Tao Te Ching - 29

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 29—one of life’s most challenging yet liberating lessons: letting go of attachments—whether to people, past hurts, expectations, or control—and find freedom in the flow of the Tao.

Are you experiencing suffering? Much of it comes from trying to control what we cannot. Trust that what is meant for you will stay, and what is not will pass. Letting go is not giving up—it is setting yourself free, and you deserve peace.

29 – Tao Te Ching*

Desire to control the world and act upon it?

I think it cannot be done.

The world is a sacred place,

It cannot be forced;

It cannot be grasped.

Doing by force will fail;

Trying to cling will lose.

Thus cultivators act by non-doing,

Then you cannot fail or lose.

People can be leading or following,

Can be fast or slow;

Can be strong or vulnerable;

Can be secure or in peril.

Thus cultivators eliminate excessiveness, extravagance, and extremes.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited by Robert H. Smitheram, Ph. D.

Chapter 29 of the Tao Te Ching warns against the illusion of control. It teaches that the world follows its own course and that forcing or clinging leads to suffering. Instead of imposing our will, we find peace by flowing with life and responding with wisdom, not force.