The Tao Te Ching explains the eight most powerful ways of thinking

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-23

The first type of thinking: the thinking of the unity of opposites

Original text: "Woe and blessing are relied upon, and blessing and misfortune are lurking." ”

From Chapter 58 of the Tao Te Ching.

It is a dialectic of how everything changes in the world.

In life, every challenge and difficulty can be pregnant with a turning point, just like spring blossoms after a cold winter, tenacity in adversity can be transformed into motivation for success.

Learning to look at things from both sides and balancing our mindset is how we can stay awake in an uncertain world.

The second type of thinking: reverse thinking (seeking self).

Original text: "Therefore, after losing the way, after virtue, after losing virtue, after losing benevolence, after losing benevolence, after righteousness, after losing righteousness." ”

From Chapter 38 of the Tao Te Ching.

Noble character does not deliberately show one's virtue (i.e., "virtue is not virtuous").

Therefore, because he did not deliberately show it, he appeared to have profound virtue;

On the other hand, low virtues are always concerned with maintaining their own virtues (i.e., "not losing virtue when they are lower"), and as a result, they lose their true virtues.

This is a kind of abnormal perspective, emphasizing selflessness and inaction in order to achieve the highest moral realm, that is, by giving up the persistent pursuit of virtue, one can achieve true virtue.

This is a manifestation of the reverse way of thinking, which is not to strive for a certain outcome through active efforts, but to let things go naturally to the desired state by letting go of excessive attachments and desires.

The third type of thinking: invincibility (the power of humility).

Original text: "The husband is the only one who cannot fight, so the world cannot fight with him." ”

From the 22nd chapter of the Tao Te Ching.

In life, being too competitive is often counterproductive, and true strength comes from inner peace and indifference. Learn to let go of obsessions, let go of desires, and cultivate your own intrinsic value, but you can gain the respect and support of others and form an invisible influence.

The fourth type of thinking: altruism and blessing (selfless wisdom).

Original text: "Water is good for all things without fighting".

From the eighth chapter of the Tao Te Ching.

Water benefits all things without fighting, which means that water may seem weak, but it can penetrate all the small crevices, nourish all things, but do not compete with all things for resources or dominance.

This is a kind of wisdom that conforms to nature, does not force, and does not compete with others. It advocates a kind of force that conforms to the way of heaven and does not force confrontation, and this kind of power can overcome rigidity with softness and static braking in the face of difficulties.

This kind of thinking embodies a non-linear, counter-intuitive way of thinking backwards, emphasizing inner stability and persistence, rather than external conflict and competition.

The fifth type of thinking: overcoming the ego (inner strength).

Original text: "Those who know others are wise, those who know themselves are clear, those who win are powerful, and those who win are strong." ”

From Chapter 33 of the Tao Te Ching.

It is wise to be good at understanding others, and it is wisest to be good at understanding yourself. Overcoming others is powerful, and those who overcome themselves are truly strong.

The sixth type of thinking: flexibility and compassion (going with nature).

Original text: "Man's life is also weak, but in fact it is also strong, the life of all things and plants is also brittle, and its death is also withered." ”

From Chapter 76 of the Tao Te Ching.

The weakness and strength of people and all things, like the growth of plants and trees, seem fragile but have vitality. Learn to accept the softness of life, maintain compassion, and be resilient even in the face of difficulties.

The softness and tenacity of life are not mutually exclusive, but unified in the phenomena of life, emphasizing the importance of dynamic balance in the life process.

The seventh way of thinking: to value the value of nothing

Original text: "Therefore, there is something for profit, and there is no use for it." ”

From Chapter 11 of the Tao Te Ching.

In the design of a building, walls and structures are the "there" parts that provide support and protection.

However, open spaces (e.g., windows, porches) are "none" that allow light to enter and air to circulate, making the building comfortable and enhancing interaction with its surroundings. Without these "nothing" designs, the building may seem closed and oppressive.

In the design of smartphones, hardware such as screens, buttons, and cameras are "there", but the "none" of operating systems and application software provides infinite possibilities, and users can perform various operations and entertainment according to their needs.

Without these software, the phone is just a simple communication tool.

Here Lao Tzu sees "being" and "nothingness" as two aspects of the unity of opposites. "Being" represents physical existence, concrete things, and visible forms, while "nothing" symbolizes emptiness, formlessness, potentiality, and relative states of being.

He believes that "being" and "nothing" complement each other, and without "being", there would be no embodiment and function of "nothing", and vice versa.

The eighth type of thinking: keeping the right and surprising (strategic and flexible).

Original text: "Govern the country with righteousness, use troops with odds, and take the world with nothing." ”

From Chapter 57 of the Tao Te Ching.

"Qi" here refers to unconventional, flexible and changeable strategies and tactics, which are not bound by fixed patterns and rules in war.

Rather, it is to adopt appropriate methods according to the specific situation, taking advantage of the enemy's weaknesses and changing circumstances to achieve victory. This kind of thinking emphasizes the improvisation and resourcefulness in the art of war, and avoids unnecessary conflict and attrition.

Tao Te Ching, a classic book of wisdom that has been passed down through the ages, is more like an unsealed key, revealing eight transcendent minds that will help you stand out in a rapidly changing environment

The dialectic of the unity of opposites teaches you to calmly deal with crises and opportunities;

Reverse thinking strategies to guide you to be invincible in the competition;

The power of humility and selflessness gives you the magic to win hearts and minds and long-term cooperation;

Flexibility and compassion help you navigate the ...... of team harmony and corporate growthThese profound philosophies will not only make you an excellent strategist, but also enhance your personal accomplishment and leadership charisma.

We sincerely invite you to open the Tao Te Ching, feel the essence of this wisdom from the ancient Orient between the lines, and let it be like your personal mentor, accompanying you on the journey of life.

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