Reflecting on the caravan of almost ten thousand migrants seeking refuge in the USA and the use of weapons on unarmed civilians in Tijuana, Mexico, led me to a chapter in The Doadejing of Laozi. It may seem an odd pairing, but Daoism, the foundation of Daodejing, teaches the way things are, the dao, by demonstrating what they are not. We are informed on how not to act and what is not virtuous. It seems like a double negative, and that if we aren’t supposed to pursue some things, what are we supposed to pursue? But the beauty of in Daosism is that our innate nature is what brings us most align with dao, the way things are, and de, the power of a creature or thing. Its ingrained in our very nature what is against or supporting a good life. It’s easy to identify things in our culture that are exploit human dignity and underlying basic human rights. It’s harder to provide alternatives in such polarized and tragic times. We can be on the right or the left, but our most basic human natures informs us that action is necessary in order to change things from the way things are to a way they should be. We can all also agree that a when weapons are used and violence occurs against fellow human beings, a time of mourning, and not argumentation, should occur. Whatever your faith base, we can learn from the vast wisdom of people who spend their life’s work to lead others to a more holy and virtuous life.

My interpretation of Chapter 31, Daodejing:

“Violence is an unfortunate instruments and humans find them unpleasant.

The way things should be does not require force used against human beings.

It is easy in time of comfort to lean one way, but harder when during times of war.

If given no chance, even the pacifist will use violence.

However, to delight in military action, and the resulting violence, is to rejoice in the violence against human beings.

When violence occurs, and weapons are used against people, we should all experience grief and sorrow.”

Chapter 31, Daodejing:

“Fine weapons are inauspicious instruments;

All creatures find them repulsive.

And so one who has the Way does not rely upon them.

At home, a cultivated person gives precedence to the left;

At war, a cultivated person gives precedence to the right.

Weapons are inauspicious instruments, not the instruments of a cultivated person.

But if given no choice, the cultivated person will use the.

Peace and quiet are the highest ideals;

A military victory is to delight in the slaughter of human beings.

On auspicious occasions, precedence is given on the left;

On auspicious occasions, precedence is given on the right.

This shows that the supreme commander is associated with the rites of mourning.

When great numbers of people have been killed, one weeps for them in grief and sorrow.

Military victory is thus associated with the rites of mourning.”

Logo photo from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/daoi/hd_daoi.html