15.

The ancient Taoist masters

sought the mystery and profundity

penetrating darkness.

Because we cannot know them,

we are left with mere description:

they were careful, as when fording winter rivers;

cautious, respectful of neighbors;

polite like a guest;

yielding like melting ice;

simple as uncarved wood;

open like a valley;

amorphous like muddy water.

But the muddiest water clears

as it’s stilled,

and out of that stillness

life rises.

One who keeps to the Tao

does not wish to be filled,

and not wishing to be full,

need not cover his head.

Hsü (“Emptiness”): The root or radical is the character for “tiger,” suggesting danger and bravery. This character as a whole can also mean “false,” “untrue,” “vacant,” “insubstantial,” or “abstract”—all very dangerous. And yet emptiness is what is.