A wet-nurse to all beings
treasuring each tender shoot
caring about nothing, yet helping all along the path
kneeling before & washing the feet of each
returning to the place before desire, before all learning
returning to the unnamed place, through many winding ways
being here, waiting, with soul singing with harmony
as the end comes, full of care & patience
when success knocks on our door, cautious. |
A strong man's treasure is mother-love
[hidden in his sacrificial bronze bowl]
his bared arm nurtures what comes to him
moving forward from stillness
he walks as guest, not master, upon the earth. |
there is a wonderful play on the images of the bronze sacrificial bowl which contains the individual's power & authority: for this is a great treasure...and the treasure of mother-love, [tz'u,] which is corrupted into compassion and mercy.
moving forward from stillness is a particular form of wu wei = wei hsing wu hsing.
