Verse 13

Success is as dangerous as failure.
Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure?
Whether you go up the ladder or down it,
you position is shaky.
When you stand with your two feet on the ground,
you will always keep your balance.

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?
Hope and fear are both phantoms
that arise from thinking of the self.
When we don't see the self as self,
what do we have to fear?

See the world as your self.
Have faith in the way things are.
Love the world as your self;
then you can care for all things.

[For Personal Development]

• Often we learn the most valuable lessons at the most difficult time of our lives. When we hit rock bottom, the only place to go is up.
  
• Hope and fear are the construct of ego.
• Self-love precedes the love of others.
• It’s our internal reflection that determines our world, not the external events.

[For Coaching]

• Trust our clients. They are brilliant, resourceful and whole.
• It’s all about the clients, not about us. Only when we are able to put personal performance aside, we are able to be fully present with the client.
• Build a super reserve in every area. Scarcity-based worrying is a leading cause of fear [28 laws of attraction- Thomas Leonard].
• Stay connected to ourselves so we can truly connect with our clients.

Verse 59

In governing people and serving nature,
nothing surpasses thrift and moderation.

Restraint begins with giving up one's own ideas.
This depends on virtue gathered in the past.
If there is a good store of virtue, then nothing is impossible.
If nothing is impossible, then there are no limits.
If a man knows no limits, he is fit to lead.

This is the way to be deeply rooted and firmly planted in the Tao,
the secret of long life and lasting vision.

[For Personal Development]

• Leaders share a vision going behind the current limitations, to inspire others to follow and to make seemingly impossible possible.
• Be aware and accept our own limits. One cannot fill a full cup.
• Awareness is the precursor to choice.

[For Coaching]

• Building a strong, deep personal foundation empowers clients to reach for the stars.
• Let go of our own agenda to support clients’ growth and discovery.
• Be open to not knowing.
• Ask questions that create new awareness for the clients and open new possibilities for them.

Verse 9

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

[For Personal Development]

• Enough is enough.
• Stop chasing perfection.
• Seeking approval from others is like running on the hamster wheel- endless chasing of non-enoughness. The only person you need the approval from is yourself.

[For Coaching]

• Growth occurs faster when there is space.
• High Self-Esteem is learning to accept ourselves first instead of seeking approval from others.
• Knowing where to draw the line and set clear boundary.
• Taken too far, strengths can become weaknesses. Balance is the key.

Verse 29

Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.

The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.

[For Personal Development]

• The world is our mirror; it holds the reflection of ourselves that we see in other people.
• What we resist persists.
• The world is prefect. Things may not always happen for the best, but we certainly can make the best of what happened.
• Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence. Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. [Stephen Covey]

[For Coaching]

• As coaches we reflect back to the client what is being heard in words and emotions.
• Our clients are whole and do not need to be improved.
• Coaching presence: we show up as who the client needs us to be in order to move forward.