ADVANCING AND RETREATING

Chapter 41 of the Tao Te Ching says: “The advancing Tao appears to retreat.” This line may sound cryptic at first but actually contains great wisdom. Most people think retreating from a conflict is a disadvantage, but Lao Tzu tells us it is actually a way for a wise person to advance his or her own interests.

Think about what happens when people clash. It can escalate into a shouting match and even violence. Such conflicts are rarely productive. You end up wasting time and energy without improving your overall situation. You have, if anything, revealed yourself in a poor light as someone who cannot handle the challenge skillfully. It does not matter how right and justified you believe yourself to be. It is a no-win scenario.

This is why it would be better to back away. Why fight just to satisfy the demands of the ego? It is far wiser to turn your focus to something more constructive. You may appear to be retreating and losing face, but in reality, you are actually getting yourself ahead of the game.

The Tao Today

Some people think retreating is a sign of weakness, but one who puts this teaching into practice has genuine strength. They also tend to mistake aggression as courage, but real courage means fighting only when it actually matters. Keep this in mind as you leave the petty bickering to petty individuals.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin