Tao Te Ching Chapter 73-9 Tao = Net

Today's Tao

Heaven's net is vast. Its mesh is not fine, but it doesn't lose any. (Ch.73)


天網恢々疏にして失せず [tenmo kaikai so ni shite shissezu]

In Japan, this is one of the best known sentences in Tao Te Ching.

What is "Heaven's net"?

It is the net of Tao's energy, which covers everything in your hologram.

In Chapter 11, Lao Tzu said: "30 spokes share one hub". (☞See 30 spokes 11-1)

In Chapter 28: "When the uncarved block scatters, it becomes vessels". (☞See Vessels 28-13)

Can you picture the images?

All of them are metaphors in order to explain the relation between Tao and a hologram, the projector and the projected.

In Buddhism, it is symbolized by the infinite light of Amida Butsu (Amitāba Buddha).

What is the infinite light, then?

It is the movement of Tao and true You.

And this is the light that projects your holographic world in the 360 degree movie theater, so to speak.

The content of the film is not important.

The light of the projector is.


«Related Articles»
-Act without living 73-1
-Live without acting 73-2
-Merit 73-3
-Hatred 73-4
-Heaven's Tao wins 73-5
-Response 73-6
-I shin den shin / No call 73-7
-Plan 73-8
-Tao = Net 73-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 73


Tao answers your question!



☞On the left, «The Promise of Amida Buddha: Honen's Path to Bliss». Honen is the teacher of Shinran. Amida Buddha is the pillar of Jodo Shin Shu / Pure Land Shin School of Buddhism. / On the right, «Living in Amida's Universal Vow: Essays on Shin Buddhism» is edited by Alfred Bloom and has some articles by him and Daisetz Suzuki among others. Later in his life, Suzuki, the author of «Zen and Japanese Culture», got interested in Jodo Buddhism as Zen Master Ikkyu did.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 73-8 Plan

Today's Tao

It is relaxing and plans well. (Ch.73)


Heaven's Tao never rushes you.

It relaxes you.

Even if your wish is not granted immediately, don't be annoyed.

"I wonder why Amitāba Buddha (=Amida Butsu 阿弥陀仏) keeps ignoring my wishes!"

Would you like to complain about Amida Buddha's unfair treatment against you?

Tao and Buddha's wisdom, which is your true wisdom, is far wiser than our superficial intelligence.

Do you believe in coincidence?

In Tao, there is no such a thing as a coincidence.

Amida Buddha's acts are completely planned and premeditated, you see?

Well, it is not exactly right since there is no time in Tao.

But if you think Amida Buddha is choosing the best thing for you every moment of your life, isn't it easier to accept your hologram as it is?

It is an excellent thought device.


«Related Articles»
-Act without living 73-1
-Live without acting 73-2
-Merit 73-3
-Hatred 73-4
-Heaven's Tao wins 73-5
-Response 73-6
-I shin den shin / No call 73-7
-Plan 73-8
-Tao = Net 73-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 73


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao of ****» The first line comparison (12) / "The process of breathing is a living metaphor for understanding how to expand our narrow sense of ourselves and be present to the healing energies that are both in and around us." On the left, «The Tao of Natural Breathing: For Health, Well-Being, and Inner Growth» written by Dennis Lewis. / "The self is deathless. Why? Because life transforms into life and love never dies." On the right, «The Tao of Healing: Meditations for Body and Spirit» written by Haven Trevino and Gerald G. Jamplsky. / Life and self are metaphors to teach us how Tao functions.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 73-7 I shin den shin / No call

Today's Tao

It doesn't call any, but they come somehow. (Ch.73)


You don't call them.

You don't even say anything.

But they will respond.

They will even come to you somehow.

It sounds like the ultimate form of non-verbal communication such as Hara gei, the belly art.

In the domain of art in Japan, particularly martial art, non-verbal communication is a must.

We call it 以心伝心 [i shin den shin], which means "by heart, transmit heart".

This is a Kanreisu (=a bar or a spring) to better understand Zen.

This Kanji / Chinese character 心 [shin] is often translated as heart or mind.

Like the English word "heart", it also signifies "the center".

The word 心 [shin] suggests the center of the mechanism.

By the mechanism, transmit the mechanism.

In this Tao/hologram mechanism, everything comes about by itself, 自然 [ji nen].


«Related Articles»
-Act without living 73-1
-Live without acting 73-2
-Merit 73-3
-Hatred 73-4
-Heaven's Tao wins 73-5
-Response 73-6
-I shin den shin / No call 73-7
-Plan 73-8
-Tao = Net 73-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 73


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao of ****» The first line comparison (11) / "Whether we hear news reports of good economic times or bad, whether we make a lot of money or a little, many or us feel something is missing in our lives." On the left, «The Tao of Abundance: Eight Ancient Principles for Living Abundantly in the 21st Century» written by Laurence G. Boldt. / "'What is Montessori?' As educators, we are asked that question often by parents, other teachers, and people on the street." On the right, «The Tao of Montessori: Reflections on Compassionate Teaching» written by Catherine McTamaney. / The abundance of love is the basis of education. Do you agree?

Tao Te Ching Chapter 73-6 Response

Today's Tao

It doesn't say but responds well. (Ch.73)


Lao Tzu is saying here:

"If you want to make other people hear what you are saying, you had better shut yourself up".

As usual, he is very logical.

"Heaven's Tao" is the network of communication in your hologram as well as that of energy distribution.

That is to say, your thoughts are shared by all.

The moment you think about something, the idea is transmitted to all.

Again, it is logical because there is no barrier between you and non-you.

Or rather, let's think as if we were a living radio receiver. (☞See Radio and knowing 71-2)

Technological development is a metaphor to teach us how Tao functions.

The harder you try to convince others, the more energy you waste.

Consequently, it takes longer before they respond to it.


«Related Articles»
-Act without living 73-1
-Live without acting 73-2
-Merit 73-3
-Hatred 73-4
-Heaven's Tao wins 73-5
-Response 73-6
-I shin den shin / No call 73-7
-Plan 73-8
-Tao = Net 73-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 73


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao of ****» The first line comparison (10) / "The human body contains a great healing spring" On the left, «The Tao of Rejuvenation: Fundamental Principles of Health, Longevity, and Essential Well-Being» written by Angelo Druda. / "Despite the 'wonders of modern medicine', the state of human health throughout the world today continues to erode at an alarming rate." On the right, «The Tao of Detox: The Secrets of Yang-Sheng Dao» written by Daniel Reid. / Tao can change our way of being. Wait a minute! Tao IS our way of being.

Tao Te Ching Chapter 73-5 Heaven's Tao wins

Today's Tao

Heaven's Tao doesn't compete but wins well. (Ch.73)


In Chapter 68, Lao Tzu says:

"A true winner doesn't compete".

(☞See True winner 68-3)


In Chapter 22 and 66, he repeats twice:

"Simply he doesn't compete. That's why no one under the sky can compete with him".

(☞See Aikido 22-12 and Don't compete 66-7)


Neither a true winner nor a sage compete.

Lao Tzu gives us a little hint about the reason.

The key is the expression "Heaven's Tao".

Heaven = Hologram

So, it means that every part of your hologram has Tao's energy.

It is ridiculous to force the energy of one part to compete against that of another.

Then, what does "winning" mean?

It is to maximize the circulating energy of Tao by receiving it without resistance and sending it as much as possible.

You are always winning because you are always receiving Love and sending Love through your hologram no matter what you are doing.


«Related Articles»
-Act without living 73-1
-Live without acting 73-2
-Merit 73-3
-Hatred 73-4
-Heaven's Tao wins 73-5
-Response 73-6
-I shin den shin / No call 73-7
-Plan 73-8
-Tao = Net 73-9
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 73


Tao answers your question!



☞«Tao of ****» The first line comparison (9) / "We struggle. Always… For me, there was a time when the dream was incarnate. And the dream's name was Muhammad Ali." On the left, «The Tao of Muhammad Ali» written by Davis Miller. / "Rule 1: Don't dig yourself into a hole when you first sit down." On the right, «The Tao of Poker: 285 Rules to Transform Your Game and Your Life» written by Larry W. Phillips / You always find Tao everywhere, even in the most unusual places.