THE LOWEST PLACE

Water is the perfect metaphor for the Tao in many ways. No matter where it is, it always flows to the lowest place naturally. This is like the virtue of humility in people who are in tune with the Tao. They also flow to the lowest place naturally, without being forced to do so.

Many people are the exact opposite in that they want to go higher, not lower. They want to showcase themselves, so they compete against one another to occupy the highest spot. In a gathering they are the ones who cannot stop showcasing themselves.

The ultimate symbol of humility is the ocean. It is at the lowest place of all, so all the rivers flow into it rather than the other way round. This is like the sages who are so spiritually refined that they have no egocentrism at all. They become widely respected, and people flock to them as naturally as water flowing by being humble, only to be elevated by everyone to the position of the highest honor.

The Tao Today

You can flow to the lowest place no matter where you happen to be. It is something you do because you are naturally humble, not because you are forced to be that way. Let the boasters compete among themselves to be the life of the party. You can be the ocean and let others flow to you.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin