OVERCOMING YOURSELF

In chapter 33, the Tao Te Ching says:

Those who overcome others have strength

Those who overcome themselves are powerful

This is a statement about authentic power. In the Tao perspective, overcoming someone through physical means is not remarkable. It happens all the time, and most people can find someone weaker to dominate. What is truly worthy of note is the ability to overcome oneself. This is something that happens rarely, and many people fail at it.

The most common example of overcoming oneself has to do with addiction. For someone who is addicted, freeing himself of the monkey on his back can be the most difficult challenge of all. It does not matter how strong he is physically. Against himself, there is no defense. If he can still triumph against such odds, then he can claim the most meaningful victory of all. He is the uncommon individual who possesses the authentic power of the Tao.

The Tao Today

This passage has widespread applications other than addiction. It can be about overcoming one’s temper, bad habits, inertia or procrastination. We al know how to come up with great-sounding reasons to excuse ourselves or put things off for another day. See through this self-deception for what it is, and reject the excuses by reaching deeply within to grasp your own authentic power.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin