hmmm

"Returning to one's roots is known as stillness
This is what is meant by returning to one's destiny
Returning to one's destiny is known as the constant
Knowledge of the constant is known as discernment
Woe to him who willfully innovates
While ignorant of the constant
But should one act from knowledge of the constant
One's action will lead to impartiality
Impartiality to kingliness
Heaven to the way
The way to perpetuity"

-This is the way
_____________________________________________

Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secrets
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to observe its manifestations

-desires do you no good
______________________________________________

What cannot be seen is called evanescent
What cannot be heard is called rarefied
What cannot be touched is called minute
---
Of old he who was well versed in the way
Was minutely subtle, mysteriously comprehending
And too profound to be known
It is because he could not be known
That he can only be given a makeshift description
Tentative, as if fording a river in winter
Hesitant, as if in fear of his neighbors
Formal like a guest
Falling apart like thawing ice
Thick like uncarved block
Vacant like a valley
Murky like muddy water
Who can be muddy and yet, settling, slowly become limpid?

-One is hesitant and tentative of things that one is unclear of....ahh....I think this is how I feel right now, though I think I'm taking this passage out of its context and this is not what the Tao Te Ching is promoting...Can you guess what I'm thinking, Tracy?