Verse 77

As it acts in the world, the Tao
is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
It adjusts excess and deficiency
so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much
and give to what isn't enough.

Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who don't have enough
and give to those who have far too much.

The Master can keep giving
because there is no end to her wealth.
She acts without expectation,
succeeds without taking credit,
and doesn't think that she is better
than anyone else.

[For Personal Development]

• The nature is in a state of balance. Exploiting nature always creates disasters and comes back to haunt us.
• Instead of going against the flow of the universe, follow the path of least resistance and direction of the Tao,
• Reduce what’s in excess in your life and then offer it where it can be utilized.

[For Coaching]

• We partner with the client to expand the awareness and show them a bigger picture.
• Self love comes before the love to others. It is only when we can be compassionate with ourselves; we can then be compassionate to others.
• Have a strong reserve in the following six areas in life so we can better share our unique gift with the client: 1) time & space; 2) love & attraction; 3) money & freedom; 4) energy & vitality; 5) opportunities & momentum; 6) source & power.

Verse 67

Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has roots that go deep.

I have three treasures which I hold and keep.
The first is compassion;
the second is simplicity;
the third is daring not to be ahead of others.

From compassion comes courage;
from simplicity comes generosity;
from humility comes leadership.

Nowadays men shun mercy, but try to be brave;
They abandon economy, but try to be generous;
They do not believe in humility, but always try to be first.
This is certain death.

Compassion brings victory in battle and strength in defense.
It is the means by which heaven saves and guards.

[For Personal Development]

• Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing, by putting theory into actions.
• When we are patient and accept what ‘is’, we are able to tap the power of now.
• Do not run away from your pain. Have the courage to hold it; look deeply into it; love it like a mother comforting her crying baby. With understanding and compassion, you can begin to heal your wounds, and the wounds of the world.
• From simplicity grows generosity. Simplicity equals an abundant life without an abundance of stuff. It is human nature to be generous when we feel we have more than enough.

[For Coaching]

• Coaching skill development goes hand in hand with the personal development. Some coaching skills/concepts do not make sense for beginner coaches until the personal development catches on.
• Our compassion for our clients and the absence of make-wrongs, enables us to create the trust and intimacy necessary for coaching to work.
• In deep connection with ourselves we are able to connect deeply with our clients.

Verse 38

The Master doesn't try to be powerful;
thus he is truly powerful.
The ordinary man keeps reaching for power;
thus he never has enough.

The Master does nothing,
yet he leaves nothing undone.
The ordinary man is always doing things,
yet many more are left to be done.

The kind man does something,
yet something remains undone.
The just man does something,
and leaves many things to be done.
The moral man does something,
and when no one responds
he rolls up his sleeves and uses force.

When the Tao is lost, there is goodness.
When goodness is lost, there is morality.
When morality is lost, there is ritual.
Ritual is the husk of true faith,
the beginning of chaos.

Therefore the Master concerns himself
with the depths and not the surface,
with the fruit and not the flower.
He has no will of his own.
He dwells in reality,
and lets all illusions go.

[For Personal Development]

• Stop trying to be; just being.
• The harder the force, the stronger the resistance.
  
• Trust your inner knowing; let go of the arbitrary rules and take back your authentic self.

[For Coaching]

• Not just do coaching; be a coach.
• As coaches we clarify and ask for evidence instead of accepting what the client says at face value. We look beyond the symptoms, identify the sources and address the underlying causes.
• If you judge people, you have no time to love them [Mother Teresa]. Love our clients for who they are.