TAO TE CHING.. Verses 6-10

6. THE NATURAL CREATIVE POWER

The valley's spirit never gives out.

This is called "the fathomless female."

The gate of the fathomless female:

This is called "the source of the cosmos."

Silken! It's as if it exists.

In using it, relax.

What does this mean to me? In most ancient cultures the status of females in society was considered lower than men's. In most old literature you can find this male chauvinism, but the Tao is a little bit different. In several places it expresses admiration for women's natural role, and the successful strategies and creative power they use. This passage may have to do with reproduction, like a guide on making babies, though it's very abstract, and I could be wrong. Any ideas anyone?

7. SELF FOCUS

The sky is old and the earth is enduring.

The reason the cosmos can survive and endure is that it avoids self-creation.

Hence they can be old and enduring.

Using this: sages, when putting their being last,

Their being comes first.

In treating their being as outside,

Their being exists.

Is this not their lacking self-focus so they can give their self-focus form?

What does this mean to me? Another verse of "opposites." The sky and the earth (the cosmos, a lot like mother and father) are interdependent and rely on eachother. The middle section is telling us not to get caught up in our own affairs. An excessive concern for ourselves is not good for any human, and by turning our focus to others, and helping them, we inevitably help ourselves. So this verse is saying that being humble and helping others, is the best way for us to achieve happiness. The last line seems a bit like a riddle: By not helping ourselves, and helping others instead, are we not helping themselves?

8. BEING GOOD AT THINGS

Advanced mastery is like water.

Water, good at benefiting 10,000 natural kinds, doesn't contend.

Where it settles repels the human crowd.

Hence it is close to paths.

In dwelling, master "the land".

In mentality, master "depth".

In associations, master "humanity".

In discourse, master "accuracy".

In correcting, master "ordering".

In dealings, master "possibility".

In activity, master "timing".

In general, simply don't contend

Thus avoid criticism.

What does this mean to me? I like the first two lines of this verse especially. In Taoism, water is often labelled as a part of yin (along with female). Water symbolizes "finding" a way - a way that was there prior to the water flowing into it and one that is further shaped by the water's flow. Water doesn't fight things, it conforms to them and finds it's way. This verse says to be passive in all things that we decide to do, and gives us some insight into what area's we need to focus on to control our lives. 

9. GETTING VERSUS ACHIEVING

Grasping, we fill it up.

It is better to let it be.

Measuredly, you sharpen it;

You cannot preserve the edge for long.

When gold and jade fill the hall,

We can't preserve any of it.

Being rich and valued, we are proud.

The error of self destruction!

When success flows, retreat:

This is a natural way.

What does this mean to me? This verse is reminding us that all good things come to an end. If we value the wrong things in life than we can become slaves to those things, and our lives will never be whole. I think it's basically saying that we don't need a lot of material possessions, these items will change us, and can lead to our undoing.

10. UNFATHOMABLE VIRTUOSITIES

In general: in mustering your vitalities,

Enveloping them as one,

Can you avoid distinguishing?

In concentrating life force and making it supple,

Can you be a child?

Polishing your unfathomed vision,

Can you eliminate all flaws?

In loving the nation and putting the subjects in order,

Can you avoid acting on constructs?

In opening and closing the heavenly channel,

Can you act the female role?

In discerning all within the four directions,

Can you lack know-how?

Generate it, nourish it:

Generating it we don't treat as "present".

Acting on constructs, we don't rely on them.

Becoming "elder" we don't preside.

These are called "unfathomable virtuosities".

What does this mean to me? This verse is still talking in opposites, but in a slightly different way. By asking questions, this passage makes the reader think about it a bit more, and each reader's view on what each question means will be different. It's basically describing the best way to tackle different challenges that we encounter on our journey through life. In my opinion, the way this verse is written is about as straight-forward, or as clear, as the Tao gets.