees without looking, and does work without working.

Peace and blessings!

Living in Peace by Dr. Andre Muhammad

When the Way is lost, war becomes the order of the day for the countries across the globe. For people, a sense of discontentment overwhelms. Unless an individual discovers the more peaceful lifestyle of the Tao Te Ching, he/she will attempt to gauge achievement based on that which has been accumulated. For those who adhere to the Tao Te Ching, true achievement is measured by a healthy degree of inner-peace and happiness.

Peace and blessings!