*Action and Non-action*

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from "The Way of Chuang-Tzu," Thomas Merton:

 

*Action and Non-action*

 

The non-action of the wise man is not

inaction.

It is not studied. It is not shaken by

anything.

The sage is quiet because he is not

moved.

Not because he *wills* to be quiet.

Still water is like glass.

You can look into it and see the bristles on

your chin.

It is a perfect level;

A carpenter could use it.

If water is so clear, so level,

How much more the spirit of man?

The heart of the wise man is tranquil.

It is the mirror of heaven and earth,

The glass of everything.

Emptiness, stillness, tranquillity,

tastelessness,

Silence, non-action: this is the level of

heaven and earth.

This is perfect Tao. Wise men find here

Their resting place.

Resting, they are empty.

 

From emptiness comes the

unconditioned.

From this, the conditioned, the individual

things.

So from the sage's emptiness, stillness

arises:

From stillness, action. From action,

attainment.

From their stillness comes their non-

action, which is also action.

And is, therefore, their attainment.

For stillness is joy. Joy is free from care.

Fruitful in long years,

Joy does all things without concern:

For emptiness, stillness, tranquility,

tastelessness.

Silence, and non-action

Are the root of things.