The Highest Goodness Is Like Water | Internal Reference¶
This version presents source texts for deep study. Quotations reflect Xuefeng's original teachings.
I. Water's Seven Qualities — "Approaches the Tao"¶
Water nourishes all things yet does not contend with them; water cleanses and purifies all things yet does not occupy a high place; water takes whatever form the container gives it, accommodates both the square and the round, helps things come to their best, and never cries of injustice; water transforms into mist and cloud, travels ten thousand miles, settles in mountain peaks and gullies alike, makes its home on plains and in deserts alike, without complaint or regret; water is yielding and humble — when it can flow it flows, when it can rest it rests, when it can sing it sings, when it can be still it is still — through ten thousand changes its essence never leaves, in motion or stillness it never departs from its source.
The highest goodness is water. Water "approaches the Tao" — it carries the Tao's qualities.
Those who seek goodness: learn from water. Those who seek the Tao: learn from water. (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · The Highest Goodness Is Like Water)
II. The Cultivator's Water-Like Way¶
LIFE originates from the Tao and returns to the Tao. Since the Tao's body is my body and the Tao's nature is my nature, I should burn myself fully — offer myself to my parents, my children, my siblings, society, and the natural world. I give only, and contend with no one. With a heart of sincerity and loving beauty, I help those with karmic affinity wash away the dust from their minds, give all advantages to others, and willingly accept the lowest position. Whether the person before me is my benefactor or my enemy, a familiar or a stranger — if it is something good for that person, I help bring it to completion. I do not use my own views to judge another's faults or mistakes. If I am wronged, let me be wronged. Whatever the leader assigns me I do, without picking and choosing. After giving, I do not calculate whether a corresponding return is possible, for we trust the Tao does not shortchange a person. (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · The Highest Goodness Is Like Water)
III. Water's Cool Nature — The Self-Nature Is Clear¶
Water is cool-natured and yielding. Though it must sometimes flow together with silt and sand, its self-nature is clear. Whatever turbidity stirs the water up in motion — no matter — once the motion quiets, water can return to its self-nature. So too with people in society. There are times when the good and the bad are mixed together, when a worthy person is needlessly mistaken for an ordinary one. No matter — once the movement has passed, once we hold gratitude to the Greatest Creator, revere the Greatest Creator, revere LIFE, revere nature, and walk the Tao of the Greatest Creator, the soiling dust on us is quickly washed clean, and our noble character quickly becomes apparent. (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · The Highest Goodness Is Like Water)
IV. Softness Overcoming Hardness¶
The hard thing breaks easily; what grows strong grows old. The young willow branch sways in the wind without losing its supple beauty; when snow presses down on winter boughs, the supple branch does not break. A sharp sword cleaves water — the yielding water does not die. A mountain may collapse; an ocean cannot be severed. Yielding overcomes the hard; the hard cannot overcome the yielding. A dam can hold water — yet water outlasts every dam. So to habitually show yielding and gentleness benefits both oneself and others.
Who can kill water? Who can overcome water? Who can exist without water? Who can afford not to depend on water?
The highest goodness is like water — one who can be like water becomes one with the Tao, and may flow on through eternity! (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · The Highest Goodness Is Like Water)
V. The Highest Goodness Is Like Water and the Playful Life¶
The highest goodness is like water — play through life, move with your nature, let roundness and squareness come of themselves. What is there to strain for? As long as it feels good and fun — that's enough. (Xuefeng Corpus · Inner Life Chapter · My Non-Form, Hundun View of Life, 2006-12-31)
VI. The Highest Goodness in the Wisdom Framework¶
The highest goodness is like water; the highest virtue is like grass; the highest wisdom is like cloud; the highest love is like a mountain. Hold to the dark of night and you will find the day; hold to humiliation and you will find honor; hold to the yielding and you will find strength; hold to the small and you will find the vast… (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · The Luminous Path Seems Dark, Progress Seems Retreat, 2006-05-03)
VII. The Highest Goodness and "Dwelling Where Others Will Not"¶
"The highest goodness is like water" — "dwelling where others will not," benefiting all things without contending. (Lifechanyuan Corpus · Wisdom Chapter · Act Without Acting · Handle Without Handling · Taste Without Tasting, 2006-08-01)