Tao Te Ching · 52 of 81 · tr. James Legge
Chapter 52
(The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to be considered as the mother of them all. When the mother is found, we know what her children should be. When one knows that he is his mother's child, and proceeds to guard (the qualities of) the mother that belong to him, to the end of his life he will be free from all peril. Let him keep his mouth closed, and shut up the portals (of his nostrils), and all his life he will be exempt from laborious exertion. Let him keep his mouth open, and (spend his breath) in the promotion of his affairs, and all his life there will be no safety for him. The perception of what is small is (the secret of clear- sightedness; the guarding of what is soft and tender is (the secret of) strength. Who uses well his light, Reverting to its (source so) bright, Will from his body ward all blight, And hides the unchanging from men's sight.
Themes
◇Divine Lighttheology
The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.
[auto] The passage speaks of using 'his light' which reverts to a source that is 'bright'.
All passages →◇Inner Lightanthropology
The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection.
[auto] The individual is told to 'use well his light' which resides within him and connects to the source.
All passages →◇Inner Silencepraxis
The practice of stilling the mind and speech to open receptivity to divine knowledge or presence.
[auto] The text instructs to 'keep his mouth closed, and shut up the portals' as a means to be exempt from laborious exertion.
All passages →◇Return To Sourcesoteriology
The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.
[auto] The passage explicitly describes 'Reverting to its (source so) bright' as the method to ward off blight and find safety.
All passages →◇Self Knowledgesoteriology
The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.
[auto] Knowing that 'he is his mother's child' is presented as the foundation for guarding one's qualities and avoiding peril.
All passages →◇Wu Weipraxis
Effortless action aligned with the spontaneous flow of the Dao; non-coercive, non-striving conduct that yields results without forcing — the sage acts without acting.
[auto] The passage explicitly advocates being 'exempt from laborious exertion' and avoiding the promotion of affairs, which defines non-striving action.
All passages →Related passages · 9 parallels
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 11 (part 5)
“If, then, the soul of the child is in the Holy Trinity, do you then not think that its glorious light beautifully illuminates the mother, and does not that mother rightfully put her feet upon the Moon, 1 as being exalted above all that is o…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of the mother figure in the context of spiritual growth and protection. The Tao Te Ching speaks of the Tao as the mother of all things, while the Christian passage discusses Mary as the mother of Christ and her role in spiritual perfection.
◆greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn IX. NATURE (part 1)
“IX.
TO NATURE.
* The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS.
NATURE, all parent, ancient, and divine, O Much-mechanic mother, art is thine; p.
127 Heav'nly, abundant, venerable queen, In ev'ry part of thy dominions seen.
p.
128 Untam'd, all-taming…”
Both passages emphasize the primal, nurturing aspect of the fundamental principle (Tao/Nature) and the importance of aligning with it for harmony and safety. They share a reverence for the origin of all things and the idea of maintaining connection with this origin.
◆greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn IX. NATURE (part 2)
“And Proclus in forms us, that she connects all the parts of the universe together: containing in herself intellectual life, by which she illuminates the whole, and unifying powers by which she superintends all the opposing natures of the wo…”
Both passages describe a primordial, divine force that is the origin and sustainer of all things. They emphasize the importance of this force in maintaining harmony and balance in the universe, and they use similar imagery of motherhood and nurturing to convey its qualities.
◆greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn XXV
“XXV. TO THE EARTH * The FUMIGATION from every kind of SEED, except BEANS and AROMATICS. O Goddess, Earth, of Gods and men the source, Endu'd with fertile, all destroying force; All-parent, bounding, whose prolific pow'rs, Produce a store of…”
Both passages emphasize the concept of a primordial, nurturing source (the Tao and the Earth, respectively) that gives rise to all things and should be revered and protected. They share a theme of reverence for the origin of life and the importance of maintaining a connection to it.
◆greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn XXVI. THE MOTHER OF THE GODS
“XXVI. TO THE MOTHER OF THE GODS. The FUMIGATION from a Variety of ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES. Mother of Gods, great nurse of all, draw near, Divinely honor'd, and regard my pray'r: Thron'd on a car, by lions drawn along, By bull-destroying lion…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of a primordial, nurturing force (Earth in Passage A and the Tao in Passage B) as the source of all creation and the need to honor and protect this source for well-being and prosperity.
◆hermeticism|Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum|Section 1d
“Not only, then, is God not understood by all, but both unto the gods and some of the men they out of ignorance do give the name of Good, though they can never either be or become Good.
For they are very different from God, while Good can n…”
Both passages discuss the nature of a divine or ultimate principle (Tao and Good/God) and emphasize the importance of understanding and aligning with this principle. They both highlight the generative and nurturing aspects of this principle, though they use different metaphors and cultural contexts.
◆jewish_mysticism|The Kabbalah Unveiled|Introduction, Section 1h
“"And the Elohim said, let there be light, and there was light." (The sense may be sought from that Psalm xxxiii.
9) where it a written, "Since He Himself spake, and it was done." (First, therefore, is commemorated) the Path HVA, Hoa , (tha…”
Both passages discuss the concept of a divine or primal mother figure that is the origin of all things. They emphasize the importance of understanding and guarding this primal source to achieve a state of harmony or safety.
◆renaissance_hermeticism|Paracelsus: The Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers|Section 1j
“It is the spirit of the fifth substance, a Fount of all Joys ( beneath the rays of the moon), the Supporter of Heaven and Earth, the Mover of Sea and Wind, the Outpourer of Rain, upholding the strength of all things, an excellent spirit abo…”
Both passages discuss a fundamental, life-sustaining principle (Tao in Passage A and the Spirit of Truth in Passage B) that is the source of all things and possesses transformative powers. They emphasize the importance of understanding and guarding this principle for a harmonious and prosperous life.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|4. The Tetragramb
“The Great Magical Agent is the fourth emanation of the life-principle, of which the sun is the third form - see the initiates of the school of Alexandria and the dogma of Hermes Trismegistus.
In this way the eye of the world, as the ancien…”
Both passages discuss the concept of a fundamental, life-giving principle (the Tao in Passage A and the Great Magical Agent in Passage B) that is the source of all creation and must be understood and guarded to achieve harmony and power. They share the insight that this principle is both the origin and the sustainer of all things, and that understanding it leads to mastery and protection.